Now I need to figure out how to tune the amp properly and I'll be good!
First start by turning the gain down some...
The input sensitivity AKA gain knob works with a range of 0.2V to 8v
and your head unit pushes out a signal at 6v
so realistically you want to be around 35% or so on the gain knob. It isn't a volume knob. With the gain cranked too high and you crank up the volume you run the risk of clipping the amplifier and blowing the subwoofers. The woofers will handle clean power well over their rating, but low wattage in a clipped signal can kill them. Also when setting the gain you want all settings on the head unit to be zero'd out, no Bass Boost, no level increases, etc and then you want the volume around 90% of max, or at your maximum listening level, then you can set the gain by ear till you hear distortion and turn the gain down a click or two.
What all together does your stereo consist of, so far I know
kenwood dnx890hd
Audioque 1200.1
and 3 Sundown SD-2 8's
any other amplifiers? or door speakers?
the reason I am asking is because when tuning the amplifiers in, what you want to start off with is called level matching. Basically you set the gain to your "weakest" speakers, feed them as much power as they will handle, and then you can move to the next speaker/amplifiers and set the gain so that all the other channels blend in with the "weakest" speakers.
From there you can then set the crossover points maybe start around 80hz low pass with the subs, get your crossovers in good standing and from there you can move into final stages of tuning with EQ and other little tweaks.
As for the grounds, frame is great, but if you can get it to work inside the cab then all the better. Cab on these trucks is always debatable due to all the plastic welds holding the cab together. Scrape the paint clean on the truck floor to assure good contact between the ground wire and the floor metal.
