• Backup Safety
  • Bluetooth
  • Car Audio
  • Custom Fabrication
  • Motorcycle Audio
  • Navigation
  • Remote Starters
  • Truck Accessories
  • Window Tint

Mobile Edge

1 of the Top 50
Retailers in the Nation, 2008 - 2018
Contact Us Call us
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Virtual Tour
  • About Us
    • Our Mission
    • The Team
    • Directions/Hours
    • Work For Mobile Edge
  • Mobile Enhancements
    • Car Audio
    • Custom Installation and Fabrication
    • Motorcycle Audio
    • Navigation Systems
    • OEM Integration
    • Powersports Audio
    • Rear-Seat Video
    • Vehicle Protection
  • Convenience
    • Android Auto
    • Apple CarPlay
    • Cruise Control
    • Heated Seats
    • Remote Car Starters
      • Remote Car Starter Estimate Request Form
    • Smartphone Integration
    • Vehicle Security and Keyless Entry
    • Window Tint
      • Window Tint Estimate Request
  • Driver Safety
    • Advanced Camera Systems
    • Backup Cameras
    • Blind Spot Systems
    • Parking Sensor Systems
  • Truck Accessories
    • Automotive Lighting
    • Exterior Truck And SUV Accessories
    • Truck Bed Covers
    • Truck Bumpers And Grille Guards
    • Truck Step Bars
    • Vehicle Protection
  • Reviews
  • Brands
    • 3M Window Film
    • Amp Research
    • Audison
    • BAK Industries
    • Compustar
    • Hertz
    • Intoxalock
    • Pioneer
    • Rockford Fosgate Motorcycle Audio
    • Sony
    • Sony Mobile ES
    • WeatherTech
  • Videos
  • Financing
    • Well Qualified Applicants
    • No Credit Needed
You are here: Home / Car Audio / Custom Stereo and Radar Upgrade for Trenton Ford F-450 Pickup Truck

Custom Stereo and Radar Upgrade for Trenton Ford F-450 Pickup Truck

By Mitchell Schaffer

F-450 StereoA client from Trenton, New Jersey, recently reached out to the Mobile Edge team to inquire about upgrading the stereo system in his 2020 Ford F-450 work truck and installing a radar detector system. The client had been planning this project for many years. He wanted a fully loaded truck that he could use for his construction business. The client travels all over the country for work, so we were honored to be chosen to perform the audio system and ticket avoidance solution design and installation as part of his dream project.

Escort Radar Detector and Laser Defense System

F-450 Stereo
Our technicians made sure the laser shifters and the radar receiver were securely mounted.
F-450 Stereo
The radar detector control was conveniently mounted for ease of use.
F-450 Stereo
The radar detector display looks as if it were part of the truck from the factory.

The work on this F-450 began with the integration of an Escort MAX CI 360 custom-installed radar detector and laser defense system. The client chose this system based on its ease of use and the fact that it works with the Escort Live! app on his smartphone. The app provides detailed warnings about speed traps from other drivers using the system.

We started the installation by mounting the display for the Escort system on the back edge of the overhead console. The controller for the system is mounted to the side of that console, so it’s easily accessible to cancel the laser transceiver signal or make system adjustments.

Next, our team mounted two of the laser shifters on top of the rear trailer hitch and secured the twin-antenna radar receiver just beside the hitch bracket. The front sensors are installed similarly on either side of the vehicle, and the front grille conceals the radar receiver. A crucial part of the installation was to properly align the laser shifters to detect police officers using lidar at long distances.

Custom Ford F-450 Audio System Upgrade

F-450 Stereo
The sound deadening, along with the speaker upgrades, will make this truck sound crisp and clean.
F-450 Stereo
The tweeters are mounted securely to the door panel, a perfect pairing with the midbass drivers.
F-450 Stereo
The shallow mount subwoofers do not impede on any seating inside the truck.
F-450 Stereo
These shallow mount subwoofers are easily removable and pack a punch with a small footprint.

The goal of the new audio system was to design and install something that would play loudly and offer studio-quality accuracy. Building something flashy or extravagant wasn’t part of the plan. After inspecting the factory-installed Bang & Olufsen audio system and talking with the client about the features he liked, we chose to use the original equipment radio as the source unit. Then, we’d upgrade the system with significantly better speakers, subwoofers, high-power amplifiers and an advanced digital signal processor.

We removed the door trim panels to apply a layer of SoundShield sound deadening to the outer and inner door skins. This three-layer damping material helps prevent road, wind, tire and exhaust noise from entering the cab and drowning out the music.

Next, we created mounting adapters for two sets of Hertz MLK 165.3 Legend 6.5-inch component speaker sets. We installed a woofer and a tweeter in each door and ran individual wires from each back to the rear wall of the truck. We added a sheet of sound deadening under each woofer to act as a gasket to ensure a 100% airtight seal.

The last transducer upgrade was the addition of two Audison 10-inch APS 10 S4S shallow-mount subwoofers under the rear seat. We used a vehicle-specific enclosure for the subs so that they’d be removable should the client need to carry large amounts of cargo in the back seat.

Audison Car Audio System Electronics

F-450 Stereo
Our technicians took great care in mounting the equipment for proper ventilation and security.
F-450 Stereo
All amplifiers are securely mounted to custom-fabricated mounts for the amplifier rack.
F-450 Stereo
The processor and all amplifiers are securely mounted and tucked out of sight.
F-450 Stereo
Our installers made the processor’s remote fit seamlessly into the truck.

The heart of this audio upgrade is an Audison bit ONE HD Virtuoso digital signal processor. We’ve used similar versions of this processor in the past to calibrate the output of new amplifiers and speakers to make audio upgrades sound amazing. The processing power of the Virtuoso would be crucial to this system in its ability to undo the audio signal processing built into the factory amplifier. Once the processor has undone the equalization and tuning intended for the original speakers, we can use it to configure four output channels for the front speakers and tweeters, four for the rears and a ninth for the subwoofers.

The outputs of the processor feed three Audison SR-Series amplifiers. There is a dedicated four-channel SR4.500 for the front speakers and a second one for the rears. Finally, an SR1.500 monoblock amplifier is dedicated to powering the subwoofers. Each four-channel amp can produce as much as 130 watts per channel, while the sub amp can deliver 800 watts to the pair of subs. We added a pair of 2.5-farad stiffening capacitors to ensure that there is adequate current for the amplifiers.

The trio of amps and the processor are mounted against the back wall of the F-450 using a custom steel amp rack that we welded together specifically for this vehicle and the products the client chose. The rack attaches to the rear seat mounting bolts so that everything is rock solid and secure. We mounted an Audison DRC MP remote control in the overhead console so the client can adjust the system presets or subwoofer level from the front seat.

Audio System Calibration Ensures Accurate Performance

With everything installed and mounted, we used our Audison bit Tune processor to calibrate the system. The processor measures the frequency response of each speaker in the truck and calculates the path length differences to the listening position. Using this information, it sets levels, signal delay and equalization curves for each speaker. The result is a listening experience that rivals sitting at the mixing console of a world-class recording studio. The music is presented to the driver as if the dash were the stage at a live performance.

The client was thrilled with the way the system sounds. It’s crystal clear and plays loudly. We explained how to use the radar detector and its laser defense system to avoid speeding tickets. He was excited to have a little extra protection for his next cross-country adventure. If you’re looking for a ticket avoidance solution or an audio upgrade for your car or truck, drop by Mobile Edge in Lehighton and speak with one of our product specialists. You can also reach us by phone or e-mail using our contact page if you can’t get to the store.

See more content filed under Car Audio, Custom Fabrication, Driver Safety, FEATURED INSTALLATIONS, Integration, Radar Detectors or tagged with 2020, Amplifiers, Audison, Digital Signal Processors, Escort, F-450, Ford, Hertz, Radar Detectors, SoundShield, Speakers

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email

Related

About Mitchell Schaffer

Founder of Mobile Edge, technology geek, author, ethical businessperson, avid landscaper, CrossFit enthusiast, master of 4 very cool cats, and very happily married.

Window Tint

Window Tint Estimate

Mobile Edge is a retail store located in Lehighton, PA. We ask that you only request an estimate if you are able and willing to bring your vehicle to our facility here in Pennsylvania for installation.

Motorcycle Audio

Motorcycle Audio

Since 1994, Mobile Edge in Lehighton has been a specialist in mobile electronics, and one of our growing categories is motorcycle audio. Our team is … [Learn More...]

Buy a Gift Card!

Gift card

Securely purchase a Mobile Edge Gift Card with PayPal or any major credit card.

Vision Zero

We Wrote The Book on Remote Starters!

Remote Starter Buying Guide

Take a Virtual Tour!

Mobile Edge Virtual Tour

Search our site with any combination of CATEGORIES, TAGS, or KEYWORDS

  • Category

  • Tags

  • Sort Order

  • Keyword

  • » Reset

WeatherTech

Subscribe to Posts via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

BestCarAudio.com

BestCarAudio

Location


Get Directions to Mobile Edge

Hours

MondayClosed
Tuesday9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
SundayClosed

Contact

Mobile Edge
52 Blakeslee Blvd Dr E
Lehighton, PA 18235
Phone: 610-377-2730
Email: info@mobileedgeonline.com

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2025 Mobile Edge, 52 Blakeslee Blvd Dr E, Lehighton, PA, 18235- Privacy Policy - website by 1sixty8 media, inc.

 

Loading Comments...