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Custom subwoofer enclosure for 04 and 05 Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by viffer_pilot, Nov 13, 2004.

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  1. viffer_pilot

    viffer_pilot New Member

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    Here's the thing about a 10" subwoofer...the opening is about 11 inches. A 10" sub will fit BUT... that would only allow the speaker ring to be about .5 inches wide. It is possible to do this but it would be harder to make the rings. Additionally, I already have a jig to make the rings for the 8" speakers and have made about 16 of them for future enclosures. I now have two subwoofers installed and it's too much base for the stock system. I need to turn down the gain on the amp since I'm already about 4-5 lines below the middle on bass. My rear view mirror vibrates even at moderate volumes. If anyone is interested in making a 10" enclosure, I can sell you just a mold of the pocket that you can use to make your own. The only part of the whole project that can result in significant cost is making the initial mold since any fiberglass you drip on your car is going to become your most recent permanent modification since it will not come off the carpet on the inside. With the back of the enclosure, you could fit your own speaker ring and try a 10" speaker.

    I'll help anyone who is interested in making their own. The only reason I'm selling them is because I wished someone was around to sell me mine but now that I've gone through the trouble I may as well make them for others.

    As far as the speaker is concerned...I will install 8" RF Punch Stage 1 subs. I purchased mine through Crutchfield. You can check out the specs at www.crutchfield.com. 8" speakers are difficult to find. Crutchfield is a reliable source and they ship quickly. I have never been dissatisfied with any purchase from them. The other advantage to this speaker is that I can purchase them in pairs for a discount, then sell them for the same retail price as Crutchfield so that I don't have to mark up the enclosures more. The $20 I save per speaker is enough to cover the time I will have to spend to install it and test the enclosure.

    Hope this helps.
     
    #41 viffer_pilot, Jan 8, 2005
  2. starcross

    starcross New Member

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    so jeff, how would i go about ordering one of ur 8" molding box? i already have 8" boston acoustic sub...
     
    #42 starcross, Jan 9, 2005
  3. Chucka

    Chucka Junior Member

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    Fairfield County, CT
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Any updates on this enclosure? Comments from anyone who has installed one? Are they still available for sales?

    Pix of installations?

    Anyone else making such an enclosure?
     
    #43 Chucka, Mar 31, 2005
  4. naterprius

    naterprius Senior Member

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    Sorry for the delayed report, most of my time has gone towards the auto-lock module.

    Here's a quick opinion:

    The unit is incredibly strong. I think I could use it as a jack stand! The Rockford Fosgate Sub fits very well, but I'm having trouble finding a good grille for it. The unit is solid, and fits the opening well, but I'm not sure how to get it to stay; perhaps velcro is a good solution.

    As far as sound quality, I'm currently stymied by the "beeps" and the digital Amp, so my upgrade plan was not put in place as originally intended. I'll have to get this hooked up pretty soon so I can report on the sound quality.

    Overall, the item is very, very sturdy, and appears to have all the proper qualities to be a spectacular sub box... strong, rigid, the right volume for 8 inch, tucks into the corner nicely. I'm not a serious audiophile, but since I'm incredibly lazy and care about aesthetics a lot, I'm going to recommend one to anyone who wants a little more kick in their stereo.

    I think the only other option worth exploring is a much larger box to accomodate a 10" speaker. It could still sit flush with corner opening, but that's very labor intensive, and is a maybe for success.

    Nate
     
    #44 naterprius, Apr 1, 2005
  5. Chucka

    Chucka Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Fairfield County, CT
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Has anyone else making similar boxes or has anyone else done an install using these (Pictures and report PLEASE!)?
     
    #45 Chucka, Apr 1, 2005
  6. Vernon

    Vernon New Member

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    #46 Vernon, Apr 1, 2005
  7. viffer_pilot

    viffer_pilot New Member

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    Greetings to all who have watched this post develop. If anyone has read my post re: Prius vs. Buick, you already know that the Prius is toast ($16K in damage). Since we are tied up in a lease on our van and my wife is no longer working, we have decided to not replace the Prius until the lease on our van is up (2007 ish). In light of this, I have two subwoofer boxes that are no longer in use. I have listed them on E-bay separately. I would only have used one if I hadn't made two and I think most people would only want one of them. If you are interested in one of these enclosures please take a look.
    I have two more carcasses for enclosures I started and may finish those if I get the chance.
    In case you are wondering, both of the boxes are finished in grey carpet to match my late Prius' interior. I appologize in advance for leaving out all of you with brown interiors.

    Anyway, thanks,
    Jeff
     
    #47 viffer_pilot, Jul 2, 2005
  8. naterprius

    naterprius Senior Member

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    Other Non-Hybrid
    Jeff, thanks so much fo the enclosure you sold me. I hope it was worth your while. I finally will have a chance to install it since I got ahold of a base head unit on Ebay.

    I hope all works out well for your next hybrid.

    Nate
     
    #48 naterprius, Jul 2, 2005
  9. oly_57mpg

    oly_57mpg New Member

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    Olympia, Portland, Seattle...
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Nate -
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(naterprius\";p=\"55340)</div>
    Nope! I've tried that. The "Great Stuff" expanding foam needs air to cure.
    I was in a hurry so I sprayed two cans of foam in the area... only to find a day later that the foam sitting next to the plastic, never cured. It was still liquid. This 'stuff' is horrible.

    The only way to use the exanding foam would be with a wire mesh guide... spraying it with the foam. Otherwise, the fastest and easiest way would be fibre glassing as the first step.
     
    #49 oly_57mpg, Jul 18, 2005
  10. MacDude

    MacDude Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Bonny Doon, CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(viffer_pilot @ Jul 2 2005, 03:13 PM) [snapback]103542[/snapback]</div>
    OMG how sad for you. I hope that your situation has worked out well for you.

    Sad for all of us too, as it sounds (no pun intended) like you had a good thing going for the PC folks in need of a bit of bass.

    I've sent email to JL Audio asking them to produce a Stealthbox for us, but only got a form letter back. Maybe if others did too... :D http://mobile.jlaudio.com/support_pages.php?page_id=128

    Good luck to you Jeff!
     
    #50 MacDude, Apr 14, 2007
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