I've seen lots of subwoofer install posts but none like I did here.

I wasn't looking for contest winning sub woofer bass but I did want more punch. I also didn't want to give up trunk space.

So I went with a Rockford Sub-Woofer All-in-One with an 8" speaker. It does a great job. Initially, I put it in the shelf behind the back seat and it worked well there but it kept me from putting the convertible tonneau cover on.

Following are pictures and explanation of how I elected to go.


Here's a picture of the upper seat back removed from the car. Remove the latching hardware, release the plastic, interlocking hooks from the bottom and remove the cover as one piece.




This is the carpeted back of the upper seat back.



The seat has a hard plastic back and a piece of foam inside. Here I have measured and cut a hole where my subwoofer will mount.

 

The inside seat back. The foam is about 4" thick. It was necessary to cut 3" of foam from the center to make room for the subwoofer. The remaining inch of foam maintains the seat's look and feel.

 

The subwoofer has screws at the corner and middle to hold the front and back together. I removed these screws, and purchased longer ones. I then took a 3' piece of 1" wide aluminum and cut it into three 1' lengths. I drilled holes and bolted the strips to the subwoofer.

 

I placed the subwoofer in the seat back, drilled holes for the bolts that will hold the subwoofer to the seat and mounted the subwoofer assembly to the seat back. I used fender washers in order to spread the support over a wider area.

 

I then installed the seat foam, put the cover in place, and re-installed the latching hardware. The seat looks original and feels like nothing is different. The 1" of foam in the center over the subwoofer speaker doesn't hinder the sound at all.

 

I cut a slit at the top of the seat where the carpet and vinyl come together. This allows for the wires and gives access to the various controls. I then closed the slit with hook and loop pieces.

 

The completed project back in the car. There is no indication there is a subwoofer mounted but I get great subwoofer bass. It looks original and my tonneau cover fits as it should. I also have full use of my limited trunk space.


I'm very satisfied with the end results.

 

 

Vert or not, that is pretty cool. Is there any vibration from the leather? Did you leave any of the padding below the leather in front of the sub?

I have 2 JL 12" subs in the trunk, but wish I had the room back for the t-tops.

 

No there is no vibration sound at all. The sub is firmly mounted apparently and there are no rattles. I think the answer to your second question is yes. I only cut out the foam from the backside to make room for the sub.

I doubt one 8" can match 2 12" but it satisfies me. I tried making a recording but my phone and laptop just wasn't able to capture a good full-spectrum recording.

 

Yeah, a recording wont ever do a system justice. Thanks!

 

How the hell do you get the release levers on the side off ? Has some kind of giant Philips heads ?

 

It is a giant philips head. Got it off with help from a wrench to get torque on it.

 

I finished my install of a "Cerwin-Vega Mobile VPAS10 powered active subwoofer".


It's size was smaller in depth and houses a 10" sub as well as being less expensive. I didn't do as good a job thinning the foam, but it looks okay (especially for a nearly 25 year old car).

I had a bazooka tube amp in the trunk taking up a bunch of space and was a hassle dealing with lack or too much bass when the top was down or up. This solution appears to work a lot better !

Thanks !

 

Excellent! How's it performing for you?

When you get some time, post some pictures and adding a signature is really appreciated so we can all know about your car.