Custom Fiberglass Sub Box

[jforse]

Just finished this project today at work. The box has been done for awhile but I have been to busy to do the install.
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t290/jforse/DSC00555.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t290/jforse/DSC00553.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t290/jforse/DSC00556.jpg

[jforse]

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t290/jforse/DSC00557.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t290/jforse/jeep002-1.jpg
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t290/jforse/jeep001-1.jpg

[jforse]

and we are done!!!!!:woohoo:


http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t290/jforse/jeep003.jpg

[jforse]

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t290/jforse/DSC00558.jpg

[aparke4]

very clean thats the way to do it - how does it sound?

[jforse]

It sounds great! Just enough mid bass to complete the sound. I hate "boomy" bass in cars. No rattles at all. I was thinking it was going to be a rattle trap. Luckly it was not.

[UNCC_99XJ]

nice! Been wanting to change to that set up for quite sometime now....I miss having the room to haul stuff back there.

[jforse]

nice! Been wanting to change to that set up for quite sometime now....I miss having the room to haul stuff back there.


This project is worth it if you want more mid bass without loosing cargo space! Im very happy with it.

[zachxj01]

do you have an amp somewhere?

[jforse]

do you have an amp somewhere?

Yes. It is under the rear seat opposite of the factory jack location.

[UNCC_99XJ]

This project is worth it if you want more mid bass without loosing cargo space! Im very happy with it.

If you don't mind me asking, how much did everything set you back (sub included)? I've got 2 10's back there now, and they hit really well, but if it means I can have my space back, i'll scale it way down. Being a broke college kid...not much money to play with....lol.

[jforse]

If you don't mind me asking, how much did everything set you back (sub included)? I've got 2 10's back there now, and they hit really well, but if it means I can have my space back, i'll scale it way down. Being a broke college kid...not much money to play with....lol.




My price and yours may differ on this project. I sell 12v car audio/video so everything that I need is at my work. I have $160 into the project which includes all materials for the encloser, the sub, and the 8g wire kit.

Reatil we would have charged about $275 for the box. The sub sells for $180. Wiring kit is $50.

If you have a couple 10's already I would just use one of them. The encloser will intrude into the cargo area a little more but you should get the same effect. Just make sure your sub have the proper amount of airspace in the encloser. The pictures dont show it but I ended up cutting out the plastic panel so the encloser would have more room.

[UNCC_99XJ]

If you have a couple 10's already I would just use one of them. The encloser will intrude into the cargo area a little more but you should get the same effect. Just make sure your sub have the proper amount of airspace in the encloser. The pictures dont show it but I ended up cutting out the plastic panel so the encloser would have more room.
See thats the problem I run into. The box they're built into was designed specifically for them, and if I were to take one and build a new encloser, I'm afraid I wouldn't acomplish too much in terms of gaining spac back, because of the size the encloser would need to be.

That and, i'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to big thumping radio boxes....my step brother is real big into that kinda stuff and was the one who helped me with the install (as well as gave me the amp and subs for free).

[jforse]

See thats the problem I run into. The box they're built into was designed specifically for them, and if I were to take one and build a new encloser, I'm afraid I wouldn't acomplish too much in terms of gaining spac back, because of the size the encloser would need to be.

That and, i'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to big thumping radio boxes....my step brother is real big into that kinda stuff and was the one who helped me with the install (as well as gave me the amp and subs for free).


You would be surprised at home much room is in that fender well! You should easily be able to get the right amount of space for your sub. What you will have to do is check to see what the required cubic feet of space that is needed for a sealed box. Measure in the fender and lay out tape and foil for the fiberglass. You do have enough room!!

[Lowrange2]

If you have a couple 10's already I would just use one of them.

Depends on the subs ohm loads.

[UNCC_99XJ]

I hate to piggyback off your thread, but if you'd like I can take a picture either today or tomorrow and show it to you. Can do it via PM if you'd prefer.

[jforse]

I hate to piggyback off your thread, but if you'd like I can take a picture either today or tomorrow and show it to you. Can do it via PM if you'd prefer.


Contact me via PM, or call me at work Friday. I will be there from 10-1 and 330-7 central time. I more than willing to help you out!

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t290/jforse/AutoAudioJason-05071.jpg

[KinesthesiaDrums]

i assume that's MDF that you used for the carpeted face?
how did you attach all that?
like, the fiberglass back to the MDF, and you said you actually cut out some of the factory plastic, so how did you mount the "box" to the vehicle?

i've been trying to wrap my head around an idea like this for almost 3 years now and i've been lacking the time and place to even start the project.

now that i have a new(er) jeep, i'm not wasting time and money on keeping the thing running, so this project can finally get started once i make it through the holiday season =P

my ultimate goal is one 12 on each side of the cargo area (spare is going outside)
and a raised "platform" across the floor with the amps flush mounted in that. so i really don't loose any cargo space, except like 3" height wise, and the bits around the wheel-wells. and depending on how much space in the deck that the amps take, maybe install some drawers that slide out the back to swap places between the component amp and the factory jack (i have the factory amp opposite the jack)....but im looking at 4 amps (2 sub, 1 component, factory to fire tweeters if i decide to bi-amp)

i know a lot about audio, cause i do live audio for a living (touring and some install), but since all my boxes are pre-built (JBL Vertec, L-Acoustics, Meyer, EAW, etc) i lack in knowledge when it comes to building the boxes....

[SOUTHTEXASXJ]

That looks sweet and it would be even sweeter if it was in my XJ!!!LOL

[GrimmJeeper]

my ultimate goal is one 12 on each side of the cargo area you're going to have a hard time on the drivers side unless you relocate the gas filler neck, it is directly behind the plastic interior panel.

[jforse]

i assume that's MDF that you used for the carpeted face?
how did you attach all that?
like, the fiberglass back to the MDF, and you said you actually cut out some of the factory plastic, so how did you mount the "box" to the vehicle?

i've been trying to wrap my head around an idea like this for almost 3 years now and i've been lacking the time and place to even start the project.

now that i have a new(er) jeep, i'm not wasting time and money on keeping the thing running, so this project can finally get started once i make it through the holiday season =P

my ultimate goal is one 12 on each side of the cargo area (spare is going outside)
and a raised "platform" across the floor with the amps flush mounted in that. so i really don't loose any cargo space, except like 3" height wise, and the bits around the wheel-wells. and depending on how much space in the deck that the amps take, maybe install some drawers that slide out the back to swap places between the component amp and the factory jack (i have the factory amp opposite the jack)....but im looking at 4 amps (2 sub, 1 component, factory to fire tweeters if i decide to bi-amp)

i know a lot about audio, cause i do live audio for a living (touring and some install), but since all my boxes are pre-built (JBL Vertec, L-Acoustics, Meyer, EAW, etc) i lack in knowledge when it comes to building the boxes....

12's will work if you build the box out to the edge of the wheelwells. I have my amp under the rear seat on the drivers side. It is a small guy though. Go with one four chan amp for your components, and one big mono for the subs. For that type of setup I would suggest an upgraded battery, and a hybid cap from Stinger.(10 farads). You should also use dynamat where ever possible. Run felt over all plastic overlapping joints. The damn XJs like to rattle.

[ZacSquatch]

you're going to have a hard time on the drivers side unless you relocate the gas filler neck, it is directly behind the plastic interior panel.

Who needs a gas filler neck? Gas is waaaay overated, use farts.

[KinesthesiaDrums]

you're going to have a hard time on the drivers side unless you relocate the gas filler neck, it is directly behind the plastic interior panel.

damn, i didn't even think of that >_<

12's will work if you build the box out to the edge of the wheelwells. I have my amp under the rear seat on the drivers side. It is a small guy though. Go with one four chan amp for your components, and one big mono for the subs. For that type of setup I would suggest an upgraded battery, and a hybid cap from Stinger.(10 farads). You should also use dynamat where ever possible. Run felt over all plastic overlapping joints. The damn XJs like to rattle.

i was planning on coming pretty close to the edge of the wheel wells anways....
definately a 4 ch. for the components, but if i bi-amp all four corners, that means 8 channels (highs + mids)... i don't want to have ANOTHER amp, so i'm more than likely NOT going to bi-amp....
i originally wanted to do 1 large mono amp.... but i changed my mind for 2 smaller monos since im gonna use 2 dual voice coil subs....which will still be a 2ohm load for each amp.
im already running a yellow-top, a second will be added and most defiantely a large cap and dynamat everywhere for this system, i pretty much already have everything felted tho =D
....i had a mean-green alt, 1 yellow-top and a cap in my old XJ pushing three 12s and that was more than enough power. but i don't really want to buy another mean-green, haha.
(btw- anyone want to buy a mean-green for a 1986-1990 xj? 4 months old! trade your stock + cash)

and im still really curious how your box halves were put together and mounted...???

[jforse]

damn, i didn't even think of that >_<



i was planning on coming pretty close to the edge of the wheel wells anways....
definately a 4 ch. for the components, but if i bi-amp all four corners, that means 8 channels (highs + mids)... i don't want to have ANOTHER amp, so i'm more than likely NOT going to bi-amp....
i originally wanted to do 1 large mono amp.... but i changed my mind for 2 smaller monos since im gonna use 2 dual voice coil subs....which will still be a 2ohm load for each amp.
im already running a yellow-top, a second will be added and most defiantely a large cap and dynamat everywhere for this system, i pretty much already have everything felted tho =D
....i had a mean-green alt, 1 yellow-top and a cap in my old XJ pushing three 12s and that was more than enough power. but i don't really want to buy another mean-green, haha.
(btw- anyone want to buy a mean-green for a 1986-1990 xj? 4 months old! trade your stock + cash)

and im still really curious how your box halves were put together and mounted...???

The front surface is MDF. The fiberglass pod is attached using body filler. There is a skim coat on the back of it as well. Gives some weight to it.

[KinesthesiaDrums]

thats what i figured...
so, did you just screw it to the factory side panel, or do something else with body filler?

[jforse]

thats what i figured...
so, did you just screw it to the factory side panel, or do something else with body filler?


Screws through the plastic panel with large washers into the wood.

[KinesthesiaDrums]

ahh...simple enough, haha.

well, when i get started on this i might start spamming you with PMs, haha.

appreciate it!!

[Russ Pottenger]

Jason,
Thanks for posting this thread, and sharing.
I'm a audio :dunce:, but trying to self educate.
Talked to the owner of Q-Logic, and is looking into a sub enclosure that might work for the XJ's.
With your permission I may call you at your work with some questions.

Thanks in advance,

Russ