Chevy & GMC Vans

Ok it's probably going to take me a week or better to get this all done, but I'll post as I go. I already did the custom door panels and head unit install. I decided to utilize all the area I could with out having to have a seperate sub box laying in the back. Some times I hall a lot of stuff and don't want to hassle with it. Because I'm into SQ or sound quality, big glamorous install is not my goal. Don't need five 15 inch subs.Too old for that. I'm using the area on the drivers side for the sub next to the rear AC evaporator. I've canabalized the side trim pieces removing the orginal cooler storage area. I plan on attaching the gutted trim to the box to give it a hidden factory look. If it doesn't work out I can always make my own panels. The encosure is a reflex cabinet with .23 cubic feet of air space. This was the required air space for my choosen 8 inch sub.

This is one of the strangest boxes I've made. Took some time to make notches and nitches for the fitting. Not to mention figuring all the strange angles. Also you will notice it's offeset because the trim pieces in the rear are two different heights. Only the sub grill and port opening will be visible.

Sweet!

Must be nice to know how to do things...

What PharmAstrocist said!

That's a cool way to have a sub and not use up the cargo area.

I wedged a 15" with enclosure between my seats.
Had to remove the armrests to get the durn thing to fit.
The foam block is for variable armrest location, it works great!
The drivers armrest uses Velcro to keep it in place. I like it better than the original.







Yours is way cooler than mine. Nice work!

Keep the posts coming - I want as many details as possible! This is exactly what I am going to try to attempt. I think however I am only going to use an 8" - just improve the low end a little bit. After all I don't exactly want to make the dog, or the soon to be arriving child deaf! Been there done that - with my old Jeep - at least it was convertible and let some of that sound out!

Ok gutted out the side panels and cut out the sub opening. Dry fitted the skins for fit. I'll be making a new arm rest top for the smaller side.


Also here's a the amp and EQ rack board for the other side. I used T nuts for mounting, and will be double stacking the Nakamichi amps. I also made a swing out arm for the EQ-S over the crossover since I was limited on space. I'll be using the factory trim as well. This will keep it looking like there's nothing there except a spare tire jack.

That's some nice woodworking
Looking to be a good install in the end

I haven't been real active lately on the van due to the crush of the homestead, but managed to get a little done to keep my mind off my troubles. I kept the port outside the box to keep box volume at max. Also it required it's own opening. Used a small speaker grill over the port opening. The second pic is how it looks, just need to install the sub and other side panel. Then it's on to the component rack on the other side.

Looking awesome

cool project. Thanks for the updates!

That is a great use of space for an enclosure, without 'encroaching' <is that a word? into the cargo space area with a huge ugly box. Well done! I`m following along here......

How did you know how big to make it? I'm stupid in sound systems, but have a 10" sub I would like to build an enclosure for, but have no clue. I will probably make mine removeable for the back of Tahoe or I may try to mount in the back side panel.
Nice work by the way.

How did you know how big to make it?

It's not that hard. There are programs out there that will do the work for you, but you can do it long hand. Just some simple algerbra. You need what's known as the "Thiele/Small" paramters of the driver. From there you can determine weather the driver is better suited for a sealed box or a ported box. There are pros and cons to both. Then you can get complicted with band pass boxes too. Of course if you can't obtain the specs for your driver, you can measure and calculate them. To do so you need a signal geneartor, ohm meter, and a test box. I've been into audio and building speakers since I was about ten years old. A trip to the library and might find a book on building speakers, though you can buy them all over the place on the net. You might even find some online box calculators. If you have the driver specs I can give you several box designs and response graphs with the software I have.

Well, here's an update. It's taken me some time to wire the amp rack. I think I've just about used most of the space. The Nak amps are double stacked for a total of four. I made a swing bracket to mount the EQS in front of the crossover. I simply did not have room for both in the area, but this worked out well. You can access the crossover if needed by swinging out the EQ. It also does a nice job of hiding the crossover since it's got a few war marks on it. Wiring is now about 90 percent done. Now I have to work on making the factory panels mount and removeable to cover it. Some day it will get there.




Here are some pic's showing the EQ and it swung out so you can access theh crossover. No need to disconnet any wirng to do so.

nice n clean , this is where the jack used to be ?

nice use of zip ties.

Yep, I deicided to keep the cargo area clear. Plus I don't want to advertise to spying eyes looking in. Everything is hidden behind factory panels.