rear subwoofer spot

[97EB5.4]

Hey all, been doing some searching and dwelling on the subwoofer in the back of my 97 EB. Its done. I had to pull the plug and went to crutchfield but i really dont feel like spending 500 bucks on one component. So has anyone tried to build a box to fit in that space. I have the third row and do use the small space behind it if i dont lift up the third row so i need that space. Plus to me it looks cleaner to have it installed out of the way. Does anyone have pictures of that space with or without the subwoofer installed? I see no reason why i cant build a box for a 10 and install the amp under a seat or something. I plan on putting in new speakers in the doors and pushing those with an amp as well. Has anyone ever done this but keep the stock headunit in place? I dont really like the hu but for the safety of my wife who drives it the most I believe it would be better due to her liking to channel surf. Dont need her hunting for small buttons and take her eyes off the road. so any feedback is welcome. thanks

 

[panda24619]

i do know one of my friends has built his own box for that spot and put an old 10 he had laying around. he put the amp under the 2nd row seats and hooked it up to his stock head unit. so it will work. and his was an 01 i think. dont remember. but the stock head unit is a pain to hook up subs too. i can do it, but i dont like to only cause its time consuming and its in a small area, so if you can do it your self ull save money there. just get the right parts. but it sounds like a good idea to do that. i like to put tools in my spot. i open it up and put screwdrivers and stuff so im not trying to figure out where they went.

 

[97EB5.4]

Thanks for the info. Did your friend like the sound that he got with it? Where is your 12 located? Is your deck a double din? THanks. Anyone else got some light to shed on the subject?

 

[panda24619]

here where mine is. http://expeditionforum.com/showthread.php?t=6236
and he said he liked it. i havent seen him for a while. if i get a hold of him ill see if he still has his expedition. but thats where all my stuff is.

 

[ghettoracer]

You are going to need to get an RCA converter if you are going to hook up an amp with your stock stereo. If you have an EB then it will be twice as hard because of your factory amp working off the stock unit. I'd just change out to an aftermarket stereo and run your amp and subs off that.

 

[97EB5.4]

you are correct in that. I hadnt thought about that end of things yet. Is there a double din HU out there that doesnt have the flip up screen and all that fancy stuff? I remember back in the day a double din was just a much bigger radio with a bigger display. If theres one out there that has a 6 disc changer incorporated in it like fords factory radio that would be cool. I may have to play around on crutchfield some. I suppose you would still have to use a converter if you wanted to use the factory deck from ford that has the 6 disc if it is even compatible with the 97 harness. Hmm. back to the drawing board...

 

[ghettoracer]

With the 97 expys on up you have that angled area which you would require you to take the dash apart and cut away at that angled area to make a double DIN work, that's why a single DIN unit is more favorable to installers and DIY guys because of the work involved. That is why when you pull out the stock deck, the top is way smaller and angled to fit that spot. If you wanted to keep it easy, find a single DIN flip out. There is double DIN units that don't flip up but again, you would have to do intensive modification to make that happen. If you wanted to keep the stock look with the 6 disc changer inside the unit, I think the 2003 and up ones have them, just make sure you get the pigtail because I think they are a bit different in how they are designed. I personally looked at a Navigator one with the built in GPS and they are completely different pigtails.

 

[97EB5.4]

well i was looking at crutchfield and i think i may go with a jvc single din. Ironically the same one i am wanting for my SHO. So my next question and i was searching but cant find it, do you want to pay attention to rms or not? I think so but i cant remember. I know i saw it somewhere on here debating on whether rms or peak was important. Im pretty sure its rms because thats continuous power correct? Also where do you get mdf?

 

[panda24619]

rms is continued power. it can put that out safely. obviously you can play it louder but not for prolonged periods. since the speakers are stock i would recommend not getting a high output head unit. and jvc makes great decks. ive had mine in for about 2 years and the guy b4 me had his in an explorer for about 2 years also. its great.

 

[97EB5.4]

I already have some pioneer 5x7s that i plan on putting in the door from my old ranger. I plan on only getting the HU to power them for now. Where do you get mdf? I havent found any on Lowes website. I hope you dont get it from a sound shop as Im sure thats not cheap.

 

[nvycrmn]

you could also mount your amp in the same location as your stock one if you wanted to. that would keep it out of the way and you could run all of your wires under the carpet. then you could mount the 10 in the location of the stock sub...just a thought.

 

[panda24619]

idk wht u mean by mdf? i was trying to look around and couldnt find anything. but my deck is a single din. i had a single din dvd flip out. liked it but it was cheap and u get wht u pay for. so what ever. im going to give that to my gf or sell it. not sure which yet. but those rca converters are what i was talking about being a pain in the @$$. i can do them but damn i hate doing them. or you can exstend your high power wires that come with the amp to the deck. but thats a lot of wire u have to make longer and hide and a lot more work. and i hate that angled bar thingy. dose anyone know how to remove that? i had to cut the bracket my deck came with. it works but damn sure looks crappy. i should just take my truck in and have it all redone. alarm, speakers, and new bracket. my speakers keep cutting out. i know why i just dont like to redo it. its nothing big just a pain.

 

[2blackfordrides]

Mdf is medium density fiber board..... U can buy it at lowes.... Usually in a 4x 8 sheet.... I used it to build a custom box behind the third row seat to hold 2 12s and 2 10s and my amps...... If u were gonna build one for under the seat u would have to check for the cubics needed by ur specific sub, plus u need to check clearance to make sure when the sub hits it doesnt contact ne thing.... Dont use less then 3/4inch mdf and make sure it is air tight and completely sealed with clear silicone.... And be sure to counter sink for ur screws..... If u dont feel like going thru all that, i kno u can find self amplified tens already made for under the seats.... I believe u can get them on crutchfield....... Maybe ur best way and easiest......
FOUND ONE.... CHEAPER THAN CRUTCHFIELD.......

http://www.buy.com/prod/infinity-ba...r/q/listingid/28954116/loc/111/203023424.html

 

[panda24619]

thats it. i knew it was something like that. but yeah u can get it almost everywhere. just look around. or look on youtube theres videos on how to build boxes out of the most random stuff that actually works if u trust the videos.