Woof, Woof!!!

[GrantK]

It took a LONG time thanks to multiple surgeries on a finger but at last my sub-woofers are installed.

A pair of 8" in the lift-gate. They're JL Audio 8W1v2-4 powered to 500watts (JL Audio HD900/5, an Audio Control DQXS equalizer and an Alpine NAV20 head unit). I wanted to go with Alpine subs but they would never have fitted. As it is these just barely fit!!!.

They sound good under initial testing but I need to go through a full tune of the system with the scope, SPL meter and RTA now to get everything balanced properly.

Here's the required pic:

 

[DEKA3]

Nice!
How is the vibration on the lift gate?
Does the rear window vibrate when its partially opened and the subs are kicking?

 

[Titanpat57]

impressive!

 

[Ttn333]

Nice! Looking forward to your follow up.

 

[Stifler]

how is the vibration on the lift gate?

this?

 

[GrantK]

Nice!
How is the vibration on the lift gate?
Does the rear window vibrate when its partially opened and the subs are kicking?

The lift-gate has a fair amount of vibration to the touch and that's with sound deadening (RAMMmat & Ensolite) on the outer and inner skins. Nothing audible though.

The window doesn't seem to vibrate regardless of how I have it, closed, open a little, half, a lot or full open.

The license plate is vibrating on heavy bass notes though and will need to be addressed.

 

[Stifler]

The license plate is vibrating on heavy bass notes though and will need to be addressed.

3m foam tape

 

[GrantK]

3m foam tape

Either something like that or spot-weld it to the lift-gate.

 

[slugman2894]

Question

was the window able to go all the way, and what would you happen to know what the maximum mounting depth for this would have been for other woofers?

 

[GrantK]

was the window able to go all the way, and what would you happen to know what the maximum mounting depth for this would have been for other woofers?

Yes, the window works as normal.
I can't say how exactly much clearance there is to work with since there are too many variables. I'll explain below, but the speaker will need to be 4" deep or less and the height of the mount and speaker will need to be less than 1.5".

The window goes by the speaker at an angle so the diameter of the magnet affects how deep you can go as does the thickness of the custom mount. The overall diameter of the speaker is also an issue. If you go too high on the mount the speaker will get in the way of the trim panel (unless you want to cut it out and use a custom grill).

The original speaker is 6" diameter and raised 1", the trim panel has a 1/2" ring that can (needs) to be trimmed off giving a total of 1.5" inches behind the panel. However, the trim panel also doesn't allow for much increase in diameter without the new speaker hitting it. The trick is to find a speaker with minimal depth (less than 4") and not bigger than an 8". Then create mock-ups to figure out how much depth you have to work with for your speaker and keep as close to that as possible when making the mount so it won't hit either the window or trim panel. I figure I'm clearing the window by about 1/4".

Things to note, the window glass isn't what you need to clear, it's the metal channel that the bottom of the glass is mounted to so measurements need to be made with the window part way down where the metal channel is. You also have to enlarge the stock speaker opening but this isn't too bad since it is removable and can be worked on the bench and not the truck. Be careful where you place the bolts for the speaker mount or they will interfere with the lift-gate and wiring. You will also need heavy duty after-market lift-gate struts, like those used with a lift-gate ladder.

 

[slugman2894]

Morel CAW938 9" Cast Frame Woofer 297-086

Do you think something like this would work? Morel has some nice drivers and I know they're light weight. Depth would be fine, how did you get those baffles to work then, arent they 5" depth? Also did you notice any issues with the shocks on the lift gate with the added weight? Thanks again.

 

[GrantK]

8" just barely fit so I doubt 9" would fit. As I mentioned, I replaced the lift-gate struts with heavy duty ones.

The baffles are 8" baffles with the back cut off and then the bottom half of the resulting 'tube' removed. The result is they are drip guards to keep water off the speaker.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Nice and so much cleaner than a big box taking up space.

 

[HugoRod]

Hi GrantK -
I realize that this is a older post, but I finally got myself into a 4 Runner and love it. I have upgraded the sound system but have the sub and box are taking up too much space in the back. Your post is the best solution that I have seen so far for this problem. Question is, do you know if this will work with a 2015 SR5?

 

[FiReBReTHa]

I missed this install too!

How's it been??

 

[GrantK]

Hi GrantK -
I realize that this is a older post, but I finally got myself into a 4 Runner and love it. I have upgraded the sound system but have the sub and box are taking up too much space in the back. Your post is the best solution that I have seen so far for this problem. Question is, do you know if this will work with a 2015 SR5?

No way for me to know for sure, but if you follow my info on measuring and creating mock-ups you can figure out how much room you have. Then find speakers to fit and create a custom mount as I did.

I missed this install too!
How's it been??

Overall great. Love the sound. The only problem is on the really cold days, even the after market struts aren't strong enough to hold the lift gate up. Above freezing it's fine.

 

[On Point]

Great work!