Behind the seat speaker box and questions

[Peanut74]

Ok, I am currently working on a behind the seat speaker box in place of the fuel tank. I have the speaker mounting panel roughed out and temporarily mounted. My questions are:

1) What is the best way to run the amp and speakers wires to the radio.
2) What size/manufacturer bass speakers are being used that fit
3) What should I watch out for laying this all out

Thanks in advance

[Peanut74]

Got the speaker box finished and ready to go. Now I'm working out how to run the wiring to it and what speakers and amp to use.

I do know the subwoofer will need to be a shallow one.

[1971Stepside]

I am running a 10" JL Audio shallow sub centered and it sounds great. I have 6x9's in the rear corners and kick panel speakers in the front.

I ran the amp hot wire from the battery into the cab via the cab vent and then down under the kick plate sill to the back. The wires from the radio come down the passenger side of the trans tunnel to the rear.

Hope this helps.

[Rich72C10]

Man, this is the main reason why I was to relocate the Tank to under the bed - I am sooo jealous seeing these setups!

[1971Stepside]

Peanut...did you use a high density plywood? If that is basic plywood it will not be good for a subwoofer.

[Peanut74]

Stepside, its 3/4" plywood and based on its weight its high density. I got it from my son in-law when he was cleaning out his garage. My plan is to put a single sub in the middle and 6"x9" 's on the outside by the corner but not in the corner. Hopefully the sound will be directed toward the front. For my front speakers I bought a replacement that is two speakers but mounts in the old dash speaker hole.

As for the wiring you basically did it the way I was thinking of doing it. I relocated my battery to the passenger frame rail just under the bed front bed panel. That will make the amp power lead very easy to run. I was thinking about running the radio wires along the trans tunnel but wasn't sure it that was the best route or not. Have you had any issues with your wires along the trans tunnel?

Stepside, what type amp are you running a 2 or 4 channel? Also did you build your own sub box or buy it?

[tigerburns]

Stepside very slick look...that came out great!
What did you use for your covering?

[Richard]

MDF is typically the wood of choice in speaker boxes as it is dense. As far as air space you should look to manufacturers recommendations or use a subwoofer box calculator. Using the Theil Small measurements you can calculate the results from the enclosure. One thing to note it is important that the box is totally sealed any air leakage to the front side will cancel output from the sub.

[1971Stepside]

Stepside, what type amp are you running a 2 or 4 channel? Also did you build your own sub box or buy it?

It is a Kenwood 4 channel amp. I built the box myself. I used a sub box calculator to figure out how much air the sub needed. I built it first and then the rest of it around it. I wanted to keep some storage for rags, cleaner, jacket, etc. behind the seat. I added some pics of the build if they can help you. I would use 3/4" mdf for the your sub enclosure and not plywood.

Stepside very slick look...that came out great!
What did you use for your covering?

Thanks! I had it covered at the upholstery shop. Same material that is on the seat, dash, panels, etc.

[Peanut74]

My friend gave me some sub's and a 2 channel amp. I'm really on the fence as to whether or not I want to use it. I am thinking that the 4 channel would work better and be easier to wire up.

Can't use the sub's unless I cutout the back of the cab. That is why I was asking about your sub woofer which by the way should work great. I WAS going to buy some MDF until I seen the price of a sheet of it. It is crazy how much it and plywood have went up recently.

[Peanut74]

I went ahead and drew up my box. Maybe it will save the next guy or gal some time in making their speaker box.

Stepside,
Thinking about making a sound box like yours and inserting it in what I have. It would give me more leeway on depth and height. Just a thought right now.

[lkt1954]

stepside- would you happen to have a drawing with dimensions of your speaker box set up?

Thanks
Larry

[1971Stepside]

Larry,

I’m sorry I don’t have a drawing of it. I started with the box for the sub itself using the manufactures calculator for how much air it needed. I then built the side “wings” and attached them to the sub box. I used cardboard to make templates of the 6x9 pieces and played around with them until I got the fit I wanted.

[Peanut74]

Well I mounted my speaker box in the truck. I got the speakers from a friend that was moving. The sub was a Christmas gift so my goal of a cheap but decent sound system was achieved. The amp will be mounted under the center jump seat. I'll finish tucking in the top once I know the material is relaxed. Bottom potion will be covered by the floor carpet. One small step closer to the finish line!!!

[1971Stepside]

Hey Hey! There you go. Looks good. If you end up putting a headliner in the truck put a little dynamat on the roof it will help with the sound. Great job

[Hatzman]

1971Stepside, Your seats clear the subwoofer? No issues getting the seat as far back as possible? Looks great!

[1971Stepside]

1971Stepside, Your seats clear the subwoofer? No issues getting the seat as far back as possible? Looks great!

Seat goes all the way back with no issues. Thanks

[Grumpy old man]

I'm going to have to upgrade my AM radio and dash speaker ?

[68 C10 Driver]

Originally Posted by 1971Stepside

I am running a 10" JL Audio shallow sub centered and it sounds great. I have 6x9's in the rear corners and kick panel speakers in the front.

I ran the amp hot wire from the battery into the cab via the cab vent and then down under the kick plate sill to the back. The wires from the radio come down the passenger side of the trans tunnel to the rear.

Hope this helps.

1971Stepside, that is essentially what I am doing as well, regarding the area behind the seat where the tank was. The only exception is I will not have a sub-woofer...I plan to mount my Ham Radio there, and run the head unit up under the bench seat to just in front of the seat.

You set the standard there, I will post when I get to that point in a few months...my cab is still on the dolly and in primer.

[68 C10 Driver]

Originally Posted by Peanut74

Well I mounted my speaker box in the truck. I got the speakers from a friend that was moving. The sub was a Christmas gift so my goal of a cheap but decent sound system was achieved. The amp will be mounted under the center jump seat. I'll finish tucking in the top once I know the material is relaxed. Bottom potion will be covered by the floor carpet. One small step closer to the finish line!!!

Peanut74, very clean look...between you and 1971 Stepside, I will have my work cut-out for me to be 'worthy'!

[Peanut74]

Thanks everyone. Took me awhile to respond as life was getting in the way.

I did have one issue I had to figure out. Tested everything before I bolted it and everything was fine. Bolted it in and no sound. Stereo was working but was in protection mode. Took me a couple days but I finally figured it out. My switch wire was touching thr aluminum on my sound dealer and causing the issue. Taped up the end and everything is fine. I will be mounting the amp under the jump seat.

[Big Kev-O]

Hey Peanut, are those smaller speakers sharing an enclosure with the subwoofer or do you have a dividers inside to separate the air space from the subwoofer. Your smaller speakers can’t be in the same box as the sub without dividers or pressure from the subwoofer will destroy the smaller speakers.
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[Peanut74]

There are dividers in the box. So hopefully they will last. Got the speakers for free so if they do vlow I'm just out my time.