I've finally received my Prius C4! I will be swapping out the speakers and adding a custom sub box. I'm leaving the head unit. Its really not a bad head unit nor worth the added cost to make the blutooth, steering wheel controls etc work and i've heard nightmare stories of it going bad and ruining the warranty. I will be doing line level outputs and amping the signal instead. For the sub I will be adding a Boston Pro series 10". Its a classic that I've kept boxed in my shop waiting for the right situation. My original thought was to glass a removable enclosure in the spare tire well. I will still be doing that for myself and taking lots of pictures along the way for everyone. I also thought about making a second box that is also removable though not as easily in the right rear quarter panel. I can fit a small volume 10" or pretty much any 8" in that spot. My question to you all is do any of you have enough interest in how that would look and or fit for me to give it a shot in the second location? Or should i just focus on the tire well box when I start the project? I also have a unique amp rack that I am building also. Comments, questions, concerns, Ideas?
I would love to see what a custom quarter panel sub would look like. I saw one in a Prius Liftback and it looked amazing. Also how do you plan on doing the wiring? I know that the regular Prius C non-navi head unit doesn't have RCA jacks for subs, so I am curious to see how everyone else is doing it. Also are you keeping the spare tire in there and just using the area where the foam is? Can't wait to see pictures!
Finally, some tinkering to the "Top of the Line" C4. Yank the spare out of the well - who changes a tire themselves now a days (call AAA). Don't the C4 comes with roadside service?
You know I never asked about the roadside service since I have AAA already. I should call and ask. I like to keep the spare because in the middle of nowhere to Vegas, Phoenix and Denver that I drive from time to time. Roadside service could be hours away. Plus not everyone wants to lose their spare. Ill get to both versions then. I will keep the spare because if i yanked it I would probably go crazy with a split 15 & 10 or 4 10's back there and i don't have the time for that project. As for the wiring I will use Line Level converters to run to the amps since there is no RCA's I also have all the other speakers on the way (6.5" separates in the front and 6.5" 2 ways int the rear), the reverse camera and the auto dimming mirror with homelink. I guess I just felt the need to tinker again with this one. The stock speakers are so terrible! Just using one of my testing speakers sounded 10 times better.
I installed mine against the single back seat, the one on the right. I screwed the amp to the back of that seat, pretty space efficient considering the size of the car. Installed Alpine Type R 10" Subwoofer! | PriusChat. So replacing the stock speakers makes a huge difference? Please keep us updated on that, i am interested in getting some myself. I am extremely happy with my sound at the moment though, amazing sq with my sub. Definitely try to install it in the tire well, that'd be piiimpin.
I've always been about the more stealth look so the tire well and quarter panel were instant thoughts. I also have a unique design for an amp rack that i hope when finished will look virtually stock when im finished. The speakers will immediately help with the sound. The stock speakers have a fake mid bass filler that distorts at high middle to high volumes and sounds muddy. the sub you've installed probably drowns that sound out some plus you can turn the bass down on the head unit some and up more on the gain of the amp to compensate.
I rocked my dual 8" enclosure in the rear part of the spare tire well, leaving room for a flat-tire tool kit.
Yes the car does come with a roadside assistance but they will only offer to change the flat tire for your inflated spare. In other words if you don't have a good usable spare the service is not provided. Well I guess you can pay for anything. but the included Toyota service only covers swapping your spare with the flat tire. And YES, I'd rater do it myself. I bet I'd have it done before a tow truck could get to me
I started the glass work on the spare tire will as well as the patterns for the quarter panel. Ill post pictures within the next couple of days when i upload the pictures to my computer.
Ok so the madness has started. I started by making the mold then did the glass. Its 4 layers of glass so far with only 4 pieces making the connection... Don't mind the tin foil or tape. I haven't sanded the outside yet. I didnt do any box work today because my speakers showed up and i really wanted to get them in.
So heres the door speakers I did. 6.5" Infinity Kappa separates. 270w max. Pictures are a little rough sorry. It was wet and cold outside but I really needed to improve the sound. Removed the old speakers completely. rewired to the crossover. Put the adapter on that came with my speakers. I used the black silicon behind and around the adapter. More for vibration than air sealing. Used weather stripping the mounted the woofer and used 1/2" self tapping screws to mount the tweeter case. Slightly angle the tweeter then put the door back together. The cross over is mounted in the foam in the back side of the door panel.
Sorry about the delay in updates. I've been busy at work plus the temperature had been cold so its not ideal for fiberglass work. The last layer of glass is currently drying and i will be making the false floor and amp rack over the the next few days. The box will be loaded and tuned either Thursday or Sunday. The box is .683 cu ft 1st layer of the 2 pieces being joined closer look at the sub clearance. Plenty of room Measuring the air space Top view with the sub set in place Side view with the box fully enclosed bottom/side angle fully enclosed Box set in place before loading and false floor.
Thank you! The holidays and issues with my back up camera install have slowed me down. I added the top floor. Im currently waiting on the glue to try for the sides that the floor will sit on and that will house the amps. Currently i am heading the the hardware store to see if i can find a strong metal mesh to act as a speaker grill. This is the test run pic. I used scrap MDF sitting in the shop so thats the random paint and marking you see.
Lookin' good! If you can't find good/strong enough mesh for a grille, buy a cheapie 18" subwoofer grille from a random car audio shop and cut it down [assuming you have a cut-off wheel] to fit your application.
the Nav head unit doesn't have line out either... he'll have to use a speaker-level-to-line-level converter (or use one built into the amp)