Mounting Amp

brandon_guzzo · June 7, 2010

So i went out on a limb and bought an amp (Power Acoustik 800 Wattts), 10 Inch sub and wiring kit. I have one question how and where can i mount the amp. Under the seat? How would i do that. Also i only have 9 inches behind my seat and the amp is 13 inches wide. Thanks for the responses and i dont think i can put it under the driver seat cause there wiring and stuff under it. So would the passanger seat work.

Thanks

Brandon

SavageNFS · June 7, 2010

When you say you have 9" behind the seat are you saying flat or against the back wall of the cab vertically? I would mount it vertically behind on the rear cab wall. You have a regular cab, so you must mean vertically. Do you have a center console? You could modify that as well, just make sure it is well vented. You could easily mount it under the seat as well. I usually make some sort of mounting modifications. If the floor is uneven I make spacers to make it level and secure it to the floor. If you drill through the floor of the truck, use a stainless bolt with fender washer underneath the body with some RTV silicone to seal it up and prevent rust. Be careful not to drill into anything underneath as well. Zip ties work well to keep the wiring organized, but not to secure the amp in place. You probably know that, but I have seen it done and have seen them launch in a hard stop or off-road driving. Ideally, if you mount it on the floor under a seat, try and get an airspace under the amp as well as on top. It makes a world of a difference getting a little air space under the amp to keep it cool. Just make sure it doesn't interfere with the travel of the seat.

brandon_guzzo · June 7, 2010

Thanks for the fast response my only concern is if i were to mount it to the cab wall on the back from the looks of it it seems it would go right through the metal of the cab to the outside. Also if i were to mount it under the seat would it be wise to put it on some very thin ply-wood so that there is a small air gap and so its not directly on carpet. Also im new to this will the amp automatically shut off or do you have to do it manually every time. Thanks again

Brandon

SavageNFS · June 7, 2010

Thanks for the fast response my only concern is if i were to mount it to the cab wall on the back from the looks of it it seems it would go right through the metal of the cab to the outside. Also if i were to mount it under the seat would it be wise to put it on some very thin ply-wood so that there is a small air gap and so its not directly on carpet. Also im new to this will the amp automatically shut off or do you have to do it manually every time. Thanks again

Brandon

don't use a piece of plywood...at least I wouldn't. Go to a hardware store and go to the bins where they keep the specialty hardware (like stainless, brass and chrome stuff). In there you will 1/2" tall spacers that are around 1/2" diameter as well with a 1/4" hole in the center. They are perfect to space an amp for. They are cheap and you will likely find chrome or stainless ones. You can paint them or whatever color you want to really blend them away. They leave about a 1/4" space under the amp and are barely visible.

Do you have a factory radio or aftermarket? If you have a factory radio, you will need a factory integration module that taps the stereo speaker outputs to RCA's to send to the amp as well as provide an AMP Remote Wire (usually blue) to automatically turn on the amp for you when the radio is turned on. There is another thread like this one that I spoke about it. If you have a factory head unit, go to Crutchfield, enter your truck info and see what factory integration module they tell you will work. Then shop the net to find the best deal. I like the JL Audio Cleansweep, but it is a little more expensive than some of the other models. Anything Crutchfield says will work with your head unit will be fine. Any more questions, let me know.

brandon_guzzo · June 7, 2010

Thanks I will have to go and get the spacers you are talking about. They sound better than ugly plywood. Also I have an aftermarket unit.

Brandon

SavageNFS · June 7, 2010

I snapped a pic off my phone of what I am talking about. They come in different sizes. The 1/2" depth seems to work pretty good with the automotive carpet. 3/4" would work fine too.

brandon_guzzo · June 7, 2010

Thanks allot for the fast responses.

Brandon

brandon_guzzo · June 7, 2010

One last question when wiring the amp to the aftermarket head unit how does the remote in hook up is there a connector you have to buy or does it slip in?

Brandon

Sorry haha I found my manual for my stereo and it says blue wire with white strip. Thanks again for the quick responses

SavageNFS · June 7, 2010

One last question when wiring the amp to the aftermarket head unit how does the remote in hook up is there a connector you have to buy or does it slip in?

Brandon

Sorry haha I found my manual for my stereo and it says blue wire with white strip. Thanks again for the quick responses

that is it. Just make sure the wiring connections are solid. I hate crimp type connections personally, but they will work. Good luck and post a pic when you are done. One last few tips that you may already know...

1. Don't run your RCA's near your power or ground...you will get interference. Run them on opposite sides of the truck if possible or one down the center and one at the side of the truck.

2. It is best if the ground for the head unit and the amp are grounded at the same location. It isn't required by any means, but it does help when you start getting a lot of zap in your truck to keep the amp efficiency (which equates to cooling) in tune with the receiver.

No problem on the help. Plenty of people helped me along the way.