In-cab storage ideas (overhead/platforms/racks/hilift/etc)

Anybody got any input on whether it would be a good/bad idea to mount my subs flush on the front panel of the box like this? Would be using the 3/4" sheet for the front. Probly 1/2" for the top piece. I won't be using these plastic lids tho. Probly the whole top piece as a lid. Idk yet.




I have a feeling it's not gonna work very well.. But thinking it might actually work ok if done right.. I'm not very experienced with subs and my understanding of enclosures and functionality is limited. I was thinking it may be bad since its gonna be kinda free mounted as it won't be sealed. But maybe it will work if I carpet the inside and use some dynamat or whatever and somewhat close up all the seams. Of course the lid will be an issue. Thinking I could use some foam around the lip, and a clamping lasp to clamp the lid down tight.. Idk. I guess I could try it and if nothing else, I'll just get another sheet of plywood and redo the front. Should be easy and cheap to fix that way.

I'm mostly wondering if it would actually be bad for the sub, let alone whether or not it would definitely sound like shit, or worth a shot.. Idk how dependent the sub is to functioning properly in an enclosure, if it would damage it or anything. As I see they make subs specifically for free air mounting. If it still ends up sounding fairly good, even not being the best suited for the subs, I'll live. As long as i get to retain all the space. Idk what the hell ima do if not. Mount the box I have now on the top of the storage I guess. Ha.
@Hp4Play

Edit: oh and I only have the single 12" atm. But if this will work, I'll get a second for the other side..

 

Well, with my limited skill set, it's gonna be pretty much exact to the one I've been listing. I wished I could make something more fancy. Been trying to get other ideas. I see all kinds of awesome stuff on Google people have done. But it's a LOT of work. Took me all day to do that back panel. Half of it was driving around shopping though. Ha. I had like zero tools. Had a $200 shopping spree at harbor freight Ha. Got a jigsaw and circular saw, among lots of other stuff. Spent Probly $100 on wood, carpet, and hardware as well. And a lil more to go yet. Pretty much at the point where I don't wanna spend much more. Also ordered those 4xrac mounts that I WAS gonna use for the jack, but decided to use those board pieces and hardware instead which cost like, $15, compared to $43 iirc for the jack mounts, which I'll be returning..

Anyways.. I'm more looking forward to doing an overhead console! I'm hoping I can pull it off. Ha. With just a jigsaw and circular saw, I'm not very optimistic in the extent of quality. That jigsaw kinda sucks! Idk if it's me, or the jigsaw, or if they suck in general. Lol. I think I need a router tho. Ha.

 

Welp, that ruined my day. That's what you get with cheap harbor freight stuff guys. Ha. 2nd use out of this, just as I was starting back on this, and the shaft falls out. Fuck me. Had all great reviews too and worked real nice at first. Thought I got a good deal... Now I gotta drive back which is at least an hour long trip. And that's what I get for living in the boonies too. Sigh oh well. Maybe I'll still have time to get it done today. Got other stuff to do. Otherwise it's waiting till next week.
Anyone got some suggestions on a good 1/2 drill that won't cost me an arm and a leg? I rarely use one so I don't need one that's gonna cost me $100 plus.

 

this drill has always treated me well:http://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-2...-Cordless-Drill-Driver-Kit-DCD771C2/204279858

 

Sub, I'll post pics too

 

Heres mine in the double cab.

 

Ouch. Guess its be worth it tho. How long do the batteries last before needing replaced? I see those aren't cheap either..

 

Noice! I'm of the extra space and being able to have a drawer. I thought about not doing a lid, and closing it off, and having a drawer built on top, that can be slid out by declining the seats forward.. Idk. Kinda a pain that way.

 

I just threw this box in the backseat. I am going to make one about half the height size with a locking lid.

 

it appears cheaper to re-buy the entire drill that comes with two batteries then just buying the dual battery pack

I've had mine just under a year, can't tell that they are losing any steam. I try and practice good charging habits (not leaving the batteries on the charger for excessive periods of time; using until the battery is completely drained before charging.. etc.)

 

I think the big issue you'll run into with the sub is sound deadening. That's a lot of non-engineered space behind it. If you could close it up behind the driver you'd probably be OK.

...Drill wise, look up the Milwaukee M12 line. Super versatile. Despite being 12v it's got plenty of power, and you'll have a tool that will last forever. You can always add on to your collection. Drill is $99.

 

I'm actually considering selling mine

 

Hm. Yeah that's what I was thinking. Sound deadening/sealing all the edges as best I can. I almost think it might work to the small cabs benefit. My ported box sounds like shit with the Windows up. Rolling them down it sounds perfect. Idk. And like I mentioned before, if I did an enclosed bottom, I wouldn't make it as high as I would with storage. Then I could do a box/drawer setup on the top of it. Yeah, that sounds like the route I wanna go now that I think about it. Ha. Maybe I won't even have to take out the factory storage box at that point. Leave all the factory carpet there so it helps seal it. And make sure all my bottom angles are good to have a tight seal to the floor.

Gotta figure out my drawer setup now then. Maybe two drawers one for driver side access and one for passenger side access. I could even put some some smaller boxes with easier access on top of that against the wing Windows. Like this:

 

Lil more progress. Almost ready for carpet. Just gotta drill the big holes for the jack securing bolts to go through.

 

This looks awesome! Keep up the work.

 

So here's the hole I drilled for that stud. Sits flush all the way across now.

 

Welp, drilled my holes, but ran into an issue. Didn't think this step thru enough. Ha. The nuts are preventing the jack from sitting flush on he board. Lol. So I gotta hole saw out some holes for the large washers and nuts to sit flush on the bottom. Did a little test piece. I'm learning. Lol.

 

Well at least if others go this route in the future, all the small details/issues will be out there to make it easier. Looking forward to the final product. Not sure if I missed it, but are gonna paint or carpet it?

 

Lol. True..
And, carpet it. Also might try doing some raised logos under the carpet. An old friend of mine did a custom center console for his el camino a while back, and used some high density foam cut into a design and laid that under the carpet so it made a raised design. Was pretty cool. Thinking of doing TRD logos. Or 'tacoma', or Toyota symbol. Idk. Not sure how well it'll show with my dark fabric tho, but will try it out.