Since my 01 F150 XLT 4X4 regular cab is so small and I want to maximize the amount of space I have available, I have decided to build my own sub enclosure/amp rack. I also want some style not just square boxes. I work in a boat factory and have done quite a bit of R & D and mold work so I am not new to haid laying fiberglass. My plan is to use the back wall and floor of the cab as a mold and making the back and bottom of my box out of fiberglass (two or three layers of mat alternated with a layer of woven roven) with some end cut Baltek balsa core for reinforcement (kinda like a boat hull keel). I will be using AME 5000 resin. The box will still be three pieces, 2 "boxes" with a amp rack (shelf) in the middle. I figure the boxes can be built in 2 halves and glassed together using stitch mat and heavy weight bonding putty on the inside and stainless steel screws. The "face" and the "top" will be built with rounded corners and reinforced with plywood and more Baltek balsa core material. Will this work? I know I can seal it this way but will the round corners screw up the sound? I am also thinking about building my own kick panels out of fiberglass kinda the same way. Any ideas, tips or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks all...

David

 

Well, to me sounds like you have planned out your steps pretty well. You may want to purchase a book or find a site on audio fibergalss work. The only thing I see is that it will be hard to calculate the air volume in your box with the contoured coronors and such. Second is the thickness of the box and the possibility of creating some resonace (sp) frequencies. Good luck, if you take your time it should come out lookin killer.

 

The carpet is pulled back and the first lay up is done. I am going to lay it up wider than what I will need and keep the "middle" ends open. To measure the volume I am going to use a liter measuring cup and convert the water to square feet. I should be able to get real close to actual volume that way. So far so good!


David