tc

Anyone ever hear of someone putting an 8" sub in the little storage cubbies in the side of the back area? Looks like it would fit pretty nice...take some pretty serious custom fab though.

89macrunner

accualy it wouldnt be as difficult as you think...a little time and fiberglass could do it.
I was going to do that but decided on a 12" in a box anyways....

and yes people have put 10" subs in the back even.

Cebby

I have a Blau Overdrive 12 that is only 3 1/2"d that I'll be putting back there. There isn't much depth back there. Pioneer and Illusion Audio also make these shallow subs.

Here's the Blau...

tc

Yeah, I have Illusion 8" in the Impala. Actually, depth is not much of a problem - a JL 8W6 would fit if I could find one (anyone?) I want it to fit within the factory opening of the box, so 8" is about all I could do.

runethechamp

A sub doesn't work well without a box containing it. Even a good 8" sub needs 10-12 liters of volume for an enclosed box and even more if it is ported. I don't know how you plan on fitting that back there, but if you find a good solution I'd like to see it. I have a hard time imagining a fiberglass box being stiff enough to work for a sub.

4RocRunner92

I say if you can put a computer in those storage holes then you could put a subwoofer in there.

runethechamp

How is that even related? Of course you can do it, but that doesn't mean it will sound any good with the whole side panel vibrating with the sub.

4RocRunner92

How is it even related? Isint the title of this thread subs in back? and tc asks if we have ever heard of anyone doing it. his message is:
and thanks for stating the obvious:
and I was just stating MY input. no need to jump on me.

tc

I did A LOT of custom work on my first truck. There should be plenty of room for a good enclosure back there...as for fiberglass not being strong enough - how do you think they make those funky curved boxes? (Actually - a lot of those aren't even actually 'glass - just sweatshirt material covered with resin)

I need to pull the panel and take a realy good look back there, but looking in and around the compartment, here's what I'm thinking...

- Use MDF to make sides that match the curve of the body panel pretty much exactly. They could be actually wider than the compartment for extra volume.

-Fiberglass it all with multiple layers, about 1/4" thick, to the side of the truck. If there's enough depth, could add some stiffening ribs within the 'glass.

- Put a 3/4" thick baffle on the front of the box, and cut a hole for the speaker.

- Wire it up, and good to go. Hopefully, there is enough room behind the panel for the amp too...

- Get another cover panel from the junyard and use it as the grille.

- Then if you want to return to "stock", just cut the baffle open and reinsert the plastic box that's in there now.

I may just have to do it to prove it can be done now... LOL

runethechamp

Yeah, I'm not saying it can't be done, but it will take some work. That's what I meant 4RocRunner92, it isn't just like plopping somthing if you want it to be halfway decent. Didn't mean to go off on you if that's how it came off. I gave it up without much, if any effort, and went with the wheel well/back seat hugging boxes instead (have some attachments here).

4RocRunner92

lol it will definately take some work. you should have seen the computer mod thread...... :pat:

nah I understand just wanted to have my side in incase you were in fact going off on me. no problem at all.

runethechamp

I'm new enough here, so I don't even think I saw the computer mod thread. Sounds interesting...

Epic Ed

I've talked with a couple of installers about doing this. I have a '95 and a '97 'Runner that I'd like to do it in, and for me, it's imperative that I lose zero cargo space. In my '95, I have a ridiculous amount of sound deadening material in there already and I custom fabbed up a mounting bracket for an amp that fits into the left/rear storage area. I have my Sirius satellite receiver mounted near the tail light on the right-rear side, but there's plenty of room for a sub if I eliminate the storage container. I just had this all torn apart yesterday. The stock housing for the little 4" speaker would need to be removed, but once that and the cargo box are gone, there is a surprising amount of space to work with.

My problem is I have no expertise with fiberglass. I bought some resin and glass a while back and tried to mess with it, but all I got was a headache and a bunch of goop every where. For me, I'd want someone else to fab the enclosure. I'm only planning to do one side in each vehicle and was quoted $200 as a ballpark figure for each. Obviously, you'd have to pick out the sub you're going to use first, and then build the enclosure around the dimensions of the sub.

If anyone does this, I'd love to hear about it and see pictures.

Ed

4Hummer

CHeck this out.


http://www.cardomain.com/ride/296763/7

4RocRunner92

Nice find Michael!!

runethechamp

That is seriously impressive. That looks like a lot of work, but the end result is really nice.

Elton

wow that is soo nice i wonder how much that cost

Epic Ed

That rocks -- exactly what I'd like to do to mine. I may give it a shot. The fiberglass doesn't look too complicated.

Ed

tc

That's exactly what I was looking for, but I'll do it with an 8" and keep the couple inches so it will be flush with the side wall.

Thanks!

PAhydrohead

Mike do you already have an amp(s) to drive the subs? Still planning on mounting the amps to the roof? Now that I got your old flares on and I can get my Runner inspected, I think its time for me to get those Kappa Perfects in the front doors. Replacing my stock stereo should make a good winter project!