Author Topic: Center waterfall subwoofer (Read 29958 times)

Helios · « **Reply #25 on:** June 30, 2014, 06:39:10 AM »

Quote from: Critterman on June 29, 2014, 08:01:56 PM

Come on don't half ass it, finish it like you want to show it off. It will be good practice for the front.

Good point.

Helios · « **Reply #26 on:** July 01, 2014, 10:51:34 PM »

Marked up and pulled the piece from the mold today. It wasn't easy, but not terribly difficult either. I took off some of the masking tape and aluminum foil that was stuck on the back. I'll finish that off later. What I really wanted to do was to trim the piece down to its intended shape to get a general idea if it looked the way I imagined in my head. I didn't have a jigsaw so I used my Dremel with a multipurpose "zip" bit (the one that looks like a weird drill bit). A jigsaw would have made it a much faster process I think, but what I did worked out fine. There are some flaws and air pockets in the panel, but I'm pleasantly surprised that it came out so well. Here's today's results:

Sly Bob · « **Reply #27 on:** July 01, 2014, 11:04:03 PM »

Wow, coming along nicely. Came out WAY better than my first attempt at fiberglass.

Helios · « **Reply #28 on:** July 02, 2014, 06:38:30 AM »

Thanks, SB. Thanks also to Jim for helping me out with more resin for this little project.

elff · « **Reply #29 on:** July 02, 2014, 07:02:31 AM »

I agree
That came out amazing. Wow

Gentleman Jack · « **Reply #30 on:** July 02, 2014, 12:15:51 PM »

Why did the dog bowl become a drip pan?

Helios · « **Reply #31 on:** July 02, 2014, 12:31:29 PM »

Quote from: Gentleman Jack on July 02, 2014, 12:15:51 PM

Why did the dog bowl become a drip pan?

It cracked. We bought new bowls for the doggies and repurposed that one. Thanks, Elff. This fiberglassing thing is time consuming.

Gentleman Jack · « **Reply #32 on:** July 02, 2014, 06:19:49 PM »

Phew. I had more dire impressions.

Helios · « **Reply #33 on:** July 12, 2014, 06:12:56 PM »

My extended family finally left after a extended 4th of July vacation. I got back to work. I sanded and primed the back panel. I mounted the speaker ring 9" out from the back of the cubby hole at a slight up angle that matches the OEM panel's curve.
I decided to not use body filler because I honestly don't want to spend the time and money on a piece that won't be seen. I also want to get the car back together sooner than later so I can resume enjoying the drive and appreciate a upgraded sound system.

Helios · « **Reply #34 on:** July 12, 2014, 06:17:06 PM »

I then draped the fleece cloth I bought from Walmart over the ring and pulled it fairly tight around the back panel. I fastened the fleece using clothes pins and clamps as I had to readjust it numerous times to get all of the wrinkles out.

Helios · « **Reply #35 on:** July 12, 2014, 06:20:52 PM »

With the fleece in place, I mixed resin and applied it generously to soak the material. After this cures, I'll add a layer of fiberglass mat to add some strength.

Helios · « **Reply #36 on:** July 15, 2014, 06:41:35 PM »

My Dremel is getting a work out on this project. Love that little tool! Today, I trimmed the excess resin and fleece. I also had to use a router bit on the MDF ring to trim a little excess in the inner perimeter so the subwoofer would fit in the recessed hole. Snapped some pictures after a test fit and before I started sanding with 80 grit and a random orbital sander. I thought I would like the speaker grille, but the more I look at it; the more I dislike it. I also ordered a gallon of "RAGE" brand body filler. I hear it's the best stuff to use because it fills smooth and requires much less sanding. However, it's a bit pricey ($60/gal). Bad news is it won't be here until next week sometime.

Helios · « **Reply #37 on:** July 15, 2014, 09:21:52 PM »

I had a gut feeling that I should check to see if the enclosure fits in the car. There's good news and bad news. It does fit into the rear OEM panel, BUT it doesn't allow the arm rest to fit back into place. I'm also not fond of how far it sticks out. It makes grabbing and releasing the hand brake a little awkward. In hind sight, I should have checked this when only the ring was mounted to the back panel. So I'm going to have to cut the ring back off, mount it a little farther back, and maybe a little higher. Also, going to have to cut the enclosure to allow enough space for the armrest to sit back down into its spot. Oh well. Rework coming up. GRRRRRRRR! REWORK!

MARVIC 1 · « **Reply #38 on:** July 17, 2014, 12:22:58 AM »

This Speaker mod was done on a SKY back in 2012. Tammy (Tarantula Sky)...

Helios · « **Reply #39 on:** July 17, 2014, 07:31:57 AM »

Quote from: MARVIC 1 on July 17, 2014, 12:22:58 AM

This Speaker mod was done on a SKY back in 2012. Tammy (Tarantula Sky)...

I wonder what size speaker that is. My 8" sub isn't that deep, but it isn't a shallow mount, and I can tell you it will not fit like in the picture above.

Gentleman Jack · « **Reply #40 on:** July 17, 2014, 09:03:34 PM »

I think that is a 6.5 sub with a tweeter

Critterman · « **Reply #41 on:** July 19, 2014, 08:42:00 AM »

If you had little Elff arms it would not be a problem.

elff · « **Reply #42 on:** July 19, 2014, 09:25:36 AM »

My seat would still be closer to the steering wheel than that sub
But the downside is my ears would be at the same height

Helios · « **Reply #43 on:** July 19, 2014, 09:11:24 PM »

Took about 1 - 2 days to cut and rework the enclosure. I raised the ring and cut off about 2" from how far it stuck out. Also, added the last layer of fiberglass for reinforcement. This is how it turned out.

Helios · « **Reply #44 on:** July 19, 2014, 09:14:12 PM »

After I trimmed it down and sanded it, I took it out to the car to check for fitment. The center armrest fits now. Whew!

Helios · « **Reply #45 on:** July 19, 2014, 09:16:33 PM »

Here's a few side profile pictures to get an idea of how far it sticks out and how high it is in comparison to the seat/ driver/ passenger. I am happy with the new revision and the changes that were made.

elff · « **Reply #46 on:** July 19, 2014, 10:14:22 PM »

Is the sub woofer that tall where it needs that type of space and has to stick out that far?

Helios · « **Reply #47 on:** July 20, 2014, 07:42:04 AM »

Quote from: elff on July 19, 2014, 10:14:22 PM

Is the sub woofer that tall where it needs that type of space and has to stick out that far?

The sub is a Polk MM840DVC. The mounting depth (top mount) is 4-1/8". Although the cubby hole is in the panel, the rear of the sub only tapers a little. I'd say there's about 1/4" clearance between the top and bottom lip of the cubby hole and the sub. The recommended space is .35-.5 cubic feet for the MM840DVC. I don't know how to figure out if the enclosure has sufficient space. Considering once the subwoofer is installed, it consumes most of the available space I'm fairly certain I need to use polyfill.

elff · « **Reply #48 on:** July 20, 2014, 09:35:28 AM »

Its a little late now, but kicker has subs that are about half that which would allow the enclosure to not stick out as far

Helios · « **Reply #49 on:** July 20, 2014, 12:59:42 PM »

Quote from: elff on July 20, 2014, 09:35:28 AM

Its a little late now, but kicker has subs that are about half that which would allow the enclosure to not stick out as far

I looked at those. I also considered using a low profile Pioneer sub. However, as far as subs go, I'm partial to MTX or Polk audio. I didn't do extensive research before I chose what I did, but from what I read it was a good "in-between" for performance and mounting depth without costing me a fortune.

News:

Author Topic: Center waterfall subwoofer (Read 29958 times)