Where to install amps

[theliman]

Hi there!

I had some amps installed in 2010 and am now really getting bothered by their location. I tried to move them under the front seats, but they surprisingly did not fit (an installer verified this). I move a lot of gear and usually just don't end up putting down the left rear seat because I figure I can put more stuff on the seat in its normal position than the nothing that I'd put on top of the amps when it's folded down.

Is there any reason not to attached them to the plastic spots I've put in red here? One of them could fit between the sub and the back seat, or both of them could go on the left side - I wouldn't be able to use the cargo cover, but I haven't used that in forever anyway. For the most part, they would be out of the way since they're over the wheel well. Obviously it's not perfect since things get stuffed everywhere when you're packing for a big trip, but it would be better than what I have now!

I've seen that some people have cut into that plastic to make a stealthier install, I think I would probably not do that in case I needed to replace an amp and it had a smaller footprint.

Any other ideas for locations that I might be missing?

Thank you!

 

[ddnww]

its up to you, personally I wouldn't because it will mean you need to drill holes in them, and also doesn't look good imo. I would sell those amps and research amps that will fit under seat. that's what I did.

 

[Mikep.]

X2^
I personally like to mount amps under seats provided there is adequate ventilation. Most of my customers prefer the amps hidden as well.
I can tell you that the two amps I am currently running are bigger than that alpine m500 and that rockford punch amp you have and they are both under the front seats. That alpine is a little taller than the rockford that you have.
If you decide to mount them where you stated, make sure to support them from behind the panel. So that you are not screwing it into the plastic panel only. Feel free to pm me for any specifics.

 

[dchild]

+1 for under the seats, with new amps if need be.

The panels you have highlighted are big, hard to remove, and expensive to replace if you drill into them.

One other option might be to build a matching sub box for the driver's side and put the amps inside. If you have the big hole cut for the speaker but leave the speaker out (still put a grille) then that might provide enough ventilation without adding a fan.

 

[riceandpho]

the shop told you the wrong thing since they dont want to do extra work. i personally will hide one amp under each seat since they fit, i myself have amps bigger than yours that fit fine under the seat. you just need to be prepare to rewire the whole speaker wires and other power wires.

 

[theliman]

the shop told you the wrong thing since they dont want to do extra work. i personally will hide one amp under each seat since they fit, i myself have amps bigger than yours that fit fine under the seat. you just need to be prepare to rewire the whole speaker wires and other power wires.

they had the seat out and were holding the amps and had moved a lot of the wiring already, they got to that point and "realized" it was too tall. they were perhaps wrong, but they were not lazy (they came and got me to show me). don't know how the seats move but maybe i have mine kind of low since i'm slightly taller than average at 6'1"?

maybe i will try another installer. is the space under our seats fine? blowing heat in the winter doesn't matter?

thanks for all the suggestions - won't move them unless i try under the seats again! (unless there are more ideas for a random location, like a hidden panel somewhere)

 

[riceandpho]

heres my amp, seat is all the way down

 

[cpark_12]

What are the models of your amps? Or do you have the measurements off hand?

 

[theliman]

heres my amp, seat is all the way down

thanks man

What are the models of your amps? Or do you have the measurements off hand?

alpine mrp m500, rockford fosgate punch p200-2, both bought in 2010.

alpine bigger at just about 2.45" thick, rockford 2.25". alpine footprint 9.5x8.5 and i believe it is bigger than the rockford.

i forgot to put my seat down all the way but i had it where i normally drive and found that my chapstick is 3". it seemed to fit everywhere under the seat. just a few seat heater wires in the way that could be cleaned up. maybe i missed some other low point.

 

[cpark_12]

thanks man



alpine mrp m500, rockford fosgate punch p200-2, both bought in 2010.

alpine bigger at just about 2.45" thick, rockford 2.25". alpine footprint 9.5x8.5 and i believe it is bigger than the rockford.

i forgot to put my seat down all the way but i had it where i normally drive and found that my chapstick is 3". it seemed to fit everywhere under the seat. just a few seat heater wires in the way that could be cleaned up. maybe i missed some other low point.

Yea...Both should fit under the seats with no problem! My amp is 10.5"X13.5"X2.5" and it fits under the passenger seat with no problems. I have a distribution block under my driver's seat and it's mounted on a carpeted piece of 3/4" plywood, so it's about 2.5" tall altogether.

 

[paraordnance]

I agree, under a seat is a best, most aesthetically way of mounting your amps. You need to have a small amps though. I don't think most class A/B fill fir in there. You can tape vents close if you worried about heat from HVAC. Very easy to wire from that location also as you very close to the doors, center console and center tunnel and engine compartment.

 

[97BlackAckCL]

That's a tough one, since there aren't really any good locations to mount them. I originally mounted my amp where the stock amp would go, but had to cut into the body panels to make it fit snug. After I got hit on that side, I moved the amp to under the passenger seat. Your best bet is to get some smaller profile amps and mount them under the seats or behind the panels on the right hand side, although ventilation may be an issue under there.

Here's my amp mounted in the stock location

And here it is under the seat

 

[riceandpho]

thanks man



alpine mrp m500, rockford fosgate punch p200-2, both bought in 2010.

alpine bigger at just about 2.45" thick, rockford 2.25". alpine footprint 9.5x8.5 and i believe it is bigger than the rockford.

i forgot to put my seat down all the way but i had it where i normally drive and found that my chapstick is 3". it seemed to fit everywhere under the seat. just a few seat heater wires in the way that could be cleaned up. maybe i missed some other low point.

if you mount the amp length wise like the car itll fit fine, i think they try to mount the amp opposite from what i have and told you that it wont fit. im using rockford power series amp, t600-2 for front and t400-2 for rear, these amp replaced the jl audio slash series 300/2(2) i had. if you are worried about heat, just use some 2x2 x 3/4 inch thick blocks as feet. i have no heat issue and play my system full tilt most of the time.

 

[theliman]

thank you all for the replies, i will go to a different shop today and see what they think. i am sure it is possible as you say, but it may be a question of cutting it close and a shop not being comfortable with it. if i need to, i may look into new amps. i can't stand them being on the back seat.

 

[riceandpho]

no need for new amps, my amps are the same if not slightly bigger than what you have. should work out fine if you have it like the way i have it. check out my specs the rockford fosgate power series t600-2, this is similar to jl audio 300/2 300/4 and 500/1 footprint.

 

[theliman]

just got back from a different installer and they thought it would be close but figured it would work. it did! put the alpine under the passenger seat and rockford under driver's.

the alpine is exposed a little bit when the passenger seat isn't way far back, and the sport mat is kind of bent over it. the perfectionist side of me isn't thrilled about that, but it's ok. i think i can probably push it forward a little myself in the future if i find i actually have passengers in the back frequently enough.

happy to have full use of my cargo space again! too bad i'm leaving CO in a few months for some intense grad school for 2-3 years, outdoor activities will be taking a backseat, shoulda done this earlier!

 

[riceandpho]

i want some pics of your experience. its nice that you finally got that to work.

 

[theliman]

i want some pics of your experience. its nice that you finally got that to work.

here's all we need to see! a fully functional trunk space!



rockford under the driver's seat from behind:



alpine under passenger seat, view from front, pushed up to vent. tech said with digital amps heat won't be much of an issue, but won't hurt to have some airflow. warm air in winter will be fine too. if i want i will tape off the vent for winter.



i plan on removing seat, cutting out some carpet, cutting the vent shorter, and pushing amp forward. not a big deal. it does sit a little too far back for my liking but i rarely have passengers in the back.

 

[riceandpho]

here's all we need to see! a fully functional trunk space!



rockford under the driver's seat from behind:



alpine under passenger seat, view from front, pushed up to vent. tech said with digital amps heat won't be much of an issue, but won't hurt to have some airflow. warm air in winter will be fine too. if i want i will tape off the vent for winter.



i plan on removing seat, cutting out some carpet, cutting the vent shorter, and pushing amp forward. not a big deal. it does sit a little too far back for my liking but i rarely have passengers in the back.

if it bothers you, u can get some short right angle rca adapters.