How To- Custom Boot Build **Update**

[Salmon1]

Well my Guide on Headlights went down a treat, so here's one for boot builds-





Stage 1- Preperation

As Always Preperation is the key to success.

The first thing to do is decide on the style of install you want, to get an idea of what works have a look around, there ar eloads of thread on the subject, use the search function located at the top of the page.

I personally chose my design because it is pretty challenging, but the rewards are an easy to see boot build which looks excellent.

Once you have decided on design, it is time to get all materials sorted out, It is not a cheap thing to do unless you already have the neccessary tools etc...

The first choice is which size of MDF, originally i was worried about weight and wanted to use 12mm but then i seen how flexxy it was and to be honest i want a sturdy build, i dont want it collapsing if i hit a pothole or something. So i decided to go for 18mm. This can be bought for £10.99 a sheet in BnQ Warehouse. 2 sheets is EASILY enough for ANY Saxo Install. I also needed 2 metres of 2x2" timber to use as supports for my false floor, the timber was £2.99. I also thourghouly recommend LOTS of cardboard, test all sizes with cardboard so you dont waste any wood.

http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/1525/picture059mg3.jpg

Next thing is get all tools and equipment sorted, here's the essentials you will need-

Wood Saw
Jigsaw
Cordless Drill
Electric Sander
Philips Screwdriver
Flat Head Screwdriver
Stanley Knife
Tape Measure
Hammer
Spirit Level
Pad Saw
Pencil
1.5"x8 Wood Screws
2"x8 Wood Screws
3"x8 Wood Screws

http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/3020/picture061ta8.jpg

Now that you have everything ready and you are confident of your plans it is time to begin the fun.







Stage 2- Cutting All Pieces to Size

Wear a Dust Mask To Cover Your Mouth. I Didnt and have HUGE Chapped Lips To Show For My Stupidity!!!


Part 1- Base Size of MDF Needed- 42.5x26"

First Thing to do is mark out the base, to do this remove the liners from bottom of boot, the bottom "foam" type one is a perfect template for the base. Put it on top of MDF and mark around it with a pencil.

http://img417.imageshack.us/img417/9519/picture062rw1.jpg

Then Place wood on a Bench and cut round with a Jigsaw.

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/8365/picture063qs7.jpg
http://img417.imageshack.us/img417/9311/picture064zd0.jpg

You will now need to take a check out of each side of the base at the rear to allow it to fit over the bolts for rear seats. It will then fit in perfectly.

http://img417.imageshack.us/img417/5200/picture065ya6.jpg


Part 2- Supports 2x2" Timber Needed

Next step is to make the false floor, 3" is the perfect height. For the support i used 2x2" Timber. Cut Ten 3" long pieces.

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/6894/picture067sd2.jpg


Part 3- Sides Size of MDF Needed- 57x40.5cm

* Cut a piece of MDF, 57x40.5cm.
* Measure 9.5cm up from the 57cm long side, and draw a straight line across. The line should be 56cm.
* On the Line Mark points at 12cm and 25cm accross. Mark at same intervals at top of MDF and draw the straight lines.
* From the second line there should be 31cm, Now make a mark 3cm in from this side, a line is not needed.
*Now mark out the angles by drawing in the diagonal lines as so-

http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/7021/picture150mn7.jpg

*Now cut with a jigsaw along the diagonals.
* also take appropriate checks out to fit over bolts in back of boot.

That is the sides complete.



Part 4- False Floor Top Size of MDF needed- 40.5x24.75"

It is now time to complete the false floor. To do this measure the internal Width between two MDF side panels, it will be 40.5" at widest part. The Length is 24.75" at longest part. To get the curve use the foam used in Part 1, however you need to position it an inch off at either side as Foam will be 2" wider (42.5" instead of 40.4").

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/2276/picture071ih0.jpg

Once you have marked it all and cut it, place a few of Part 2 randomly dotted about on top of Part 1, then place the new false floor on, if you have marked out and cut correctly it will fit perfectly.

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/2469/picture075nt1.jpg



Part 5- Front Panel Size of MDF Needed- 106x41.5cm


Once Panel is cut, place it in, this is how Finished install will look as far as shape and size goes.

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/6571/picture144id8.jpg






Stage 3- Putting it all together

Attaching False Floor To Base

First thing to do is attach 10 of Part 2 onto the base, i attached them leaving the centre completely free as this is where i will be putting my amps.

To attach them use 3" Wood screws. Make sure they are all very tight.

Next stage is place the base back in the boot along with the sideloosely in place.

Now put something sticky and wet ;) on top of each Part 2, i used bicycle grease. Now place the base on top.

Leave for a few seconds and then remove.

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/117/picture099hc9.jpg

The grease acts as a mark for where to screw the base down onto the supports.

Where all the grease is you need to drill a small hole using a 2mm drill bit.

Then flip over and put back in boot, leaving sides loose in boot so you srew it down in correct places.

Using 3" wood screws, screw through all the holes-

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/2045/picture138lr9.jpg

http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/5565/picture139qs2.jpg



Attatching the Sides

Now it is time to mark the sides.

To do this make marks on both the sides and the false floor at same places, make 2 marks on each side.-

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/3553/picture103at1.jpg


Now remove it all from boot, place on a stand and line it up again, then fix it all together using 2" Wood screws, You need to fix it from side and from bottom, as so-

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/3253/picture142sk8.jpg

It should now look like so-

http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/7089/picture143bo4.jpg





Stage 4- Marking Out Front Panel


To do this is fairly simple, here what i done-

My sub diamater hole was 11inch. The total Length was 42".

I was using 2 subs.

2x11= 22

42-22=20

20/4= 5

So i went 5" in from each side, then 11" from the 5" mark, leaving 10" space in the middle (im considering putting in a changer)

So now mark lines up and down for the sizes.

It is now time to get the hieght right.

I wanted to play it safe and make sure subs didnt hit the false floor so i left more space at bottom than i did at top.

To work out the space i done following-

Total hieght- 16.5"

Then took away the sub diameter (11") form this.

Leaving 5.5".

I measured 3" up form bottom and drew a line right accross and 2.5" down from top and drew a line right accross,

As so-

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/3691/picture145qo5.jpg

Now use your Sub cutting template and mark on.

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/52/picture146nf0.jpg

cut one to be safe and try for size-

http://img480.imageshack.us/img480/489/picture147ns3.jpg

http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/8198/picture148oc1.jpg

[DaveWard]

First thing should be research. In to the what size of sub box the sub you buy works best in.

[Curran]

will be good to see how you do this as you didnt seem to have a clue the other week :fcuk:

good luck!

also your sig is way too big. that will be deleted by a mod soon if you dont change it first

[Connor_scotland]

looks like its going to be good keeps up updated mate

[BBL]

nice mate looks like it is going to good, love to se how its goes and the finished product looks like :D

[Saxo-Slag]

Nice to see somebody doing this. Its also good to see if you make mistakes them others can learn from it.(in a good way) Hope everything goes well mate. Looks like you have everything planned out well. Wot gear are you putting in ther and wot finish are you giving it.(material)

[Salmon1]

Right 8 hours work and everything is screwed together, just needs finishing.

As i have 4 weeks exactly until im even 17, im considering fiberglassing just to get it uber smooth, then leather, BUT i am unsure, Black leather will be the finsih though.


Anyway no update today as my mate with a 206 super turismo just offered to take me to Falkirk cruise, so seeeya's ;)

[DaveWard]

How and why have you built a sub box when you dont know what size box your going to need as you have not yet bought a sub?

[l1ukeRS]

get a nail gun makes puttin it together a piece of piss!

[Salmon1]

Update ^

[SunderZ]

if your covering it leather you wont need it "uber smooth" and you dont need to use fibreglass to get it "uber smooth" only to totally seel it and strengthen.. :)

[jaybiss]

How and why have you built a sub box when you dont know what size box your going to need as you have not yet bought a sub?

i 110% agree

the design could be fucked due to the size of the box required!!!

[Mattvtr]

imo this isnt the best guide to follow when you havent calculated anything for your sub(s) but goodluck

[Robbo]

looks like its going to be a good guide but like others have said, should have though what subs your going to use

[Salmon1]

Try to help people and all i get is slated.

So what if i've not measured sub box, i have neevr met anyone in my life whose calculated it, most people do builds for looks.

[Robbo]

Try to help people and all i get is slated.

So what if i've not measured sub box, i have neevr met anyone in my life whose calculated it, most people do builds for looks.

mate dont stop making the guide or anything lol it looks good but like you should of thought before hand do i want 2 15"'s or 2 10"'s or whatever etc etc but not many people measure the boxes for the correct amount so get the best sound etc etc. keep it up mate coz its looking good.

just a question, does it wheigh your car down like fuck? like performance wise do you notice the difference? when i had my furio i had a boot build like that but a bit smaller with 2 15's and 2 amps and i proper noticed a performance drop!

oh and rep for the guide mate :)

[Salmon1]

cheers mate, nah i wont stop, as i know it will help lots of people, its only the pure out and out audioheads that will bother about measuring boxes.

For the majority of peopl like myself, its for looks.

Well im only 16 which is the reason i took the project on, for something to do, to let the next 3 weeks till im 17 pass easier lol.

but once im going to wiegh it today. I cant see it being more than 7stone, which is less than a person, so in a VTR it should make much difference to be honest.

And thats the reason ive not put the front plate on, becuase i am yet to decide on subs and cut out sizes.

Although i will have subs by wednesday. 2 12" JL audio ones.

[DaveWard]

But whats the point in spending a lot of money on subs then not getting the best from them? Its like buying a brand new car and putting cheep crap oil in it! Yeah it does the job but not as well as it should!

[Salmon1]

Well im sure ill be happy with the sound, so there will be no problems :d

[DaveWard]

Well then mate work out how big your box is then buy subs to roughly suit it.

[Salmon1]

im buying the JL audios for definate unless i see better at the audio shop today.

If i it sounds fine , then great, if to doesnt, ill work out the box spaces, im usre a few square feet wont make much difference.

[DaveWard]

A few square feet will make a huge diffrence!

[Robbo]

no offence dave, it might make a difference to you as you know what good sound sounds like etc but for someone like him or me im sure it will be fine :)

[jaybiss]

Try to help people and all i get is slated.

So what if i've not measured sub box, i have neevr met anyone in my life whose calculated it, most people do builds for looks.

youve not been slated a question was asked for you to think about and improve YOUR install but obviously you wanna be right and dont want to listen to people with experience

nice one :Y:

[Scott]

no offence dave, it might make a difference to you as you know what good sound sounds like etc but for someone like him or me im sure it will be fine :)

a few square feet wont make a little difference, it will make a huge difference, as in a thread shortly saying my sub sounds rubbish why?

[Salmon1]

yeh mate, point taken

[Connor_scotland]

have you built anymore of it dude

[Salmon1]

its all built, just stuggling with time to post.

got a new chick who lives 15miles away and there evry night.

[Salmon1]

Right have i worked out Cubic area correctly-

Length x breadth x hieght- 3.38x1.42x1.17 = 5.615

then devide by 2 which = 2.807


Then the other rear part- LxBxH- 3.38x1.17x0.58= 2.293

then decivide by 2 = 1.146

Then add the two together to give total Cubic area-

2.807+1.146= 3.953cubic feet.

But my subs only require 0.85 cubic feet each????


What shoud i do, just make it a bit smaller by adding mdf???

cheers.

[Saxo-Slag]

Try making the correct size boxs and attach them to the front mdf board with holes in if you get me

[Salmon1]

nah thatll look shite.

decided what im gonna do :D

Add in mdf to creat an open space in the middle and act like a sperate box for each sub :D

[l1ukeRS]

fill it full of padding out of an old bed sheet to reduce the cubic capacity a bit

[Connor_scotland]

qaulity mate get some piccys up

[Salmon1]

Well due to the Type R subs being too big iv sorta had to redo some of it.

Ive had to chop the 5" false floor down to 3" and make new sides.


Done it all last night though, ill do an update once its all finished on sunday hopefully.

Well obvo not covered or that, but everything else done.

[Connor_scotland]

sweet mate looking forward to seeing it

[DaveWard]

So you have now learned a valueble lesson in life. Dont make anything till you know exactly whats going in to it!

[Mark51]

why dont you take the top of the box off, make the boxes the right size for the subs and then put the top that you took off back on and cut the holes for the ubs so you can't see the nails, it looks mint and will sound alot better with the right size box

[rob_s]

good guilde mate might have ago at doin mine :D

[Saxo-Slag]

why dont you take the top of the box off, make the boxes the right size for the subs and then put the top that you took off back on and cut the holes for the ubs so you can't see the nails, it looks mint and will sound alot better with the right size box

Wot i meant but said better.lol

[Salmon1]

sorry guys, been very drunk all weekend and in not much of a fit state to work.

Gonna spend a good few hours on it today though.

[argylefan1985]

cool,its looking good and will be a gr8 help to me when i start mine next weekend, been meaning to start it for weeks now.

get some more pics up

[Mark51]

any more pics??

[Salmon1]

right got it all sorted out sizes wise, but ran out of MDF, just about to go to BnQ for more, then ill whack it all togerther and photos tonight.

Proboaly an update aswell.

[argylefan1985]

woohoo cant wait hurry up!! *Shakes fist in mr burns like manner*

[Salmon1]

Basic Structure Complete, looking amazing. **After 6hours work today**

Perfect Angles for sub fitting etc...

Still to do-

Work out Box sizes needed for sub and fit "splitters" inside accordingly

Sand it all Done smooth.

Fit 3mm Foam, Cover it in leather (well fake leather).

I'll leave you with this to wet your appetite-

http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/7633/picture147xb1.jpg

[Jonny_H]

looking good mate... hope you have thought about adding the foam and leather before doing your measurements or you might have to sand quite alot down to make it fit, as the leather and foam add to the total size.

also as prev qouted ... a few cubic feet will make a massive diff.

[Salmon1]

yes everything taken into account.

I think it gives roughly 4cubic feet, and only 1.8cubic feet are needed for my subs.

So i'll be adding in the splitters.

[argylefan1985]

looking good mate, is it very easy to fit in?
More pics needed!

[Josh_Phipps]

Looking gd m8, How long have you spent on it so far?

[l1ukeRS]

fill it with padding inside the box then it will be fine, like the stuff in teddy bears or quilts etc

[Connor_scotland]

looks really good mate

[Scott]

fill it with padding inside the box then it will be fine, like the stuff in teddy bears or quilts etc

the box is already to big, if he uses wadding it will just make the enclosure larger so wont help at all in this situation

[Salmon1]

it is no problem to make the correct size boxes.

I'll add it into the how to.

Now im about to Edit the how to over the next hour. please be patient.

Thanks

[Salmon1]

Update

[Predator_R32]

nice mate getting there eventually, just hope that nothing rattles on the boot lol, i had big problems with rattling, but am just gonna move the boot catch so it closes tighter, you have your boot flushed so probablies wont do it lol anyway get some pics up once finished

[Salmon1]

ordering 30square foot of dynamat so making sure there no rattles.

One thing, should i drill throught the chassis and bolt it to chassis???

[Predator_R32]

the actual install, would it be for security reasons mate, if so i would just incase just watch you dont drill into anything you shouldnt, then use rubber washers on the bolts for a water tight seal and also silicone round them from underneath

[Salmon1]

no its to stop it rattling and moving

security aint an issue tbh.

[flee123]

dude, that construction that you have just built wont be easy to shift arond your boot. use large velcro strips mate. thats what i doen and mine hasnt moved and its pretty hefty all together.

[flee123]

oh and i reckon yoour install looks sweet dude and well done onmaking a pretty good thread. your install is spot on for a beginner mate, id be well chuffed, well done

[sy_VTR]

youve just given me an idea, for my own build, much appreciated! got mine all sussed now, couldnt suss out how i was going to have it looking, but i got it now!! cheers pal,

[Goddy]

dont know where the petrol tank is in saxo.. but be careful you dont hit that or anything else important :)

[Salmon1]

no probs buddy, if u found it helpful say thanks ;)

iv decided on velcroing it down as the wieght of the build itself should hold.

[argylefan1985]

yeah sticky backed velcro works a treat for most things, it holds my chequred metal plates down in the front of my car :D

[Scott]

velcro will not do a shit if you have a head on at 40mph, the weight of the build will only serve to properl it forward with even greater force, think of a baby elephant burtling through the back seats towards your head. Bolt it down

[liam_b]

but isnt it ok if its against the back seat as it shouldnt be able to build up enough force do brake thru the seat and go thru the car? as i remember seeing a programe about it ages ago and thay put a tool box as far back as thay could so it shot foward and went thru the seats?

[Scott]

back seats wont hold it

[l1ukeRS]

looking good mate whens it gona be finished?

carpet underlay is sposed to be as good as dynomat and its miles cheaper just a thought lol

[Salmon1]

When will it be finsihed??

Well ALL ICE equipment will be here by Tuesday 7th november.

So I cant see why EVERYTHING wont be ready and installed by 10th November.

As for actual enclosure, Ill be finished it this weekend.

[argylefan1985]

Piccccccssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!

[Salmon1]

just spent the evening on it and everything is reayd to be put together, sanded down, covered.

BUT cant do so until Tuesday when Amp, component amp and Other Sub arrive.

As i cant decide whether to have my alpine amp on show or to have all amps hidden.

Also need to order some leatherette.

[Jaytee]

but isnt it ok if its against the back seat as it shouldnt be able to build up enough force do brake thru the seat and go thru the car? as i remember seeing a programe about it ages ago and thay put a tool box as far back as thay could so it shot foward and went thru the seats?

there was a thing on fifth gear a while ago which showed how badly rear seats hold up in accidents with heavy items in boot. a tool box in the boot went straight through the seats bent all the metal and everything. il try to find a link.

anyway back on topic nice guide mate your doing well with it by the looks of things. cant wait to see it when its finished.

[Salmon1]

Cheers guys, yeh it finally came together last night, ill order my amp etcc tongiht.

then once it all arrives will finish of the build in between driving :D. 17 on thursday.

Need to order leatherette tonight and dynamat aswell.

[Connor_scotland]

good man

looks good mate

[l1ukeRS]

u finished this yet?