I'd like to build an amp rack for my new custom stereo. Can you help? Ok, here are the facts:

1. It will have 2 amps; JL 250/1 and 300/2
2. It will have 2 crossovers - one for each side of the front speakers (2 way speakers)
3. It is going to go under the convertible top
4. The car is an '05 Corvette convertible
5. I'd like to have a carpeted top and front; I can leave the back (front of the car) open, as it will be invisible from the trunk and from the passenger compartment.


So, my questions are, how do I build this? Do I use MDF? Do I need a bottom, or just lay it on the carpet? I imagine I should place MDF on the carpet, build walls, build a top, and cut out holes in the top for the amps to show through.

If so, how do I mount the sides? L-brakcets? How thick should the MDF pieces be? Do I need to screw the bottom into the frame of the car?

How do I construct this so I can open it if I need to access the amps?

Finally, do I need a fan? Or, if it is open in back (the part facing the interior passenger component, which can't be seen anyway, is a fan unnecessary?

Lots of questions - thanks!!!

 

Also, I read an awesome amp rack article, but had a few questions:

How do I mound the facade / trim plate on the base of the amp rack? In other words, how do I get it, say 1 inch above the rack, and secure it to the rack? Do I use dowels or something? Small wood blocks that get nailed to the rack and that the facade nails on to?

Also, how do I get exposure to the wiring once this in place?

 

yes
yes, you should build a bottom to bolt everything down



i'd say use at least 1/2" if not 3/4" mdf drill and screw the boards together. the sides arent going to be very high so the screws and the other sides will be enough for support

not really, you can friction fit it in the vert. thats what is holding mine in place.

make the walls out of two pieces of mdf. make the inner piece so it is about 1/2 or 3/4" shorter then the outer wall. this will give you a nice lip where you can mount the facade to. you wont need anything to hold it in place that way

fans will never hurt you can display the fan into the facade like i did or hide it.

 

Thanks for the assistance. I'm short on vertical space, so I may go 1/2 inch. Someone mentioned using plywood - why is MDF better?

Also, you mentioned making the inner walls 1/2 inch shorter. Can you help me out here? What do you mean by inner and outer walls?

Thanks again!

 

instead of using a router use tow pieces of wood back to back. one being shorter then the other (vertically) this will give you a 'shelf' or 'step' that the facade will rest on. if you aren't set on going with the facade look, check out my install and you could mimic that with out having to worry about the height issues as much.

aslo, i guess you could use 1/8 birch plywood as your base as well, it's just not as easy to screw into, you'll need to bolt everything down.

 

Thanks - I think I'll go with 1/2" MDF for the base. Now, for the facade that gets carpeted, probably 1/4" MDF? This will be for the top and the front facade.

 

 

I got my wood yesterday - 1/2" for the base, 1/4" for the facade. 1x2 for the sides and a center support as well. Now to assemble, spray it black, and install components.