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  • Nissan 300ZX: Motorized Subwoofer Enclosure and Amp Rack
  • Andrew Totolos outfits a classic Z-car with a Batmobile-style compartment for a subwoofer and amp. A mechanical actuator drops the audio components out of sight when not in use.
    From "Tricked Out"
    episode DTRK-404


    (Continued from page 4)

    PHOTO

    Andrew installs the amp and speakers.
    Andrew wants the fascia board to blend in with the car, so he decides to cover it with black carpet. For the amp rack itself, he picks out an eye-catching paint finish to complement the look.

    Materials and tools used in this phase of the project:

    black carpet
    amp
    metallic shelf paper
    aluminum flashing
    color-changing paint
    textured paint
    standard shop tools
    drill with drill bits
    spray adhesive

    advertisement


    PHOTO

    Figure A
    PHOTO

    Figure B
    PHOTO

    Figure C
    PHOTO

    Figure D
    Sub-Box Exterior: Paint and Carpet

  • For the amp rack, Andrew has selected an amp that matches the car with some silver paint and a red stripe. To create a complementary look, he combines fleck textured paint and color-changing paint to create fleck paint with metallic sheen. First, Andrew applies an even base coat of fleck texture paint. He then goes back and covers the entire piece with metallic red spray paint.

  • While waiting for the paint to dry, Andrew applies a coat of spray adhesive on the underside of the fascia board where the amp rack will mount.

  • He lets the carpet overhang the edge while he smoothes it into place.

  • When the amp rack paint is dry, Andrew attaches the amp to the fascia board. He holds the amp up to mark its position before screwing it into place (figure A).

  • Next, Andrew drills some standard holes in the amp rack for the power and speaker wires to run through. The RCA cables have fatter ends that won't fit through such a small opening, so Andrew pulls the amp off the rack and drills a larger connecting hole underneath.

  • Before he puts the amp back on, he cleans up the new wiring holes and sprays a touch-up of red paint into the cap for a clean appearance.

  • With the RCA cables poking through the large wiring hole, Andrew reinstalls the amp and plugs the cables in according to the wiring instructions (figure B). To complete the amp rack components installation, he runs speaker wires through the backside of the amp rack for the midrange speakers and installs them next to the amp (figure C).

  • The amp rack is getting a bit cumbersome to handle, so Andrew hangs it between two shop tables to make it easier to glue the top piece of carpet into place. He sprays the of the carpet where it will attach with spray adhesive (figure D) and secures it in place.

  • While the carpet glue dries, Andrew screws the actuator mount into the back of the amp rack, and he mounts the small end of the actuator to the rack with the supplied hardware.

  • To join the carpet edges, Andrew sprays some more adhesive where the edges meet and brings the edges together. He trims off the excess carpet. Now it's time to install it in the car.

    PHOTO

    Installing the completed amp rack
    PHOTO

    The completed speaker and amp rack, installed

  • Andrew left the carpet long on the fascia board because it's easier to tuck it around the edges than to wrap it around without creases. Before he makes the tuck, he attaches the bottom end of the actuator to the sub box, plugs the actuator into its control unit and closes the back of the cabinet.

  • He trims the excess carpet around the edges of the box, tucks it into place, and cuts the carpet around the subwoofer holes. He then mounts the subs into the box.

  • The final step is to hook up the amp. Since Andrew pre-wired most of the amp wiring at the bench, all he has to do in the car is plug in the RCA leads that come from the stereo and splice in the power wiring.

    The Bottom Line

    speaker components $600
    linear actuator $200
    MDF board $20
    spray paint $45
    carpet $10

    Total: $875


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    RESOURCES :

    Special resources for DIY's Tricked Out 400 series

    Racing Innovations
    www.racinginnovations.com

    Knoxville Dragway
    www.knoxdragway.com

    Wetherill Associates
    www.waipowdercoating.com

    SPC Performance
    www.spcperformance.com

    AEM
    www.aempower.com

    Kicker
    www.kicker.com

    Autoloc
    www.thehoffmangroup.com

    Killer Cans by Alsa Corp.
    www.alsacorp.com

    Rapido Group
    www.rapidogroup.com

    Stellar Security
    www.thehoffmangroup.com

    Dyno Dynamics
    www.dynodynamics.com

    Stillen
    www.stillen.com

    Skunk2 Racing
    www.skunk2.com

    Injen Technologies
    www.injen.com

    Nitrous Express
    www.nitrousexpress.com

    Synapse Engineering
    www.synapseengineering.com

    Air Ride Technologies
    www.ridetech.com

    Airgasm Kustomz
    www.airgasmkustomz.com

    Lincoln Electric
    www.lincolnelectric.com

    Mickey Thompson Performance Tires And Wheels
    www.mickeythompsontires.com

    Buggies Unlimited
    www.buggiesunlimited.com

  • RELATED PROJECTS:

  • ALSO IN THIS EPISODE:


  • Gutter Repair
  • Landscaping Basics
  • Flooring
  • UV Air Sanitizer
  • Replacement Windows
  • Planter, Self-Watering
  • Hand-Painted Glasses
  • Choose Washer/Dryer
  • Backsplash Installation
  • Hand-Painted Bowls
  • Prepare for Vacation
  • Maintain Garage Door
  • Disinfect Bathroom
  • Romance Kit
  • Curb Appeal
  • Transport Equipment
  • Installing Undermount
  • Holiday Decorating
  • Family Scrapbook
  • Ice Candle
  • Selecting Doors
  • Spark Plug, Changing
  • Maintain Cabinets
  • Front Door Facelift
  • Change Windowpane