Hello, I have a question regarding putting a sub in the med kit. I took out my med kit today to see if it is feasable to install two 8 inch low profile subs in the med kit. II have a Kenwood head unit, I think it says 4x45 watts? I was expecting to see an enclosed covering of some kind under the med kit protecting the gas tank or something. To my suprise there is a gaping hole all the way into the trunk the esact size of the med kit. I don't have any cutting to do as far as under the med kit. Only thing I can see needing to be done is to build a box to handle the speakers. I have read a number of post appearing to suggest that it is a difficult install because of the closeness of the gas tank to put subs in the med kit. My question is, my med kit is completely open and the gas tank must be behind the rear seat and out of the way. Would installing a sub in the med kit dangerous or is there some other reason people seem to have a problem doing it? It appears to me to be a matter of only the correct size subs and sub enclosure. By the way, I am only looking for good sound, I am not looking to blast my bowels out with base!! My baby is a 1985 190E. Any help, ideas and assistance greatly appreciated.

When I discussed the problem with the fuel tank being right below the medical kit I was talking about my '77 300D and applies to the 123 body style and any other body style with the same configuration. Other body styles, like yours, would appear to allow a box to be built under the medical kit.

For sub box design get the book entitled "How To Design and Install High Power Car Stereo" by Joe Pettitt a very excellent book which explains car stereo design/installation in everyday language with lots of pictures, making enclosures, how to do installs, etc., etc. Plus, it has very detailed technical info about sound and the car environment. My library has copies, and I've also seen it at the large bookstores where you can go and read it but not make copies. Another good source is Crutchfield's web site.

Why do you want to use two 8" subs when one 10" or perhaps 12" sub would be better?

Subwoofer frequencies are mono and only one sub is needed. When CD's were first introduced in the mid 1980's the music industry agreed that, among other issues, frequencies below 400 Hz are to be re-mastered as a mono signal for all recordings dating back to 1967 (when the first stereo recordings were first introduced). Unless you have tapes or CD-R's of mid 1980's or earlier recordings that you will play on your stereo, then one sub will fit your needs.

Also, if you are not looking for back breaking bass then a free air sub that does not require a box will fit your needs. It is a lot easier to mount where a medical kit is located (or at least where my med kit is located). Also, it has a neutral or more natural sound compared to some sub's mounted in boxes.

Also, unless your Kenwood has a built in crossover network with an amp for a sub then you will need another amp to drive your sub. Sub frequencies begin at about 100-125 Hz and lower - purists will say 60-75 Hz, but we're talking cars and not a room. Most separate amps come with a built in crossover or there are some requiring a separate crossover. Read my reply about this subject in the original thread about mounting a sub where the med. kit is for more info and the above mentioned sources.

Hope this helps.

Tom

__________________
America: Land of the Free!

1977 300D: 300,000+ miles

American Honda: Factory Trained Technician & Honor Grad.
Formerly:
Shop Foreman;
Technical Advisor to Am. Honda;
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Here is my 2 cents on this topic. I removed my rear seats and my rear deck. I used a razor blade to carefully remove the cardboard/jute backing from the first aid kit door (leaving only the acoustically transparent carpet). When all is said and done, you can not even tell there have been any mods to the first aid kit area.

I am waiting for a Infinity Basslink sub to arrive (small 10" sub enclosure with a passive radiator, built in 200 watt amp and accepts high level signal inputs), this unit will be mounted under the rear deck and fire up through the first aid kit opening. Simple install since this particular enclosure has mounting brackets for horizontal or vertical mounting. No compromise on trunk space and you can tap into the factory rear speaker wires for signal inputs. You do need to run at least a 8 guage power wire from your battery though.

I picked the Basslink up from Ebay for $234 shipped. It has not arrived yet so I can not comment on the sound. I have extensive pictures of my speaker/sub mods so far but have not put a web page together as of yet.

Hi and thank all of you for your responses. I was afraid that I was going to cause an explosion if I put the sub in the med kit. You guys have cleared that up for me and gave me some great ideas. Love to see how you guys did your install. If your like me, I still can't get my scanner or camera working right. I really pissed so I am going to step back for a minute ( turned into a month now) before I throw this crap into the street!! (just kidding about that though I am confused. Thanks again.

I got a dual 8" sub, where the med kit is.
I got it from Reus system and I got pretty decent bass.
If you are interested I can provide the contact info for you.

Hi, I would appreciate the info regarding the duel 8's in the med kit. Like to see your install if possible also. Thanks for the reply. Oh, please forgive me for leaving out some punctuation in my prior post. I always try not to misspell or leave out something but invariable, rushing, I do, sorry everyone!!