1st gen sub placement help

[97ExpGuy]

This is going to be a little detailed but I want to give readers the best detail I can in order to receive the best advice...

Since this forum has a lot of creative people, especially in the audio department, I wanted to ask for input for adding subs to my 97. While adding subs isn't difficult in theory, keeping the vehicle looking stock for prying eyes is. Currently my audio upgrade has consisted of installing an older Alpine 9813 with Infinity Reference speakers in the doors powered by the factory amplifier - which I'm not sure if I'm even powering my speakers properly with it. I've been real pleased with the setup but I'm still lacking the low end bass. Since I do not have the third row seat, I have plenty of room for adding subs in the back.

I currently have two 10" Infinity Kappa Perfect subwoofers with a 6" mounting depth that I'd like to reuse. I've hardly used these subs and would like to reuse them and save money. I like a sealed box for a tighter bass response and I plan on aiming the subs at the floor for the best effect.

However, the biggest dilemma I am facing is that I use my vehicle for hauling all of my hunting gear. From October through January every year, the entire back end of my Expy carries gear, clothing, waders (which are frequently wet), shotguns, etc. and stays put since I hunt nearly every weekend. My gear fills the entire back end so adding a generic sub box is out of the question. In addition, depending on who hunts with me, I regularly drop the second row seats for additional storage space so placing subs under the seats won't fly either.

I've also thought about a quick disconnect system but with subs and an amp I don't think quick disconnect even works in the same sentence.

The best idea I've had so far is adding a false floor in the rear but I have not seen anyone do this nor do I know of any issues this would cause. I've figured a floor could be cut to the same outline of the cargo area and with some grey carpet, closely match the factory carpet while not looking too noticeably modified to prying eyes. In all this would allow me to still utilize the back of the vehicle and not loose space - except a little height which won't affect storage of my gear any.

Thoughts, ideas, comments?

 

[panda24619]

well i like the idea of the floor. not sure if it would work. i have my amp mounted to my 2nd row seat. on the flip down cover. when i fold my seats down the amp fits in the hole. its a crunch amp. http://www.frys.com/product/5987114?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG that one. as for subs maybe quick disconnects for the subs. idk. mine is hidden by the 3rd row. its right behind it. so no one knows. but thats not the case for you.

 

[nvycrmn]

what about this? create a false floor in your expy that you can use to store your hunting gear? you wont be able to put your rifle in there or anything but you can make it so you can put all of your other stuff in there? then when you are done, store it all in there, cover it up, and throw the deer in the back! i hunt a lot too so i understand your dilemma. you could always build or buy custom tool boxes that would fit along the "fenderwells" inside the truck that you could use for storage of your hunting gear. plus, now this might seem a little redneck, but they make a gun rack that goes over our visors. check it out. it doesnt look bad. it just looks like a storage space, but you can fit a rifle!

 

[RidnClean]

you can make quick disconnects on both the amp and subs, just an fyi.

if you can fiberglass, id put them where the stock sub is.

 

[walnuts4x4]

i have a "generic" sub box for my two tens... and my I hunt every season in NY and fish when i can't hunt... my box is placed along the fender well behind the second seat and my amp is under the second seat and the seat will still fold down... but the box also fits behind the 3rd seat when i need to put it in... but my subs I faced up and all my hunting stuff goes in there including my climber, bow in a hard case and all my clothes, calls, boots and bags and haven't had a problem.... hell even have put salmon in a trash bag in the back with no porblems... from Sept-Dec my expy could be confused with Gander Mountain from all the fishing and hunting gear... and subs are always in there... but if I need to simply disconnect sub box and pull it out...

 

[97ExpGuy]

Thanks for the responses and ideas guys. I'm going to take some time to respond to each of your posts:

well i like the idea of the floor. not sure if it would work. i have my amp mounted to my 2nd row seat. on the flip down cover. when i fold my seats down the amp fits in the hole.

That's actually a really good idea. I know I saw the picture of it mounted in your truck but I never realized that it could fit in the gap when laying down. I'm not a huge fan of permanently modifying my vehicle but even that wouldn't show too noticeably if I'd ever have to remove the amp. Plus, I like this idea because the amp placed farther away from the vibrations of the subs (not being mounted to the same box) and it has plenty of ventilation whether up or down. I'm going to look into this as an option. Only negative is that the amps could be seen if the sunlight it hitting the tinted glass at the right angle.

what about this? create a false floor in your expy that you can use to store your hunting gear? you wont be able to put your rifle in there or anything but you can make it so you can put all of your other stuff in there? then when you are done, store it all in there, cover it up, and throw the deer in the back! i hunt a lot too so i understand your dilemma. you could always build or buy custom tool boxes that would fit along the "fenderwells" inside the truck that you could use for storage of your hunting gear.

The only foreseeable issue with a false floor for storing hunting gear is that I know for a fact it wouldn't all fit. I actually keep my clothes in a giant Rubbermaid storage bin (that takes up half of the cargo area) with scent wafers keeping dangling from the lid during Illinois deer season. This redneckish 'scent control system' isn't going to change to be honest as it works really well for me. However, if I would build a floor realistically it would only be about 6.25 to 6.50 inches high - just enough to accommodate the mounting depth (6 in) of the sub. The subs and amp would be mounted near the front behind the second row seats leaving the remaining area under the floor for storage - which I could use to hide my shotguns and rifles out of sight. Also, while I like the idea of truck boxes, overall I would like to keep an open floor plan for room so that if I take trips I can open the hatch, toss in duffel bags, and go.

you can make quick disconnects on both the amp and subs, just an fyi.

if you can fiberglass, id put them where the stock sub is.

If quick disconnects are an option, then I might be able to build a box that just sits in the back and holds the subs and amp. Again, it is somewhat of a target. Sorry, no fiberglass skills here!

i have a "generic" sub box for my two tens... and my I hunt every season in NY and fish when i can't hunt... my box is placed along the fender well behind the second seat and my amp is under the second seat and the seat will still fold down... but the box also fits behind the 3rd seat when i need to put it in... but my subs I faced up and all my hunting stuff goes in there including my climber, bow in a hard case and all my clothes, calls, boots and bags and haven't had a problem.... hell even have put salmon in a trash bag in the back with no porblems... from Sept-Dec my expy could be confused with Gander Mountain from all the fishing and hunting gear... and subs are always in there... but if I need to simply disconnect sub box and pull it out...

Pictures please for ideas?

Thanks again guys,
Tom

 

[walnuts4x4]

not too much in the back these days just fishing stuff... hunting stuff is still put away except for new bow which I'm shooting now..lol
Yes my amp and back seats are dirty... need to clean it this weekend...

 

[97ExpGuy]

not too much in the back these days just fishing stuff... hunting stuff is still put away except for new bow which I'm shooting now..lol
Yes my amp and back seats are dirty... need to clean it this weekend...

Looks real simple and effective with minimal hassle.

Another question for members:
What's the best/easiest/most effective way to run the power wire from the battery through the firewall? I was looking under the hood after work and was thinking about routing the wire through the fenderwell using the hole right behind the battery and then coming in through the passenger kick panel (where the antenna wire routes through) and then down the door sills (where the rear wiper washer hose runs) and out in the rear. That way I avoid drilling my firewall.

Thanks again Walnuts for the pictures.

 

[walnuts4x4]

no problem... and forgot to mention I found at walmart the little plastic peices that have velcro on one side... they are designed to hold cargo in a SUV and VAN... they hold my box tight and at the same time I can rip my box out in less than a minute

the easiest way to run power is look to the side of the steering shaft in the engine compartment (passenger side of shaft) there is a 3/4-1" diameter rubber gromet that is in the firewall..... cut a small slit in it and run the wire through there.... if you can't find it I'll try and post a pic tomorrow bad thunder storm moved in and almost dark out...it comes into the cab above the gas pedal

 

[97ExpGuy]

This grommet?

If so, I did remove it the other day but when I saw a piece of foam behind it, I plugged it back up and didn't think much about it and I actually thought it was higher up behind the dash but it its right by the gas that's an ideal spot.

 

[panda24619]

thats where i went threw. its far from the battery so extra power cable is recommended. but its easy to get to. all my wires go threw there. i accidentally forgot to replace the grommet after i installed my lights. i was like why do i here my engine running so loudly? then i remembered. DUH!

 

[walnuts4x4]

yup thats the gromet.... put a slice in the middle of it and run your wire through there.... the cut should be a little smaller than your wire that way you can force the wire through and it will be really tight and besides your amp wire you can run other wires there too... my CB and Hella power wires run through there with my amp wire...

once u get the wire through there run it behind the kick panel by the e-brake then under the carpet beside drivers seat... i then found a spot under the 2nd row seat and put a small cut in carpet up to were I wanted amp... RCAs can be run the same way too

 

[97ExpGuy]

thats where i went threw. its far from the battery so extra power cable is recommended. but its easy to get to. all my wires go threw there. i accidentally forgot to replace the grommet after i installed my lights. i was like why do i here my engine running so loudly? then i remembered. DUH!

yup thats the gromet.... put a slice in the middle of it and run your wire through there.... the cut should be a little smaller than your wire that way you can force the wire through and it will be really tight and besides your amp wire you can run other wires there too... my CB and Hella power wires run through there with my amp wire...

once u get the wire through there run it behind the kick panel by the e-brake then under the carpet beside drivers seat... i then found a spot under the 2nd row seat and put a small cut in carpet up to were I wanted amp... RCAs can be run the same way too

Thanks for the responses and help with running the wire. That grommet location couldn't be any better! (A lot easier than trying to go through the fender.) I'm going to try and have things hooked up by the weekend.

I will keep you all posted as I continue to think out my design and hopefully bring it to life in the next month or so. The good news is that I scrounged around and found my old generic box I used to keep my subs in (like Walnuts actually) and amp back in high school so I can temporarily get started while I'm drawing out details.

The only area I'm still debating is ponying up the cash and installing a 5 channel amp to power the door speakers and subs. Since I haven't been able to locate the specs on the factory amp, I really don't know if my door speakers are receiving the appropriate power (fronts: 2-60 watts RMS/peak 180 watts; rears 2-45 watts RMS/peak 135 watts). Anyhow, I'm thinking a single amp would make for a clean install and it would ensure all components are functioning at peak performance.

Walnuts, quit giving me more wish list ideas such as a CB and off road lights...I'm broke enough as it is! Next thing you know, I'll be dreaming up a custom center console to hold all this stuff!

 

[nvycrmn]

as far as cb's go. i have an extra one i could sell you cheap, with a magnet mount antenna. you would be good to go there, even comes with mic. as for offroad lights, you could pick up a pair or two from autozone, $40. just putting it out there! haha

 

[walnuts4x4]

not fully custom but looks good and is functional

http://expeditionforum.com/showthread.php?t=6499

and my next idea mainly for hunting is install 2 little square fog lights from walmart (19.99) behind my grill insert on my bumper... that way just enough light to see driving in the dark and no one see's my taillights when I drive into my stands on my farm I hunt...

 

[97ExpGuy]

as far as cb's go. i have an extra one i could sell you cheap, with a magnet mount antenna. you would be good to go there, even comes with mic. as for offroad lights, you could pick up a pair or two from autozone, $40. just putting it out there! haha

I will keep that in mind. Appreciate the offer.

Walnuts, just read through the CD install thread. Looks real good and I'm going to save the link for future reference. Off sub, I wish I would have known you a bit better a few weeks ago as I have a degree in history with my focus in education. Might have been or still be able to help.

 

[walnuts4x4]

yeah almost done with my history class... had to take two classes this summer to keep getting my 9/11 GI Bill...so its been easy 4 weeks, 4 days a week of r 3 hours and complete a entire class... wish I could take all classes like that...lol

 

[ELVATO]

not fully custom but looks good and is functional

http://expeditionforum.com/showthread.php?t=6499

and my next idea mainly for hunting is install 2 little square fog lights from walmart (19.99) behind my grill insert on my bumper... that way just enough light to see driving in the dark and no one see's my taillights when I drive into my stands on my farm I hunt...

They will when they see the brake lights light up when you go into park. Unless you use your parking brake.

 

[walnuts4x4]

damn.... never thought about that...lol...

 

[nvycrmn]

thats a good idea for hunting walnuts. i hate driving out at 4am and shining the whole damn place up. we have deer camp every year, about 8 of us, and we stay in an old army GP tent with a barrel stove and whatnot. its lots of fun. this way we just walk to our ridges where we hunt.

97expy, there might be pics of my cb install in the expy teardown thread, not sure. but i can show you where i put mine too. i dont think you have the same center console setup as i do but wouldnt hurt to take a look. if there are no pics in there of my cb, let me know and i can shoot you some pics.