building an amp rack, where to start?

Since the weather is getting nicer, it's time to start planning some projects for the spring to complete my audio system(I still need a couple of components though) One thing I need to do is build an amp rack.

Due to some space restrictions, I.E. I still need some space in my trunk, this is my daily driver, the only place I can think of to put my amps is on my trunk lid. I'm aware of the problems associated with doing this, and am trying to plan accordingly, but first thing is first, I need a rack to mount my amps.

I would like to have a fiberglass cover in the end, that I could put over the rack, and make everything nice and pro.

How do I get my amps mounted there? there are quite a few contours, and I'm really not sure where to start here.

Appreciate any help you guys can offer.

Thanks.

ok first thing is what car are you putting them in, what type of amps and how many?
then from there i think everyone can start hellpin you out

Amplifiers mounted to the trunk lid?!

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Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.

The car is a 96 cougar, and my amps for the time being are an insignia 500W(the NS-P2000) and a Dual AV 4/3/2 channel amp.... "600W Dynamic Power" ... IE, only about 200Wx4 I think.....

And yes Stevdart, on the trunk lid.... unless you have a better option that still lets me use my trunk for groceries and doodie?!

EDIT
Uhhhh... lets try that math above again, 50Wx4

y not mount them to the side walls. or you can make a board to fit behind the seats fot infront of the sub box trim it out add some plexi. or do the same with a flase floor.
i would try to avoid mounting to the trunk lid

Wow. You are in almost exactly the same boat as I'm in.

carguy411 wrote:

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y not mount them to the side walls. or you can make a board to fit behind the seats fot infront of the sub box trim it out add some plexi. or do the same with a flase floor.
i would try to avoid mounting to the trunk lid

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the sidewalls are too small, my amps are too long, and there is a fuel shutoff switch there or something, a big grey box on the left side.

So simply, no room there.

I don't want to put them behind my subs, My seats dont fold down, so I'd never be able to get at them if I need to, namely to set gains and stuff. Plus heat, It would get mighty hot back there. There are only 7" between the two speaker boxes.

I intend on bolting my boxes directly to my car, probably lining my trunk with rhino liner or something.


Here is a pic of my trunk lid.

Well if you do the mounting on the trunk lid and you succeed,.. you would need to replace your "spring" ( two rods that "springs" open your trunk for a heavy duty one. I don"t if your cougar has a stock spoiler on it but if it does then I don't know what optional rods you can put on there. There are different rods that you put with or without OEM spoilers. The spoilers has just enough weight that the trunk wont open,.. then the one without. Even if you do have the trunk lid open all the way up and it stays I bet you that any movement of the car will cause it to "SLAM" shout and you do not want to do that will mess up the striker and latch. So goes fourth with having a bat or a stick to hold up the trunk lid. This mode is totally up to you.

what if you suspened them from the rear deck if u have room.

I have on 1/4" of space between the boxes and the rear deck.

I actually might be able to get away with making a little frame to mount them on the sides, which might even leave space underneath where there's a little slot that i might be able to keep stuff, like maybe an extra qt of oil, possibly a jug of washer fluid or some other essential tools.


my trunk has a luggage rack(GAY!) instead of a spoiler.

just make sure that you have good clearance - so it can be accecessable ( spelling?) incease you need to "retune" the amp for some reason.

Well, after some extensive work yesterday, I might be able to make a rack to mount them to the sidewalls and still retain some trunk space, with space under the amps for either some small tools, maybe a QT of oil, and a second battery if need be.

I had to remove and relocate my keyless entry module. I still have to finish it next weekend as I've got a couple of wires I still need to untangle.

Then I can build a little rack from some angle iron and mount my amps.

BIGGEST CONCERN HERE: How the hell do I mount the rack to my trunk? I don't think welding would be a good idea as it would be mounted directly to the side of the trunk, which would burn my paintjob on the outside if I weld the rack in place.

Here is the right sidewall where I'll make one rack. Any ideas for designs?

and the one below is the keyless entry module moved under my drivers side rear seat..... what a mess, I still need to clean this up.... A LOT.

so I'm still trying to figure out how to approach this whole thing.

What should I do here?

build the board behind the back seat in front of your sub box this is very simple i belive someone recomonded this to you earlier and its standard procedure at alot of shops. just drill 2 or 3 holes near the top of the board and bolt to the frame of your car their should already be holes and a peice of frame that extend's downward ,,,, I WOULD NOT mount your amps to the trunk lid its gonna virbate alot you dont want your amps on anything that vibrates. do not mount it to the box either

what is the car and amps you are trying to install?
This is what I would recommend to you.
1>Put the amp in the back dash and get the windows tinted so the sun does not heat the amp up as much when the car is parked. (That is only if you have room to do it).
2> Glass an amp rack into the side at about a 80 degree angle so the amp does not so hot and if you want put chambers under it and put a fan on both sides to cool the amp. If you need some help designing something just hit me up.

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Can't be loud then don't have it.

(power acoustik system)
Head unit- TID-896 7" TOUCHSCREEN
ovn1-5500d 09 and another one coming soon
4-12" mofos 12ft3 box to 40hz (wall)
2 batterys, 1 power

John: Behind my seat isn't going to work, I pointed that out when someone mentioned it. I'll be mounting 3 amps. and the space behind my subs is only like 6" x 40" x 14"

vibrationcustom: I think thats what I want to end up doing. Putting an amp rack on either side, just behind the wheel wells. Basically the problem is how do I secure it to the car? how do I make a frame to mount the actual amp to?

all amps have holes to screw the amp down. What I did to hold mine down is buy the T15 screws, made a amp rack and screwed the amp and the amp rack to the body of the car. I got a lot of vibration going through my van and it is prefect. My db is 163.1 with 4 subs so the screws are the best. I even build my boxes out of them. Hold a lot more the normal screw. Like I said before if you need me to design something I can see what I can do for you. Just let me know

-------------
Can't be loud then don't have it.

(power acoustik system)
Head unit- TID-896 7" TOUCHSCREEN
ovn1-5500d 09 and another one coming soon
4-12" mofos 12ft3 box to 40hz (wall)
2 batterys, 1 power

vibrationcustum wrote:

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all amps have holes to screw the amp down. What I did to hold mine down is buy the T15 screws, made a amp rack and screwed the amp and the amp rack to the body of the car. I got a lot of vibration going through my van and it is prefect. My db is 163.1 with 4 subs so the screws are the best. I even build my boxes out of them. Hold a lot more the normal screw. Like I said before if you need me to design something I can see what I can do for you. Just let me know

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my problem is the actual frame to hold the amp/fiberglass.

1.) I'm not totally sure how to measure some of the odd angles/curves in the rear fender, so getting something the right size/length is a little difficult.

2.) what to make the actual frame out of?

3.) biggest one, how to mount the frame to the body of the car. I don't think there is any space between the outside of the rear quarter panel, and the inside. I think it's just one single sheet of metal. Putting screws in it or welding it would affect the outside of the car.
the bottom of the trunk isn't accessible much from the bottom of the car, and there is a big hollow space between the two, so I couldn't use bolts/nuts, and I don't want to just run screws directly into the car.

what could you design for this application? what's the cost? and would there still be room in my trunk for groceries and stuff?

ok answers to the questions.

1.What i use is cardboard and masking tape to make a temp of what the angles are going to be.

2.The amp rack would be made out of mdf and fiberglass.

3.While if you don't want to use screws to hold it in place you can do something like glass it to the metal or us 3m Velcro strips that hold it down (this is a great idea if you need to get to the fuel shut off or replace a light in the back).

3 big questions
1.Year, make, model of car
2.Model of amps and how many
3.Where would you like the amps to be and not to be.

after these questions are answer we just nee to get some L x W x H of the trunk.

I believe I can design something for you to make from a 3d model. If you would like me to make it for you (which is hard with fiberglass with out the car)can be done. It would range from $100 to $250 shipped to you. The price is a good range if I have to build 1 or 2 racks.

YES YOU WILL HAVE TRUNK ROOM FOR THEM IMPORTANT THINGS
Hope I answered all of your question and if you have more feel free to ask me

-------------
Can't be loud then don't have it.

(power acoustik system)
Head unit- TID-896 7" TOUCHSCREEN
ovn1-5500d 09 and another one coming soon
4-12" mofos 12ft3 box to 40hz (wall)
2 batterys, 1 power

vibrationcustum wrote:

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ok answers to the questions.

1.What i use is cardboard and masking tape to make a temp of what the angles are going to be.

2.The amp rack would be made out of mdf and fiberglass.

3.While if you don't want to use screws to hold it in place you can do something like glass it to the metal or us 3m Velcro strips that hold it down (this is a great idea if you need to get to the fuel shut off or replace a light in the back).

3 big questions
1.Year, make, model of car
2.Model of amps and how many
3.Where would you like the amps to be and not to be.

after these questions are answer we just nee to get some L x W x H of the trunk.

I believe I can design something for you to make from a 3d model. If you would like me to make it for you (which is hard with fiberglass with out the car)can be done. It would range from $100 to $250 shipped to you. The price is a good range if I have to build 1 or 2 racks.

YES YOU WILL HAVE TRUNK ROOM FOR THEM IMPORTANT THINGS
Hope I answered all of your question and if you have more feel free to ask me

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I can build it, thats not a problem it's just addressing those issues. The fuel shutoff switch can be moved. I already spent a good couple of days moving the keyless entry module.... a lot of wires to cut move and re-solder ;) now that it's clean the shutoff switch can be moved without issue.

I'm moving the stuff out of the trunk cause I'm considering having it sprayed with rhino liner. Then there can be nuts put right into the liner that I can bolt the rack to.

To answer your questions.

1.) 1996 Mercury Cougar XR-7.
2.) 2x Insignia NS-P2000 amps (came in a kit, 2 subs plus 1 amp, I got a second amp)
3.) I want the amps mounted on a rack to my inside rear quarter panels/fenders..... just behind the wheel wells.

There is just enough room to fit the amps there length wise, but they need to be angled cause the right side fender has the gas ...... thingy and makes that fender a little longer. so the side closest to the fender is about 12" tall, and the other side is about 6" I think.

kinda like this terrible diagram, but imagine the \ not being on such an angle.... I don't even know if that makes sense.
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