Stereo & Electronics - Rear Seat! Amp Racks

Anyone have any tips or dimensions on building this rack? I wont be getting started for a couple months, but I'd like to plan it all out.

Bump.

as far as I know, there is only 1 person that makes these.....with that being said, i highly doubt he will give you his measurments. This is something you are gonna have to get your hands dirty, and do you own measurments

I've seen some members post deletes before, that dont sell them. So im sure SOMEONE can post some dimensions or tips, so I dont run in to the same problems they may have. I should probably post this in the Appearance section as well..

Its not dimensions, but its something and at 75 bucks, I am gonna simply buy a set instead of dealing with the issue of making them... Seeing as I am NOT wood/carpenter skilled.
http://www.speedspecialty.com/store/view_product.php?product=rrseatcvr

You know, I've seen those before. It's not a bad idea. I'm not sure if I want to display my amps or hide them... if theft werent an issue, I guess obviously show em off. But that isnt the case. Thanks for posting that up. I may just rethink this and keep them hidden..

What the hell are you guys talking about! :)

Do you want an amp rack where the upper back seat is, inside the upper seat or inside the lower seat area?

Personally i put mine inside the rear upper seat back.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v335/JasonWW/99%20black%20TA/Car323.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v335/JasonWW/99%20black%20TA/Car319.jpg

I'm redoing it though. I'm thinking of making an amp rack from square tubing and have each end bolt into the middle speaker holes. It will float across the back behind the front seats. Should look cool.

Ive seen your set up before, well done. That floating amp rack idea might look pretty cool, def post pix if u do it. :)

Well i'm not sure if it want it exposed or not. I'm trying to think of a way where I can make it visible and conceal it easily, for shows and what not. I'd probably be better having it hidden though.

You still didn't answer the question. Do you even know where you want the amps?
Do you want to pull the rear seats out and then mount the amps SOMEWHERE in that area and are looking for ideas?
What amps are they?
How many?
Are they linked together like one big amp?
What are their dimensions?
Do you plan to fan cool them?

Well my backseats are long time gone. So in that general location, yeah. No specific location yet, visible or not im not sure either. But they are 2 Alpine amps, both the same dimensions, one for the subs, one for the speakers. Dimensions are: 13"W x 2-5/16"H x 8-11/16"D

Fan cooled? Never thought about that. I'm a bit new to the game. Would it be neccessary? No competitions, just for personal use. I dont often take long trips. But if I did I'd like everything to work the whole time lol.

I've been thinking something along the lines of these, maybe a mix of the two. Not sure yet though. I've got a few ideas, I've just never done any extensive carpentry so I'm not sure what I can and cant do myself.
http://www.keliente.com/pewter%2000/sept/delete11.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/4/web/748000-748999/748167_27_full.jpg

jasonww, is your back seat still usable? Is there any foam under the seat cover? Does the seat still fold down, of is it mounted in permantly in place?

jasonww, is your back seat still usable? Is there any foam under the seat cover? Does the seat still fold down, of is it mounted in permantly in place?
It is still usable if someone wanted to sit back there, but there is only a small amount of foam. Once or twice (in the last 4 years) I did carry someone back there. I just tossed an old coat for them to use so they would have more cushion on their back. I didn't really intend to have rear passengers, but I can if necessary. I mainly wanted a stealthy setup for my daily driver that could double as cool looking when I wanted it to. The seat does still fold down.

NOIR, you could mount the 2 amps side by side similar to my crude PS pic below. You could them make a solid cover that fits over it to hide it with 2 fans along the bottom and vents on top to circulate air or you could make the cover more permanent and put 2 windows in it. Then make 2 inserts to cover the windows. See the other pic below for the cover idea.

Or you could sink the amps down into the rear seat delete panel. I would make one a little taller than the hump so that you can have a single top piece. Check out the pic below. It's easy to make.

Then cut rectangular holes and make a wooden box with no top and screw it under the holes for your amps to fit in. One on each side. Then you can place a piece of plexiglass over each amp for a flush fit. This would be for show and then you could take a solid mat and lay across the whole top to cover them.

You would need some fans to circulate air around each amp, but that should be no problem. You'd also have plenty of room for wiring and maybe a distribution block between the amps. There's a lot of possibilities.

Thats really exactly what I meant by combining the two ideas. But I'm glad you posted it, because I never thought about plexiglass or fans. Both good ideas. Do they make amp fans? Or would computer fans suffice?

Hmm... what if the amp was slightly raised without being sealed with plexiglass, if the small box holding it was just a frame?? Would you still need a fan system?

Simple computer fans are fine. Slow to medium speed would work well. Overvolting them to 14.5 shouldn't be a problem, but you can always take a a resistor and slow the fans down so they never see more than 12 volts. All that is easy.

If you want to simplify, yes, you can have the top of the amps flush or slightly higher than the top of the shelf. With the top of the amps exposed you probably would not need any fans as there will be air circulating around it. The down side is that you wouldn't be able to cover them to hide them from view because the heat will build up.

You still might be able to do that if your lucky. Notice I have my amps covered and these Rockfords run on the hot side, but my loads are not high. Each amp is running at half capacity so they will get somewhat hot after 10-15 minutes of loud listening, but they don't get hot enough to activate the thermal protection. My next design will have them running cooler and may incorporate fans.

Have you already got your amps installed temporarily? Are they loaded down, especially on the sub amp? How hot do they get?

My best idea for you would be instead of making a plexiglass cover, you make one from perforated metal or a similar mesh shape. Paint is grey to match the carpet and put some edging material to make the edges not sharp. The heat will be able to rise up so it won't run real hot and it will mostly be hidden unless you get real close to it. Then pop the covers off to show the amps.

Look here:
http://www.metals-inc.com/frperfgn.htm
I've seen similar materials at the hardware store.

If I were doing it, I'd use the fans and use 1/4 plate glass over the top as it won't get scratched and looks way better than plexi, but that's just me.

The perfed metal tops seem easiest to do. How about that?

well, here's what I did around 5 years ago. http://www.mobius1.net/gallery/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=18

All made out of simple 1/8 wood re-enforced with a layer of fiberglass. There is a simple cover cut to shape, held on by two little screws that covers everything. I tacked a layer of 1" thick foam over the front and used the factory cover. The seat has more cushion now then it did stock. The factory seat mounts were used. Only when the seat is folded down is it possible to tell that anything is non-stock. The wires give it away. I am a firm believer that if you give an amp the proper power connections, that heat won't be an issue, so I didn't bother with a cooling system. The only time I've had a problem was 6 hours into a 12 hour drive. My rear speakers started to get a hair fuzzy. I turned the stereo down for almost an hour, and all good for the next 5 hours.

I remember your install. Real nice, but I think he's looking for something a lot simpler to make.

I'm glad mine looks up to par, But I promise I'm no over-achiever. In my mind, if it is not going to be seen, screw all the time & cost consuming fab work. I used a couple of 2'x4' sheets of 1/8" wood, glue, hammer, and little nails. (my nail gun was broke at the time). I layed one layer of fiberglass on the back & up the sides. I used the fiberglass epoxy resin along with some nuts/bolts to secure the sides. I used fiberglass just because I have alot of it in my garage, and I used the resin. because it cures really, really fast if you manage to mix it hot enough without blowing it up (although damn amusing if you do). Either way, a thicker piece of wood can be used for the back, and paired with patience, any good adhesive can be used in place of resin. Everything I used (except the foam, any fabric store) is available at your local lowes or home depot. All the cuts are nice, straight right angles, basically really easy to build. only tools needed are a hammer and a jig saw.

Jason, nice suggestions. I like the metal, but the plate glass might be a nice alternative as well, how exactly do you go about getting that cut to size? The metal would definitely be the easiest though, I've even considered carpeted wood to simply fill in the gap when the car is parked so they arent visible, and just pop the covers off when I get in the car. But the metal would be nice so that I could just leave them on. :)

As of right now the system is still in boxes in my room, I have everything but the sub amp, subthump box, and headunit. I spent that "system money" on my superhawk outlaw hood, because I'd been wanting it for years and the oppurtunity just happened to present itself days before I moved back down to FL from NJ. So I'm running a little lean financially speaking, but I'll be back in the game within the next month or so, to finish this system up. So im looking to make the amp rack sooner than later to get it all worked out before the install.

Richie, I like that set up, I dug up your post about it a while back. Very well done. I'm not much for stealth though, lol which I'd say is apparent by my cars sound and appearance, not to mention... my rear seats are long time gone. :D But still a very nice install, clean, and well hidden. And I really appreciate your input. For the first few days I thought this thread would just die slowly. lol

I bid on the first Superhawk hood Roger put up from this new batch. I bid $1355 on hood number 5 and got outbid. Good grief! :cry: I ended up getting a Raptor for $600, so it's all good.

As far as the glass, just have a glass company do the cutting. It doesn't cost much more than plexi, but it looks tons better. It doesn't atract the dust from static electricity either, which plexi does.

You could make a carpeted removable cover from wood and incorporate a fan in it with 2 simple contacts to power it. Flush mount the fan on one side of the cover and put a couple of slots on the other side to let the air out. When you remove the cover to show off the amp you will be removing the fan as well so the amps will look real clean in their little sunken boxes.

You could use a pair of slim 40mm fans on each side so they don't take up much space. You only need a little air movement just to keep them from getting too hot. Do you know what I mean or should I make a drawing?

Yeah, lol the hood wasn't cheap. But totally worth it. I had been in talks with him for a while, so I got lucky enough to meet up with him to get my own. Roger is a kick ass guy.

Yeah I understand what you mean, thats a cool idea too. And whichever location I decide to place the fans in, I could actually use your steel mesh idea to cover them too. That would look sharp. May not be enough room if I put them in as lids though.

How exactly would you go about powering the fans? The car battery would carry too much juice for those little things wouldnt it? Or do you cap it somehow?

Powering a couple of small fans is super easy. Just use the triggered input. You should have a trigger wire like an antenna lead to use as a remote turn on. It's best to not overpower an antenna lead so you use a relay which can handle much larger loads with no chance of damaging the headunit. This relay will turn on the amps, processors (EQ, x-over, etc...) as well as anything else you want. Just wire the fans to it.

If you don't want to pull a plug everytime you pull the covers off you can make a set of contacts to run the power through. Kind of like this but with smaller, spring loaded connectors.

http://www.customclassic.com/images/wirelesscontacts.jpg

Think of 2 nails with the heads exposed on the amp tray and 2 on the cover. 2 nails are positive and 2 negative. When you put the cover on the 4 nail heads make contact and close the loop and electricity flows through the fans. Follow me so far?

The one problem is that the nail heads may not make perfect contact as they are both rigid. That would make for a faulty connection and the fans may or may not work depending on whether they are touching or not. To fix this imagine you put really small springs on the 2 nail heads on the cover. Now when you put the cover on the spring will move and always have the nail heads making good contact. When the covers are removed you will only see the 2 shiny nail head contacts flush along the amp tray border.

You also don't want the nail heads (if that is what you want to use) to get rusty. That would make for a bad connection so you can use brass nails. They wount corrode.

See what I'm saying?

Yeah. That would work for the covers for sure. If I decide to use fans thats probably the easiest way, or a manual fan switch. I'll probably do what I can to rig it so the box wont need fans, to keep it simple, and so its one less thing to worry about breaking. (Trust me, everything I own somehow breaks down in some area. lol)

I like your mesh grill idea the most so far. Simple and effective. I've def got some thinking to do. I appreciate all the input and creative ideas.

Here's a creative idea I have for my car.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v335/JasonWW/Amp%20Rack/Amprackidea11.jpg

EDIT: Updated pic with smoother design and larger duct.

Alright there Divinci. lol

Is that the setup you might run with?

You know I just realized something... I know your name from somewhere. You're one of the guys who set up a carputer in their fbody arent you? Made a lot of posts about it here and on an mp3car site.

Yeah, that's me.

I need to squeeze my PC in there somewhere, but this box design is so large I can't really find room. Luckilly it's mostly air so it's not too heavy. I'm trying to balance sound quality and have strong ultra low frequencies along with big time output for annoying folks. I can switch between the 2 at the touch of a button.

Me working on my own amp rack/sub box is why this thread caught my attention. I got a head full of ideas. :)

PS, updated above pic.

lol I knew I had seen your name before. Sounds like a cool plan you got there. And so far you've had a lot of good ideas, seems you've been thinking about it for a while. Cant wait to see it all finished up, for both of us. lol

I did start thinking about it though, it would be great to possibly make part of the box hinged for storage, i mean think about all that dead space. I dont really like the speedspecialty hinge idea though. Maybe if the whole top shelf was hinged? It'd make for easier access to the wiring and I could hide other electronic goodies in there. May even be a place to stash your PC.

I did start thinking about it though, it would be great to possibly make part of the box hinged for storage, i mean think about all that dead space. I dont really like the speedspecialty hinge idea though. Maybe if the whole top shelf was hinged? It'd make for easier access to the wiring and I could hide other electronic goodies in there. May even be a place to stash your PC.
I'm not really following you there.
Since I have MY stuff on the brain, I first thought you were talking about my car and having the top of the slot with quick release clamps so I can pop it off if I need to carry something big in the car. Good idea BTW. Output from the sub would drop 5dB but would still be plenty while carrying a load back there. Good idea you have.

Then I thought you were talking about your amps in the bottom rear seat delete and the wasted space underneath them. That's a good idea as well. It would be super easy to hinge the top piece in the rear and just lift up the whole top piece amps and all. Just run all the wiring near the hinge so it won't get pulled on and your golden. Thats a good idea as well.

What are you doing for subs? I wanted to post this pic below, cause it's cool. :)

I'm not really following you there.
Since I have MY stuff on the brain, I first thought you were talking about my car and having the top of the slot with quick release clamps so I can pop it off if I need to carry something big in the car. Good idea BTW. Output from the sub would drop 5dB but would still be plenty while carrying a load back there. Good idea you have.

Then I thought you were talking about your amps in the bottom rear seat delete and the wasted space underneath them. That's a good idea as well. It would be super easy to hinge the top piece in the rear and just lift up the whole top piece amps and all. Just run all the wiring near the hinge so it won't get pulled on and your golden. Thats a good idea as well.

What are you doing for subs? I wanted to post this pic below, cause it's cool. :)


Bingo. A little trunk type lid on it would be cake, and offer lots of storage space.

Although, I do plan on setting up quick disconnects for the subthump ttop box (w/ 2 10" alpine type R's). For when I hit the track, or just really need the space.

edit: and the picture is cool. lol

Cool. You need more ideas or do you think you have it planned out?

I think ive got it planned out. Appreciate all the input. Good luck with your setup, I look forward to seeing it all finished up. I'll post pics when I get mine all done too. Whenever the hell that is. lol

Here's pictures of my rear seat delete:

http://ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5796846

NOIR, check this out. It's pretty much similar to what I was describing.

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6084514&postcount=89

Oh, yea. I've updated some of my plans for my own amp rack and sub enclosures. Latest stuff is here:
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=585731&page=5

The amp rack will be made of steel tubing and stretch across the back seat area. It will bolt into the rear speaker areas on either side.

Jason, as always you've got some great ideas. Looks like the plans are coming along well. Cant wait to see the finished product.