Suggestions for dressing up amp installed in spare tire

1434 Views 14 Replies 5 Participants Last post by SpyderMan03, Jun 30, 2008

SpyderMan03

Discussion Starter · Jun 26, 2008

3

I'm installing a Sony XM-DS1600P5 into the spare tire of my '03 Spyder GTS to power two Kicker 8" solo-barics.

I commute an hour to work so I can't be without my spare.
The pentagonal shape of the amp allows it to fit perfectly in the spare tire.

I'd like to dress it up some so I'm looking for suggestions.

My first thought was to cut the mitsubishi diamond into the floor over the amp and fill it in with some plexiglass and add a neon or LEDs.
I'm not exactly sure how to go about that though.
I've read that an easy solution might be to just cut another spare tire cover out of wood instead of using the stock one. Then I guess I could glue the plexiglass onto the underside of the cover.
One thing that bothers me about this idea is the spare tire isn't in the center of the trunk. Might look a little strange off center.

Any other ideas??

Here are some pics:

See less See more

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

SpyderMan03

Discussion Starter · #2 · Jun 26, 2008

bump for daytime crew

us11csalyer

· #3 · Jun 26, 2008

why is the fuse in the trunk?

MarkSpyder

· #4 · Jun 26, 2008

us11csalyer said:
why is the fuse in the trunk?

I would guess he has one @ both ends of the wire or tat th amp doesn't have an internal fuse (which would be unusual but it happens). :dunno:

I'd suggest replacing the OEM floorboard with a piece of MDF. That is what I did. How many watts is the amp putting out? Wondering if heat will be an issue. If using MDF you may want to drill some breather holes in it somewhere to let the heat out... all depends on how much heat that amp creates.

I'm not a fan of the Mitsu plexi "windows" but its your car and would make for a fairly easy customization project :yesway:

SpyderMan03

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jun 26, 2008

us11csalyer said:
why is the fuse in the trunk?

I have a 150A fuse near the battery too.
That power line leads back to the trunk where I have a distribution block.
The line that comes off of the block to the amp has another 150A fuse.

SpyderMan03

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jun 26, 2008

NC[Spyder]GT said:
I would guess he has one @ both ends of the wire or tat th amp doesn't have an internal fuse (which would be unusual but it happens). :dunno:

I'd suggest replacing the OEM floorboard with a piece of MDF. That is what I did. How many watts is the amp putting out? Wondering if heat will be an issue. If using MDF you may want to drill some breather holes in it somewhere to let the heat out... all depends on how much heat that amp creates.

I'm not a fan of the Mitsu plexi "windows" but its your car and would make for a fairly easy customization project :yesway:

Yep, I've got two, one on each end.

You think 1/4" mdf would span the gap and not collapse?
I want to carpet over the mdf but I guess I could still drill some breather holes. That's a good idea. Just carpet over the holes so air still moves.

Amp is putting out 900W RMS into a 2-ohm load.
I don't expect it to get real hot.

MarkSpyder

· #7 · Jun 26, 2008

900W @ 2ohm could get pretty warm back there (keep in mind it is summer time and the exhaust is not far from that location). I think drilling holes in the MDF and covering with carpet would suffice though. As far as 1/4" MDF goes... I think it may sag, especially if you have a sub box or anything like that sitting on top. 1/2" MDF would be rigid but may be excessively heavy and thick. :dunno:

04GT

· #8 · Jun 26, 2008

Just a visualization of what you are considering:

See less See more

SpyderMan03

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jun 26, 2008

If I was going to use the mdf, what's the best way to add some plexi?
The only thing I can think of is to cut some sort of design into the mdf (mitsu diamond, circle, pentagon, etc.) and then glueing some plexi to the bottom of the mdf.

Is there a better way to do it?

SpyderMan03

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jun 26, 2008

04GT said:
Just a visualization of what you are considering:

I kinda like that!!

SpyderMan03

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jun 26, 2008

If I do this I'm going to put a switch next to the trunk light so I can turn it off.

Anybody have any suggestions as to anything besides the diamond that might look good?

us11csalyer

· #12 · Jun 27, 2008

nvm

SpyderMan03

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jun 27, 2008

:btt:

fliegendaffe

· #14 · Jun 30, 2008

SpyderMan03 said:
If I was going to use the mdf, what's the best way to add some plexi?
The only thing I can think of is to cut some sort of design into the mdf (mitsu diamond, circle, pentagon, etc.) and then glueing some plexi to the bottom of the mdf.

Is there a better way to do it?

no that's what you'd do. if you're using 1/2 or 3/8 mdf, go with 1/4 plexi. then cut the diamond shapes out of the wood, then use a router with a rabbit bit to make an inset on the back side for the plexi which you would just make slightly larger than the opening in the wood.

SpyderMan03

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jun 30, 2008

Thanks, I'll post up when I get the next phase done.
I have my amp installed completely now.
Plugged in a old Kicker Substation (it won't fit in the spyder's trunk) and got some nice driveway thunder.

I should be getting a box built soon.
The box I'm having built is going to go in that little hole under the compartment the top folds into at the top of the trunk.
I think I'm going to hinge the new mdf trunk floor where the bottom of the box hits so I can easily get to the spare.

1 - 15 of 15 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.