I finally finished up my stereo install today.

My system.
1) Alpine 9857 HU
2) Alpine MRP-F450 amp (70W RMSX4)
3) Modifry wired DCI-2
4) Ipod hardwired to globe box
5) Polk db 6500 component door speakers
6) Polk db 525 rear panel speakers


This post is to help install the amp in the trunk. The 450 is small enough to retain access to the spare tire in case of a flat tire.

1) Adjust gains and crossovers on your amp prior to mounting.

2) Cut 2 3/4" holes in the trunk liner using a step bit drill. Drill the holes from the back of the liner to reduce fiber buildup on the bit from the liner.



3) Cut a 10X13" piece of 1/2" MDF using a table saw if possible.
4) Cut a 1" wide 13" long piece of MDF for the bottom of amp mount.
5) Glue the bottom piece to the larger panel using wood glue and some clamps.







6) Test fit your panel to the left of the spare. Note the mounting holes. These should be angled up slightly to make sure you hit metal when mounting screws.
7) Make sure trunk closes without problems.


8) Prepare to glue the carpet to the panel. I used charcoal grey cabinet carpet (#260-765) from Parts Express.



9) Glue the carpet to the panel using carpet glue. Don't get the glue too thick or it will bleed through the carpet and make white splotches on your finish.
10) Let the glue dry for about an hour. Finish up the carpet with a heavy duty staple gun on the back sides.





11) Punch holes thru the carpet where the mounting holes are on the panel so it doesn't twist up on your mounting screw later.

12) Attach speaker wires, RCAs, etc. to your amp before you mount it on panel.

13) Make pilot holes in panel for amp using it as a template.

14) Mount finished panel to rear deck in trunk. This can be a pain but take your time.

15) Screw amp into panel using pilot hoes.







16) Note acess to spare tire area. Make sure that no wires will be pinched by spare tire and tuck them away now.



17) Check spare tire pressure before you put it back in. (55-60 lbs.)



18) Reinstall spare tire trunk liner and enjoy!


addendum: this picture should go after step #7

 

here is the finished product.



On the bottom, I just wedged some rubber gaskets for stablity. The overall mount is quite rigid.

 

Very nice job!

 

Great job!

What size metal screws did you use for the top?

I will also pm you with another question.

 

I used self tapping 1 1/4" metal screws for my install. You still need to drill a hole prior to using themalthough a small pilot hole does nicely. 1" screws might even be better but I already had the others. Just be careful on the top because at least on my car there is a wire tied down nearby, and you don't want to short into it. I responded to your PM.

 

Thanks I got it.

 

I just did this. Thanks for the write up.

I omitted step 5) Glue the bottom piece to the larger panel using wood glue and some clamps.

Instead i just pulled the compete panel, drilled the 2 holes for the wires, then clamped the mdf to the panel, and drilled 2 holes on the bottom, and one on the top.

Shoved some nuts/bolts in there, then took a grinder and cut off the extra length of the bolts. So no drilling into the metal of the car.

While the panel's plastic is pretty rigid, this method may not work with heavier amps. So YMMV