Calgary Jeep Association
4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: fony3 on February 04, 2006, 11:34:44 AM
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Hi, I am probably about a week or two from going out and buying myself a head unit for my jeep. This means that my sub (10") and amp are going to be in my jeep soon as well. I have done a bit of research looking for a pre made box, but its looking like it would cost me a lot more than I want to spend. So I have decided I am just going to build my own.
What i am planning is either a front facing angle mounted sub, or the other thing i see a lot of is down firing. I want to mount it off to one side, and add a piece of wood going across the back with carpet to make it look like an add a trunk, as well as to protect it. The reason for mounting to one side is that I can store some small stuff off on the other side, since it will be locked in.
The second part is mounting the amp, my amp is quite large, and I am planning on mounting it right under the back seat. I was wondering if anyone has done this, and how they keep it put, I was wonder if there are some places I could just screw it down.
I was wondering if any one had some advice on this subject, and if you had pictures of an existing box in your jeep, that would amazing.
Thanks,
Brad
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just remember, sqare is your enemy, so dont make a box with exact x,y,and z measurments. Also remember that space is your friend, bigger the box, bigger the sound (to an extent). And remember if you are making a ported box, to get it TUNED, or learn how to tune it yourself.
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Hi Brad,
I bought an 05 TJ last summer and am also just now going to in stall a system into it. I purchased two 12" pioneer slim fit subs and a 2000 wat amp. I found this site called "offroadtoystore.com" and they make this awsome box that is the bottom of your back seat. There is a bit of extra work that you have to do in the way of cutting and grinding but the main thing is that it saves SPACE. I believe that it fits 97-02 TJ only and that is why I am waiting (next three months hopefully) for them to make 03-present box for mine. Also if you google "TJ sub boxes" there is a site that comes up "just4effects.com" that has some interesting pictures minus their price of course.
George
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I do not have a custom amp/sub combo in my rig but I have thought about it.
I've thought about mounting an amp under the seats. there is a lot of room in there and it would fit just nicely. If I had installed an amp there, I would've fried it twice now. Water over the door lip = fried amp. You never plan on sinking yer ride that deep, but someday it will happen. Consider a rollbar/soundbar mount to keep the electronics at the highest point. Just a thought.
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hey not to sound like the greasy sales man, But I acutally run a saroundsaround, If you want swing by my store and i can show you a kick arse way to make a box for the back you your jeep that will be water proof. They are actually pretty easy to build, and look pretty good as well. The box i would have in mind for you actually gives you a spot to mount your amp as well. PM if you want more details.
P.S. I can actually draw you out the plans as well, and my advice and plans are always free, just looking out for the guys with 4x4s
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I just have a regular square box with a 10" in it that I've had with me in my last 3 vehicles. The amp mounts to the box, so it's a quick 3 wire disconnect when I want the space.
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Hey padler, sent you a PM
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well I put my amp up high. As I soaked 3 last year and mounted everything else just as high.
that is a 15" ph gold and it sounds better than my 2 10"s
6x9's well there is no where else to put them besides on the wells
5 1/4's in the dash
aluminum spacers between the sub box and the floor as well
here is a pic
(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a239/jeepdude/Feb0952.jpg)
Sorry bout the quality of the pic's . Went through 3 cameras as well and got this one off E-bay for 18$......lol
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i will have a picture up tomorrow of how we build them at work.
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CJ-7, thanks for the picture, i am guessing i am looking at your sub with the back seat down? is that the amp mounted right beside it? I am also curious to know what your box is made of...
Padler, cant wait to see the pics...i think i have pretty much decided how i am gonna build it. But i am sure these pics will give me a better idea.
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hey sorry guys I can't find the pictures of what I was looking for, so I will describe it too you. It is basically a down firing sub box spaced about three or four inches above the floor. You then mount the map up side down to the box next to the sub. Coat the hole box in a fibergalss resign and there you go a waterproof sub box that sounds good and gives you a spot to mount your amp.
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Thanks alot..thats exaclty what i was picturing in my head, my amp is really big, so if i cant mount it beside the box, under the seat should be fine.
I was wondering where and how much i can get that resin for waterproofing. Is it just a resin that coats on, or is it actual fiberglassing with sheets and resin?
I am guessing i could paint or carpet right over the fiberglass.
Another option i heard of vinyl, i was wondering if you had any opinion on that...
Thanks
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just paint the wood (make sure to use mdf) with just the resign, so no you don't need the actual fiberglass matting. It will dry a bit lumply but nothing that can't be carpeted over. Once you carpet over it you will never even know. As far as using anything else, thats fine but you have to seal the actual pourse in the wood, otherwise if it gets wet it will shell up like a spunge. There are some tie downs in the back as well, if you use some backstraping it is next to impossible to pull the box out, so you can leave it in the back with the roof and the doors off if you want.
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Alright..so this weekend is gonna be the big build...Just wondering if anyones knows were i can get fiberglass resign. I am guessing probably at a home depot, but want to know where for sure.
Also wondering if anyone knows were i can get some carpet similar to jeep colouring fro a decent price...I think my carpet is smoke (or something like that), so anything dark wouldnt be bad.
Thanks.
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get the resign at crappy tire it will be cheap, as for the carpet your best bet is probably visions up at crowfoot. Ask for lionel and tell him Reynolds set you, and he will get you a good price
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Thanks alot...what kind of glue do you use on the carpet, forgot to ask that in the last post.
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yea you can get the resin at canadian tire
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just a can of spray glue from rona or something
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Cool..thanks for everything guys...wish me luck
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minimum 3/4" MDF. Also Acoustiseal all inner seams to ensure an airtight seal. It is a pain to work with, but worth it in the end.
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UPDATE:
The box is built, looks pretty good, I’ll probably post some picks once i get the carpet on.
A tip for anyone planning on building a box...Acoustiseal is brutal, i would not use it again. I decided I would give it a try when i saw it at the home depot, BIG mistake. First off, its absolutely brutal to work with, makes a huge mess. There is a reason they say use it only in concealed areas. Second, once i got the inside seam all covered, before setting up the space heater to make sure I don’t burn down the house, I read that acoustiseal DOES NOT DRY, so far its only gotten tacky...stick with a silicone based caulk, I wish I did, still waiting to decide whether i should try to get the acoustiseal out, or just stick with it.....
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Finaly got some time to post the pictures....sucks after all the work to find out that the spider has come lose, and is rattling.
I guess after exams i'll have to try and glue that in. or buy a more powerfull sub ;)
Next time i'll have to shrink the images a bit.
(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i54/fony3/P1010206.jpg)
(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i54/fony3/P1010207.jpg)
(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i54/fony3/P1010208.jpg)
(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i54/fony3/P1010210.jpg)
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the spider comming loose on you sub is a factory defect from alpine, it happened to almost every type s sub in the last year. As a dealer we were instructed just to replace them for the customers. So just go back to where you got it and they should swap it out for you free of charge, if not some 2 part epoxy will work as well. Box looks really good to. Good jod
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ya... looks really good. I know that acousticseal is a bitch. absolute bitch. but the audiophile inside you will thank you later when she doesn't leak like a sieve. You don't want anything that will harden because the sonic vibrations would cause it fall to bits. Stays wet, keeps the seal even with 23Hz@116dB.
I used sawdust to put a layer of skin on all the acousicseal. that way you don't get that gak on you evertime you touch it.
Nice box. we need a "installed" pic
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yeah..i was thinking of putting some saw dust, but i figured it would jsut make more of a mess...
Yeah i heard that was a factory defect...but i got it over ebay, and the place i got it from wont "cover it". I'll probably just pull it out and try to glue it myself. If that dont work, i got an excuse to buy a new one ;)
I'll get some install pics on the weekend...i was planning on doing it before exams, but my schedule went nuts. Is a TIGHT fit.
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Here are some installed pics...sorry, they are huge again...lol
(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i54/fony3/Subboxinside3.jpg)
(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i54/fony3/Subboxinside2.jpg)
(http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i54/fony3/Subboxinside1.jpg)
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That looks awesome, would that fit under one of those insta lock trunk lids. If so, how much would it cost for you to build me one. Again, good job it looks great.
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I guess it would depend what insta trunk you had. This box that i built fits right to edges of my "trunk" (i dont even know what to call that little space behind my back seat...lol). It wouldnt be very hard to build one a bit smaller to make it fit. Although if you are putting it in an insta trunk lid, you could really just make a normal box wiht square dimentions that fits inside.
I could make you one, but i would need really good measurements, and i would only charge cost + a little bit for my time (like a case of beer ;) ). Although if you wanted to do yoruself, they are really easy to build.