AMP in spare (pics)
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 9,210
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From: WA
A number have asked about mounting the amp in the spare. I had mine done by a pro over a year ago and it has worked great. Here are some pics of how this one was done..
The spare with wedges holding the tire in since the hold down is removed. BTW it works very well.. no rattles and I just leave it in place on the track with no problem:
Here is one of the wedges.. just a piece of covered wood.
The amp is mounted on a covered board for a tight drop-in fit. All wires are attached to the board for strain relief when handling, and the wires are long enough to remove the spare before pulling the amp:
The spare with wedges holding the tire in since the hold down is removed. BTW it works very well.. no rattles and I just leave it in place on the track with no problem:
Here is one of the wedges.. just a piece of covered wood.
The amp is mounted on a covered board for a tight drop-in fit. All wires are attached to the board for strain relief when handling, and the wires are long enough to remove the spare before pulling the amp:
Community Organizer
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 8,641
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From: Chapel Hill, NC
That is where I put mine! Though im still working on getting a set of those stock wedges. What did you use?
It is a fantastic place for an amp and with it being a pressure fit well it can come out easily if needed.(I used a hammer to affix mine.
Though you are limited on the size that can fit in there. The bottom is a 14 inch diamiter circle. Though a decent 4 channel amp or a powerful 2 channel can go in there. I fit a 4 channel in there with very little room to spare.
It is a fantastic place for an amp and with it being a pressure fit well it can come out easily if needed.(I used a hammer to affix mine.
Though you are limited on the size that can fit in there. The bottom is a 14 inch diamiter circle. Though a decent 4 channel amp or a powerful 2 channel can go in there. I fit a 4 channel in there with very little room to spare.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,762
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From: Sheridan
Here are some questions for Chris and Pinky.
Chris, why did you mount it on wood covered with foam. It would seem that styrofoam would have been a natural, or foam rubber/ensolite? Same question for your covered wedges. Wouldn't styrofoam have been more simple and just as effective?
Chris and Pinky, which amps did you choose and are you glad?
Chris, did you stick with the stock head or go for a different one? If you stayed with the stock head, are you happy that you have the volume and quality you want.
I'm in this situation. I like my Kenwood KFC xr600 speakers a lot. However, once the volume exceeds about 60% of max, I can easily hear distortion. I assume the distortion is coming from the stock head not having enough watts to drive the speakers loud enough to overcome top down-75 mph noise levels. One solution I like is changing the stock head to something like the Pioneer DEH-P730 plus Pinky's mod. I wonder if it would do the same job, perhaps a better job considering my goal, just to keep the stock head and get an amp.
Pinky, I know you changed the stock head and added an amp. How important was doing both?
I think I would get a 2 channel amp or 2 channel plus subwoofer if they come that way. Not sure.
Still shopping. I was ready to decide a day or two ago, but since I'm still waiting for a quote from Pinky, I'm still shopping.
Chris, fyi, I've printed out this thread to show to my installer.
Barry
Chris, why did you mount it on wood covered with foam. It would seem that styrofoam would have been a natural, or foam rubber/ensolite? Same question for your covered wedges. Wouldn't styrofoam have been more simple and just as effective?
Chris and Pinky, which amps did you choose and are you glad?
Chris, did you stick with the stock head or go for a different one? If you stayed with the stock head, are you happy that you have the volume and quality you want.
I'm in this situation. I like my Kenwood KFC xr600 speakers a lot. However, once the volume exceeds about 60% of max, I can easily hear distortion. I assume the distortion is coming from the stock head not having enough watts to drive the speakers loud enough to overcome top down-75 mph noise levels. One solution I like is changing the stock head to something like the Pioneer DEH-P730 plus Pinky's mod. I wonder if it would do the same job, perhaps a better job considering my goal, just to keep the stock head and get an amp.
Pinky, I know you changed the stock head and added an amp. How important was doing both?
I think I would get a 2 channel amp or 2 channel plus subwoofer if they come that way. Not sure.
Still shopping. I was ready to decide a day or two ago, but since I'm still waiting for a quote from Pinky, I'm still shopping.
Chris, fyi, I've printed out this thread to show to my installer.
Barry
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Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Columbia, MD
Barry,
Before you install an amp, you might consider swapping the head unit alone and see if that gives you enough power. I swapped mine for a Sony CDX-M750 and I never need to take it above half volume now. Better speakers are going to require more power for the levels you seek (sounds almost zen-like), something the stock unit just can't provide. However, if you decide for an amp, I would suggest a 2 channel with sub out (for later).
While I obviously cannot speak for Chris, I'm sure they used covered wood for it's non-compressability (is that a word?). I would stay away from styrofoam as it compresses too easily (and stays that way), and those darn styrofoam balls cling to everything
Was that even your question?
Before you install an amp, you might consider swapping the head unit alone and see if that gives you enough power. I swapped mine for a Sony CDX-M750 and I never need to take it above half volume now. Better speakers are going to require more power for the levels you seek (sounds almost zen-like), something the stock unit just can't provide. However, if you decide for an amp, I would suggest a 2 channel with sub out (for later
).While I obviously cannot speak for Chris, I'm sure they used covered wood for it's non-compressability (is that a word?). I would stay away from styrofoam as it compresses too easily (and stays that way), and those darn styrofoam balls cling to everything
Was that even your question?
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,762
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From: Sheridan
That does help, MacGyver.
I've just reread the audio section of your web page. Your description about how to remove the cover to get to the head is the best.
I've looked up the Sony CDX-M750 and it seems pretty similar to the Pioneer DEH-P730. They both have "50 Watts Peak x 4 channels" or about 20 watts rms. Their list prices are similar.
How did you decide on the Sony?
Barry
I've just reread the audio section of your web page. Your description about how to remove the cover to get to the head is the best.
I've looked up the Sony CDX-M750 and it seems pretty similar to the Pioneer DEH-P730. They both have "50 Watts Peak x 4 channels" or about 20 watts rms. Their list prices are similar.
How did you decide on the Sony?
Barry
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 9,210
Likes: 7
From: WA
Wood was used for my mounts and wedges simply for durability. I have had two occasions to pull out the spare in the first 18 months of ownership.
I am very happy with the Phoenix Gold amp (I think it is a ZX400) that has plenty of clean power and the features I wanted (adjustments, inputs, silent switching, fan, etc.).
I did not replace the head unit. I wanted to retain the controls (I did this before Pinkys mod) and was more concerned with CD quality which is fine. The FM section in the stock headunit is not great so that might be a reason to change it, otherwise it is ok for me.
Keep in mind that this is a very noisy car so it is a poor platform for high quality sound. You cannot expect the cost/benefit you get in most other cars.
I am very happy with the Phoenix Gold amp (I think it is a ZX400) that has plenty of clean power and the features I wanted (adjustments, inputs, silent switching, fan, etc.).
I did not replace the head unit. I wanted to retain the controls (I did this before Pinkys mod) and was more concerned with CD quality which is fine. The FM section in the stock headunit is not great so that might be a reason to change it, otherwise it is ok for me.
Keep in mind that this is a very noisy car so it is a poor platform for high quality sound. You cannot expect the cost/benefit you get in most other cars.