5TH Gen Sub Cabinet

[ChipG]

I have been working on my 5th gen stereo install thru the winter and have started on a sub woofer cabinet to fit a JL Audio 8w3v3. This is a small sub for the size of a T4R but I have been working with smaller subs and getting great results.
Here are a few pictures of the progress. I still have to make a faceplate and upholster the cabinet.

This is the foundation. The feet fit into the pockets on the passenger side rear of the cargo area.

This is the back side, upside down.

Front side. A faceplate will be installed so the woofer is recessed.

Here is the fit in the car. The toneau cover fits above it.
The tie down D-ring will be used to secure the box.

ChipG

 

[Antman]

Chip- truly awesome work! That will look super stealthy when done!

Very very nice!

 

[axxman]

could I have the plans?

 

[ChipG]

This was not a planed endevor

Sorry, I didn't create any plans. I back the truck up into the garage and fit & test fit and re fit each piece until I'm happy. The only thing I templated was the feet that fit into the 2 pockets. The nice thing about working with MDF is it's cheap, easy to sand, cut glue etc. I use a stationary belt sander to get all the bevels right.
The bad thing about working with MDF is it covers my garage and everything in it with dust.

ChipG

 

[Wakeborder556]

Awesome work, I like your craftsmanship.

 

[characterzero]

nice work!

I think your appreciation for excellent fit and craftsmanship shows in your post here. I look forward to seeing the finished product!

 

[WIT4R]

Awesome job. I was trying to figure out how to do it with wood but my woodworking skills are not that great. Instead I did a similar design, but with fiberglass. I'll post pics as soon as I'm done with the install.

 

[ChipG]

Face Plate construction

I got a chance to work on the Face plate for the sub box this evening.
Hopefully, when it's all covered in vinyl, it'll still look good...

ChipG

 

[Rubberdown]

I'm digging it man! Show us the updates as you do more, I am looking at doing that whole quarter trim piece in fiberglass but am scared to do it. I hate sanding, and I'm lazy. This looks like a good alternative.

 

[ChipG]

Covering this weekend

Thanks for the comments.
I'm going to try and get it wrapped in black leather grained vinyl this weekend.

ChipG

 

[ChipG]

Final Product

I got it done and, it looks awesome. Here are some photos of the final product.

Stuffing the box w/ fiberfill and adding the speaker wire.

Grade 8 bolt up from below. You've gotta pull the speaker to get the box out.

View from the back seat.

View with the Taneau pulled over.

 

[characterzero]

that looks perfect. nice job.

 

[Victor_inox]

8w3v3 is great little sub, i installed one in my previous vehicle- honda ridgeline and was very happy with it, install tread is here

 

[ChipG]

A little more work - calculations

I did a little calculation to confirm I had hit the mark as far as volume for the sub. The JL Audio spec sheet says for a sealed enclosure, the Net volume is .335 cuft. this is the .3 they ask for plus the displacement of the woofer. I just exceeded that at .35 cuft. Here is the rudimentary method I use to calculate an odd shaped box like this.
First, you need a measuring device, a box 12" x 12" x 12" is a cubic ft. I only needed 1/2 that so my measuring box is 1/2 cuft or 12" x 12" x 6" inside dimensions.

I used Pea Gravel as a measuring medium. Some use Packing peanuts but I don't think they pack down as well. Fill the Sub Woofer enclosure with the gravel and shake it into every corner so it's full.

Now poor the gravel into the measuring box to figure volume.

Don't forget to vacuum out the box before putting the woofer back in.

ChipG

 

[hugo2go]

I don't think Toyota could have done it better.

You sir are a genius

 

[riceandpho]

going a little bigger is ok for the sub, if its too small, its going to be punchy, atleast u got cargo space left, i dont with 2 15s.

 

[BucknutBob]

ChipG, that is some mighty fine craftsmanship! I love it when people really push for the best they can possibly do, instead of just hacking something together. Beautiful work!

 

[ChipG]

Thanks for the complements

I enjoy this kind of project once I get started. Planning it and figuring out how to make somthing fit where it's not supposed to and trying to make it look good.

Next project is to replace the front 2 way components with a 3 way set and figure out how to make it sound right and be invisable or factory looking.

 

[Johnny Utah]

holy crap! looks awesome Chip!

 

[ChipG]

awesome

Works great too.
Check my "2011 Audio install" thread on the 5th Gen forum