After trying to find a solution ($400.00 starting price) to add REAL base to the car, I have decided to build a custom enclosure for a 10" subwoofer that will fit under the convertible storage area and not interfere with the "spare tire kit". After about two and half hours of measuring and cutting templates last night, I am ready to start work today. It looks like the biggest challenge will be the polygon shape that the box will take. The only consistent length (currently) is the width at 35" along the top. There are two (I assume shock towers) protruding corners to the front of the car that I have to make cut-outs for...



I have elected to go with one 10" Rockford P1 subwoofer due to mounting depth requirements along with a Rockford P3001 Mono Amp. This should compliment the Alping CDA-9853 (IPOD Compatible) rather nicely. The setup for the trunk will have an enclosure and an "amp rack". The enclosure portion runs 6" deep, 21 3/4" wide and 10 3/8 inches deep (along the bottom with the top being 11 1/2") making the enclosure .638 cu ft. I am sure by this point you are as confused as I am (LOL).



As it is difficult to draft in PowerPoint, I will probably do the plans for this on Visio (to include the angles) if anyone else wants to make the enclosure for themselves.



The last step in this adventure will be to figure out what/where the rear speakers are in the SRT/Limited model so I can add two more speakers to the rear to increase the SPL by at least 3db (not counting the sub).



Wish me luck and stay tuned. :-)



Jess

 

Keep us posted, looks interesting.

 

What is the volume required by your subwoofer?
Have you calculated the interior box volume and displacement of the woofer?
I looked at your thumbnail pics and the measurements look to be exterior.
Are you using 3/4 MDF or a combination of wood and fiberglass?

Looking for some pics of project in progress.

Regards,
Sandman

 

The volume is .5 to .63 Cu Ft. The Calculator that I use is by the sub manufacturer and offsets for the sub (this is funny cause I was tired as I was using their site and KNEW that I had more volume than .63). You are correct in that the measurements are exterior. I picked everything up last night and am cutting wood this morning. Need to make one more trip to Radio Shack for a Speaker Quick Disconnect and some wire, and I should be good.

Should have some pics up tonight.

Thanks for the comments!

~ Jess

 

Updated Pics: Off to cut out the sub hole and amp rack mount.

~ Jess

 

Here are the test fit images. I have some more carpeting to put around the amp. The RF has chrome and it reflects areas not normally seen...no big deal. I made the back of the Amp shelf open so I can slide it out for maintenance reasons.


The wood is 1/2" plywood. You can only get 3/4 inch MDF here and with only six inches of area to work with it was not an option. Not a big deal as long as you seal the heck out of it with wood glue and silicone (DONE).

For your viewing pleasure: Total cost thus far:
$23.00 plywood
$ 5.00 screws
$ 2.00 Wood glue
$ 1.70 Spray adhesive
$ 3.86 Enclosure carpet
$ 6.00 Speaker connector
$15.00 Subwoofer Speaker wire

Beats the heck out of $400.00...and I know it was done right! ~ Jess

 

nice job!!! a very clean and professional install imo.



~ some say particle board is a better insulator then plywood. so i hear...but who knows? i do know...it doesn't warp like plywood.

 

This setup allows complete access to all of my roadside tools, and I don't loose any (unused) trunk space. I like it.


The problem with regular particle board is that it is not strong enough and will frequently break when assembling. It also doesn't take much abuse. MDF on the other hand is made with more compression and supposedly better glue. One of the disadvantages of living on a rock is that you can ONLY get 3/4 inch...that would only allow 4.5 inches mounting depth...an 8 wouldn't even of fit. I am excited about hooking it up and checking sound.

~ Jess

PS: Back speakers are next on the list...another DIY in the works. ;-)

 

now that makes sense.

i'd like to give you another pat on the back... great job. i love seeing creativity at work.

 

excellent job...let us know how it sounds! what's the rest of your audio setup?

 

The sound is incredible. I wanted it to compliment the music and not dominate, so I succeeded. I have an Alpine CDA-9853 with IPOD Adapter and 30Gb IPOD in the glove box. I will be installing the Rockford Fosgate 6.5 components next week and move the stock speakers to the rear area behind the seats. Then I will be done and can move on to the next project.

I have the template for the side panels if anyone else wants to make one of these.

LMK

~ Jess

 

Why move the stock speakers? They will have a negative impact on the overall sound quality of your system and the seats will block a majority of the sound coming from them.

 

The stock speakers are flat compared to the rockford fosgates. I currently don't have rear speakers, and for exactly the reason you stated (I won't hear most of it anyways), I will put the speakers back there. Additional speakers = additional SPL as well as quadraphonic sound (where applicable). The head unit also has time phasing which will eliminate that type of distortion.

~ Jess

 

Think he thought you were saying you are just going to have speakers in the back.