Thought I'd stick a thread up on here as there's a few into ICE installs so thought I'd show my progress.



This was something I built up a few months back, was made from 19mm MDF and weighed 27kgs, so was rather heavy. No point having a fast-ish car just to weight it down IMO so it all had to come out and was sold. Using one better quality sub this time instead of 2 cheaper ones to help with the weight.

As I go away quite a bit I also got fed up with not having a boot any more and keeping things on the back seat instead which got quite annoying, so the new system had to free up as much boot space as possible.

I've decided to make the new box from fibreglass to keep the weight down and to mould it to the side of the boot to make as much use of the space I have.

Firstly all this had to come out!





Gave everything a good hoover and started masking up ready for the fibreglass. I have used a layer of speed tape (otherwise known as 600mph tape). It's used for temporary repairs on aircraft, so should do a good job at stopping resin from leaking through!





Next I've put another layer of masking tape down and am smoothing it all over to make a nice base to start with the fibreglass.



That's where I am at the moment, going to start with the fibreglass tomorrow so shall update when I've got more to show!

 

will keep an eye on this

 

Cool something diif to keep an eye on i used to be well in to my ice

 

Got the first layer of fibreglass down today, need to do about 3 layers before it should be strong enough to pull out.

 

I love sound systems in cars as long as they arnt ott.I will be watching your progress mate.

 

Me too mate, that's why I got fooked off with the 2 12s, it was too much. Less is more IMO

Should get the rest of the fibreglass down tomorrow before pulling it out, then got to build up about 7 layers for a bit of extra strength!

 

I had a big sub box with 2 subs in which was in the back of mine.It sounded mint but the box was really heavy.A lad i worked with had a fli sub/amp bass box which was really light.I bought it off him for 30 quid and it sounds just as good as the other box.

 

Got a bit more done today, laid down another layer of fibreglass, waited for it to go off then pulled it out the car. Almost pulled my arms off, was bloody in there



Also started building the top out to get the required volume, need to do the side tomorrow.





Getting there slowly!

 

Awesome build this, love it when someone actually tries to do something practical and not just fill a boot with neons and amps...
Was thinking of doing the same thing only just bin the spacesaver and make a box in the boot floor and use a shallower sub.
Waiting to see how yours comes out, may be the better way... keep up them updates!

 

I did want to do it like this, unfortunately there just isn't enough room around the space saver to build the box!

 

looking good pal

 

Got some more done today, closed off the last remaining gap.



Quick test fit!



I then filled it with water to check for leaks and see what the rough volume of it was A few small leaks but managed to hold 8 stone of water with no bother. No pics of this I was a bit wet!

Then I trimmed it down to make it a bit more manageble. Am out of fibreglass now so have ordered some more! Next step is to add a few more layers to give it some more strength.



Rich

 

nice one chap looking good! so much time involved making these!

 

Tell me about it, should be worth it in the end!

 

yeah for sure! im been wanting to get into building some fiberglass stuff for a while. just time consuming!

 

Got another layer down today, 2 more and that should do it!



And got a nice present from the postman too







Rich

 

thats awsome

 

looking good, look forward to seeing the finished install, i gather you are making a matching amp rack on the other side? what thickness baffle board are you going to use to mount the sub? 18mm mdf?

 

ive just treated me self to 1 of them jl.s in me x5 you wont be dissapointed

pete

 

Good work Rich, thats going to look top notch cant wait to see this progress

 

Cheers guys, yes that's right, 18mm mdf, tigersealed to the fibreglass box then add more fibreglass to the back to give it a bit more strength. Really not decided what to do with the amp yet, don't know weather to flush it into the side of the box, make something on the other side or try and hide it somewhere!

 

Got the fibreglassing finished today, then filled with water to determine correct volume before marking up and cutting it down to it's final size.





Need to make the MDF baffle tomorrow then it's nearly there!

 

impressive work!

 

 

Very nice custom box i'll be watching your progress on this

 

Very good work


Brian

 

Done a bit more today, cut the baffle out, was a bugger to get it to the right shape as I couldn't mark out the inside of the box, however I cut it close enough. Took a good hammering to get it to fit into the box, so I gave it a quick trial fit into the car. (excuse my mate's graffiti )



I cut the hole for the sub and made a backing ring so the sub would fit flush against the surface of the MDF. which wwas then siliconed and screwed to the baffle. I filled round the gaps with fibreglass filler, rubbed down the uneven edges of the box so it sat flush with the baffle, then added more fibreglass matting to the back of the baffle to stick it hard to the box.





Just a bit more tidying up then carpet tomorrow, then I need to work out what I'm going to do with the amp!

 

This is looking good.

Is this in your ST? I only ask as I have none of the spare wheel, jack or polystyrene section.

 

Yes it is in my ST, I take it you have the compressor and foam stuff? The spare wheel came as an option, you can buy the kit from Ford

 

Yeah thats what I have!

Daft question time......the baffle, is that the MDF piece on the front with your mates graffiti on?

Never built one, just wondering.

 

Yes that's right

 

Will keep an eye on this.

Cheers Rich.

 

Got a bit more done today, carpeted the box, what a booger of a job that was! Modified the polystyrene surround to fit, masking tape is only temporary while the tiger seal dries!





Made another piece on the other side to house the amp, not hugely sure about it so will stick some carpet on it and see what it look like once it's all finished.



Just waiting on some more carpet and the cabling so when that's arrived it should be finished!

 

is the volume critical to get the sound right? looks very good in the carpet

 

looking awesome!

 

does that box have enough cubic inches for the sub to sound right - look a bit shalllow to me?

 

Nice progress Rich!

Reminds me of an install I did ages ago








There does seem to be enough volume there, however, Rich, I would HIGHLY recommend putting around 50-75% wadding inside the box...it will improve the sound greatly!

If you need any help etc, please just drop me a PM and ill get back to you as soon as I can

 

You could follow the lines of this





However, instead of using the spare wheel, as you said ditch the space save and use all remaining space. Slim subs these days are pretty good! I know Rockfords latest creation has wowed LOTS of people! Diamond shallow mounts are some of the most advanced to!

 

Thanks alot for the tips and pics mate it's like you read my mind lol...I'l have to see what i can do about finding a sub, that is if the rust I found in my sills (or what was once sills) won't mean scrapping my crap Civic altogether Vaux or Ford..that is the (new) question
Sorry Rich for jacking the thread...Hope to see your build finished soon. Top work!

 

It's spot on 35 litres, which is what the sub needs, there's a pic of it further up the page full of water

Cheers, I've got some wadding actually, do I pack it tightly into the box or just loosely fill it?