When it comes to audio systems for our cars it's a personal choice. Everybody has their own likes and dislikes in what they want to see in their cars. Modern units , Retro style, original stock, it's all good.
I thought about this for a long time.
I kind of knew what I didn't want in an audio system. I didn't want modern unit in dash, or retro , I didn't want to carry around CD's or cassettes. I tinkered with the idea of mounting a modern style unit in the glove box and use a remote to control the unit. That idea stuck with me the longest and started looking around for a unit that I wanted and will fit. But I wasn't 100% on board with that idea.
When I'm out in the garage working on my 73 I always bring out my portable Bose Bluetooth speaker and play Sirius satellite radio on my iphone using the app. One day it finally hit me. That's what I want. I only want to play whatever I have on my iphone. I did a search online for some kind of Bluetooth receiver for autos. I didn't know what I was looking for because I didn't even know it something like that existed.
Found it ! Boss audio ( how appropriate ::thumb:: too bad Mach audio doesn't make one ) has something that is made for utility vehicles. ATV's Buggys, etc. Bluetooth receiver box that puts out 500 watts total, 4 channel and is compatible with an amplifier. Perfect !, just what I was looking for.
So from there I got a little crazy. I ordered that Bluetooth unit, found a Boss 1000 watt amp, 10" Boss shallow mount subwoofers, 6x9 JL speakers, Plye 5x7's for the doors.
Holy crap where the heck am I going to put all this stuff. Well again, more research, thinking, planning on how to make it all fit in the car and still look tasteful.
My goal was to have a the original radio in dash, but have modern system that isn't visible. Kinda like a car that they would call a sleeper but in an audio system. I want to hear the music but not see where it's coming from.
I knew I needed an enclosure to house the subwoofers and amp. So I looked for premade stuff for a while. Nothing agreed with me. I find more often than not, when I build something it needs to have more than one purpose. That's when I figured I would need to build my own.
I made a template out of cardboard, trimmed it, trial and error, in and out of the car so many times until I got it right. The one thing I noticed is that the enclosure I was creating actually has more than one purpose.
#1, It finishes off the clean look of the trunk area. For us guys that don't have a fold down rear seat, the far end of the trunk up towards the back seat is pretty ugly.
#2, it will hold subwoofers and amp, allowing for all the wires to be run underneath it on the backside.
#3, my carpeted floor mat stops just short of the hump that goes up by the shock absorber access holes. It looked terrible seeing the carpet all nice then just stop short of that area. this enclosure starts where the carpet ends giving it that custom finished look.
Gathering all the materials all at once was impossible. When I knew what I needed it was usually the weekend and I either had to go to a store or go online and order it. Slowing this whole process down. It took a month and a half of weekends to complete it. I did not expect it to take that long but once I got into it I knew I was going to have a long haul. just the wiring alone drove me nuts. From the receiver, 4 sets of wires to the back, into amp, out of amp, 2 sets of wires going back forward to the doors, power hookups, grounds, remotes :huh: ugh.
I replaced the rear parcel shelf , drilled holes and covered it with enclosure material. I covered the trunk enclosure with the same material. I also covered the backside of the door speaker grilles with the same material so you cant see the speaker through the grille.
I also made sure the entire trunk enclosure can be removed if needed. Figured in easy disconnects and labeled all the wires so if it comes out, I know where it all goes. I pre bent braces and screwed them to the back seat area and into the enclosure to keep it from moving.
Also made mounting brackets out of aluminum bar for Bluetooth receiver unit that I mounted in the glove box. There is a perfect mounting spot for the brackets in there. I attached a photo of that install process. The Bluetooth unit also has aux input, an additional output and a USB charging plug for the phone. I only left the USB plug hang down inside the glove box, the rest is tucked away.
The Bluetooth unit has a wired remote that I put inside the upper compartment in the center dash. When I got my car someone cut the top off the compartment so I didn't feel so bad in drilling a hole in the back of it to run the wire harness. It fits nicely in there, easy to reach and I have cut a piece of enclosure material to place in front of that remote unit to keep it hidden if I wanted. I had several other location possibilities for the remote. Sacrifice the ash tray and mount it inside under the slide cover or inside the center console storage area somewhere. I felt the easiest access and safer area to reach would be the center dash.
Finally, it's done and it sounds great !. I am completely satisfied on how it turned out. I hear the crisp clear high pitch sounds out of the door speakers, great bass out of the 6x9's and the subwoofers do their job and compliment the whole package.
And now all the pictures.
rear shelf
enclosure build
Shallow mount subwoofer just makes it with 1/4" clearance
Bluetooth receiver mounting brackets on template
Glove box mount
you cant see it from the passenger seat unless you look up inside
Remote
I cut to fit a piece of enclosure material to sit in front of remote if I wanted it to be totally hidden. It's just set in place.
Door speaker covering. 3M adhesive around perimeter on both halves to hold in place.
Finished rear deck shelf, hidden speakers
Finished
I thought about this for a long time.
I kind of knew what I didn't want in an audio system. I didn't want modern unit in dash, or retro , I didn't want to carry around CD's or cassettes. I tinkered with the idea of mounting a modern style unit in the glove box and use a remote to control the unit. That idea stuck with me the longest and started looking around for a unit that I wanted and will fit. But I wasn't 100% on board with that idea.
When I'm out in the garage working on my 73 I always bring out my portable Bose Bluetooth speaker and play Sirius satellite radio on my iphone using the app. One day it finally hit me. That's what I want. I only want to play whatever I have on my iphone. I did a search online for some kind of Bluetooth receiver for autos. I didn't know what I was looking for because I didn't even know it something like that existed.
Found it ! Boss audio ( how appropriate ::thumb:: too bad Mach audio doesn't make one ) has something that is made for utility vehicles. ATV's Buggys, etc. Bluetooth receiver box that puts out 500 watts total, 4 channel and is compatible with an amplifier. Perfect !, just what I was looking for.
So from there I got a little crazy. I ordered that Bluetooth unit, found a Boss 1000 watt amp, 10" Boss shallow mount subwoofers, 6x9 JL speakers, Plye 5x7's for the doors.
Holy crap where the heck am I going to put all this stuff. Well again, more research, thinking, planning on how to make it all fit in the car and still look tasteful.
My goal was to have a the original radio in dash, but have modern system that isn't visible. Kinda like a car that they would call a sleeper but in an audio system. I want to hear the music but not see where it's coming from.
I knew I needed an enclosure to house the subwoofers and amp. So I looked for premade stuff for a while. Nothing agreed with me. I find more often than not, when I build something it needs to have more than one purpose. That's when I figured I would need to build my own.
I made a template out of cardboard, trimmed it, trial and error, in and out of the car so many times until I got it right. The one thing I noticed is that the enclosure I was creating actually has more than one purpose.
#1, It finishes off the clean look of the trunk area. For us guys that don't have a fold down rear seat, the far end of the trunk up towards the back seat is pretty ugly.
#2, it will hold subwoofers and amp, allowing for all the wires to be run underneath it on the backside.
#3, my carpeted floor mat stops just short of the hump that goes up by the shock absorber access holes. It looked terrible seeing the carpet all nice then just stop short of that area. this enclosure starts where the carpet ends giving it that custom finished look.
Gathering all the materials all at once was impossible. When I knew what I needed it was usually the weekend and I either had to go to a store or go online and order it. Slowing this whole process down. It took a month and a half of weekends to complete it. I did not expect it to take that long but once I got into it I knew I was going to have a long haul. just the wiring alone drove me nuts. From the receiver, 4 sets of wires to the back, into amp, out of amp, 2 sets of wires going back forward to the doors, power hookups, grounds, remotes :huh: ugh.
I replaced the rear parcel shelf , drilled holes and covered it with enclosure material. I covered the trunk enclosure with the same material. I also covered the backside of the door speaker grilles with the same material so you cant see the speaker through the grille.
I also made sure the entire trunk enclosure can be removed if needed. Figured in easy disconnects and labeled all the wires so if it comes out, I know where it all goes. I pre bent braces and screwed them to the back seat area and into the enclosure to keep it from moving.
Also made mounting brackets out of aluminum bar for Bluetooth receiver unit that I mounted in the glove box. There is a perfect mounting spot for the brackets in there. I attached a photo of that install process. The Bluetooth unit also has aux input, an additional output and a USB charging plug for the phone. I only left the USB plug hang down inside the glove box, the rest is tucked away.
The Bluetooth unit has a wired remote that I put inside the upper compartment in the center dash. When I got my car someone cut the top off the compartment so I didn't feel so bad in drilling a hole in the back of it to run the wire harness. It fits nicely in there, easy to reach and I have cut a piece of enclosure material to place in front of that remote unit to keep it hidden if I wanted. I had several other location possibilities for the remote. Sacrifice the ash tray and mount it inside under the slide cover or inside the center console storage area somewhere. I felt the easiest access and safer area to reach would be the center dash.
Finally, it's done and it sounds great !. I am completely satisfied on how it turned out. I hear the crisp clear high pitch sounds out of the door speakers, great bass out of the 6x9's and the subwoofers do their job and compliment the whole package.
And now all the pictures.
rear shelf
enclosure build
Shallow mount subwoofer just makes it with 1/4" clearance
Bluetooth receiver mounting brackets on template
Glove box mount
you cant see it from the passenger seat unless you look up inside
Remote
I cut to fit a piece of enclosure material to sit in front of remote if I wanted it to be totally hidden. It's just set in place.
Door speaker covering. 3M adhesive around perimeter on both halves to hold in place.
Finished rear deck shelf, hidden speakers
Finished
