Hi Everyone, This was my journey to add more cabin sound and connect my Microsoft Zune MP3 player. I am sure a EJ badge will be added shortly.

I started this project a few years ago as a winter project and just became too busy and forgot about the whole thing until I got off my butt to get radio use while top down on the highway. So my goal was to fill the cabin with sound.

I looked into the SPODs that just came on the scene but didn't really satisfy the look I was going after. I almost went for the Rear Panel cutout solution but thought it wouldn't give enough sound.

I kept the OEM radio and Front speakers intact. I bought a rear wiring harnes that connected to the back of the radio which I was easily able to splice in the rear speakers. And used a PIE interface on the CD changer for my MP3 player.

I bought used Rear Loops from a member on the site and began my work at finding out a way to put speakers into them. I also bought Boston Acoustics SX50 components. http://www.bostonacoustics.com/car/car_pro...?product_id=338 and wanted to show them off.

Using some MDF and playing around with different measurements and views.


A look at the speakers used


Bought a nice router table to use as the first project - * I use this bad boy for all molding and adding a flair to my woodworking in my house.


Again just prototyping how I want to place the speakers.



After some massaging of the wood


Used some microfiber cloth to wrap the MDF. I was thinking of using suede. I may still go that route. But used the easy to find Microfiber for some fabric shop.



Drivers side mocked up.


Various pictures of the Drivers side.





Now with the passenger side on




All in all, it was very worth it. I took her out to the highway and hit 100+ with top down and had the radio at 3/4 volume and can still hear it. Some of you EJ junkies are probably wondering why I just didn't upgrade the HU. Well at this point all I wanted was some sound that I can hear with the top down. My next electronic upgrade might be an upgrade of the Front Speakers to Boston Acoustics Components as well. Then maybe I'll think about a HU upgrade and maybe an amp with sub.

Of course I would like to thank all the EJ folks here over the years to help guys like me to be able to tackle a project like this

 

Looks great. With a nice HU I'm sure the sound will be much better.

 

Looking real good. I may have to dig up my grills and go the same route. I like the view of the speaker, and with the seat all the way back it will probably cover it up nicely. Looking good.

 

Beautiful work. Looks fantastic. I love the way those crossovers look as well.

 

So that's what those holes in the back are for

Great job

 

Looks Great!

One question. When you cut the hole for the speaker did you cut all the way through or did you just cut out what was needed to fit the speaker. In a sense making a box for the speaker?


-Mark-

 

Looks good, how much did that costed you?

 

So did I and one of the big reasons I did not go with S-Pods.

Well I guess it was hard to see in the picture. I cut and molded MDF using a zigsaw and that router table. I made 2 pieces. One that fits over the front roll hoop hole. There is a Second that fits into the back. The back piece is recessed in about a half inch. Originally I had it overlap like the front but it looked like ass because of the angle of the rear section of the rollhoop. It looks much better fitting inside. In conclusion, yes in a sense it became a nice box.

Back and Front sections. The back doesn't have the Microfiber covering yet.


Well I did it more for the looks and what I wanted to acheive than just cost. Hell I could of got used S-pods for $150. Well I put together a price list below:

Boston Acoustics SX50 (From eBAY)

 

They look great . How did you attach them to the roll hoops.

 

Toggle bolts. 3 exactly. 2 on the bottom and one on top center. They are hidden by the speaker grill. On the back the attach to bolts that have little anchors that grab onto the wood. I countersunk them then put some wood glue to fill it in and keep the bolts in place. They are basically in place by tightening the front board to the back board. They dont move because the back is sunk into the roll hoop about half inch and the front overlaps the front hoop about half inch.