custom Sub box for Baja

[Jungle_44]

I built a variation of the sub box already posted.




First I used the dimensions from this thread :

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=1798426

(I used caulk to seal up all the seams while constructing it, it's too skinny to caulk after it's built.)


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Then I eliminated the rear portion that sticks thru the bed opening.

once I had the small "truck box", I mocked it up, and threw it behind the seat.

with everything in place, I traced the opening of the bed pass-thru.

Then I ran a peice of 1"3/4 tape on that line, and traced it.

This moved the hole to be cut, inward about 2".

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I used a gigsaw, and cut this panel out. Then put it on stilts about 4" out from the back of the box.


I draped the enclosure in fleece (sweatshirt material will also work), and stapled to the original line I traced of the rear access pass-thru.

Then I stapled it to the sides of the box, too.

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Then came the stinky, itchy stuff.

I slathered the thing with 2 quarts of liqud fiberglass resin, and after 20 minutes it was hard and ready to sand.

I buzzed it all down with 80 grit on a DA, then slathered it again with 1 qt.

Buzzed it again with 80 grit on a DA, then smeared the whole thing with body filler to smooth it.

Sanded, filled, and sanded again. Finised with 180, primed, sanded with 320, and painted it.

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The next day, with dry paint, I added some strips of threshhold that I painted black. I got them from Home Depot, and cut to size.

This added a bit of protection and ruggedness because it is in the bed of a truck after all.



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Oh, I also sunk the speaker in flush against the front of the box. Do this while building the box, not after it's done!

I covered the box in charcoal felt, and added some furniture footings to push against the rear seat and keep the box tight against the weatherstrip of the bed.

I installed radio shack binding post terminals on both sides, and stuffed a good size chunk of pink fiberglass insulation inside, on both sides of the enclosure.

Then I hooked up my 10" Dual Voice Coil Sony Xplod speaker.

Interior cubic dimensions are just under 1 cubic foot, 0.9. Perfect for a 10"!




box can fold down if needed, and can come out in a matter of seconds.

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[Benhart21]

I like it. Looks similar to the idea I've had in mind, but I want to do two 10s or something.

[Baja_Gernaut]

i spoke with the cuz and i'll be working on this project soon.

[moonzie]

Bravo Jungle! Way better than my original design - big congrats!

It's very important to sink that speaker into the box surface if you can - I didn't have access to a router at the time. I recently shaved off half of my mounting surface so that it didn't get too smashed against the back of the seat. I still have to deal with trim rattle from time to time which seems to be a never-ending battle PITA. But I guess with 2 12s and 800w of RMS power that's what you get. I got the rear center console compartment rattle free by installing some foam weather-stripping, but there's a lot of plastic back there.

Might have to borrow your idea on the furniture footings. Good one.

Someday I might re-think mounting my amp under the passenger seat. Driver seat has my 4-speaker amp under it now. The atlas isn't as necessary as it once was (kept it under the passenger seat) now that I've got my iphone. Would definitely make the system a lot more modular and less exposed to abuse.

[Thacrudd]

Epic awesome. I'll update the mod sticky tomorrow to include this thread!

[Jungle_44]

Originally Posted by Benhart21

I like it. Looks similar to the idea I've had in mind, but I want to do two 10s or something.

airspace is less than 1 cubic foot.

not enough air to let two 10" subs function properly.

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Mine is a DUAL voice coil however, and acts like 2 magnets, on 2 channels of power driving one speaker.

very efficient, and punchy, but powerful enough to hit some low lows and boom pretty good.

[Benhart21]

The box sticking into the bed wouldn't be a big deal to me since I use it as a trunk and I have an ARE topper. I'd also want to make it so it basically clamps in, since a majority of the time my seat is down for my dog.

[Jungle_44]

Originally Posted by Benhart21

The box sticking into the bed wouldn't be a big deal to me since I use it as a trunk and I have an ARE topper. I'd also want to make it so it basically clamps in, since a majority of the time my seat is down for my dog.

yeah.

when removing the rear flappy door, pass thru door thingy, I considered using the two hinge mounting locations, and the top latch to attatch the sub box.

possible even using the hinges to make the box flip down.

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in the end I just got lazy, wired it up, and called it beautiful.

[vegasj]

i want to do the box. would a 12 fit in there ? how is it mounted? has anyone mounted it with the henge.

[Benhart21]

I believe his is pressure fit, which isn't much of an issues if you have the seat up. I would want to secure mine in because I have the seat folded down for my dog a majority of the time. A 12" shouldn't be an issue since the mounting area is in the "free space" behind the seat and before the bulkhead. You would have to consider the length of the basket/magnet and your speaker's air space requirements when building the box. As far as his mount, I'd imagine there's a piece secured to the inside of the box cut to the proper mounting diameter while the outside is cut to actual speaker diameter so it'll sit flush, which is a nice detail. I don't think I'll ever get around to this project since I'm 99% sure I'm going to sell my car soon.

[Baja_Gernaut]

Originally Posted by Benhart21

I believe his is pressure fit, which isn't much of an issues if you have the seat up. I would want to secure mine in because I have the seat folded down for my dog a majority of the time. A 12" shouldn't be an issue since the mounting area is in the "free space" behind the seat and before the bulkhead. You would have to consider the length of the basket/magnet and your speaker's air space requirements when building the box. As far as his mount, I'd imagine there's a piece secured to the inside of the box cut to the proper mounting diameter while the outside is cut to actual speaker diameter so it'll sit flush, which is a nice detail. I don't think I'll ever get around to this project since I'm 99% sure I'm going to sell my car soon.

[Ahzlon]

I see that the speaker is flush mounted. Did you just reduce the overall thickness of the front board to inset the speaker. Or did you mount another board behind the frontboard to mount the speaker to?

[Jungle_44]

Originally Posted by Ahzlon

I see that the speaker is flush mounted. Did you just reduce the overall thickness of the front board to inset the speaker. Or did you mount another board behind the frontboard to mount the speaker to?

I mounted another board behind it.


Do this before building the box, I did it after, and had to split the mounting peice and finaegel it in there.

A little forethought would have saved a bunch of effort.

[Jungle_44]

it is held in just by the rear seat (see the little cushions)

when folded down you can just flip it down also.

utilizing the hinges and latch striker from the access panel is an option.

it was just a little more involved than I cared to get into.


if it's in the way, I'll just unhook it and throw it in the bed for the meantime.

[Scott-mathenia]

Good morning. I also have a Baja and been looking for a sub box. I don’t have the tools to build one and unable to work with fiberglass due to my breathing issues. Would you be willing to build one with one small change. I would be willing to pay via PayPal and then you ship it to me.

Scott