I don't want to lose my flat floor, so I'm looking for a clever place to install a small sub or two to boost the low-low end of the JBL on my '05. Has anyone tried locating them in the hatch door? Is there room for maybe a pair of 5-6" subs? They could stick out a bit with a frame and grille. Is the plastic hatch cover strong enough to take slamming with the added weight? Is there a frame inside the sub(s) could be mounted to?
There's probably room on the inside of the hatch, but the plastic isn't solidly mounted, and you'd likely end up with more vibration than thump. The two little 'cubby' areas behind the wheels are about right for 8" or 10" subs, but you'd have to make a fibreglass enclosure to fit in there.
Could possibly be done but the amount of work required to seal that hatch area up tight and keep vibrations down would not be worth it IMO. Beter off to just put a single sub in the cubby hole or redesign the floor and put a sub inside the storage area.
You mean in the hatch door facing forward? Aside from what's already been mentioned I'd also be worried about two things: added weight to the hatch and abusing the subs with all the jarring from closing the hatch. In the cold weather my rear hatch door rises slowly enough as it is, more weight and it wouldn't go up at all without a good shove. - D
Thanks for the ideas, everybody. I won't give up the main storage space, but I might give up one cubby. Did it take the open space, or did you also have to remove the little floor/door and use the space below the main cargo level, too? I've done fiberglas work before so I guess that's where I am headed...
Check the specs on the subs you're considering and see how much space you need. I haven't actually done this yet, but I have it on good authority that using the entire left cubby is about right for a 10" sub. There are other threads here that show construction details.
A guy in the attached post (Don Chuwash) had a great idea for adding speaker to the back floor deck, complete with pics. You would, however, need to lose your floor cover. I realize this doesn't meet your listed requirements, but it is nicely done. http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-main-forum/73453-what-do-you-carry-in-your-hatch.html
Thanks for providing the link for the OP. I meant to go back and do that and got side-tracked. don_chuwish created a very clean and viable subwoofer setup that were I not such a basshead I would duplicate myself.
Lots of nice jobs putting it under the floor for sure! I just need to use it for other stuff (emergency supplies, small tool kit, anything I don't want out in the open when parked...). I think I'll be needing to fab a fiberglas enclosure as has been done in this forum, once I get a few solid days off to work on it. Then I'll be shopping for amp, speaker, etc. Thanks again for all the great ideas!
Just get a underseat power one. i did this in my maita. its only 5" in hieght and can easly go under the driver seat. cost about $150.00
It won't fit under the driver's seat when you have the Nav system option. Most amps won't even fit there.
