sub box and amp install

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thebiggesthorn

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I didn't know whether this should be posted here or in the electronics section, decided here would work fine.

Install was for my '17 1500 crew. I received the sub and amp from a co worker in exchange for making a box for his truck ('12 express quad). seemed like a fair deal to me. Materials ran about $200 to complete both boxes.
sub is a 10" Comp VR and amp is a Massive audio 1000.1(way too much power)

What wasn't pictured was the addition of the line output converter and the amp wiring. both were really easy, i accessed the rear driver speaker signal behind the pillar trim of the front drivers seat for the Line output converter. I ran power wire through a plastic plug in the firewall under the steering wheel and attached it to the other wiring running in the channel under the thresholds.
Seat spacers from 3/4" MDF for additional clearance of the seats, still plenty of space for the seat belt bolts to grab plenty of threads.
Also, 3 1/2" coaxial speakers for the dash.

Total cost out of my pocket for supplies for both boxes, speakers, and wiring was around $300.

My box ended up about 1.2 ^ft3, ported at 35Hz. Port is 3" pvc pipe. Here's the initial mock up:
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measuring and deciding my box height
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Starting the fiberglass process. Standard bondo brand mat and resin from lowe's. about a gallon of resin and 32 square feet of mat for both boxes.
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Wood framework and first layer of FG. Total of 3 fiberglass layers on each box.
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Top installed and ready for finish work. used a belt sander to smooth edges and round the section by the cup holders. Router to round over the top edge.
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Clearance (or lack thereof). I have yet to acquire a grill, but there is plenty of clearance to install one as the bottom of the seat is mostly hollow other than the material that hangs down.
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After sanding smooth, routing edges and carpet
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Amp install under rear driver seat. Spacers can be seen on either side of the amp.
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Differnce in size between Crewcab box and Quadcab box
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Box #2. I got away with not having to remove the seat for this one.
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WilliamS

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Holy cow thats beautiful.

If you ever get bored and live near Tampa I will take one!
 

kiloRAM

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That is really awesome! I hate to say it... but yours looks more OEM than my OEM subwoofer box that is in my truck. Nice job!
 

Ajwalk2008

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That looks awesome!!!! Great work. I’ve got a 05 ram quad cab and have been thinking of a different way for bass. I’ve got a under the back seat box right now. I’ve been thinking about making a center counsel box


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chrisp2493

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Awesome! I wish I could do fiberglass, the little bit I’ve done I hated it the entire time! Looks amazing
 
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thebiggesthorn

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Holy cow thats beautiful.

If you ever get bored and live near Tampa I will take one!
Im in california, sorry. lol fiberglass really isnt that hard to use, a few practices to get an idea of how to apply it and your gold.

That is really awesome! I hate to say it... but yours looks more OEM than my OEM subwoofer box that is in my truck. Nice job!
other than the seats being higher, it looks factory.

That looks awesome!!!! Great work. I’ve got a 05 ram quad cab and have been thinking of a different way for bass. I’ve got a under the back seat box right now. I’ve been thinking about making a center counsel box


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
DO IT!

Awesome! I wish I could do fiberglass, the little bit I’ve done I hated it the entire time! Looks amazing
i dont mind it, if i prep for the mess it creates. seems like i spend as much on tapes and gloves as i do the fiberglass.




Thanks guys. The second box only took about half the time because I used the first as a template. I could get one done in about a day now vs the week for both of these.

I looked online and saw most aftermarket boxes were around 250, I thought it would be much cheaper until I started buying supplies. Now I know why they charge so much.

Fiberglass isn't terribly difficult to work with, but you are in a race against the clock once it's mixed. I used red solo cups as my container to mix. Once the cupfull was applied it started to cure, so I would throw it out and get another cup and paint brush. I went through maybe a dozen cups and paint brushes.
 

WilliamS

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Im in california, sorry. lol fiberglass really isnt that hard to use, a few practices to get an idea of how to apply it and your gold.

Oh Ive built a few freestanding fiberglass boxes in my younger years, never again, I will pay someone else to do it. Your boxes are very nice, hats off to ya.
 
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thebiggesthorn

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Oh Ive built a few freestanding fiberglass boxes in my younger years, never again, I will pay someone else to do it. Your boxes are very nice, hats off to ya.

worst part is the smell that lingered for almost 2 weeks.
 

Motor Head

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This may be my next project! Ideally, do you need some distance between the seat and top of the sub, or setup like yours where it’s barely touching? I do not want any 4th point of contact vibration for backseaters, thanks
 

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