I converted my OEM storage center console into a subwoofer enclosure after mounting my amp under steering column .
My Jeep did not come with the center console subwoofer; it came instead with the polyurethane storage container. I considered making an MDF enclosure to fit inside the center console but the storage container seemed too perfect in size/shape. The material is also pretty thick plastic that could make a fine speaker enclosure. I thought it could work if I could mount a recessed subwoofer bracket, some terminals, and seal the enclosure while maintaining storage. Sealing the container while maintaining storage was solved by combining the storage container with the insert from a TJ console which came with a factory subwoofer.
I started by drilling out the rivets and removing the white plastic center storage container from the storage center console. I purchased the top insert from a TJ subwoofer center console off Ebay. I did this to still have some storage after the job is done and to seal the OEM storage compartment. Combining the storage container and the subwoofer console insert made a perfect subwoofer enclosure.
First I cut a hole and mounted a speaker terminal with RTV silicone:
I made a jig myself to cut the recessed bracket to mount my speaker.
I tried finding a recessed bracket on Amazon but only found MDF in the wrong size. Plywood is much stronger for such a small part. I cut it custom to fit my Kicker 8" shallow mount sub:
I was forced to cut the recess mount in half to fit inside the hole i made in the storage insert. I then reassembled it inside the container using metal brackets. I mounted the brackets before cutting the recess to make sure it would reattach at the same exact diameter. I used the thinnest jigsaw blade I had to make the cut. I then used gorilla glue to fill the empty space when reconnecting the recess inside the container. Gorilla glue expands a lot to fill the space, which is why I used it. I use RTV silicone to seal around the recess.
Next I filled the space will Polyfill, to dampen vibration, before sealing the subwoofer insert onto the enclosure using RTV silicone
I then mounted it to the center console using automotive panel fasteners where the existing (drilled-out) rivets were. (in this pic not mounted yet so speaker is sitting low)
The terminals are still accessible from below even when attached to the center console. I bring it to the car and install! It bumps!
Here is the YouTube video:
My Jeep did not come with the center console subwoofer; it came instead with the polyurethane storage container. I considered making an MDF enclosure to fit inside the center console but the storage container seemed too perfect in size/shape. The material is also pretty thick plastic that could make a fine speaker enclosure. I thought it could work if I could mount a recessed subwoofer bracket, some terminals, and seal the enclosure while maintaining storage. Sealing the container while maintaining storage was solved by combining the storage container with the insert from a TJ console which came with a factory subwoofer.
I started by drilling out the rivets and removing the white plastic center storage container from the storage center console. I purchased the top insert from a TJ subwoofer center console off Ebay. I did this to still have some storage after the job is done and to seal the OEM storage compartment. Combining the storage container and the subwoofer console insert made a perfect subwoofer enclosure.
First I cut a hole and mounted a speaker terminal with RTV silicone:
I made a jig myself to cut the recessed bracket to mount my speaker.
I tried finding a recessed bracket on Amazon but only found MDF in the wrong size. Plywood is much stronger for such a small part. I cut it custom to fit my Kicker 8" shallow mount sub:
I was forced to cut the recess mount in half to fit inside the hole i made in the storage insert. I then reassembled it inside the container using metal brackets. I mounted the brackets before cutting the recess to make sure it would reattach at the same exact diameter. I used the thinnest jigsaw blade I had to make the cut. I then used gorilla glue to fill the empty space when reconnecting the recess inside the container. Gorilla glue expands a lot to fill the space, which is why I used it. I use RTV silicone to seal around the recess.
Next I filled the space will Polyfill, to dampen vibration, before sealing the subwoofer insert onto the enclosure using RTV silicone
I then mounted it to the center console using automotive panel fasteners where the existing (drilled-out) rivets were. (in this pic not mounted yet so speaker is sitting low)
The terminals are still accessible from below even when attached to the center console. I bring it to the car and install! It bumps!
Here is the YouTube video:
