Custom stealthy subwoofer builds?

[Joseph]

My jeep didn’t come with a stock subwoofer in the console. I always had a 12” Alpine type R in my BMWs but don’t want to put the box and sub in the Jeep from fear it’d be jacked in the summer with the doors/top off. I miss the bass sound.

I spent nearly 2 hours last night searching custom sub box builds for the center console. I like that it’s very well hidden and can’t come out of the Jeep easily. My two hours of research turned up this:
https://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f20/8-sub-console-project-pics-inside-257123/

I really like this idea, but he doesn’t really go into detail on how he mounted it in there. A few pieces are also throwing me off measurement wise.

Aside from spending $100+ on ebay for the stock 6.5” box, what are my options? I’m open to other ideas that are stealthy and don’t leave my subwoofer vulnerable to thefts. If I can mount the 12” I already have even better. I don’t really want to drop $200+ on a prebuilt box either. And my rear seat is out for good before anyone mentions that. Pics are always helpful.

On a side note, scored this roofrack for $280 the other day

 

[tworley]

Subbed. I'd like to do the same. I dont want to put mine under the seat because it seems each year I get caught in a downpour that fills the front half of the floor.

 

[Joseph]

Subbed. I'd like to do the same. I dont want to put mine under the seat because it seems each year I get caught in a downpour that fills the front half of the floor.

For some reason my link won’t work, but if you’re feeling aspired here are some images of the plans/build from that post

 

[bobthetj03]

A 12" sub won't fit. Maybe a 10, but realistically, a slimline 8" sub works well. I also did not have a factory sub in the center console. Just a big storage pocket. I removed the storage pocket from the console shell, capped off the top opening with MDF and epoxy, then added some structure inside the pocket for the speaker to live. Wrapped the outside of the pocket with some Boom Mat, and reinstalled.

The base response is actually quite good for the limited amount of air space and size of the sub. I'm no stranger to good bass. I opted for this route to gain storage and keep it stealthy. My previous system,

 

[Joseph]

A 12" sub won't fit. Maybe a 10, but realistically, a slimline 8" sub works well. I also did not have a factory sub in the center console. Just a big storage pocket. I removed the storage pocket from the console shell, capped off the top opening with MDF and epoxy, then added some structure inside the pocket for the speaker to live. Wrapped the outside of the pocket with some Boom Mat, and reinstalled.
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The base response is actually quite good for the limited amount of air space and size of the sub. I'm no stranger to good bass. I opted for this route to gain storage and keep it stealthy. My previous system,
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Do you have more details on this? Did the whole white plastic liner sit in there fine after the sub was added? Looks like a good route to take versus trying to make sense of the box that guy created

 

[jtf440]

I currently have a Pioneer D8601 in my center console. I took the liner out and put a little fan in the back of the console. The sub is a Rockford Fosgae P2D2 - 12 in a box behind the back seat. I built the box such that it cant come out without opening the tailgate or folding the seat forward. The performance is amazing with the top on, enough to rattle your fillings out. For the highs and mids, I have crawltunes speaker pods in the rear with Rockford Fosgate coax speakers and 5.25" Rockford Fosgate coax in the front driven by a Clarion XC2410 mounted to the passenger side footwell. The Clarion amp is plenty powerful and the entire system is very loud.

 

[bobthetj03]

Do you have more details on this? Did the whole white plastic liner sit in there fine after the sub was added? Looks like a good route to take versus trying to make sense of the box that guy created

Other than the pics I posted, not really. Notice the 3 oddly shaped pieces of MDF I glued to the outside face? those spacers keep the speaker from hitting the console shell. Other than the bracing for the speaker body, and capping off the top, it's pretty simple. the pocket fits just fine. It's been a while since I've done this, but I believe the inner pocket is riveted to the outer shell. You'll need to drill out the rivets and then replace with sheetmetal screws when you re-install it.

 

[DuncLJ]

I used a Kenwood sub with built in amp. I removed the stock sub from the console and then simply measured the new sub/amp and then from the bottom, cut a slot in the console interior structure with a Dremel. I then slid the sub right in. I used sound deadening mat to insulate and isolate it from vibes and to keep it in place. It also has a wired remote to it that lets me adjust the volume and frequency cutoff. No, it's no substitute for a 12" sub with a mono 1000 watt amp, but it sounds great with a mildly upgraded system, and is completely stealth, self contained, and safe from water collecting on the floorboards.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BO8O9XQ/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[Joseph]

Other than the pics I posted, not really. Notice the 3 oddly shaped pieces of MDF I glued to the outside face? those spacers keep the speaker from hitting the console shell. Other than the bracing for the speaker body, and capping off the top, it's pretty simple. the pocket fits just fine. It's been a while since I've done this, but I believe the inner pocket is riveted to the outer shell. You'll need to drill out the rivets and then replace with sheetmetal screws when you re-install it.
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Snowed in for the day so I might have to go pull my console and do something like this

 

[bobthetj03]

It's not earth shattering bass like I had with my 2 10's and 600 watt mono amp, but it fills in the low tones nicely and to my satisfaction. I have a small Kenwood amp running 100 watts RMS to the sub, and deck power to the pods/dash speakers. Other than the HU itself, everything is hidden out of sight.

 

[skrelnik]

Another route I took was to convert the entire system to fully active. By doing this I converted the overhead speaker pods to act as the mid-bass and compliment the 6.75" slimline in the center console.

I relocated the tweeters to the A-Pillar area to get a much better sound quality, and then used the front stock mounting location for 5.25"s to fill in a void. I need to re-angle these brackets as they tilt down.

This set-up is great, for all music. With my top on, there is no way I want to turn the volume past 28 (out of 35), its just too loud, yet so clear.

Here is a former set-up of the 7 channels to give you more context. Like a typical Jeep owner, I am constantly tweaking the program.

 

[skrelnik]

I used a Kenwood sub with built in amp. I removed the stock sub from the console and then simply measured the new sub/amp and then from the bottom, cut a slot in the console interior structure with a Dremel. I then slid the sub right in. I used sound deadening mat to insulate and isolate it from vibes and to keep it in place. It also has a wired remote to it that lets me adjust the volume and frequency cutoff. No, it's no substitute for a 12" sub with a mono 1000 watt amp, but it sounds great with a mildly upgraded system, and is completely stealth, self contained, and safe from water collecting on the floorboards.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BO8O9XQ/?tag=wranglerorg-20

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Great idea, especially if it fits with only a couple slices if the inner housing!!!

 

[rasband]

I did a powered sub in the center console. I had the factory sub, but pulled the housing and just set it in there. Once I get a garage again I am going to re-work it a little to get it anchored better for those bumpy trips most of us like to take . It could simplify the custom box that @Joseph built (though that looks phenomenal).

After I move I can look to see if I kept the factory housing, I am a habitual declutter-er. But I still owe someone else the factory radio packed away in the move in a few weeks...

 

[Derek b]

For some reason my link won’t work, but if you’re feeling aspired here are some images of the plans/build from that post

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Bumping an old thread. I built this same enclosure about 4 years ago when I got my TJ. I've got an 8 inch sub in it. The total volume of the enclosure was perfect for my 8 inch sub. It was my first time working with fiberglass as well but I feel like it turned out really well. Unfortunately I don't remember anything about building it so I can't give any tips. I'm pretty sure I had to change some measurements, but I was able to figure it out and make it work. But I sprayed the whole thing in bedliner so it's a little tougher in the elements. It's held up great for several years and being caught in a few downpours with the top down. The center console fit over it perfectly and gave me about an inch and a half of storage room for some small items.

 

[thuddles]

nice build! any rattle or vibrations in between the box and the outer shell?