3rd gen 4Runner Sub-Box Build

[ajonesnv]

So, I have usually had an amp and sub in my vehicles. It was really easy to have that set-up in my past "pick-up" trucks because the space behind the seats was perfect for use like that. However I am at heart a function over fashion guy and the sub-box in my 4runner just took up too much usable space, especially if I wanted to sleep back there on short camping or wheeling trips. On the flip side I love music and I love to listen to music in the fashion it was mastered to be listened to. Im not saying bumping bass so hard it annoys people around you (I hate that!!!!!), but most music requires a healthy bass line to have a full sound. So, here is my solution. Build a box that is out of the way and not spend 400.00 in doing so...this is what I came up with...

Pretty simple overall, just a bit time consuming.

The volume is about the same (eyeballed) as the box it cam out of. Next step is to find or make a grate for it.

 

[Running4life]

very nice!

 

[BrianSD_42]

AWESOME!

What kind of sub is that?

How will you be powering it?

 

[ajonesnv]

It is a 10" Rockford Fosgate Punch, haha its about 8 years old. I have a (underpowered) 750 watt Pioneer amp pushing it. I really need to end up replacing the amp one day. Its large and weak. I would like some thing smaller to put where my stock jack is or under the drivers seat. Right now it is attached to the back passenger seat.

 

[Pikeman]

Nice,
My brother and I did an install like this in a 92 4 runner when it was brand new. I have been thinking of building a similar box for my 98.

 

[ajonesnv]

Nice,
My brother and I did an install like this in a 92 4 runner when it was brand new. I have been thinking of building a similar box for my 98.

Is the storage compartment the same on the 98? I have a buddy who's 96 is different, but Ive seen some cool builds for those too. I say go for it. I love having my space back!!

 

[Dagobah]

I need space for sleeping too, but not sure how I would fit my 2 12"s like this...

 

[yotaboy510]

Nice build

 

[A.Wilson013]

A few questions I have. Keep in mind that I have NEVER used fiberglass (I think that is what you used?) and am a terrible carpenter.

1. What is that red sheet? Is it simply some red fabric? Or some special stufff to use to form what you're fabricating.

2. What all will I need for this? How thick is that wood? Could you list EXACTLY what you used, with prices, perhaps?

3. The hole you cut, not the one for the actually woofer, is that simply for the wires? Is there a reason you made it so large?

4. Is this simply bolted to the plastic panel there? If so, doesn't it rattle the plastic and put a lot of strain on it...?

5. How does it sound? =)

Sorry about all of the questions. I have been waiting for a thread like this for many many moons.

 

[Duhockey]

I need space for sleeping too, but not sure how I would fit my 2 12"s like this...

Try something like this... but instead of the extra compartment on the right, do dual boxes..

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/59758-duhockeys-build-thread-lots-pics-10.html#post712511

or one box with that fits both... I sleep on this thing all the time. no problems.

 

[Duhockey]

It is a 10" Rockford Fosgate Punch, haha its about 8 years old. I have a (underpowered) 750 watt Pioneer amp pushing it. I really need to end up replacing the amp one day. Its large and weak. I would like some thing smaller to put where my stock jack is or under the drivers seat. Right now it is attached to the back passenger seat.

Awesome Build!

well done!

im confused as to how that RF sub is underpowered with a 750watt amp, I run 1-12 inch sub in my 4runner and I have a 200-300w Pioneer amp... I bridge it and it provides plenty of power, I dont even have the amp turned up all the way.

 

[A.Wilson013]

Awesome Build!

well done!

im confused as to how that RF sub is underpowered with a 750watt amp, I run 1-12 inch sub in my 4runner and I have a 200-300w Pioneer amp... I bridge it and it provides plenty of power, I dont even have the amp turned up all the way.

In my experience Pioneer amps have been garbage. I ran a 760w Pioneer to 2 12's in Highschool and when I replaced it with a 500w Alpine it was 100x more clear and harder hitting. I have used Alpine ever since (well, I took a detour and went with JL's for a while when under my fathers income) and have never been disappointed.

 

[yota runner]

How much u charge to make one

 

[ajonesnv]

A few questions I have. Keep in mind that I have NEVER used fiberglass (I think that is what you used?) and am a terrible carpenter.

1. What is that red sheet? Is it simply some red fabric? Or some special stufff to use to form what you're fabricating.

2. What all will I need for this? How thick is that wood? Could you list EXACTLY what you used, with prices, perhaps?

3. The hole you cut, not the one for the actually woofer, is that simply for the wires? Is there a reason you made it so large?

4. Is this simply bolted to the plastic panel there? If so, doesn't it rattle the plastic and put a lot of strain on it...?

5. How does it sound? =)

Sorry about all of the questions. I have been waiting for a thread like this for many many moons.

Basically this is how it went down:

List of building supplies:
-3/4' MDF (I already had)
-Fiberglass resin and hardener 17.00 (I bought two...I didn't need that much)
-Fiberglass Cloth 8.00
-Gorilla Glue/Epoxy/Liquid Nails/Silicone 20.00
-carpet for outside 10.00

I watched this video several times before stating...very clear. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8cz_5eP81U

First off I removed the panel so I could work in the garage. I used the epoxy to re-connect the black storage compartment to the tan panel. And then sealed it with silicone.

While the dried it traced the shape of the compartment by using the cover/door. Make sure that it fits in the panel before you move on. When i cut the holes I cut them as large as the sub, so I could get as much volume in the box as possible, hence the ramdom shaped hole to the side of the sub hole. When I got the ring that the sub would actually be screwed to set and raised, thats when I stapled the fabric to the wood. It is just a teeshirt this is what gives the box the shape. When I got the fabric straight thats when I used the fiberglass resin to harden the shirt. After the resin on the shirt dried I used the actual fiberglass cloth to back the shirt to harden it more and to make sure it is super strong.

While the fiberglass was drying I used fiberglass on the actual compartment to strengthen that up too.

I gave every thing a day or so to dry covered the new panel with carpet and put some carpet padding inside the box to help with noise danpening the used a lot of liquid nails to hold it into the side panel of the truck.

It sounds great and there is not rattle. It actually sounds better than the original box I had the sub in.

I would say the total cost for me was 50.00-60.00

 

[ajonesnv]

Try something like this... but instead of the extra compartment on the right, do dual boxes..

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/59758-duhockeys-build-thread-lots-pics-10.html#post712511

or one box with that fits both... I sleep on this thing all the time. no problems.

I built one of those a couple years ago and it was not condusive to some of the stuff Ive had to haul back there. Kills your height space and it weighs A LOT. So I sold it.

Here is what mine looked like, it also had a sub-box built in...

 

[ajonesnv]

In my experience Pioneer amps have been garbage. I ran a 760w Pioneer to 2 12's in Highschool and when I replaced it with a 500w Alpine it was 100x more clear and harder hitting. I have used Alpine ever since (well, I took a detour and went with JL's for a while when under my fathers income) and have never been disappointed.

Nailed it!!! Pioneer does make good stuff, but their good stuff is pricey like the rest of good stuff, however they have a Target/Walmart/KMart line that is garbage. I noticed this much later but the amp says 760Watt (max) the max in really fine print. The operating out put is probably below 500. I will get an Alpine in the future. I have had an Alpine deck in my truck for as long as I can remember...Here is a shot of my Communications set up...

 

[ajonesnv]

How much u charge to make one

I could make you one, but all the panel sealing and attachment procedures would be on you. Unless you live in Las Vegas.

I can do the fiberglass part, but there is a lot more to it than just that. Let me know.

 

[ajonesnv]

I could be wrong...either way it was very tight particle board.

 

[yota runner]

Wat did u u to hold the speaker ring up. Could u post up a how for the ones wantin to do this

 

[ajonesnv]

Wat did u u to hold the speaker ring up. Could u post up a how for the ones wantin to do this

Yea, Ill do a clear write-up here soon.