Amp Trunk Install

I just upgraded to a 4 channel amp to power my speakers along with the sub. Problem is this amp is a lot wider and I cant mount it behind the back seat without blocking the pass-through, which I need to keep use of.

 

Questions for anyone who installed their amp in the foam tray under the trunk. If you remove the middle sections of the foam, did the trunk floor sag at all? It seems that the foam supports the trunk floor. If so, how did you support it? Any overheating issues? Pics of install?

 

Thanks everyone.

a couple have done it with MDF board. Audio integrations has a new Amp rack that goes in the trunk, its on NASIOC, I wonder if anyone has tried it on the Legacy yet?

My foam tray has been removed completely as both of my amps, cap, and EQ are installed on top of the spare. The floor/panel is not sagging and I have filled the trunk full with luggage several times. The floor/panel was not reinforced with anything other than a little carpet covering the jack crank.

I put my amp under the driver seat, it's a 4 channel too. To test if your amp would fix, just place the amp behind the seat and see if you can slide it underneath.

 

Here's a pic from the back.

 

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p2c58de194b60610a3b5d423b2cce804f/e8c403d1.jpg

 

 

Just another option.

I put my amp under the driver seat, it's a 4 channel too. To test if your amp would fix, just place the amp behind the seat and see if you can slide it underneath.

 

Here's a pic from the back.

 

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p2c58de194b60610a3b5d423b2cce804f/e8c403d1.jpg

 

 

Just another option.

 

I thought about that option too. How did you route your power wire?

Put your amp underneath either driver's seat or passenger's seat would be a good idea to save trunk space and the cost of cables.

 

You may route the power cable along the front door to be invisible.

If you ask, I'll will show. Here's a few pics of my install.

 

 

Wiring from Battery thru wheel well.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/pf36d026fa85845230736665d5d9f2a1a/e8c41812.jpg

 

 

Pop off the wheel well cover to help feed the power wire.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p9688e1886a35a813c1bd09741498a2c6/e8c4189e.jpg

 

 

At the very top is a small rubber plug which I used for entry.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p6ef81a62c34bd1416e7fc04d35854ce7/e8c4177e.jpg

 

 

Position of the amp with seat removed.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p053ee5ba56c09a5316919cb697538ede/e8c40bc2.jpg

 

 

Ran the power wire along the door still, then under the carpet to the amp. Basicly just follow the wires going to the bottom of the seat. I grounded the ground wire next to the trunk release handle. There's a nice hole through the hump to pass through.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p8121a4e5b9698499e04d15f58a63cecd/e8c404ed.jpg

 

 

The RCA's I ran down the center console to the back of the seat, then cut a small hole in the carpet next to the inputs for the wires to come out. Keep the RCA's and power wire as far apart as possible to pervent engine noise feedback .

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/p41ecc3f833e5597b375833d72c337e53/e8c40459.jpg

 

Hope this helps.

Thanks a lot everyone, especially for the pics. I think I'll try under the seat. I didnt realize that there was so much room down there. However, I'll probably put it under the passenger seat since my power wire is already run along that side.

 

What did you use to secure the amp? Velcro?

If you ask, I'll will show. Here's a few pics of my install.

 

 

Wiring from Battery thru wheel well.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid225/pf36d026fa85845230736665d5d9f2a1a/e8c41812.jpg

 

Sweet mammajamma, you pulled your fender to route the power wire!!?? There are much easier routes for next time;)

Nu8reed - I screwed it down to the floor. Doing this will compress the carpet underneath it, and gives you another .25" to .50" of more clearence (airflow).

 

Check the Pass seat first, because mine had a bar that comes down, and I couldn't fit it under there. If you can't slide it underneath, then it might not fit. On the driver side, I barly was able to slide it under, but once I screwed it down I had plenty of space to move the seat back & forth/up/down..

 

Let me know how it goes.

Sweet mammajamma, you pulled your fender to route the power wire!!?? There are much easier routes for next time;)

 

 

It was very easy to do, plus it gives it a clean look without running the wire all the way around the firewall.

It was very easy to do, plus it gives it a clean look without running the wire all the way around the firewall.

Glad it worked out. All I'm saying is, there are far easier routes that are just as short, and even more stealth, IMO.

Glad it worked out. All I'm saying is, there are far easier routes that are just as short, and even more stealth, IMO.

 

 

Do tell, since other members like different options.

Do tell, since other members like different options.

They're all well reported in the other install threads... firewall grommits, wire harness plug in fender well, drilling new holes in the firewall. Your's, while unique and inventive, has been the only post I've seen... on any car forum, that remvoed the fender to route a power wire. Anyway, running that wire has always been my least favorite part of an amp install so whatever gets the job done.

Do tell, since other members like different options.

 

Right behind the intercooler there is a wide, diamond-shaped rubber grommet that comes in above the gas pedal behind a piece of foam. Simply open the grommet with a utility knife and presto you're done.

 

Also, I would recommend getting about 5 ft of the flex loom to cover your power wire in. This keeps the factory look and also prevents any sheetmetal to wire rubbing.

What did you screw it into? Right into the floorpan?

 

Yes. Underneath the car is a black cover, I popped it off to make sure there were no wires or lines under there. None there on the driverside and the cover prevents water from splashing up to the screws.

I just upgraded to a 4 channel amp to power my speakers along with the sub. Problem is this amp is a lot wider and I cant mount it behind the back seat without blocking the pass-through, which I need to keep use of.

 

Questions for anyone who installed their amp in the foam tray under the trunk. If you remove the middle sections of the foam, did the trunk floor sag at all? It seems that the foam supports the trunk floor. If so, how did you support it? Any overheating issues? Pics of install?

 

Thanks everyone.

 

I just installed a large 4-channel and a smaller 2-channel in the trunk, over the spare tire. The first install I did, I needed power tools just to get to the spare tire, so this time I put some thought into it.

 

You can remove the foam insert, and yes, the trunk floor does sag a bit, but if you replace the foam with your own insert (I used MDF), it will support it. I've put everything from camping equipment, groceries, even fire wood in my trunk, and never had a problem. No issues overheating either and both the amps are rockfords...

 

Here's some pics to give you an idea:

 

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/2318000-2318999/2318799_21_full.jpg

 

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/2318000-2318999/2318799_20_full.jpg

 

And here's one of the box that drops into the Tire Well. It's all self-contained, so I can lift up the box and get to the spare tire.

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/2318000-2318999/2318799_22_full.jpg

 

I've got a plexi-glass cover over the top, and my fiance (http://www.paintingcosmos.com) is doing some art for another cover to go over the amps..

 

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/2318000-2318999/2318799_19_full.jpg

what size was your box that went on top of the spare?

 

also where did you get the carpet for it too

I just installed a large 4-channel and a smaller 2-channel in the trunk, over the spare tire. The first install I did, I needed power tools just to get to the spare tire, so this time I put some thought into it.

 

You can remove the foam insert, and yes, the trunk floor does sag a bit, but if you replace the foam with your own insert (I used MDF), it will support it. I've put everything from camping equipment, groceries, even fire wood in my trunk, and never had a problem. No issues overheating either and both the amps are rockfords...

 

Here's some pics to give you an idea:

 

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/2318000-2318999/2318799_21_full.jpg

 

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/2318000-2318999/2318799_20_full.jpg

 

And here's one of the box that drops into the Tire Well. It's all self-contained, so I can lift up the box and get to the spare tire.

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/2318000-2318999/2318799_22_full.jpg

 

I've got a plexi-glass cover over the top, and my fiance (http://www.paintingcosmos.com) is doing some art for another cover to go over the amps..

 

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/2318000-2318999/2318799_19_full.jpg

 

Wow, that's really nice. I couldn't fit the amp under either seat, so I did end up putting it under the trunk floor. I was able to take up just the top half of the foam insert, so it still supports the floor a bit.

 

I'm thinking of adding some cooling solutions if the amp gets too hot, but everything is running fine.

Where does that come through on the inside?

 

"...grommet that comes in above the gas pedal behind a piece of foam. "

 

If you take down the plastic cover under the dash, you'll see it on the right-hand side at the end of the center console/tunnel.

what size was your box that went on top of the spare?

 

also where did you get the carpet for it too

 

I'll have to find the measurements, or measure it again.. give me a day or two and I'll post some numbers. Basically I just used the foam insert as a template, and kept fitting to the tire well.

 

I've tried a lot of different types of carpet, usually scraps from a carpet store. In this case, it's actually really thin gray fabric I found at a fabric store. Since a lot of the pieces are thin chip-board, I just sanded them smooth, sprayed adhesive, and stretched the fabric over the wood. It worked wonderfully, was easy (a little sticky, but hey), and I think it looks great. I don't know that I'll ever use carpet again...

Quote:

Originally Posted by strife1012

what size was your box that went on top of the spare?

 

also where did you get the carpet for it too

 

I'll have to find the measurements, or measure it again.. give me a day or two and I'll post some numbers. Basically I just used the foam insert as a template, and kept fitting to the tire well.

 

I've tried a lot of different types of carpet, usually scraps from a carpet store. In this case, it's actually really thin gray fabric I found at a fabric store. Since a lot of the pieces are thin chip-board, I just sanded them smooth, sprayed adhesive, and stretched the fabric over the wood. It worked wonderfully, was easy (a little sticky, but hey), and I think it looks great. I don't know that I'll ever use carpet again...

 

I'm thinking of adding some cooling solutions if the amp gets too hot, but everything is running fine.

 

I haven't had any problems yet, but I was thinking about mounting a little 12v fan in the side of the amp rack. The fans aren't expensive, and are pretty easy to rig up. It doesn't take much to make a huge difference...

oops.. tried to edit and re-posted..

 

D'oh!!