Custom sub box build.

[ballisticram]

Update! Box is finished. Sounds awesome. In the end I ended up with the 1.0 cube of airspace.
I am very happy with the outcome. I wanted it to like like it could have come from the factory and I wanted to retain the storage cover function.
I used black carpet and re carpeted the storage door to have a perfect match. I will eventually mount the amp behind the seat on the wall so it is out of sight.

I hope this build inspires others to take on the project. It was fun and rewarding. When someone asks "where did you go for the build and install?" I will reply "my garage.

 

[WhiteExpress]

Looks great sir!

 

[Power247]

Man that looks great!! Looks like it should have been factory

Sent from my LG 8.3 GPe

 

[Thmupr]

Looks awesome! Very good job!

 

[BradKnob]

Super clean install dude.


the storage cover... u build that or is is something after market? It matches perfect

 

[Power247]

You really got me thinking about building another box.....

Did you have to raise the seats to get the clearance between the sub and the seat bottom?

Also, where did you tap for the signal for the amp?

Sent from my LG 8.3 GPe

 

[ballisticram]

You really got me thinking about building another box.....

Did you have to raise the seats to get the clearance between the sub and the seat bottom?

Also, where did you tap for the signal for the amp?

Sent from my LG 8.3 GPe

I did not have to raise my seat. If I did it again I would recess my sub for a cleaner look.
I had the factory sub so I tapped into the 4 wires from the sub harness with a LOC.

 

[Power247]

That is good to know. I was curious how much room there would be with 3 full layers of MDF.

I did 2 layers of 3\4" MDF (for a total height of 1 1\2") and used a 3rd to make a ring to protect the sub from the seat.

I tapped the signal in the same place but have heard that taping the wires before the factory amp gave a cleaner signal.

Sent from my LG 8.3 GPe

 

[WhiteExpress]

That is good to know. I was curious how much room there would be with 3 full layers of MDF.

I did 2 layers of 3\4" MDF (for a total height of 1 1\2") and used a 3rd to make a ring to protect the sub from the seat.

I tapped the signal in the same place but have heard that taping the wires before the factory amp gave a cleaner signal.

Sent from my LG 8.3 GPe

Same thing I did! worked great!

 

[ballisticram]

I'm not sure tapping the signal before the amp would make a noticeable difference. The cleanest signal without changing the head unit would be using the Alpine processor which cost around $800 bucks. A lesser expensive option would be the Kicker Front row or a JL Audio Clean Sweep. All in all it depends what you are willing to spend for the amount of clarity you can get with a stock less than perfect source signal.

All in all I am happy with the way the sub sounds now. No clipping, deep clean bass, no engine noise. Only sound I hear from the sub is a bass note. I can drown out my front speakers with ease if I have the sensitivity up. And with the bass boost all the way down.

The bad signal is the mids and highs. In the future I will upgrade the source unit. But for know I will rock it until I get the ambition and funds to do what I want.

 

[Power247]

Sounds like you and I are in the same boat. It is good to build something just the way you want it and have it turn as good as you hoped.

Sent from my LG 8.3 GPe

 

[jeepguy_1980]

I did not have to raise my seat. If I did it again I would recess my sub for a cleaner look.
I had the factory sub so I tapped into the 4 wires from the sub harness with a LOC.

That's good to know. I made this connector and still have a Stealthbox from my '03 Ram. I just didn't want to do much in the way of wiring.