JL Audio StealthBox for the PT

[IRPT]

erwinlg, that's a clean install. Have you got any pics of the back floor removed showing how the amps are mounted?

[Hooligan]

For your first attempt, you did a fine job!!!

[erwinlg]

Thanks. But trust me, there was alot of trial and error, mostly error involved. There were times I came close to giving up. A real JL stealthbox and a single amp under the seat was tempting.....I'll post more pics of the amp layout with everything taken apart this weekend. Basically the amps are installed between two pieces of 1/4" hardboard. There's also 3/4" thick pieces of wood between the hardboards acting as support taking up any load you place on the top piece of hardboard. Then I just covered it with semi-matching carpet and padding cut to fit snuggly. I still have to extend the tie-down d-rings up 3", but I may have an easy way to do that.....

[Stephen R.]

I got mine on ebay for $350 in 2002 but don't recall who was selling it. Taking off the panel takes time and concentration. It's just a big pig. Don't forget to remove the rear chrome tie down loops. I think there's some panel clips also and you'll have to pull the taillamp out to bolt it down. Use gloves when feeling around the plastic edges!

I like it because it's out-of-sight and has nice bass... not high-end, though. JL said they couldn't fit a 12" in there.

[sakigt]

quote:Originally posted by erwinlg

Sorry, not yet. I'll try to post some pics this weekend of what it looks like. Right now I only have pics of what the finish install looks like. The stereo is a pioneer, I painted the trim a matching blue and tweeters on the door. The sub is behind the side panel. If you notice the back floor, you see that it's raised 3". Under that I have my amps. I like keeping things out of view....

I love your install! I used to be into flashy systems...until someone removed mine from me. Now Im all about stealth and use (whats teh sense in owning a minivan if theres no room to help your friends move?) I am waiting your pics. Cant waut...may make a few changes to my design

[JaxPT]

Erwinlg,

Nice stealth job on the install, i hadda do a doubletake. I stuck my polk audio 4"s in the dash, just modified the factory tweeter hole a little. My eq is in the glove box, and I'm working on re doing the rest of the system.

Gotta agree with saki, flashy is fine for a show car locked away in a garage but not in your daily driver. No boomin through the neighborhood, no mfg. stickers, and tinted windows help.

[erwinlg]

I guess you can stop calling my setup a "stealth" system, since I'm basically showing the whole world what I have in my car!!! But I'll get pics in tomorrow (I hope). When you see the pics, don't laugh at the quality of the work or the cheap equipment. Let's just say it was a design study in functionality, until I can afford the real stuff. The next thing I may try is figure out if I can cut the glovebox in half, using the bottom half to open up seperately to reveal a CD changer or really really small DVD player.

[erwinlg]

Here's the pics as I promised. I know, it's a pretty messy install. I hope to redo it better and install better amps. (Sorry I don't have pics of the sub install. Basically it looks and is installed like the JL Stealthbox would be.)


1)The bottom is 1/4 hardboard, cut to fit to the same same shape as the floor. Wood bracing to support the top board was screwed around the edges and the amps. The amps I placed at a 45deg angle so I can access the adjustments and connectors. Ignore the cutouts in the corners. I had planned to use those to access the tiedowns, but I've decided to just raise them above the top board.

2)The top board is also 1/4 hardboard cut to fit snuggly. I had to cut it in to two pieces otherwise I wouldn't been able to get it in there. I was going to have cutouts so the top of the amps show through and have flashy neon lights. But then that would of defeated the goal of hiding. The top board is screwed down.

3)The carpet is also cut to fit snuggly. I used a thicker-stiffer carpet as the bottom padding. I also glued rubber strips along 3 edges and used that to wedge the carpet tight against the hardboard top and the trim panels.

4)Waa-laa, a still functional rear storage area. The floor is only 3" high, so it still sits below the rear hatch sill. I've already carried an 11 gallon air compressor back there and it held up pretty well.

Again, I know it's messy. I also know the install isn't as awe inspiring as you thought it would be. But heck, it works and it's simple to build. Definitely a one weekend job.....

[IRPT]

erwinlg, I think it's great! That's the way I want to do mine, thanks for the pics.[?]