Mounting a sub box

Headlights to tailights and everything in between.

Moderators: Helpinators, Moderators

Post Reply
Splinter
Knowledgeable
Knowledgeable
Posts: 3058
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 11:12 pm
Location: Victoria, BC

Mounting a sub box

Post by Splinter »

I searched for a thread on this, but I couldnt find one...


What's the best way to turn on an amp while you're using the stock radio?

Just run a line from the accessory wiring to the back of the car?
Last edited by Splinter on Fri Aug 26, 2005 12:27 am, edited 1 time in total.
98 Steel Widebody RSTi-RA Superbeast
mnlegacy
In Neutral
Posts: 26
Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2005 3:48 am

Post by mnlegacy »

use the black/greenwire,thats forthe powerantennae,when the car is on so will the amp, thenuse one fromthe yellow/red to run to the main power
Splinter
Knowledgeable
Knowledgeable
Posts: 3058
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 11:12 pm
Location: Victoria, BC

Post by Splinter »

I ran a wire from the cigarette lighter, works great.
98 Steel Widebody RSTi-RA Superbeast
Splinter
Knowledgeable
Knowledgeable
Posts: 3058
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 11:12 pm
Location: Victoria, BC

Post by Splinter »

On a related note, where is it ok to drill into the trunk to secure the sub box without hitting anything important?
98 Steel Widebody RSTi-RA Superbeast
vrg3
Vikash
Posts: 12517
Joined: Sun Nov 03, 2002 2:13 am
Location: USA, OH, Cleveland (sometimes visiting DC though)
Contact:

Post by vrg3 »

mnlegacy - Is that wire hot when you're playing a tape, playing a CD, or using the auxiliary input?
"Just reading vrg3's convoluted, information-packed posts made me feel better all over again." -- subyluvr2212
mnlegacy
In Neutral
Posts: 26
Joined: Sun Aug 14, 2005 3:48 am

Post by mnlegacy »

the power antennae one is all the time when the vehicle is on
vrg3
Vikash
Posts: 12517
Joined: Sun Nov 03, 2002 2:13 am
Location: USA, OH, Cleveland (sometimes visiting DC though)
Contact:

Post by vrg3 »

I don't think that's correct... if your car's like that it must have been changed at some point.

I know that on a stock Legacy the antenna goes down if you turn the stereo off. What I don't know is if it goes down when the stereo's on but not the radio.
"Just reading vrg3's convoluted, information-packed posts made me feel better all over again." -- subyluvr2212
Fugazi
In Neutral
Posts: 16
Joined: Wed Oct 16, 2002 2:56 am
Location: Bend, OR

Post by Fugazi »

Anyone have advice on how to secure a sub in the back of a sedan? I can't seem to drive like I used to without ripping out the ground wire. There doesn't seem to be any good places for bungie cords and I'm out of ideas beyond that.
1993 Legacy L AWD, 5 speed, 201k miles
KYB GR-2, K&N, snorkusectomy
mikec
Third Gear
Posts: 893
Joined: Tue Jan 21, 2003 8:27 pm
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Contact:

Post by mikec »

vrg3 wrote:I don't think that's correct... if your car's like that it must have been changed at some point.

I know that on a stock Legacy the antenna goes down if you turn the stereo off. What I don't know is if it goes down when the stereo's on but not the radio.
I found with mine with the OEM CD player, that if you start playing a CD with the radio already on, the antenna stays up. If you start a CD playing with the radio off to start, the antenna will stay down, but the necessary bits in the radio turn on.

Haven't tried the AUX input on the front yet.
"That shouldn't be a problem, since I do regularly visit the realm of subatmospheric manifold pressures." -- vrg3
Legacy777
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 27884
Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2002 11:37 am
Location: Houston, Tx
Contact:

Post by Legacy777 »

Fugazi wrote:Anyone have advice on how to secure a sub in the back of a sedan? I can't seem to drive like I used to without ripping out the ground wire. There doesn't seem to be any good places for bungie cords and I'm out of ideas beyond that.
I have a rear strut tower bar and used a ratcheting tie down strap wrapped spirally around the box to secure the box from moving around.
Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
Splinter
Knowledgeable
Knowledgeable
Posts: 3058
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 11:12 pm
Location: Victoria, BC

Post by Splinter »

Has anyone actually bolted through the bottom of the box into the floorpan?
98 Steel Widebody RSTi-RA Superbeast
Legacy777
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 27884
Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2002 11:37 am
Location: Houston, Tx
Contact:

Post by Legacy777 »

I wouldn't do that, espically considering the gas tank is below on the front section of the trunk.
Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
Splinter
Knowledgeable
Knowledgeable
Posts: 3058
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 11:12 pm
Location: Victoria, BC

Post by Splinter »

Yea thats what I was trying to figure out.

What about bolting through to the side of the trunk?

I'd rather use bolts through the inside of the box, rather than brackets or tiedowns. It looks better, and it's more secure.
98 Steel Widebody RSTi-RA Superbeast
sillyp
First Gear
Posts: 121
Joined: Wed Oct 15, 2003 10:02 pm
Location: Boulder, CO

Post by sillyp »

i dont think there is any hollow space on the side of the trunk, i think you would be drilling right to the outside

maybe your best bet is to take out the back seat and try and bolt to that flange between the back seat and the trunk.

your prolly gonna have to take out the seat to install speakers or struts anyway.
92 5mt AWD
F250 duty
12" Johnson
redlineracer
First Gear
Posts: 134
Joined: Fri Jul 28, 2006 1:49 am
Location: Klamath Falls, OR
Contact:

Post by redlineracer »

On the left hand side towards the back of the trunk, there is a little section where u can drill almost anything, even an amp. This is right above the muffler. There is a little pad you would have to remove and there's also 2 black odd-shaped covers for something. You can secure your sub box there cause I placed my amp there and cut away at the carpeting and so its flush and its even with the capret.
free5ty1e
Fifth Gear
Posts: 2266
Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2003 12:26 am
Location: USA: Portland, OR (Tigard, ~200ft elevation)
Contact:

Post by free5ty1e »

My sub box is wedged in place with wood on the sides, and hung at an angle by zip ties through the holes in the sheet metal at the top of the trunk, to allow opening of the Subaru Multibox thing in the trunk and get to the spare.
My amp sits in front of it, wedged in place between the back seat and the box.

Even when I spun off the road and violently taco-shelled my skid plate, the sub box's only reaction was to drop off the zip ties and sit flat in the trunk. I don't think you have to bolt it in.
-Chris
91SS 4EAT stock
91SS 5MT awaiting engine rebuild and VF36...
92SS 4EAT - RIP :(
94SS 5MT4.11+rLSD 289k km: RobTune550,TD05-16g @ 18psi,FMIC,3"TBE,Forester lift
Splinter
Knowledgeable
Knowledgeable
Posts: 3058
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 11:12 pm
Location: Victoria, BC

Post by Splinter »

Here, if stereo equiptment isnt bolted in, insurance company says 'too bad' if it gets stolen.
98 Steel Widebody RSTi-RA Superbeast
BSOD2600
Fourth Gear
Posts: 1636
Joined: Tue Sep 12, 2006 6:49 am
Location: Seattle, WA

Post by BSOD2600 »

mikec wrote:I found with mine with the OEM CD player, that if you start playing a CD with the radio already on, the antenna stays up. If you start a CD playing with the radio off to start, the antenna will stay down, but the necessary bits in the radio turn on.
I found out last night that my 94 legacy has been rewired for the 96 and later OEM radio harness. Anyways, after getting my Kenwood deck attached, the antenna only goes up when I select the radio. If I switch to CD (and the antenna is up) the antenna will go down. Maybe your wiring is a little messed up?

Also, where/how can one make the antenna wire connector? The antenna wire is a little two plug connector, while most decks take a round 'hole' connector.

'11 WRX Limited
'94 SS | 3" TBE, 07 TMIC, TD05H-16G, Revtronix Stage 2, Walbro -- Sold
'94 TW | R.I.P.
isotopeman
Second Gear
Posts: 291
Joined: Thu May 13, 2004 6:54 am
Location: Fayetteville AR
Contact:

Post by isotopeman »

Would the Subaru subwoofers from the newer models not work? They just plug inline into the harness from the stereo.
Splinter
Knowledgeable
Knowledgeable
Posts: 3058
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 11:12 pm
Location: Victoria, BC

Post by Splinter »

And they suck
98 Steel Widebody RSTi-RA Superbeast
isotopeman
Second Gear
Posts: 291
Joined: Thu May 13, 2004 6:54 am
Location: Fayetteville AR
Contact:

Post by isotopeman »

That would explain why they're so cheap on ebay.
Post Reply