10 Great Van Upgrades After 2 Years of Adventures in my RAM Promaster

It's 10 upgrades if you don't count the wiring kit for the amp!
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Seatbelt extender: amzn.to/3HRpt8i (Don't recommend)
iOttie phone mount: amzn.to/3GhlTUz
Double sided tape sticky dots for cable organization : amzn.to/3r2V2Fq
Kicker 6.5" Speakers: amzn.to/3naBaiw
Alpine amp: amzn.to/33o4KK3
Boss wiring kit: amzn.to/3tfrEOI
Vent air window inserts: bit.ly/3zKb6Q5
Custom cut floor mat: amzn.to/3qga8rX
Three drawer Milwaukee Packout: amzn.to/3r35tIZ
Alpine 1" Tweeters: amzn.to/3Fe7pTW
🌎 Lots more info on my website BKXC.BIKE

[@k1ngofthosewhoknow]

Shoulda called Seth for the amp install 🤣

[@TheIggyTech]

*Howcast intro theme intensifies*

[@gtxtx3]

the people who know, know right🤣

[@330_Crew]

The reason you run new speaker wire is that when you increase amplifier power (watts) you need a bigger wire for the additional power to flow through. If you keep the stock speaker wire, then you are cutting the maximum performance you can get out of the speaker/amp as the choke point will always be the thin stock wire. This will be most noticeable with bass notes which draw the most wattage from the amp. Eventually you will want to upgrade wire gauge.

[@bkxc]

Yes! Really good point. Gotta wait for my PTSD to wear off before I tear everything apart again.

[@urg0nnah8me]

@@bkxc If you've run the power wires near the audio wires, that will create the whine you hear.

[@mikesimms1]

I used to see all sorts of crazy things when I was out driving so I added a dash cam to capture it all. And the insanity stopped. My hypothesis is that the dash cam creates a force field around the vehicle that keeps the crazy from getting too close.

[@bkxc]

Hahaha, so true! At least fun stuff still pops up on Reddit.

[@danrausch4544]

For the floor mats, if you lay them out on the concrete on a warm day, the plastic will get softer. Then install it in your van. It will then mold better to the contours of the floor.

[@vtforester1382]

Agreed on the lights BK! Spent many many days and nights traveling around rural Maine deep in the woods doing forestry work. My LED light bar has saved my life many a times from moose, deer, people, wildlife, etc. Cool video and ride on!

[@DouglassTaber12]

Excellent video! Appreciate all the cockpit upgrades

[@natesutton7423]

You might be able to turn the chime off. Might work for a Ram pro master, definitely works for the Ram trucks…. Get in Van, close all doors. Put your seatbelt on. Turn van on to the run( or last position but before the engine turns over). Wait for seatbelt light to go off. Unclick and click your seatbelt three times in 60 seconds…ending with the seatbelt in. Turn van off. You should hear one chime if it worked. The best thing I've ever learned!

[@katekaos]

The new PM’s come with the camera rear view mirror - so nice!

[@JetboyCo]

This video is great! Tons of little Promaster tips / tricks I’ve found help, especially the headlights!!

[@GMoneyLove]

Four words for making the speaker retrofit (and other repair projects) easier: Dremel and hole saw. Beyond that, love the upgrades along with the content! Cheers.

[@johntanchin2545]

wow! it has already been two years!?! congratulations by the way! and looking forward to more van upgrades!

[@ctrsmithy]

I really recommend a 10 inch subwoofer, or a 12 if u can fit it somewhere, it makes a car stereo sound soooo much better, you don't need to be bumping it or anything like that if that's what your afraid of but it really does complete a car stereo I'm sure you'll agree if you do it. 100% They do make under seat ones that you could put under the passenger seat, I notice you got the amp under the drivers side, and I'm sure your Mrs will appreciate it lol, j/k

[@WayfarerVans]

2 years already!?! Stoked you and your van have seen all of the lower 48. BTW, we never said the spend would stop once you picked up your van ;) All the little gadgets and comforts are what makes a van a home though. Keep the adventures coming Brian!

[@bkxc]

Hahaha, always some new fun piece to add!

[@bikeninja956]

thanks dude! I'll definitely check these out. Looking to pull the trigger early next year *fingers crossed. So stoked. Gonna be such a game changer on the weekends!

[@bmanbuster]

Great video, Brian! Lots of fun and informative.

[@lalotb]

I was waiting for the disco ball installation.

[@AskChristyB]

I have the same format and I absolutely love it! I totally dig your channel and wish you all the best!

[@andyginther8562]

Props for staying so cool. I’d be freaking out attempting that stuff.

[@mattroy8629]

Good job Brian. You've gotten really hands on. Haven't been the most steady viewer (4 months off the bike due to a big crash so not watching to much bike stuff haha) I remember the van build and how tou were in over tour head. Guess having a van, like a house is a big opportunity for leveling up your skills ;)

[@HandlebarVentures]

Quality sound system is a must have with all the driving you do!

[@netposerx]

I like my window vent inserts too. I also got the plastic window deflectors too. Allows you to roll down your window about an inch or two and not have rain come in.

[@fjokke]

Finally a Way to spend Time love the vids btw 🙏

[@time2maked0hnutz54]

The Dog is Saying "My Owner Left Me with the Fan On but it's Woofin Hot in Here"!!!🤣 Great Tip$ though, Ride On Sir!!!

[@bkxc]

Hahaha I believe it

[@brianmi40]

I designed some simply to make DIY alternatives to the window vents using plastic about as thick as the glass pane. You sandwich 3 layers together, with the outer layers traced to fit the glass INSIDE the window frame, and the middle layer recessed upward to allow the window glass to slide up and in between the outer layers about 1", and then all around the top and sides, extend out about 1/2" beyond the outer two layers to provide material to slide into where the glass would go when closed. Now you can cut out any size opening, either make vents like here, or in my case, fit a portable air conditioners window vent into one so that I can run it inside the vehicle....

[@josephjuno9555]

I have and Love those window vents! I can safely windows when parked.

[@daarcher21]

I hate the chime too. Thank you for sharing!!

[@smtkelly]

This video really resonated with me. I've just bought a small used mpv/van B9 berlingo for biking. I'm getting PTSD from trying to pop all the panels out I had to take the whole centre part of the dash out just to swap the 12v socket. I've made my own jet washer, custom floor mat. Next I need take the rear trunk panel off and drop the headliner, enough to wire up some interior lighting and a limo tint to all the rear windows. Plus fix all the niggly broken bits.

[@bkxc]

Awesome! Sounds like a great project.

[@danbeeson9564]

I have the same floormat and I love it. It catches my spilled coffee and keeps it out of the cracks. Slight downside is that it’s hard to remove and clean because of the little dips

[@marksalvetti4894]

Great upgrades, well done

[@HelioJClemente]

GET A POLARIZING FILTER for your dash cam’s glare issue. I don’t think they make one specifically for that dash cam, but any that you can somehow mount will work. It makes a HUGE difference. No more glare from the dashboard. Consider a polarizer for a GoPro, since they’re small (and cheap). Good luck!

[@CaptJackBudgie]

you can use polarizer filter off drones to put dash cam, should take the glare off the windscreen and fairly cheap

[@11jakewolfe]

Watch most of your videos and this was one of the most entertaining. I was dead when you slapped on the phone mount sideways

[@bkxc]

Haha thanks!

[@galatians22122]

HUNT Brand Wheels! BEST Bang for the Buck!!!!

[@2e0txe]

Better way to get rid of the seatbelt beeper is to code it with the ODB interface. Some Ford cars here in the UK you can do it by turning the ignition on and then clicking the seatbelt in and out 3 times within a few seconds.

[@caledarling4216]

I have the same floor mat in my ProMaster and it's great. Maybe one of the better cost + effort to reward ratios of any upgrade I've made to my van. I can't believe you waited 2 years to do it lol

[@bkxc]

Haha, seriously! Every time I looked at floor mats they were in the $100+ range and I just could never pull the trigger. So far so good!

[@nathanschulte9009]

Read the owners manual, most cars you can disable the seatbelt chime by buckling/unbuckling the seat belt 20-30 times in 30 seconds with the car on but not started. Worked on my subaru and my work truck (Ram 1500).

[@bkxc]

Oh wow, this is news to me!

[@jamesmedeiros2784]

Definitely works on Subaru

[@anthonyb8405]

just youtube "ram pro master seatbelt chime disable" and toss those seat belt buckle things out.

[@jamesmedeiros2784]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4KnlX15fp5npqM

[@nathanschulte9009]

Found this on the internet for the promaster... Now, Turning to Chapter Eight, Section J - We have instructions for the seatbelt chicken dance... STANDARD PROCEDURE - ENHANCED SEATBELT REMINDER PROGRAMMING The seatbelt indicator also includes a programmable enhanced seatbelt reminder or BELTMINDER feature that is enabled when the vehicle is shipped from the factory. This BELTMINDER feature provides extended and modified visual seatbelt indicator and audible chime warning responses to an unbuckled driver side front seat belt. The BELTMINDER feature may be disabled or enabled by the customer using the programming sequence that follows, or by the dealer using a diagnostic scan tool. CUSTOMER PROGRAMMING SEQUENCE NOTE: The following sequence of events must occur within 60 seconds of the ignition switch being placed in the ON position in order for the programming to be completed successfully. 1. With all doors closed and the ignition switch in any position except ON or START, buckle the driver side front seat belt. 2. Turn the ignition switch to the ON position and wait for the seatbelt indicator reminder function to conclude (about six seconds). 3. Unbuckle and buckle the driver side front seat belt three or more times, ending with the belt buckled. 4. Turn the ignition switch to any position except ON or START to toggle the BELTMINDER feature from its current setting (from active to inactive, or from inactive to active). A single chime tone will provide an audible confirmation that the programming sequence has been successfully completed.

[@pyros2359]

For the AMP wiring kit, you will want to use pure copper cable and not CCA “copper clad aluminum.” CCA is highly inefficient and the amp will need to pull more power to counteract the resistance. Also, try to get tinned copper speaker/amp speaker wire. It will prevent copper oxidation that can occur over time with bare copper wire.

[@cwheremonster8870]

I was just going to basically post the same thoughts . Often, we overthink these things. But it usually comes down to resistance. Copper is a night and day difference . CCA should be swapped . Ir doesn’t have to.. but it should be. Man, I don’t miss wiring car audio.

[@scottfast03]

I cracked up about the phone mount when you said you could mount it sideways and watch a movie without your seat belt on driving down the interstate at 90 miles an hour. Lol. Nice job on the mods!!

[@anthonyb8405]

get black speaker/acoustic fabric and just wrap the stock tweeter plates and new tweeters. The fabric should stay out once you clip the plates back into the A pillar. and don't listen to people about not using the stock speaker wiring. You will be perfectly fine cranking them up 🤘

[@matt_m126]

Yup. I have run many car audio setups, and the speaker wire gauge makes no difference. I have run lots of power over stock speaker wire for years without problems.

[@antonioCsilveira]

This was a funny one. Thanks Brian, I had some good laughs watching it.

[@bkxc]

Glad to hear it!

[@razmtb5028]

Awesome Upgradeeeeeee

[@perklabs]

OMG these are a lifesaver, figuratively anyways. I hate that noise but they may literally be the opposite. It’s entirely plausible people die due to this video. Either way I got ‘em and love them. Thanks so much.

[@tuxieciclista]

Great job Brian! One of my projects is to build one van... let's see. Keep up the good videos! Regards from Portugal!

[@bkxc]

Thanks !

[@markwilson4710]

Another fan in the ceiling will move more air but only the air up high. I have a window in my sliding door and a small one on drivers side back above the bed. Air flow is now at a maximum.

[@michae8jackson378]

Thanks for the rear view camera recommendation Brian. Wife got a camera for reversing on her Suburban. It's horrible. I just told her about your camera and we are gonna get this camera for her! We have a crazy driveway thats downhill at a 45 degree angle....It's really hard for most to do. This was needed! Safe travels sir!

[@bkxc]

Good stuff!

[@ANTheWhizkid]

A dremel tool might be a good idea. Ty for the upload!

[@jdavis1383]

Very entertaining video... you made me laugh so many times! Love the upgrades!

[@Filmedbyak]

Nice dash cam. I have the auto voxv5 pro and wired it to my fuse box for my power system. 24/7 security

[@papageorgiola]

not sure if u got 4 speakers running or not, but if you dont, the passenger side column at the base below the seatbelt, has a molex connector that holds the rear left and right speakers. u can either cut the wires and splice on, or find the correct molex end and make your own harness.

[@brianbass4971]

Dual max air fans are definitely the way to go.

[@brentperez4700]

Brian, Sorry I haven’t watched your channel in a while. But was super happy to see you and your wife. She looks like that lovely lady you met at the beginning of the pandemic. Congrats to both to both of you. BTW, I now also have a promaster, and I’m interested in adding the rear view mirror. Can you help me with the make and model?

[@koreyg7674]

Oh my gosh. I’m buying that seatbelt add on. I didn’t know they have any. 😂

[@josholivarez3804]

i laughed too hard at the "if you want to watch a movie-going down the highway at 90 miles an hour with your seatbelt off" hahah

[@walkingman636]

You can just located the seat belt dinger and cut the wire. I have done that in many of my cars. Normally located just behind the dash or under the steering wheel plastics.

[@OutNAbout415]

Nice shots of vallejo…. I am around the area so much if I ever see you I will wave Hi! Lol

[@jonphotos8631]

The solution to the fan situation is to put a hole in the floor of the van right before the seating area you can get the little door kits that shut and open unlock this way it sucks cold air that collects underneath the van you can also instead of just having an opening put a fan there so you have a fan in the floor and a fan in the ceiling there’s also a mathematical formula to how big the hole needs to be so the fan won’t work too hard there’s also a formula if you’re gonna use a fan instead of a hole this way both fans don’t work too hard and you don’t have a negative pressure situation

[@jasonolsen8847]

Threads out there on the promaster for where to buy light bar mount kits that install inside grill. Clean look when done right.

[@steveboyle6891]

I work for Toyota and the seatbelt chime setting is customizable through a scan tool. Not sure if this is available on Dodge/Chrysler vehicles, but might be worth it to check with the dealer.

[@mushieslushie]

There are instructions online for disabling the chime. No scan tool needed.

[@bkxc]

From my research it requires a hardware dongle and some software. This was a quick fix!

[@zachschwab8208]

@@bkxc Dealership should be able to do it through a tool they have called CDA. If you're ever in the SE MI area I'd be happy to do it.

[@sirnicolai]

@@bkxc I just dug around under my seat (Mazda) and disconnected the wire that went to the seat belt stalk. No more chime.

[@mattspen]

I got the chime to stop on my 2019 Ram Promaster campervan. I forget the steps as its been years but it’s doable. (We have miles of private roads on the ranch I live on)

[@katekaos]

The RAM mounts are great. A lot of moto riders use them on their bikes

[@KaiSteinbach]

“… and my wife‘s life” … sorry, I must have missed the video about the wedding. Can someone point me to it, please? 🥰🥰Congratulations 🍾🥂

[@Tommygunn776]

Use the brush guard lights like you'd use your brights and don't blind people.

[@jeremysweeten2792]

Been hitting the LIKE button for years, Bri. I got you, bro!

[@gusman4871]

I've used Iotte phone mounts for about the last 8 years. Nothing better on the market.

[@Montezuma0]

On the Subaru Outback you can disable the seat belt sound by quickly buckling and unbuckling the seat belt 20 times.

[@davidgissiner9677]

One of the cheapest ways you can get better audio quality is adding sound insulation behind your speakers, such as Dynamat or another similar product. I've done it in all my cars and it makes a huge improvement!

[@bkxc]

That’s a great endorsement! I’ve always heard people talk about it to get rid of the hollow metal sound, but I don’t really hear that. But there’s probably SOMETHING I’m missing. Good recommendation!

[@BLAKEISHart]

put some closed cell foam behind the speaker to help the hollow metal sound

[@ArthurCapone]

Man, about the seat belt bip. Here in Brazil, most taxi drivers do a hack that is to click the belt before you seat down. In that way, your belt will always be clicked in. When you need to do a short commute, you choose to not use the belt, os just pull the chest part of the belt above your head. In a longer trip, clip it off, and do the right thing.

[@matt_m126]

I had an old car back in the day, and the chime stopped working at some point. That is when I realized how much I relied on the chime to remind me to take my keys from the ignition. That is also when I became an expert at breaking into my own car. 😅

[@bkxc]

Hahaha!

[@geoffreybutterfield4162]

You could probably get a garage to code out the seatbelt alarm 👍🏿. Probably safer than the Amazon thingy!

[@shayrubino9862]

in your owners manual there should be a procedure you can follow to remove the seat belt chime. I have done it on every vehicle I own. it's usually a strange sequence of cycling the ignition on and off a set amount of times and inserting the seatbelt several times. try searching for seat belt chime removal videos too

[@richardwernick4930]

RMS or root mean square is defined as the average. In terms of noise, it is defined as the process used to determine the average power output (continuous waveform) over a long period of time. To give you an example, a speaker with a 50w RMS rating may be able to handle 150w of power in short bursts (a loud bass kick, or any other loud expression that happens intermittently throughout a song), but for prolonged periods of usage, the average power output should be around 50w for continuous play.

[@bkxc]

Good stuff!

[@jakobsanktes6090]

Maybe put one of those small usb fans by the window to pull air in

[@harrygrimley4352]

Sir. You are way braver than I am. I would never work in or under a dash. And all the stereo wires🤪. No thanks. I will work real hard and earn money to pay someone else to do it.

[@bkxc]

It’s a rats nest maze that is just as ridiculous as it looks!

[@joshm3342]

You may want to consider a floor vent to bring in air. I'm thinking about doing that in my van.

[@bkxc]

Yeah, I think that’s a great idea.

[@fracturedrider]

Nice

[@slowmobius2136]

You need to just get a small subwoofer. Maybe like 10”. Will improve sound quality giving you more range

[@lars_atx]

for the dash cam, you could put some antireflective clear tint on windshield in front of lens, or try a phone anti reflective screen protector.

[@bkxc]

Oh yeah!

[@tonywey2347]

that seatbelt extender is pretty wild lol I never seen one of those. definitely nice to get rid of that chime but like you said, I'm not sure how safe those would be!

[@mushieslushie]

If he actually needs the extenders that's one thing but there is usually a way to disable the chime. I just looked it up it has something to do with putting the vehicle in accessory mode and then buckling and unbuckling 3 times.

[@bkxc]

Haha, it is a real piece of garbage. I actually found a different more reputable company, I’ll update that in a future van video.

[@tonywey2347]

@@bkxc glad to hear you invested into a better one!

[@petershumway7902]

The brushguard is probably somewhere on the train tracks in LA…

[@JoshuaLTRyan]

I like quadlock for a phone holder. If you are cool with the case, you are good for years and years.

[@bkxc]

Ah, that’s a good point, I always hated the case because it didn’t work on any of my other devices, but if I switch all my other stuff to quad lock then it’s problem solved!

[@SoCalKevin]

Thanks for the great info! Can you still use the sun visors with your new dash cam screen? I'm looking for a new one because my current one is too wide and prevents swinging the sun visors down.

[@trailjockeytj6160]

I put the plastic louvers on my front windows so I can roll them down an inch to 2 inches without water getting in if it’s raining. My reason is running my propane heater it’s suggested to have airflow so you don’t suffocate, don’t know if it make it much of a difference for me

[@earthandsky2504]

*Put a strong magnet on the back side of the seat belt buckle to stop the chime's.

[@Himalayanboy325]

From india 🥀❤️love this

[@TrailFReEK]

You needed Seth to come help ya with the Audio stuff! lol

[@oc2969]

I laughed throughout this video.

[@tt55k]

Liked it Brian . Do you have a woofer ? Love your videos !

[@bkxc]

No subwoofer yet, bass feels good to me so far!

[@Bearleaux]

My Jeep had to be put in to Run position with the seatbelt buckled, then unbuckle and rebuckle it 3 times then turn ignition to off. It stopped the chimes but the light stays lit.

[@JEMMTB1]

I can imagine you might have been on the phone to Seth, "what am I to do here 😆

[@bkxc]

Hahahaha!

[@HDA06]

Congrats on your upgrades.... just finished watching the Redemption CA for the 10th time.... when are you and Alex gonna get together to do another?

[@bkxc]

Oh man, we’ve gotta make it happen!

[@PaulThePunter]

Man I glued in some new bulbs. It’s better on full beam, but normal night lights it’s like a 30% increase…..and then water got in and I had to get them warranty replaced so that was pointless as well 😂

[@bkxc]

Hahaha, what a pain in the arse!

[@quantum_beeb]

That camera has impressive quality. I wonder if it backs up to the cloud. I was considering one with cellular data.

[@BLAKEISHart]

you can fix the glare by closing the gap between the lens and the glass. ex put tape around the lens to extended it.

[@bkxc]

That’s a good tip! Put a little box around it

[@ikbenolafnl]

Hey hey, Just a comment from an audio freak... I will try and explain it as simple as possible Your big speakers in the door have already a set of tweeters build in. The fact that you added another 2 will probably sound worse. This is due to the fact that sound travels in waves and both tweeters sounding a little diffrent but kinda the same. That makes that the wave get messed up. So, if there is anything bothering you (at high volume) that's probably the reason. Also make sure that the 2 extra tweeters only get higher freq. JBL as a complete package with the crossover, tweeter and woofer seperate. If you really like to upgrade the sound in the van, look for an subwoofer (if you don't already have one). And finally, try to have all the speakers from the same brand. If that's not possible for you, try to make sure that your speakers operate in their own freq. Range. By the way, I'm really jealous of your van ahaha. Bye bye👋

[@drumsxo]

If I recall correctly, didn't Seth used to install car audio back in the day? I think I remember that from Alex's van build videos... Swing through NC and have him hook your sound system up!

[@DaphneLowe]

I'm not a biker, but I've enjoyed watching your van journey over the years (I am also a van owner now). Have you added a heater yet, or do you avoid areas where that is necessary?

[@bkxc]

No heater yet, I avoid cold weather camping as much as possible!

[@dukeofmtb]

How is the van in freezing or super hot temps with your current setup? I'm thinking of getting one and my instinct is to insulate the heck out of it and really wall it up. Is that even worth the effort and cost?

[@patdrumm3770]

yay for good audio!!!!! What is your go-to test song?

[@bkxc]

All the oldies sound so good! “Every day will be like a holiday”

[@mattwendling267]

I ca't believe you didn't save the stereo upgrades for a visit to Berm Peak!

[@ShitStefanShoots]

Soulshine by the ABB (or - originally Gov't Mule/Warren Haynes) is about my all time favorite song ;o)

[@bkxc]

Hell yeah!