A client from here in Fargo recently contacted the team at Audio Garage for assistance in upgrading his 2018 Factory Five Mk4 427 Cobra replica. The client had seen us at the Toppers Custom Car Club over the past few years and decided it was time to add an audio system and custom lighting to his kit car. After inspecting the vehicle and talking with the client about how he likes to listen to his music, we designed a unique audio system solution that would look the way he wanted and deliver amazing sound. The client also wanted two zones of RGB lighting installed for use at car shows and cruises and asked if we could reupholster the dash while we had the car apart. Of course we were happy to help!

Custom Rockford Fosgate Radio Installation

The acrylic radio mount allows it to pivot under the dash.

The audio project started with a plan to install a Rockford Fosgate PMX-8 digital media receiver in the vehicle. We chose this solution because it includes Bluetooth audio streaming and USB playback and offers a rear-vision camera input. We used our CNC router to cut a piece of ¾-inch clear acrylic plastic to form a mount for the PMX-8DH display head. The thin design meant that we could add a hinge to the top edge of the mounting panel that would allow the client to swing the unit up and out of the way when the car is on display.

The 5-inch screen on the display head not only shows radio information but serves as a display for a dedicated backup camera that we mounted on the rear of the vehicle. With a five-point racing harness holding the driver in place, it can be very difficult to turn around to see what’s behind the vehicle.

A Scosche WDQ2M Qi-compatible wireless charging bracket is mounted to the underside of the dash so that any wireless charging-compliant smartphone can be topped off while driving.

Custom Roadster Amp Rack and Speakers

A vinyled trim panel was used to conceal the audio wiring.

Our audio upgrades took up very little of the trunk space.

The PMX-8BB brain box of the radio and a four-channel JL Audio XD400/4v2 amplifier are mounted on the rear axle hump at the back of the trunk. We wrapped the mounting panel and a trim piece in black vinyl to give the installation a clean and tidy appearance while on display.

The four-channel JL amp feeds two sets of high-efficiency Rockford Fosgate TMS5 element-ready 5.25-inch coaxials. We used these speakers because they are efficient, sound great and have a shallow design that makes them easy to integrate into the vehicle. The front speakers are mounted up under the dash and point downward into the footwells. The rear speakers are mounted side-by-side between the seat backs.

Alligator Skin Dash Upgrade

The client had us wrap the dashboard while the car was in our care.

The clients alligator hide was just the right size for this dashboard.

The client had been alligator hunting in Florida and asked if we could wrap the dash in one of the skins he had brought back with him. After dropping the steering column and removing the gauges and switches, we aligned the skin with the dash panel so that any holes would line up with the component openings. Once glued in place, we reinstalled all the gauges and switches. We tidied up the wiring behind the dash to ensure that the vehicle would operate reliably and, should anyone look up under the dash, be neat and tidy.

Show Car Lighting System

The acrylic radio bezel did a good job of catching the colored lighting.

The dual zone controller allowed the client to mix lighting colors.

The 302 engine was highlighted with LED lighting.

The grille opening also saw some lighting upgrades.

The last part of the project was to install an XK-Glow XK-Chrome-Kit lighting controller and several yards of RGB LED lighting around the vehicle. We added lighting to the large radiator opening at the front of the vehicle, inside the engine compartment, under the vehicle, under the dash and in the trunk. We worked diligently to make sure the lights themselves were as concealed as possible. The client can control the interior and exterior lighting zones separately using an app on his smartphone.

Cobra Replica Audio and Lighting Upgrade Project

With the audio system installed and configured and the lighting system in place and tested, it was time for the client to return to Audio Garage in Fargo to pick up his Factory Five Mk4 Cobra replica. He was thrilled with the way the vehicle looks and loved the sound of the Rockford and JL Audio system. If you want to upgrade the electronics on your vehicle, drop by our store, give us a call or send an e-mail. We’d be happy to help!