Help please please please!

[Eastsoutheast]

Hi

I am in the process of fitting an amp in the rear storage area. It's a little big so the options for location are almost zero.

I have made a MDF base which the amp fits to and the MDF base needs to be fitted securely to the floor in the rear storage area.

The amp is going in the middle of the floor and the MDF needs to be screwed down to the central tunnel area. 4 screws one in each corner of the tunnel.

Does anyone know for sure if I can safely screw in 4 self tapping screws. I can't imagine there is anything really close and I will use screws that are only 5mm longer than the overal depth so the screws will protrude 5mm below the central tunnel.

I can't see any other option as the amp is very heavy, won't fit anywhere else and I don't want to risk it moving and pulling on the wires.

Thanks
Brian

[Mr X]

Be careful here.... the fuel tank is bolted up the the underside the rear bins and I don't think there's a great deal of space between the bottom of the bins and the skin of the fuel tank. I'm not sure exactly the size of the gap between the two but if you take the bottom of the bins out, you'll see a circular metal sheet stuck down behind the driver seat. Take that off (it will stick back down) and you'll see the tank.
 I would screw into the sides with L brackets rather than down if it was me.

[mulaz]

Have you seen my post from last year on Diy Sub?
 l viewtopic.php?f=31&t=49329 l

[Eastsoutheast]

Thanks both. I have a really good and expensive 10" sub and Alpine mono amp and was planning on installing this into the rear storage bin doors beefed up with 18mm MDF.  These were fitted in a well designed small sub box which was previously in my JCW mini. This won't fit behind the seats no matter how I try. Either side of this I was going to install a pair of 6.5 inch components as i can then get the tweeters optimally mounted for a clear sound.

My new amp arrived today which I picked up cheap on ebay. It was one of those punts that I rarely win so the back up was a small but high quality amp that would comfortably fit in the rear.

The amp is 18.75 inches by 12 inches and 2.5 inches high hence after much head scratching I decided the only place it can fit is the centre of the storage area. This allows me enough space to run the cables (thick as had to be a 4 gauge wiring kit and will be using a pair of phono's) and close the storage doors - just.

I have cut 2 pieces of 18mm MDF to attach to the rear of the storage doors to add some strength to the speakers.

I have ordered another pair of Focals (used the money saved from the cheap amp purchase so bonus!) which I will be fitting to the storage doors. I have decided against a sub but will review once I get everything working.

I am a little concerned that the components will sound muffled as they will be directly facing the rear of the seats but I can't fit anywhere else. I did look at positioning them as close to the middle as possible so they would not be totally obstructed but they won't clear the amp in that position. They are now going to be in the top corners of the doors (next to the bodywork).

I had a look at the grommets behind the battery but it does not look like there will be enough space for the cables but hopefully I am wrong.

I will post some pictures once finished and if anyone else can advise RE the screws to hold down the MDF I will really appreciate it.

Thanks

[Eastsoutheast]

Has anyone any experience of using super heavy duty Velcro as this may be an option.

I would first use a layer to fasten down the plastic and once secured and other level to fasten the amp to the plastic.

Cheers

[Anonymous]

Unless it's one of these boxless subs then the sub will not be very good with out a box.

[Eastsoutheast]

I am not fitting a sub, just another pair of Focal 6.5 components. If it sounds really poor without box's I will look at sealing them sonehow.

Ta

[adamjob]

Heavy duty Velcro will hold no problem.
Why not position the amp behind the passenger seat and fit some stoppers to stop the seat bashing it, sure the passengers can loose 50mm leg room?

Thanks

Adam.

[Eastsoutheast]

I have considered that option Adam but anyone who sits in the passenger seat seems to need the chair right back. The carpet covering this area is loose and it feels like there are lots of wires etc there, I will have a look at the weekend as its a decent option.

Thanks

[Eastsoutheast]

Another option I had not considered is the spare wheel are. I have one of those emergency compressors and tyre repair kits from a previous car. I could keep this in the storage area if the amp would fit. Would keep it nice and cool also!

[adamjob]

Damp?

[Eastsoutheast]

must admit i had not considered damp/moisture so a good shout.

Thanks

[nathanMR2]

If i were you and for the application you are using it for. Buy a smaller amp and sell your old one. I screwed mine into the rear bin

[Eastsoutheast]

Already have the amp and it should sound really good. After lots of head scratching today I have moved the alarm, removed the spare wheel (can of instant repair and 12v compressor in the storage area) and will install the amp in this area. I am aware there may be a small amount of moisture which I will tackle using one of those caravan dehumidifies.

This leaves the storage area free which means I can install my components in there as I wanted (if the amp went in there I was not able to do this) and I keep plenty of storage space.