So can the seat back be used by just removing the jute??? No spacers are needed to mount amps to the back wall of 07 and still use the seat back???

 

I'm not quite sure I understand what you're asking. I 'think' you may be confused.

I removed the jute immediately behind the MDF area to increase space and to get the carpet liner immediately behind the MDF right up against the metal wall. This was because I did NOT want the seat back foam touching my amp. Some have installed their amps where the foam touches, and had no heat problems whatsoever. For me, it was more for aesthetic reasons; I did not want the seat back metal braces rubbing against my pretty amp They are not grounded so far as I can tell, so there are no electrical fears. Even so, me being super OCD, I wrapped them in mailing tape as well, to make them smoother, in case someone's body weight leaning back in the seatback is enough to cause contact. (this is also why I opted to mount the amp in the center of the wall, as there's less likely anyone will sit there)

I also used 1/4" MDF to guarantee even more extra space to prevent contact from the seat back foam. Once again, same reasons as above; and yes, others have used 1/2" or 3/4", had foam contact, and no problems. YMMV.

Lastly, although it's hard/impossible to see in my pic, the seatback mounts are not 'spaced' or moved in any way. I did grind the rear corner off one of them (#2 when viewed from left to right) as the vertical metal tab protruded too far rearward, once again, for my personal comfort, as I did NOT want contact with the amp. (this one COULD be an issue, since that bar is grounded (albeit poorly) but only if the amp fell off it's mount and contacted) You can see in the picture I slit a piece of vinyl tube, and taped that in place over the 'edge' of the vertical, just to absolutely prevent contact or scratching of my amp, if for some reason it is ever knocked off the MDF. (eg, in a moderate collision or something)

The big point is, you can slap it in there with jute, 3/4" MDF, etc., and not shoot for as large a cavity behind the seatback as possible like I did, but the amp will more than likely contact the foam, and you may get scratches from the metal seatback braces. (and possibly heat issues depending upon how hot your amp gets; mine has a built in fan, MANY do NOT)

EVERYTHING I did was only to prevent contact and increase air circulation space, by thinning the mounting platform as much as possible (carpet liner & MDF against the metal wall) so that when I reinstall the seatback in a week or so after initial tuning, I won't have paranoid fears about my amp overheating, being scratched, etc.

Hope that answered your concern.

E.

 

the reason I asked is because in my old 99 I had to put spacers so the seat back would not contact the amps. About 3" worth! I recently purchased an 07 and have been getting stuff to put a system in it. Putting the amps on the back wall would be great if I didnt have to do as much modifying!!!

 

Well, technically, I did not modify anything with spacers to get my amp to mount; I just planned carefully, and used the thinnest mounting MDF method. (unless you count the removal of the jute as modifying, but being that many members here remove the liner ENTIRELY, I don't see that as much of a 'butchering of my shiny new truck')

I did grind that corner off, but that was just for my 'comfort'. It was not technically necessary as there was a 3/16" gap between the amp body and the vertical steel.

Alot of it will come down to which amp you choose. I'd not sacrifice the amp choice over space though. (as you can see by my choice; I went for the amp first, then dealt with mounting clearances second)

E.

 

I see from the pics folks have posted that there seems to be alot more room between the back wall and the rear seat back in the newer model over the Heritage body style. Both my amps measure 2 3/8" tall. So if I use 1/4 MDF would mounting 'em to the back wall be a problem?

 

nope no prob. my old amp (RF PUNCH 1200.1) was 2 5/8" and it was mounted on 1/4" MDF. never had a prob with it.

 

did you guys use the reach around method for taking the seats off? i have leather seats and could not get around them enough at all and my hands are super skinny.

 

I can't " reach around method " mind either, I have to get the screw driver out every time...

 

I honestly lol'ed when I read that

 

so, how do you get the seats off?

 

D'oh.

You didn't see the ultra long thread about this in the 04+ forum?



Search function is your friend. =)

(It involved two plastic pressure release 'clips' behind the seat back)

E.

 

Has anyone ran into any excessive heat problems with mounting their amp behind the rear seat. I mounted my amp under the little flip seat where the jack goes and even there the amp is extremely hot during use. I suspect it would even be hotter behind the seat with limited to no air flow back there.

I was not happy about having to relocate the jack to the back, but considering I might just have to live with it. Has anyone else opted to mount their amp under the seat instead of behind the seat?

 

I have been pondering this issue...I have some great components,but I haven't bought an amp yet because I do not know what to do...I want to get an Infinity amp that is 5/6 cahnnel, but I know I would have to mount it on the back wall, and HOPE it would fit ( 21 1/8 Long), then have to worry about it overheating back there, or buy two samller amps and stick one where the jack should go and the other under the driver seat or something...I really dont want to have to deal with all the extra wiring etc with two amps....

 

Well I guess I'll be answering my own question soon enough. I went ahead and installed another amp along with the 4 channel one I had under the seat. I got them both mounted behind the seat now since I also installed 2 10" woofers under the seat.

So far so good still hot outside so if she is gonna blow I hope it is sooner than later. Nevertheless she sure sounds good and has mad bass to boot.