All of my trunk-enhancing purchases have been made:

Subwoofer: SoundSplinter RL-i 10" Driver -


http://www.soundsplinter.com/rli_ser...formation.html


A Mono Subwoofer Amp: Class D MTX Audio Thunder421D -


http://www.cardomain.com/item/MTX421D


A 4 Channel Amplifier for my Internal Speakers: MTX Audio Thunder564


http://www.cardomain.com/item/MTX564

For wiring I purchased an inline fuse holder, fuses, distribution block, and ring terminals. I will be purchasing all the wiring separately (and for much cheaper than any 4 gauge, Multi-amp wiring kit would provide it to me).

I also have cut out a new trunk floor, here is a picture:


I have created this thread so you can all tell me what I'm doing wrong as I go through my first install. I am currently designing the box and will probably update with some dimensions and a sketch of what it should look like.

I am also planning some cool and unique (as far as I know) finishes on the Oak floor and MDF box. I hope you all can enjoy what you find in this thread and maybe my experience can benefit others who are also going through their first install.

-Jonathan

 

Hope you don't plan on getting that whole floor in there like that...

Looks like it's off to a good start! Keep us updated.

 

of coure not. I plan on cutting it into two or three sub sections. One for the subwoofer box itself, one for the amplifier racks, and one will be a removable panel for spare tire access.

I am running into a slight problem. It seems that a .75 cubic foot sealed enclosure will just barely be visable in the back of the trunk no matter what way I design it. (meaning that it'll be hard to see and won't be as showcased as I want it to be)

 

Why not move it forward then? It does not need to be that far back...

How did you anticipate on placing it?

 

I had seen this trunk and had hoped to have something fairly similar in the end, only without the carpet, I don't care for the ugly grey carpet our Max's come with very much.



I probably will have something similar to this in the end, we'll see how it goes tonight with the box building.

 

^^ that is sweet look ...

cant wait to see your finish ionpcs!!

 

dang... if you had the wood finish inside and then had REAL wood finish and lacquered in the trunk... that look classy.
mb not what you want, but an idea nevertheless

 

ya that would look tight, all finished with stain and lacquer.

 

I don't care for our carpet either, very much. Wow, what a teriffic audience.

 

Yes, that is my plan to stain the oak and give the "classy" look. I might use a laminate on the MDF itself, but right now I am planning on painting the MDF panel a reflective black, and include portions of inlayed dark black carpet with brushed aluminum trim on the trunk floor itself.

Here is the sketch of the box sizing:


-Tell me what you think,
Jonathan

 

once it fits thats all that matters. the only thing that i dont like about our 4th gen trunk are those hinges that hold up the trunk like there always in the way. but thats me

 

why not make the box a little bigger? you'll also play the lower bass notes easier too with a larger box.

 

Same thing with the 5th gen. Totally f-ed up my original plans for my trunk.

 

I talked to the guy who actually makes the subs. He says that .75 Cubic Feet is ideal for this sub, he said it would give an ideal mixture of tight and deep bass notes. I listen to alot of rock with the quicker basslines so I don't want to lose that tight crisp feeling. You're definitely right about the bigger boxes though.


Yeah, the hinges really do suck. I am debating whether or not I should just keep the box way back in the rear of the trunk or if I should bring it out and deal with those hinges. I'll build the trunk around the box.

*added poll* I added a poll to this thread just to see what you all think. Either way I go I will customize the trunk and it should look pretty pimp, (what I don't do to the box I will do to the amp racks ) Right now I'm leaning towards a smaller box that fits well with all four sides of the trunk in the rear and a cool suspended amp rack made out of aluminum and plexi.

Is it at all necessary to add fan cooling of some sort to the amps?

 

Looks like ur gonna have a nice setup. Great choice of sub...those SS RL-i's r very impressive. I don't think you should need a cooling fan for those amps, they shouldn't get very hot.

 

i say use discression

 

Alright. I have everything almost ready for final touches.


My amps are mounted (and sitting on a bed, but at least they're mounted):



I have all 6 sides of my box cut (rabbit joints and counter-sunk+pilot holes included):



And the sub has made its way into the box:

 

Quite a secure fit:



And finally, here's another picture of my system install from before: my tweeter installation:



-Jonathan

 

looks good, btw why mtx amps? just preference?

 

Well, what would you have purchased? I think I got the best amps I could have for the amount I payed. (around 320 or so for both amps) Plus they come with three year warranties and I bought them from a reputable, authorized dealer (sounddomain.com). But overall, yeah, just preference. I had considered a couple of other cheaper amps (HiFonics Zeus, Phoenix Gold Octane-R, Infiniti 6-channel) but these two amps have far smaller THD values, better power output, better looks, and most important, I hadn't heard any of those other amps and I have heard several MTX amps in the past and have always been impressed.

 

thats excellent carpentry work to say the least...cant wait to see the finished product.

 

Thanks (I'm glad I paid some attention to a few of the things my dad had to offer when I was younger). I should have the box all clamped up with the glue and silicone drying tonight and have it mounted tomorrow. I am still trying to find the best entry-point for my power wire through the firewall but have the rest of my RCA's and speaker wires run through the car.

I am also trying to think up a way to make a level surface for the oak floor to sit on.... which is not as easy as I had been hoping it would be. I'm not too discouraged though, as soon as the sun lets off a bit I will be going out there to get that situation settled.

 

MMmmmmm....that sub looks yummy

 

Actually you CAN get the whole floor in there in one piece except for the right corner



I'll just attach the corner back later.

drew

**Oh yeah AWESOME work so far!!!

 

dam your 17 and can cut like that? good job

 

It's called a sander and a router...

j/k

plus having a table saw doesn't hurt either...

 

I say learn how to spell....

 

Don, now wheres my sub box?

 

is that oak floor screwed into the trunk floor?

what did you use to level the floor?

 

Actually, I didn't use a router at all. I did use a table saw and jig saw however, and a drill... that's all you really need, I couldn't find my dad's wobbling dado blade so I ended up doing it the cheater's way (2 cuts for each rabbited side) which works just fine for this application (different story if you happened to have two subs...

Well, no, it's not leveled yet, it will be. I plan to use 2x4 supports that go the length and width of the trunk (a minimum of 2 boards I would think). The box is finished, I am just working on getting the amps grounded and then I should be able to fire everything up. I'll give you guys some in-progress pics later.

 

how did you cut the hole for the sub? jig saw or router? if you used a jig saw that is damn fine work. i use a router for my joins and for circle cut-outs. for the circles i use a jasper circle cutting jig and it works perfectly with 1/16" increments. and the table saw is indespensible.

 

If you have the handyman skills to build a discreet box then by all means go that route. I have to buy a prebuilt box because I didn't have the time to make my own. My box houses two 12s and takes about about 1/3 of my trunk space...but its worth it.

 

wow i must say, excellent carpentry skills. can't wait to see the finished results.

 

I agree with your carpentry skills... You'd do well to look into some side projects for some extra $$$... I know I'd gladly pay you for that kind of work, but I'm the DIY type - I figure if you could learn to do it, so can I (and carpentry runs through my blood anyway)... Your setup will be very nice, but I was wondering if you'd considered building a false floor on top of your existing floor and putting your amps & stuff under it, thereby preventing any possible damage to them while adding a plexiglas panel to show them off, and just put your box on top? I'm going to do something like that with my trunk eventually - most likely when I close in on paying the car off completely.

Excellent work and good luck with the rest of your install. Can't wait to see how it all turns out!

 

I recently took a long road trip and regreted not having any trunk room for my belongings. I had to throw everything in the back in order to prevent damage to the subs. Next Project: Down sizing the truck. Also, I think I'll get tubes instead.

 

Very nice work. I don't know why I did not see this thread before.

I just bought the same MTX 4ch. amp that you have to replace my current 4ch amp. My old Kicker's rear left channel is having issues now , it cuts out. I can get it to work by wiggling the module port, but I opted for a new amp instead of fixing it. I did get good use out of it though, I bought it around 1997.

That is a nice sub .

 

More pics more pics!! Looking sweet!!

 

Thanks a lot for all the comments. I do have some more pictures, I will post them later tonight. I have finished the box and the amp install... however, now I am looking into re-designing the trunk floor/amp rack. I will post some pictures later of the install and the final steps of the box.

By the way, I know somebody asked, I cut the hole with a jigsaw (I fiddled around with the idea of cutting the circle with a router for about 2 hours and then decided to screw that and cut it with the jigsaw in 5 minutes... looks as circular as they come too, so I'm happy with it)

 

cant wait to see the pics man - good job so far

 

Alright, here are some more pictures.


I used drywall screws and some elmer's wood glue to put the pieces together. Here's a picture with the first few sides put together.



I bought this cool little terminal for the speaker wire here:


Here's a picture to show how the edges come together once the glue and everything is in there.


And the quickest way to make the inside of the box look like crap: caulking.



Everybody loves pictures.