I'm done! Pics inside! (Subwoofer Newbie)

[Rymanrph]

Ok, here's the deal: I've order my components (2 Rocford Fosgate 10 inch stage 1 punches and RF mono amp. I'm building a box myself and installing everything myself. I have a week before everything gets here so I have a couple questions to clear up before then.

1. I'm mounting the amp in the back between the subs and want to conceal the wires. I know that I can run them under the rocker panel covers, no problem, but what to do in the back panel? I was thinking about drilling a small hole that will be covered by the side of the box, but just wanted to know if I have other options.

2. Where do I run the power cable for the amp? I have heard others say that you can run it through with the hood release cable, but it doesn't seem like there is enough space. Will it just cram through there, or do I have to take the black stuff out around the cable?

3. Where do I put the ground? I read somewhere else on this board that someone took off the rear panel and drilled a hole in the sheet metal, but I want to avoid removing those rear side panels if I can (epsecially if it means drilling into sheet metal). It just seems like a whole lot of pieces have to be removed to remove those panels.

4. Is 16 gauge wire enough? I have some just to run on the inside of the box to the connection on the back of the box. Is that large enough, or should I go with something bigger?

I've spent a lot of money and would like to save some time. I know that plenty of you have done this so I expect responses! I will take great pride in this project (as well as many pictures) and want it done right. Thanks in advance for all your wonderful input (don't just read and not respond!).

Ryman

[SwtNLwPT]

There should be a hole on the driver side to run the wire. For the wire: to power your amp it should 8 gauge for most cheaper amps, but anything worth money most of the time you need 4 gauge. Your ground should never be smaller then the power either the same or larger never hurt. The ground should not be any longer then 2 feet. You hae to drill it into the sheet metal. You should also sand the paint off the area and make sure it touches the metal. The remote wire comeing off the radio can be 16 to 18 gauge and speaker wire should be 12 to 16 gauge.

[GR8FLPT]

As far as hiding the wire, make a flush cover to go around the amp. If the amp is on the same sie as the subs (in the middle you say) then sapce out the subs to match the amp depth. If the depth of the rings are too great, they will block the rear side "holes" of the speaker. this will degrade performance.

If that is the case, build a frame for the subs & mount it on the outside of the box. Make sure you subtract that volume form the overall box volume & make the box that much smaller. Or for ease, add wood blocks or bracing (better) to take up the extra volume & stiffen the box.

[Rymanrph]

I'm done! Just got some tweaking to do on the amp and a little tidying to do. It looks and sounds awesome (at least I think it does). I would never imagine paying CC or BB $70 to install it all; it was so easy. I'm really excited about this and I'll definately post some pictures as soon as I can.

[Rymanrph]

Ok here it is. It was a lot of hard work especially since I've never done this before. I know I need to do a little work with the wires behind the box, but with the shelf behind the box, it covers them up. Let me know what you guys think. You can check out some more construction pictures on my cardomain page.

[bigdogdad]

Looks like you did a very nice job[?] I take it you made the box that holds everything also? That came out real good[?]

[Rymanrph]

Everything you see I made. Just bought the materials and went to town.