I've been working out a way to install near-hidden box in the trunk of my SC400 and this is what I've come up with. Please give me your opinions on this setup.
A truck-style box that's about 4-5" total depth. I'd mount 2 8" subs inverted on the box so that they fit around the gas tank. the driver's side has PLENTY of room for this and even a 10" sub, but the passenger-side filler tube makes 2 10's unrealistic. I'd go with a higher end sub, either JL's or Image Dynamics v3's, so they should sound better than the freeair 10" option. Does anyone see any formidable problems with this? The idea is to take up a minimal amount of trunkspace, and when the box is installed and carpetted it'll be very hard to see a difference from stock to the average person.

Here's a 2nd grader's depiction of my idea

 

Hey Stupid. LOL

Hmmm... I too have been searching for a way to get subs by the tank in sealed enclosures so I can keep my trunk. My other car (Celica hatch) has 2 12's in 1.5 cubic foot enclosures and frankly, I miss my trunk. each of the Alpine Type S's has it's own MRD-300 class D amp so they are def. healthily fed and it sounds very nice. I will miss the setup in the SC but I just need the trunk space.

ANYWAY, this idea is IMO a damn good one as far as space usage is concerned. In all the various solutions I came up with, this one never crossed my mind. I know that a long, flat box is not a problem when used for subs, so the shape is okay. The only question I have is if it's okay to have the sub mounted outside the box as opposed to in? If so, this is a damn good solution.

In your case you want stealth so you can hide everything. On the other end of the spectrum, you can make the back plates (the trunk-facing ones) out of plexiglass and show them off under any light you want. Also the center space won't be needed by the subs. The picture you paint is actually a HUGE box for 8's... I'm thinking a flat box about 10"x14"x4" (course volume depends on specs for any given driver) would be more suited for your 8's, and gives you space in between (roughly the width of the gas tank ) to mount your amps, caps, wires, what have you. And of course you can cover all that up if you desire.

Anyone have any complaints as to this design? I think he's on to something if it works acoustically. If not, I only had these ideas:

1. 8's mounted in rear deck and some creative engineering to get enclosures around the gas tank.
2. 8's in small sealed enclosures tucked into the sides of the trunk (one by antenna and one where CD changer is)
3. 8's on rear wall with enclosures around tank. (basically Stupid's idea - but the enclosures behind the drivers.

Anyone else have any thoughts?

 

The best part of that idea is that, even though the stock woofer hole will be open to allow the sound waves into the cabin, the car should not be much noisier than stock. One of the probs with most woof boxes in our cars is all the trunk noise that comes thru the now-open hole. Stupid's design would seal off the rest of the trunk.

That's gonna be a lot of fabrication work, though. I don't think you can get away with all wood, if you want it to be truly stealth and space-efficient. That means fiberglass, which is a whole 'nother level of labor.

 

Which do you prefer - stupid or newb?

I've been looking at doing a similiar set up. Stealth isn't so much of a concern as is proper dimensions for the enclosure. I might be willing to lose an inch or 2 of trunk space in exchange for a nice set up. Truck space is limited and hauling stuff in the back seat with my new leather is not an option.

My last SC had a clean set up but I want my bass this time. The shop that did the intall molded a fiberglass box under the stock free air 10's opening. There was enough room for a little over 1/2 a foot of enclosure.

 

A fiberglass enclosure to surround the stock woof location is something most of us initially consider, then abandon because of that gas tank. I recall you mentioning this enclosure in previous threads- did you get any pics of it before it went boom? If not, in what direction did it extend?

 

I don't think it's possible to keep the stock panel, as it sits right on the back edge of the gas tank. I think I'll have to sacrifice about 3-4" of trunk depth, but with it carpetted it should be fairly unnoticeable to someone not familiar with our car. Inverting the speakers is not a problem, you just wire them backwards so they aren't firing into the box. I THINK I could pull off an all-wood enclosure, because these 8's only need like 0.4 cu. ft. per sub, which is pretty easy to find. However, I may look into fiberglass if it's looking like too much space is taken up. I'll keep you guys updated, I'm just in the planning stages right now.

 

Perry - It extended as far left and right as it could and also to metal panel behind the seats. There was still room for it to go toward the rear of the car. I had no chance to get pictures of the set up after the crash. I was too busy cleaning out the car and by the time I was done with the front part of the car my back was frickin killin me. I was even gonna try and take the amps even though the insurance company had already paid me for them. Noone would have noticed but I was hurting too bad. Oh well. Anyway, sorry to high jack your thread stupidnewb. Sounds like an interesting set up. Let us know how it works out.