I finally broke down and did the work. I can't stand losing any more space than I already don't have but still wanted a sub. Here is the picture of the 8" sub itself next to a roll of packing tape for size comparison. This is a Pioneer slim line sub powered by the ever infamous Power Acoustik (cheapo amp).

I decided that I would lose the spare tire since road side service through the insurance company cost almost nothing and put both sub and amp in it's place. Well it worked with a 10" x 11" x 4.5" box. I put some carpet under the sub to eliminate vibrating but it sounded awful at high volume. Normal volume was fine but turn it up a little and everything vibrated and it sounds like a $5 sub that was about to blow. Needless to say that had to go immediately.

Here is what I have now. It's kinda ghetto but overall I'm fairly happy with it. Just need a grill now.

This setup doesn't take up any more room than the standard styrofoam tool holder. It can work with wood but I chose to use fiberglass even though I've never made anything composite before (I'll explain the ghetto style). With my current setup I could've gone with a 10" with the same box and been fine.

Please don't flame too bad because it does sound fairly decent...I know most of the things I did go against almost all standard practices.
Basically what I did was use trash bags in the trunk to get a single layer of fiberglass and a mold. Let it dry overnight, pulled it and added another 2 layers (3 total when finished). Of course I'm not good so I always had air bubbles which I sanded out and leveled with resin. This box has a volume of about .5-.7 ft^3 roughly (plenty for this sub) so I figured 3 layers was plenty for as small as this thing is. I couldn't think of a good way to bring the fiberglass to a wooden ring for the sub like most do so I cut the excess fiberglass off the walls and leveled the edges as best I could. I then placed a piece of 1/2" MDF on top of the fiberglass edges and used a thick bead of liquid nails to seal it. Once that dried I added another layer of liquid nails to ensure everything holds and to smooth out the contour. Bondo the outside of the fiberglass, use resin on the MDF to reinforce it, and paint. I also put some waterproof carpet underneith the sub because my trunk gets water in it sometimes.
All in all, it's certainly an atrocity to the electronics world but the sound is pretty good. Not as deep as my old 12" Alpine Type S in my jeep obviously but still good. I'm sure if someone wanted to copy this they'd probably do a better fiberglass job and do it right.

 

I'll be hosting a GB for this type of setup in a few weeks

 

Have you tried using them without an enclosure? I'll have to look at their specs to see how they'd work in free-air mounted to a small open enclosure behind each of the seats.

 

There small but not that small...

 

Group Buy?

Can't wait to sign up!

 

I should have the test box done this week. I started it last night.

 

and then I realized I didn't have enough fiberglass mat to finish... so when that show's up then I'll finish this.. most likely next week.

 

John: are you saying that your group buy will be a compact sub and enclosure that only takes up the tool tray space? That would be awesome. You could just unplug the sub on a road trip but still take it with you and have it on the trip -- or just leave some room and let it play muffled.

 

Yes that is exactly the plan. It will run on a very small amp that can be placed out of the way.
This design is for all those people out there that want a sub but have no interest in losing their spare for whatever the reason.

People have been asking for this kind of setup for years and Kinetic Autosports is going to give them exactly what they want!

 

sweet well when you have the set up done pm me some pics i'm interested in getting this kind of set up