The Spare Tire Sub Enclosure

I used to have a medium sized enclosure for a 12" sub in my hatch, but I got real tired of not having any luggage space. I could only fit three or four bags of groceries. And I also wanted a way to test several different subs, without making a new box every time. And Damn was my [cars] butt saggin' from the weight. So I thought it out, drew it up and built my first spare tire sub enclosure. Check it out.

2x2 frame work Here is the frame work for the enclosure. I used 2"x2" to frame the enclosure. I used a all-weather Liquid Nails instead of screws or bolts. (If and when I decide to sell the car, it can be removed with NO HOLES!) I ensured that everything was sealed by filling all the gaps with expanding foam (removable with solvents). The flat area to the left is where I was going to put the spare tire. It could be mounted diagonally resting on this platform and just tucking under the plastic ledge that holds up the hatch cover. The jack and tools could then be stored in the space under the angled tire. Overall this would provide a TON more luggage space, while providing more sub space than either of my medium sized boxes. The total volume of the enclosure was estimated to be 2 to 2.25 cubic feet. The area to the right is where the fuse block goes.

false floor With the false floor in place you can see the square cut-out where the baffle will go. It is sized to accept up to a 15" woofer. The depth is just enough that a big 15" can be surface mounted. Smaller woofers are mounted from underneath and a grill is flush mounted. The baffle is removable and is exactly the same size as the test baffles used for testing at work. Thus I have lots of choices of drivers sizes. For multiple drivers, up to three tens or 4 eights can also fit. The floor of the hatch was raised a total of 2.25" when the carpet is laid over the baffle and woofer.

Jack still lives in the spare tire well In my normal mode, I use a JBL 1500 GTi (15"). I am very happy to report that the 1500 GTi is shallow enough that my spare tire can live under it. The magnet and basket of the woofer just barely fit inside the wheel of the spare tire. As you can see, the jack can also live under there too. I only have to remove 12 screws and pull up the board to get them out. Its pretty easy to do, and the few minutes it takes is well worth the benefits

view from inside car View from the front seats. The area below the trunk opening in the enclosure is where my Stiffening Cap (tm) now lives.

Woofer, amp and eq installed For the initial install I hadn't worked out a grill, so I made this big "X" to protect the woofer. It works great because its strong when you put heavy objects on it. I covered the seat backs with 1/4" plywood that I covered with blacket carpet. Then the amps were installed on the right side back seat, and the EQ on the left side. The cut out to the left is where the spare tire will go when I am using woofers deeper than the 1500 GTi.

side view A better perspective view of the trunk. The woofer baffle needs to be painted. I am even considering carpeting the whole false floor and woofer baffle. The trunk is still pretty deep and useful.

storage area The cutout on the left works great for storing small objects that would normally be with the spare tire. So my jumper cables and tire removal tools are within easy reach. Also in the tire removal tool bag is a phillips screw driver. This is all I need to remove the woofer baffle and get the spare tire out. There are 16 screws though. I dread having to do it in the rain.

covered with the stock carpet I folded over the stock carpet (it normally covers the seat backs too) and just dropped it over the false floor. It folded so nice, I don't think I will bother cutting a custom piece. And it is not damaged in anyway, if I remove the false floor. And with the hatch cover in place, you can't even see the amp and eq!!

View from outside. No SUB! So this is what you see when you ask to see my sub. Nothing but amp! Very few people have noticed that the floor is anything but stock. Then I pull the carpet up and their jaws drop to the ground!

It took me many weekends to do the whole project. I took my time and tried not to rush, so that I wouldn't have to redo anything. When I show people the trunk after hearing the system, they always ask where the sub box is. Then I lift the carpet. I love the look of astonishment, which of course turns to disbelief when I tell them that I still have my spare tire under there!!

This was all done by hand with just jig saw and no expensive tools.

Last revised: 11-28-97

Note: I removed this enclosure and the 1500. I'm running a super light sub up front now. Even less weight, but also less SPL. Its the need for speed, versus the need for bass....

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	Here is the frame work for the enclosure. I used 2"x2" to frame the enclosure. I used a all-weather Liquid Nails instead of screws or bolts. (If and when I decide to sell the car, it can be removed with NO HOLES!) I ensured that everything was sealed by filling all the gaps with expanding foam (removable with solvents). The flat area to the left is where I was going to put the spare tire. It could be mounted diagonally resting on this platform and just tucking under the plastic ledge that holds up the hatch cover. The jack and tools could then be stored in the space under the angled tire. Overall this would provide a TON more luggage space, while providing more sub space than either of my medium sized boxes. The total volume of the enclosure was estimated to be 2 to 2.25 cubic feet. The area to the right is where the fuse block goes.
	With the false floor in place you can see the square cut-out where the baffle will go. It is sized to accept up to a 15" woofer. The depth is just enough that a big 15" can be surface mounted. Smaller woofers are mounted from underneath and a grill is flush mounted. The baffle is removable and is exactly the same size as the test baffles used for testing at work. Thus I have lots of choices of drivers sizes. For multiple drivers, up to three tens or 4 eights can also fit. The floor of the hatch was raised a total of 2.25" when the carpet is laid over the baffle and woofer.
	In my normal mode, I use a JBL 1500 GTi (15"). I am very happy to report that the 1500 GTi is shallow enough that my spare tire can live under it. The magnet and basket of the woofer just barely fit inside the wheel of the spare tire. As you can see, the jack can also live under there too. I only have to remove 12 screws and pull up the board to get them out. Its pretty easy to do, and the few minutes it takes is well worth the benefits
	View from the front seats. The area below the trunk opening in the enclosure is where my Stiffening Cap (tm) now lives.
	For the initial install I hadn't worked out a grill, so I made this big "X" to protect the woofer. It works great because its strong when you put heavy objects on it. I covered the seat backs with 1/4" plywood that I covered with blacket carpet. Then the amps were installed on the right side back seat, and the EQ on the left side. The cut out to the left is where the spare tire will go when I am using woofers deeper than the 1500 GTi.
	A better perspective view of the trunk. The woofer baffle needs to be painted. I am even considering carpeting the whole false floor and woofer baffle. The trunk is still pretty deep and useful.
	The cutout on the left works great for storing small objects that would normally be with the spare tire. So my jumper cables and tire removal tools are within easy reach. Also in the tire removal tool bag is a phillips screw driver. This is all I need to remove the woofer baffle and get the spare tire out. There are 16 screws though. I dread having to do it in the rain.
	I folded over the stock carpet (it normally covers the seat backs too) and just dropped it over the false floor. It folded so nice, I don't think I will bother cutting a custom piece. And it is not damaged in anyway, if I remove the false floor. And with the hatch cover in place, you can't even see the amp and eq!!
	So this is what you see when you ask to see my sub. Nothing but amp! Very few people have noticed that the floor is anything but stock. Then I pull the carpet up and their jaws drop to the ground!