First post, subwoofer box build

Hi everyone this is my first post on this forum. I am a new owner of a 2007 White RTS. Sadly I am starting to wish I got the RTL but what is done is done. I use to drive a custom 2001 White tundra with way too many mods to list. My truck was sold to my soon to be brother in law and I am slowly starting to miss my custom tundra. I believe this is party due to the fact the my ridgeline is still very much stock, hopefully after a few months of mods I will grow to love my ridgeline more then my tundra.

First mods is of course the audio system sooooooo....

Working and going to school has not allowed me much mod time to I paid up the wahoo for part or my audio install that I never again will do. My local audio store had a good sale that was alot cheaper then all internet stores and authorized. Anyway I had them leave me with the sub install. Since they claimed what I wanted was too complicated (lazy installers) they always tell me that when I want something too big in a smaller place.

I have checked out all the pre-made options and decided to take two days off to do-it-yourself. I have read about some members trying to fit twelves under the rear seats and I have found the DIYMA audio subwoofers to be perfect for this install.

I plan to make the install simple, hidden and custom. Since I get bored in the winter time I may be willing to build these encolsuresfor any other member after I am done with mine.I will be posting dimensions cut sheets, pictures, and install instructions for anyone who wants them. I am hoping to get this all done in a week, but I may need 2-3 week when I dont have to worry about school. Many uploads and pictures to come. Enjoy!

I'll be watching for this. Thanks!!!

Attached is my best design and instructions for construction. I am sure the design will make more sense once picutures are posted.

Congradulations on your ridge purchase. You made a smart choice. The refinement and design of the ridge is unbeatable. you should wait though on building your sub box until mine is done. You might consider a downfiring setup because of the benefits. You get a better response like in a sedan when the woofer box is firing away from the cab instead of into the cab. Many people on ROC have both setups so maybe we should start a pole or something?

I have thought about going downfire, but I am using two twelve inch woofers and that simply will not be possible. I am assuming the extra displacement the 12s will provide will be more then sufficient even if they are not downfire. We will see though....

Attached is my best design and instructions for construction. I am sure the design will make more sense once picutures are posted.


can you dummy it down a little :D

I will be updating the constuction plans and be posting pictures hopefully in a day or two.


Cut dimensions have changed to make it easier cutting up the MDF sheet at Lowes.

$22.96 + 8.1% Sales Tax for a 49"*96" sheet

I shortend original dimensions a tad.

Cut sheet I took to Lowes was (enough wood for MDF frame for 2 boxes)
Tipped saw operator 5$ to get my picky measurements correct.

4-49"*12.6"
2-49"*6.5"
4-11.85"*6.5"

MDF frame now consturcted, will begin fiberglass tonight, (and if I rember) the camera pictures by tomorrow?

I'd fire the subs down as well. Best bet.

As he said, you can't fit down firing 12" subs under the seat.

DIY

How is this box turning out?
I am considering getting someone to build me half your box, as I want more bass then I am getting now and thinking anything behind the seat may not be enough. But I don't want to lease all my underseat room.

I am interested in doing something similar so please keep us all posted and the pics as well.

Personnally, I am hoping to put NEW PIONEER TS-W2504SPL SPL 10" CAR AUDIO SUBWOOFER SUB which goes for $125 shipped, just do a search on ebay. A nice matching pioneer amp goes for around 100-150. I would like to build a box that leaves about 12" left for storage on each side under rear seat. I know doing so would not get the sound efficiency out of the speaker but still should give enough bass for my new Pioneer nav unit/DVD playback system.

Anyone have a better suggestion, please chime in....

I'm anxious to get to building over the holidays once the speakers/amp come in. LOL
woo hoo!

ITs - before you go with pioneer check out clarion, it has a new shallow mount that was rated much better at the new car audio and electronics or elemental designs (killer price right now $55). I have no personal experience, but they have a good reputation. I have been thinking of going with them and they can even build the box for me, so I was thinking I could send them the plans and have them set it all up, but want to make sure the plans were correct.
http://www.edesignaudio.com/edv2/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=106

I was going to put this behind the seat, but after just replacing the factory sub with a different 8" I am thinking I will want more.

I'm not sure if the Clarion is better. There's about 9 in of clearance for the box vertically (14 in across top, 11 in across bottom). Clearance should not be an issue with comp spkrs.

The pioneer is an SPL competition type spkrs which my friend's local car club here uses 15" versions and has won many sound comps. The pioneer spkr is rated at 600-800w RMS and 2500w peak depending upon model/yr. The clarion specs show 200/500w RMS and much less peak. I know that diff companies have diff ratings but both are the more popular higher classes.

I'd probably choose a comp Clarion sub as well... see links below.

Here's a few link from ebay searches on the speakers:
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Pioneer-TS-W2504SPL-10-Subwoofer-2500W-Car-Sub_W0QQitemZ270058125408QQihZ017QQcategoryZ50571Q QtcZphotoQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-PIONEER-TS-W2504SPL-SPL-10-CAR-AUDIO-SUBWOOFER-SUB_W0QQitemZ180055481443QQihZ008QQcategoryZ50571Q QtcZphotoQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

an impressive Clarion spkr but pricier...
http://cgi.ebay.com/2-CLARION-PXW1052-10-4-Ohm-1000W-Dual-Coil-Sub-NEW_W0QQitemZ250055827647QQihZ015QQcategoryZ3291QQ tcZphotoQQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


anyone, any thoughts?

thanx

you are right, I totally missed and thought the reference was to the shallow mount sub. The pioneer shallow mount didn't do well compared to the clarion shallow mount. That would also make the elemental designs link not relevant either, though they do have some cool stuff at good prices and I don't have any woodworking skills so need someone to build my box so am thinking of going with them still. I might try and find me a critical mass subwoofer on ebay if I can get one cheap, but they are hard to find.

really right now I am all over the map and the wife keeps asking me to figure it out before Christmas and let her know.

hmm..... i usually like to have at least a inch or more of clearance between the magnet and the back of the box.... from what i under stand, the diyma 12" is 17.5 cm deep (6.9 inches) so i don't know how you're going to fit that... from my experience, the total height under the seat is 9", i would give at least 1" of clearance for the 23mm excursion of the diyma so it's down to 8", also because the diyma weighs about 30 pounds, i'd use 3/4 inch mdf so that's down 1.5" which leaves you with only 6.5" of inside height....

and as for shallow mount subs, i'd look into exile audio's xtec shallow mounts. they are very beefy and sound great!