I was thinking of installing two 8 in kicker free-air subs that I have, by putting them into the plastic panel where the convertible top lays. I know that the panels are flimsy and would need to be reinforced. Does anyone, who may have more knowledge of custom installs than I, have any ideas about how to secure an mdf panel back there? If anyone has done something like this, please tell me how you go about it. Thanks.

 

"LubedKoala" was thinking about this a few months ago. I dont know if he ever went through with it. He was looking at a Kicker Solobaric 10" sub in there. Might want to PM him and see if he ever did it.

John

 

My install of an 8" solobaric in a sealed enclosure back there is described in the stereo install pictures section (near the end) at the top of this forum. The panel starts to curve too early to put a 10" in easily. Both speakers will probably have to be on the passenger side unless they are not very deep. To reinforce the panel, just sand the ribs off the bottom and glue a piece of MDF to it. I'd use liquid nail or fiberglass it. Consider that if you top mount (the standard way), the top won't go all the way down and you may destroy your window. I bottom mounted mine, installed a grill, then covered the whole thing in carpet to protect the window and for the stealth look.

 

Doesn't sound too hard (Famous last words). When you glued the mdf to the plastic, how is the rattling? Since the plastic mounting points are still what attaches everything to the car itself. I am also curious to know what you think of the sound after your install?

 

I carpeted the panel and the carpeting rolled over some of the edges and helps with any rattling I might have had. So, no, no ratles from that panel. If I play the sub by itself, I can hear some rattling/resonances from other panels and a little resonance from the rear tray. If I lay my hand on the middle of the tray it goes away but I didn't put a board across the whole tray and should have. They are mild enough that they can't be heard with any other speakers playing. The problem would probably be mostly solved if I use more secure clips to mount the tray to the roll bar plastic. I haven't done this yet but it seems like it would work.