Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio Dual Rear Deck Subs

Thanks for the answers. It looks like I should just go with the Audiobahns. Doing this cheaply is acceptable.

And then Dave has to go throw that in while I'm typing my answer! Looks like I've got some research to do.

I wouldn't choose the Bahns just because I used them. Any 8 will fit in the same manner, probably many with better results. I only went with them because they were really cheap.

Here's some info to go along with the pics.

Here are the twin holes I had the bodyshop cut in the rear deck. I originally tried some snips and a hacksaw but gave up after alot of swearing and bleeding.



Here's a pic of the baffleboard that I used to mount the subs. It's 3/4" MDF with double layers of sound deadening on either side. It's something like 9" x 24".



Here's a good pic of the subs mounted into place. I also used double layers of sound deadening on both sides of the rear deck. It helped eliminate most air leaks.



I also used some felt carpet padding for sound deadening and rattle elimination. I just cut the appropriate holes and popped on top.



I removed the backing from the rear deck cover in the appropriate spots to allow for maximum transpearancy.



Everything back in place, and it looks 100% stock. You can just see my vain little Ranger nosing into the picture too. :rolleyes:



And, a pic from inside of the trunk. The wires will soon be placed out of the way. They're not even visible unless you stick your head in the trunk or rest it on the bumper.



The project ended up taking me 12-15 hours along with an ounce of blood and 3 band-aids. I spent $75 for the subs and used my existing MDF, carpet padding, and poly-backed roofing material (not expensive, maybe totalling $15).

BTW, these photos will expire in 30 days when my temporary fototime account runs out.

But cheap is good! Although it looks like the AW831X are no longer made, but have been replaced by the AW831Q. As far as I can tell, they are the same woofer, however. Same specs, same design, just a different letter on the end. And it seems the price went up . . . I commonly see $69.99, the lowest about $45.

I don't see that they are labeled as Free-Air subs, however. Are they are just normal subs that you are using free-air? I was always under the impression that you should use subs that were made to be used without a box, but I don't know much about this stuff anyway.

Per the manual, it recommends them for a sealed or ported enclosure. I originally intended to use them in sealed enclosures mounted to the bottom of the rear deck. But, I decided to pass on the box after figuring its weight and amount it would have to hang down from the rear deck.

But, I'm not concerned with a pair of subs costing $75. If they were to be damaged, I'd just have to buy a pair of better free-air subs.

If anyone is still wanting to hang a box from the shelf, this is what I did:

My original post

I don't know if it sounds any better than a free-air, but it sure was a lot more work. I also have done some mods to it since the above posts.

1) I enlarged the deck hole to 7". I used a dremel for this, but I went through a whole lot of cutting wheels.

2) Mounted a MDF plate to the deck, similiar to SVTColin's.

I wish I would have made the box 1" shallower, since I didn't need any clearance for the sub magnet. The JL Audio 8W3 doesn't need any space for cooling.