Subwoofers

[Sad Sack]

Def not much room in these things with a bench. I went buckets/console and used a Sundown 8", built the box to fit inside the bottom of the console and have it downfiring. It'll overpower my exhaust and that's no easy feat!

Also talking about amp/power, I've got a 900W Skar Audio 5-channel, their low end version. Cheap amp, great power and sound though, I've been very impressed. Also has the option for a bass knob. Would be a good budget option even with a behind the seat box if you wanted to amp everything

You must be registered for see images attach

I too have Skar products in my other vehicle, a M4004D and a M5001D and love them, small and they pack a punch. Haven't employed them in my truck but if the need arose I would definitely consider Skar products. They are always at the top of my list if the budget allows them.

 

[Grit dog]

Here is another useful site I have been using for years:

Car Alarm, Car Stereo, Mobile Video, and Cruise Control Info for Installers

www.the12volt.com

I think this is the one I used to use. Great resource.
@everettfirstlove figure out what components you want then if you’re unfamiliar with car stereo wiring as it sounds, use any number of online resources to show you how to wire parallel, series, proper relationships between components of different impedance etc. it’s not horribly difficult and you’ll be the envy of all your buddies who don’t know how to

You also have to figure out if you want a sealed box or a ported box.
How much power you want.

For a quick idea if any of the cheap amps will live up to their "claimed" power ratings, you can do a bit of math for a spot check.
An alternator should put out a max power of 14.4v.
The amp fuse or fuses need to be totaled up, say that 1000w amp only has a pair of 15 amp fuses in it or 30 amps total.
You then multiply the 14.4v by the total amp of protection, in this case 30 amps to get the maximum those power those fuses will let pass.
14.4 * 30 = 432 watts available.
But you also have to factor in the amp efficiency, the newer amps do well around a guess at 80%.
Multiply your 432 * 0.80% and you can see only that 345 max watts will come out of that amp.

Don't trust less expensive ratings on amps.
Use this simple test to see if it will actually be able to pass the power they claim.

For example, I have this little Kicker ZX400.1 that I got for free as it was rain damaged.
I sent it off for repair and now it lives again.
It has a single 40 amp fuse and is rated to push 400 watts at 2 ohms.
14.4*40*.8=460 watts.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

It is currently hooked to a single vintage 12" Kicker Solo-baric sub in a sealed box in the boys VW bug.
He found these subs on Craigslist and the PO had them in these crappy home speaker boxes for $200.
One of the speakers has a tear in the surround, so we got him down to $125 for the pair.
We pulled them out of those cabinets and put the one into a proper sub box for the car.

You must be registered for see images attach

The combo does not miss a beat and will pound inside the car.

I may have had those same speakers as a kid! I also recall toasting both woofers and replacing them…(same as these where the mids and tweets are still OE). Haven’t thought about it in a long while but it’s been a long while since I’ve had a bumpin home stereo.

 

[Catbox]

Savard is a name I haven’t thought of much since the early 90s. Preferred the Professional Series to the Rap Series. Mr Bill (Savard) still does some audio, as I see him occasionally when I am in Baton Rouge.

I found Savard watching some YouTube videos about car audio stuff.
I used the Rap series as the example as they are not as power hungry.

The Hi-Q series is what I wanted originally, but look at those power needs in the green bar...

You must be registered for see images attach

Those are per each sub.
Also the mounting depth is another half inch deeper than the Rap driver.

I now have the power to run a pair of the Hi-Q's, but damn, that slippery slope I spoke of earlier is steep at those power levels.
A buddy of mine needed some cash in a flash and knows what I like.
So he offered me a set of 10 inch Kicker Solo-barics from not so long ago that were powered by one of these little amps from Down4Sound.

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

That slippery slope applies here.
I will need to run two runs of 0 gauge wires from the engine bay to power this monster to its full potential.
If I choose to run this in one of the vehicles, it would be at the 4 ohm rating for now as it is plenty for the subs I have on hand.

You must be registered for see images attach

Notice the fuse ratings as well.
350 amps of fusing x 14.4v x 0.80 = 4,032 available watts through the fusing.

 

[everettfirstlove]

I really don’t want anything too much. Just want something with some good bass and not hurting my 6x9s. I can turn it up to bass +7 and get a good bit of bass but I would want a little more than that. But I really don’t want to have my speakers bass at + 7 all the time due to the wear on the speakers. I really just want clean punch and bass to my songs

 

[TotalyHucked]

I too have Skar products in my other vehicle, a M4004D and a M5001D and love them, small and they pack a punch. Haven't employed them in my truck but if the need arose I would definitely consider Skar products. They are always at the top of my list if the budget allows them.

This is the first time I've used Skar and I have to say I'm impressed. I also have their 3.5s in the dash and 6.5s in the console, they all sound very good to my non-audiofile ear lol

 

[TotalyHucked]

I really don’t want anything too much. Just want something with some good bass and not hurting my 6x9s. I can turn it up to bass +7 and get a good bit of bass but I would want a little more than that. But I really don’t want to have my speakers bass at + 7 all the time due to the wear on the speakers. I really just want clean punch and bass to my songs

For what you describe, one of those powered underseat subs that others have mentioned would probably fit the bill nicely

 

[Grit dog]

I really don’t want anything too much. Just want something with some good bass and not hurting my 6x9s. I can turn it up to bass +7 and get a good bit of bass but I would want a little more than that. But I really don’t want to have my speakers bass at + 7 all the time due to the wear on the speakers. I really just want clean punch and bass to my songs

Under seat powered sub is your solution. Easy install, no complicated wiring or calculating, out of sight and does exactly what you’re wanting.

 

[Jimc21NC]

Does anybody have a photo or video of their subwoofer setup under the seat or behind the seat. I was thinking of putting a single 10 but need ideas for how to fit in under or behind the seat. Thanks for any input.

I installed an amp under the seat with these speakers that I got from Crutchfield. I bought the rear boxes online, but they were metal so I covered them with carpet and the insides with sound mat before installing. The front speakers wouldn't fit well in the door panels so I used the speaker rings to have them sit out a little bit. Not too intrusive. But when it was done, I was disappointed in the bass performance. I wish I had gotten an amp that would have powered a sub, but now that it was all installed I ended up getting a powered sub from Crutchfield. It fit great, and it sound terrific. '81 stepside C-10.

 

[MMOTT]

Does anybody have a photo or video of their subwoofer setup under the seat or behind the seat. I was thinking of putting a single 10 but need ideas for how to fit in under or behind the seat. Thanks for any input.

2021 CompRT Loaded Enclosures

KICKER produces high-performance car audio, vehicle specific solutions, marine audio, home and personal audio, and power sports products since 1973.

www.kicker.com

Kicker loaded enclosure with passive radiator fits well behind the seat. Paired with kicker amp. Doesn’t take up too much room in a single cab.

 

[everettfirstlove]

2021 CompRT Loaded Enclosures

KICKER produces high-performance car audio, vehicle specific solutions, marine audio, home and personal audio, and power sports products since 1973.

www.kicker.com

Kicker loaded enclosure with passive radiator fits well behind the seat. Paired with kicker amp. Doesn’t take up too much room in a single cab.

Yeah I though of one of those or a kicker 12 inch hideaway that they introduced at sema this year

 

[Rattler]

Here's my set up. It was a lot of work, but well worth it.

 

[454-k10]

Here's my set up. It was a lot of work, but well worth it.

Mass produce that console and make one for 4x4 and you’d sell a ton.

 

[Steelbuddha]

Here's my set up. It was a lot of work, but well worth it.

Extremely nice work.

 

[Kheughens]

Took the easy way - Bought a thin mount Rockville sub - fit behind the seat - jams

Rockville subwoofer enclosure with 2000 watts peak, dual 12-inch drivers, and slim, vented design for deep, impactful bass. You don't want to miss it!
https://a.co/d/09HKv7U

 

[dec322]

I bought new speakers in the dash (3.5”) and a set of 6x9. The bass was disappointing so I added an amp. Needed more so I didn’t 10” Rockford Fosgate powered sub but it didn’t fit great so I downsized to the 8”. Honestly surprised me that it sounded so good. Definitely not my loudest vehicle but makes me happy and my adult kids love it too.

You must be registered for see images attach