well, it seems 99 percent of my Z installs involved a fake floor in the back to save trunk space, but finally got the chance to done one, where hte spare tire had to stay

the goals:

1. keep access to the spare tire
2. clean and as stealthy as possible
3. good sound quality

the main challenge to this install is where to put the equipment so they are still somewhat hidden. as most of you guys know, the typical way to do understrut install and amp rack is wih the subs under the strut and the amps on a board facing upward and forward...thats perfectly fine, but i didnt want to leave anyhting exposed. In addition, since hte customer supplied one of the amps, making the two amps match cosmetically is also a challenge.

anyway, here goes:


the signal chain starts with a Avic D3 nav/dvd unit, note ipod cable in the upper cubby, XM was also installed:



the front stage consists of a customer supplied JL audio XR 6.5" three way component set. I biult pods for the midbass and kicks for the mid and tweet, all wrapped in black suede:









now to the heart of the install...here is the view looking back, a fiberglass cover panel hides the amps and the back of hte subbox, what appears to be two Elemental Design amps acutally hold an ED 9.1 1000 watt mono amp, and an OLD SCHOOL PPI art series A600 two channel supplied by the customer. but with the cover in place, it gives me a cosmetic match:





and here is hte view from the trunk side, again, like the amp rack, you dont acutally see the subs, just a vinyl covered front plate with a grille clothed vent, you can also see the top of hte amp cover, with raized vinyl logo














and now some behind t he scene pics show how everyhting is behind thecover:







here is the build of hte subbox, two elemental Designs 11ov.2 10" subs sit in a 1 cubfeet sealed box and the front plate mounts to it via two spacers, hiding hte sub from view







and finally, build pics of the amp/subbox cover rack:

first the two pieces are measured and bonded



mold cloth stapled:



resined and glassed:



bonded and sanded:



since no way this shape can be covered in one piece vinyl, a front plate was also made:



and covered in suede:



here is the main piece vinyled:



and then some mesh was secured to the main piece, with the ED logo plates attached, and the top plate mounted on top:





and done

 

can u actually reach the spare and pull it out, my z enclosure box is in the same position and i have to deflate the spare, remove the plastic trim in the back, and still pry it out.

 

Another awesome install man.

 

yup, i even tried, this box sits about 2" further back, and i cut the plastic board in half, so give it a few wiggles and its out