Help- Basslink install in a Subaru Wagon
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=13036
Printed Date: July 07, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Topic: Help- Basslink install in a Subaru Wagon
Posted By: Ludecrous
Subject: Help- Basslink install in a Subaru Wagon
Date Posted: May 01, 2003 at 4:13 PM
I have a 2003 Subaru Wagon, I was hoping you could help me out with some info to do a good install job. I am about to install a basslink in the trunk area, the area that I have problems with is securing the unit. The unit has legs which you can run screws through to attach it, I have looked in my trunk area and under the carpet, and I can find a lot of styrofoam (hard closedcell foam) which encloses the spaere wheel etc.... Should I drill through this foam to get to steel? or are there any other ways to secure the basslink. I will take som e pictures of my trunk area and post them up here soon, so that you will know what "foam" I am speaking of. Any advice would be awesome, I think I have all the wiring figured out, it's just the mounting which is starting to scare me !!! - james ------------- - just a n00bie at this -
Replies:
Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: May 01, 2003 at 4:24 PM
The best way to do it would be to use self tapping metal screws and drill through the foam till you hit metal. Be careful always check under the car before you start screwing; make sure your not going to hit the gas tank or any other important parts. One more option would be to mount a piece of MDF board to the bottom of the trunk with metal screws, cover it in carpet or what ever you so choose and then mount the unit to the MDF board.
Posted By: Ludecrous
Date Posted: May 01, 2003 at 4:52 PM
nice advice, what if the foam is like 1" or more thick ? still use the ST screws? I will findout how thick when I walk to my car. thanks
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- just a n00bie at this -
Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: May 01, 2003 at 5:24 PM
I don’t think the foam is quite 1" thick but if it were I would just use some longer screws. But remember to always double check before you drill to make sure you’re not screwing into anything important.
Posted By: Ludecrous
Date Posted: May 02, 2003 at 6:34 AM
I think the foam is 1.5" thick, it's attached to the metal of the car, then there is fibreboard covered in carpet above that.
I will get pics, sorry for being a slacker :) carpet (on top) on thin fibreboard foam metal ------------- - just a n00bie at this -
Posted By: Ludecrous
Date Posted: May 02, 2003 at 12:23 PM
Here is a picture, this is to the left hand side of the trunk, you can see the foam (black color) 
------------- - just a n00bie at this -
Posted By: Ludecrous
Date Posted: May 02, 2003 at 8:38 PM
I just measured the foam, it's 4.5" thick, can I still drill through this to mount the basslink ? are there any other options? Thanks for all your help on this. ------------- - just a n00bie at this -
Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: May 02, 2003 at 10:03 PM
Do you plan on opening the hatch after the basslink is installed? That foam is normally pretty dense and can be used as an anchor. I would try and mount the basslink with 2" or so screws and see what happens. But either way let me know if you want that hatch to open and I will try and assist you in making this all work
Posted By: Ludecrous
Date Posted: May 03, 2003 at 7:07 AM
I have been doing a lot of thinking and I pulled the trunk of my subaru wagon apart to see what was there.
I will be opening the hatch in normal use of the car after I have installed the basslink, at some point I may also want to temporarily remove the basslink (depending on mounting location) to utilize all the space
It seems like I have 3 options to mount the sub, I don't know which may be the better and which may be stupid. 1) I can mount the sub using screws through the foam or into the foam.
2) Using pre exisiting anchor bolts (which are attached to car body) in the left side of the trunk, fabricate an MDF platform and attach sub to platform with 1/2" screws
3) Mount a piece of wood, underneath the umbrella compartment, screw the sub through the carpet to the wood. I will enclose some photo's and it would be great if you can tell me if I am loosing my marbles :) thanks ------------- - just a n00bie at this -
Posted By: Ludecrous
Date Posted: May 03, 2003 at 7:55 AM
------------- - just a n00bie at this -
Posted By: Ludecrous
Date Posted: May 03, 2003 at 7:57 AM
USING EXISTING Anchor bolts to create a platform, using 90 degree brackets 
------------- - just a n00bie at this -
Posted By: Ludecrous
Date Posted: May 03, 2003 at 8:01 AM
Using the umbrella storage area, filing it with a wood piece and screwing basslink to it. 
------------- - just a n00bie at this -
Posted By: bberman1
Date Posted: May 03, 2003 at 9:57 AM
Wow those were some good photos, now I know where you’re coming from. And no you’re not going crazy you’re actually headed in the right direction. The way I would suggest doing it is your # 3 option, mounting a piece of MDF under the panel and then fastening the basslink through the panel and into the MDF. When you cut and mount the MDF just be sure to check and see if the hatch will still open and close before screwing them together. The only problem I could see with this is the umbrella compartments top panel might vibrate with the bass and you may need to fasten it down with Velcro. But I would defiantly try option 3 and see how it goes; I defiantly think it’s a winner.
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