Author: Wayne Harris Click HERE to view more articles by Wayne Harris. Originally appeared in the April / May 1997 issue of Car Sound magazine. © All rights reserved.

Early in July of 1996, one of the most exciting contests in dB Drag Racing history took place at the Boise Idaho fairgrounds. For the first time ever, a competitor officially broke the 160 dB barrier! That competitor was Bill Proud of Reseda California.

When you first meet Bill, you'll almost immediately notice that he's a soft-spoken kind of guy. The same cannot be said about his 1990 Ford Ranger! With 8 Cerwin Vega Stroker 15's and more than 6400 watts of power, Bill brings new meaning to the phrase, "walk softly and carry a big stick."

One of the most impressive characteristics of Bill's system is its efficiency. Somehow, he is able to accomplish these high SPL numbers with only 1/3 the number of amps and speakers of his closest competitors. Bill attributes this efficiency to meticulous engineering and the high efficiency of his Stroker woofers.

The total installation time for Bill's system was approximately 18 months. Total cost? $50,000.00. Here's how he spent the money …

Bill's 1990 Ford Ranger

Electrical Power Plant

A good electrical system is like a good foundation. If its not designed properly, you're almost certain to have problems later on. To prevent this, Bill spent a substantial amount of time engineering his electrical system. By calculating the current requirements of his amplifiers, he was able to determine the quantity of alternators that would be required in the system.

Bill utilizes three Streetwires alternators for a total output current capability of 590 amps. To install the alternators, it was necessary to fabricate custom brackets for the engine of his 90 Ford Ranger. According to him, this process took about a week to complete.

To ensure an ample power reserve, the electrical system also contains 16 Group 31 batteries. (That's more than 800 pounds of batteries!) 0 gauge power cable is used throughout the system to distribute power from the batteries and alternators to the 6800 watts of amplification.

Amplifiers

Bill uses Linear Power amplifiers exclusively in his system. All of the amplifiers are mounted on sliding panels that lock into place for easy access. This makes it possible to replace the amps easily if the need arises. Squirrel cage blowers are used for cooling. In addition, each amplifier has its own 1 Farad Streetwires capacitor. For maximum effectiveness, each capacitor is mounted directly behind the sliding panel of its corresponding amplifier.

Amp Rack

Speakers

For speakers, Bill selected the Cerwin Vega Stroker 15. According to him, the high efficiency and large power handling capability of the Strokers make them an ideal choice for competition vehicles.

Because of space limitations, Bill was forced to use a compression loading technique in his vehicle. In addition to saving space, this configuration also resulted in increased power handling and better cone control.

Enclosure

The woofer enclosure in the Ranger was designed using Bill's own proprietary formulas. It is a Vented enclosure, which is a pretty rare sight in the competition arena. The enclosure is constructed from ¾ inch MDF and internally braced. No damping material was used. The enclosure is secured to the Ranger with lag bolts. Grey Tweed covering material was used to cover the box.

Interview

dB: Why do you do this?

Bill: "Car audio is my hobby. I also like the challenge of competition."

dB: What was it like to build this truck?

Bill: Painstaking tasks. Physically demanding. Enjoyed it. Garage.

dB: Why do you like dB Drag Racing?

Bill: "I like the format. Its also a spectator sport. I get a real rush when competing in front of the crowd. I also like the fact that dB Drag Racing is an organization dedicated to SPL."

dB: Do you have anything special planned for the upcoming season?

Bill: "I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you."