DIY Boot Install

[ZAV]

Here is what I did for my boot stereo install

Step 1

Run all your cables and remove spare tyre

Edited August 13, 2005 by ZAV

[ZAV]

Step 2

Get a piece of mdf ($5 from bunnings), and use your spare wheel to mark out a curve for the top

Edited August 13, 2005 by ZAV

[ZAV]

Step 3

Mark out the curve as shown

[ZAV]

Step 4

Check for fit and remove plastic trays

Edited August 13, 2005 by ZAV

[ZAV]

Step 5

Check amps for fit and position as you like

[ZAV]

Step 6

Mark out holes for power cables, RCAs, speaker wires

[ZAV]

Step 7

Get a an old pillow, rip it pieces and line your spare tire with the stuffing. Drill holes in the mdf and then check that wires line up

Edited August 13, 2005 by ZAV

[ZAV]

Step 8

Get some vinyl ($11 per metre from spotlight) or carpet and lay it in your boot. Mark it out and cut holes. Run wires through the vinyl. Install amps and wire up.

[ZAV]

Step 9

Tuck in all the vinyl under the plastic in the boot

Edited August 13, 2005 by ZAV

[ZAV]

Step 10

Put plastic trays back in place.

Edited August 13, 2005 by ZAV

[ZAV]

Step 11

Put the boot floor back in and hook up sub woofer. DONE!

[ZAV]

overall cost = $16

no drilling into the car or glue required

easily removed if spare tyre is required for long trips

Edited August 13, 2005 by ZAV

[ck [03.14]]

thats a nice and smart DIY, but u didint consider air flow. the amps needs to breathe other wise if u play ur system for a long while it'll get real hot in that boot. jus something to consider thats all.

[ZAV]

Yep I considered it. So I tested it out for 2weeks with amps on a dodge bit of wood. Amps dont even get all that hot. Its a large space underneath so there is no issue

[SILVABULLIT]

http://au.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/inde...?showtopic=1922 Now all you need is a box that doesn't use up your boot space.

[Azza]

I saw the cat, then I didn't - where did he get glued....

[ZAV]

no glue but i ran out of pillow stuffing

[Pippy]

i did much the same thing with my install, but rather than removing the spare completely i went and got a space saver!! :D

still enought space to put the amps in and stuff... :D

have a look in my garage!

[Orbit]

Nice result!

Good to see you used a beefy power cable. Too many people save money on those ...

[Azza]

Nice result!

Good to see you used a beefy power cable. Too many people save money on those ...

←

Yeah, but most people who beef up their power cable for get to beef up their earth..

REMEMBER - Your Earth can never be too BIG

[Orbit]

Yes and no.

I know what you mean but the distance and thus the resistance of the earth cable is MUCH smaller so it is less important to upgrade.

The reason that we use ridiculous large cables in cars is because of the low voltage. Low voltage is much more influenced by recistance. and resistance in a cable is measured by voltagedrop per meter. So clearly short cables need to be a lot les thick than long ones.

[LTS60]

Isnt it easier if u got your amp under the front seat :P. Its a good set up but what happend to the spare tyre ?

[Azza]

Yes and no.

I know what you mean but the distance and thus the resistance of the earth cable is MUCH smaller so it is less important to upgrade.

The reason that we use ridiculous large cables in cars is because of the low voltage. Low voltage is much more influenced by recistance. and resistance in a cable is measured by voltagedrop per meter. So clearly short cables need to be a lot les thick than long ones.

←

From the mouth of many a great audio installers and my best mate who is an autoelectrician....

Create a nice short earth, fatten it, and ground the mutha..... :P

The earth I had on my am was a 8 guage and ran from the boot back under the rear seats and grounded under there, however I found I was losing power and also experiencing cut outs from the amp.

Replaced the earth with a 6 guage and shortened it to earth under the baby-seat bolt, and waalaa - no more problems,...

[ZAV]

The only reason I went 4 guage was because of the coustic amp. Its putting out 600RMS into 1 sub at 4ohm and its recomened in the instructions. The alpine v-power only produces 4*40RMS at 4ohm (my old amp was 4*60 RMS but I fried it in my last car) so it wasnt an issue but i had plenty of cable left over (I still have 2 metres left). Im using a Stinger earth for the coustic and a small no name for the Alpine. Stinger Positive battery terminal also.

Spare Tyre is sitting in the garage. Alot of new cars dont even come with spare tyre (eg bmw 120i). Plus the wait of the spare tyre is replaced with the stereo, so no real diff in performance.

Edited August 17, 2005 by ZAV

[Azza]

Most auto shops now sell that 'spare tyre in a can' stuff. It's a mousse like product in an aerosol can that clips onto the valve and you fill up the tyre in the event of a flat, and it provides temporary relief for minor punctures like a nail.

Obvoiusly won't work if you've shredded the tyre...