8" Subwoofer box WITH spare tire

JerryK · 04-26-2009, 09:43 AM

I'm upgrading my stock system with 6.5 components, amp and a subwoofer. I figure 8" is plenty for this car and my music preference. I wanted to keep the spare tire, so I looked for a sub with minimum box volume requirements. The 8" JL W6 only needs .375 cubic feet, so I fashioned a round box that fits down in the spare tire. It's 15" in diameter by 4.5" or so tall. I used a round tub I found at Lowes for a vessel to set dimensions for the fiberglass sides, the top and bottom are 5/8" MDF. I used epoxy resin with two thicknesses of mat and cloth. Epoxy resin is expensive, but it's strong and doesn't have that resin smell of the others. The carpet can go over the top, but I may cut it out and put a grill on it. Still working on the rest, hopefully it will be installed in two weeks.

antennahead · 04-26-2009, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryK

I'm upgrading my stock system with 6.5 components, amp and a subwoofer. I figure 8" is plenty for this car and for my music preference. I wanted to keep the spare tire, so I looked for a sub with minimum box volume requirements. The 8" JL W6 only needs .375 cubic feet, so I fashioned a round box that fits down in the spare tire. It's 15" in diameter by 4.5" or so tall. I used a round tub I found at Lowes for a vessel to set dimensions for the fiberglass sides, the top and bottom are 5/8" MDF. I used epoxy resin with toe thicknesses of mat and cloth. Epoxy resin is expensive, but it's strong and doesn't have that resin smell of the others. The carpet can go over the top, but I may cut it out and put a grill on it. Still working on the rest, hopefully it will be installed in two weeks.

Yes my man, this is what I have been waiting to see for the 370!!!! I need to keep my spare AND trunk space, and have thought from the start that THIS was the solution. Glad to see you took the initiative to do it. I agree with you, an 8" is plenty for this car. I anticipate we will be seeing aftermarket versions of this solution soon, possibly from Zenclosures.

John

AK370Z · 04-26-2009, 11:02 AM

Great job. this is a perfect solution for members who do not want to get rid of their spare (like me

). We def want to see a DIY for this.(oh and also the plastic tub item no

)

Good luck with the great project!

antennahead · 04-26-2009, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryK

I'm upgrading my stock system with 6.5 components, amp and a subwoofer. I figure 8" is plenty for this car and my music preference. I wanted to keep the spare tire, so I looked for a sub with minimum box volume requirements. The 8" JL W6 only needs .375 cubic feet, so I fashioned a round box that fits down in the spare tire. It's 15" in diameter by 4.5" or so tall. I used a round tub I found at Lowes for a vessel to set dimensions for the fiberglass sides, the top and bottom are 5/8" MDF. I used epoxy resin with two thicknesses of mat and cloth. Epoxy resin is expensive, but it's strong and doesn't have that resin smell of the others. The carpet can go over the top, but I may cut it out and put a grill on it. Still working on the rest, hopefully it will be installed in two weeks.

A quick question. Is the top of your enclosure wide enough diameter wise to house one of the JL thinlines? The 13TW5 needs about 13 inches, the 12TW5 isn't listed on the websit yet, but probably needs about 12". The depth of these subs is only 2.5", and have gotten some good reviews. Thanks.

John

JerryK · 04-26-2009, 12:48 PM

Yes, the top of the fiberglass circular tub/box is about 14.75" inside diameter, the MDF top circle is 20". You could run either one. Check the cubic inches recommended for the enclosure, every inch of 15" diameter is 176 cubic inches. (There's 1728 cubic inches in a cubic foot.) 15" is the largest diameter that fits down in the spare on top of the hold-down nut of the tire, you could go smaller diameter if you need to. If you needed more cubes you could go another inch or so higher without crowding your trunk. Remember to subtract the volume of the subwoofer itself.

frost · 04-26-2009, 12:52 PM

Hot. Good job mate.

Jeff Smith · 04-26-2009, 12:54 PM

Nice idea. But since the JL sub is no longer being made I'd recommend either the Pioneer or Kenwood shallow 8' sub. I'd like to try this

antennahead · 04-26-2009, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Smith

Nice idea. But since the JL sub is no longer being made I'd recommend either the Pioneer or Kenwood shallow 8' sub. I'd like to try this

Not a fan of the JL shallow subs?

John

Jeff Smith · 04-26-2009, 01:15 PM

I love the JL flat sub but there isnt enough air space for it to fit into the spare tire and sound it's best. Thats all.

SoCal 370Z · 04-26-2009, 01:26 PM

Are you going to try to incorporate the tire clamp (the large round plastic cover with the threaded bolt embedded in it to hold-down the spare)? On the Bose supplied system the bolt is simply longer and fastens down the sub and spare tire. I love the ingenuity here, and hope it makes it the DIYer section.

Ingenuity = Rep Point

Dreamin'Z · 04-26-2009, 01:32 PM

Dude That's awesome... I have the same exact sub I'm in Alaska right now but when I get home it's on

antennahead · 04-26-2009, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Smith

I love the JL flat sub but there isnt enough air space for it to fit into the spare tire and sound it's best. Thats all.

Thanks for the advice. Looks like the Pioneer would be a good choice.
The 10" states it can work in a .35 sealed box.

John

JerryK · 04-26-2009, 01:43 PM

SoCal-- I considered using the spare threaded hold-down to fasten the box, but then I'd have to unscrew the subwoofer to get to the hold-down to remove the spare tire. I plan on hooking the box to the rear sheet metal so it doesn't come flying in an accident.

JL has other 8" subs (as do others) if you can't get the cubic space you need for a flat 10 or 12" version. I believe the flats require more power, also.

SoCal 370Z · 04-26-2009, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryK

SoCal-- I considered using the spare threaded hold-down to fasten the box, but then I'd have to unscrew the subwoofer to get to the hold-down to remove the spare tire. I plan on hooking the box to the rear sheet metal so it doesn't come flying in an accident.

JL has other 8" subs (as do others) if you can't get the cubic space you need for a flat 10 or 12" version. I believe the flats require more power, also.

Depending on your outer housing circumference, could you spin the entire assembly with the clamp being embedded at the bottom of your housing. Just a suggestion as I don't want you doing something I suggest and then it turns out like crap, and you end up hating my suggestion.

JerryK · 04-26-2009, 02:04 PM

You could spin it, as long as you could disconnect the wiring.

04-26-2009, 11:02 AM	#3 (permalink)
AK370Z Administrator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 9,930 Drives: 09 370Z MB Sports M6 Rep Power: 10	Great job. this is a perfect solution for members who do not want to get rid of their spare (like me ). We def want to see a DIY for this.(oh and also the plastic tub item no ) Good luck with the great project! __________________ The370Z Signature Pictures ll Want to rock our forum decals on your car? Then click here! ll How to Embed YouTube Videos In a Post STOP! (Hammertime) ll Become a Premium Member Click HERE ll F.A.Q. Are You a Nissan Dealer? Click Here to Become A "Supporting Dealer" and Start Listing Your 370Zs In Our Inventory Section My Monterey Blue Z ll My Exhaust --> My Intake --> G3 Nissan's Official Response Regarding Oil Temp Issue: CLICK HERE Need a Set of Cheap Winter wheels /Tires? Then Visit The Banner Link Below and Place Your Order. You'll Help Keep The370Z Alive.

04-26-2009, 12:54 PM	#7 (permalink)
Jeff Smith Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 96 Drives: The ladies crazy Rep Power: 285	Nice idea. But since the JL sub is no longer being made I'd recommend either the Pioneer or Kenwood shallow 8' sub. I'd like to try this __________________ Jeff Smith Autosound Specialist Atlanta, GA

04-26-2009, 01:15 PM	#9 (permalink)
Jeff Smith Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 96 Drives: The ladies crazy Rep Power: 285	I love the JL flat sub but there isnt enough air space for it to fit into the spare tire and sound it's best. Thats all. __________________ Jeff Smith Autosound Specialist Atlanta, GA

04-26-2009, 01:26 PM	#10 (permalink)
SoCal 370Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: US of A Posts: 2,842 Drives: Answers Rep Power: 33	Are you going to try to incorporate the tire clamp (the large round plastic cover with the threaded bolt embedded in it to hold-down the spare)? On the Bose supplied system the bolt is simply longer and fastens down the sub and spare tire. I love the ingenuity here, and hope it makes it the DIYer section. Ingenuity = Rep Point __________________ ( Click to show/hide ) Why I NEVER say NO to the Panda Lou Fusz!!!

04-26-2009, 01:32 PM	#11 (permalink)
Dreamin'Z Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Fort Walton Beach, FL Age: 41 Posts: 147 Drives: 14 370Z PW 6spd Rep Power: 16	Dude That's awesome... I have the same exact sub I'm in Alaska right now but when I get home it's on __________________ Pearl 6MT Base with Sport Package

04-26-2009, 12:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
JerryK Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Scottsdale AZ Posts: 64 Drives: 2009 370Z Yellow 7AT Rep Power: 16	Yes, the top of the fiberglass circular tub/box is about 14.75" inside diameter, the MDF top circle is 20". You could run either one. Check the cubic inches recommended for the enclosure, every inch of 15" diameter is 176 cubic inches. (There's 1728 cubic inches in a cubic foot.) 15" is the largest diameter that fits down in the spare on top of the hold-down nut of the tire, you could go smaller diameter if you need to. If you needed more cubes you could go another inch or so higher without crowding your trunk. Remember to subtract the volume of the subwoofer itself.

04-26-2009, 12:52 PM	#6 (permalink)
frost Retired admin Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Winterfell Posts: 106,613 Drives: Your Wife Crazy Rep Power: 0	Hot. Good job mate.

04-26-2009, 01:43 PM	#13 (permalink)
JerryK Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Scottsdale AZ Posts: 64 Drives: 2009 370Z Yellow 7AT Rep Power: 16	SoCal-- I considered using the spare threaded hold-down to fasten the box, but then I'd have to unscrew the subwoofer to get to the hold-down to remove the spare tire. I plan on hooking the box to the rear sheet metal so it doesn't come flying in an accident. JL has other 8" subs (as do others) if you can't get the cubic space you need for a flat 10 or 12" version. I believe the flats require more power, also.

04-26-2009, 02:04 PM	#15 (permalink)
JerryK Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Scottsdale AZ Posts: 64 Drives: 2009 370Z Yellow 7AT Rep Power: 16	You could spin it, as long as you could disconnect the wiring.

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