I previously posted a writeup on changing out my sound system in my 2013 Sahara. Unfortunately as everyone knows, you are not able to order a car without a soundsystem and the Sahara comes with the “upgraded” Alpine system. Audiofile is a bit too strong to describe me, but I am definitely a stereo guy that messes with my home theater and my car stereos quite a bit in search of the best sound possible.

Originally I switched out everything in my Jeep with the following configuration:
Kenwood X996 Single DIN Head Unit
Rockford Fosgate PBR300x4 Amp for main 4 speakers
Rockford Fosgate PBR300x1 Amp for Sub
Focal SG165A1 6 ¾” Component speakers for front
Focal 165CA1 6 ¾” coax speakers for sound bar
Rockford Fosgate P3 SD210 10” Subwoofer

Some of the specifics of what I did that was customized:

Amps were located in the factory location once I removed the Alpine amp.


Fiberglassed and dynamatted the front speaker pods to stiffen them up.


Fiberglass reinforced, partitioned, Dynamatted and stuffed the soundbar to handle the higher sound output and additional bass.



Built a custom 10” subwoofer enclosure over the existing Stock subwoofer enclosure.


The system sounded great, especially with the top hard top on. Tons of bass, but once I took the top off, the bass disappeared so I knew I had to come up with something different. Also, I didn’t think I wanted a touch screen stereo but after my wife getting a new car I decided I wanted one too. I planned to build my iPad Mini into my dash, but then I would always have to remember to bring my iPad with me.

 

After some research and planning I decided on the following:

1) I would change my head unit to a touchscreen but it had to have a detachable face, flexible EQ and 4v outputs. Of course it would need iPhone control and Bluetooth. I didn’t care about Nav since they are never as good as what you can get on your phone.
2) I decided to move my 10” sub from the rear corner of the Jeep to under the drivers seat since there is quite a bit of room there. My theory was that not only would the bass be closer to me, but because it was under the seat I would feel the bass too. I figured this was especially important when the top was completely off and I was driving down the highway.
3) While I was at it, I figured I would add a second 10” sub under the passenger seat to balance out the bass. That means I needed a third amp to power this sub.

My new configuration looks like this:
Pioneer AVH-8500BHS
Rockford Fosgate PBR300x4 Amp for main 4 speakers
Rockford Fosgate PBR300x1 Amp for Sub for driver side
Rockford Fosgate PBR300x1 Amp for Sub for passenger side
Focal SG165A1 6 ¾” Component speakers for front
Focal 165CA1 6 ¾” coax speakers for sound bar
Rockford Fosgate P3 SD210 10” Subwoofer for drivers side
Rockford Fosgate P3 SD210 10” Subwoofer for passenger side

To pull this off, I replaced the head unit. It was really easy because everything was prewired from my previous head unit. I did have to put splitters on the subwoofer output on the head unit to go to two different amps, one for each sub. While I was at it I connected the factory USB wire into the new head unit so I could plug in devices in my center console when needed.

I also put in a backup camera and mounted it in the center of my spare tire.


I left the original two amps in the stock location under the dash. I put the third amplifier behind the glove box up inside the dash. I build a bracket so that it was secured and fit perfectly. I gives plenty of circulation for cooling.

 

I built two custom sub boxes for under the seats. To do so, I pulled the seats, and pulled up the carpet under the seats. I laid down tape and tin foil to protect the floor and the surrounding trim pieces. I then started laying down resin and fiberglass mat until I has a good ¼- ½ inches of base. Then I built a box around the seat brackets taking into account that I needed between .4 cu ft and .5 cu ft to get the right volume for the subs. You will notice that the box extends beyond the sides of the seats, but slopes into the surrounding trim pieces so it looks stealth. Once I had the sub boxes built, I covered them in carpet to match the interior. Stuffed the boxes with polyfill and installed the subs. I put down dynamat and an1/8” layer of acoustic foam between the boxes and the floor and put the seats back in.


The new system is absolutely beyond what I expected. With 600 watts of bass directly below my seats, I don’t have to overdrive the subs to get the effect I need. I not only hear the bass with the top off, I feel it too. And since it is very localized, I don’t need to have it up loud and booming so you can’t hear me coming down the street from a block away. Very worth the extra time and effort to make this work.

 

Are you looking to make and sell the boxes you've made for under the seats??

 

I might be, they were a ton of work but well worth it. PM me.

 

That's awesome I would like to get a couple boxes from you.

 

What size speaker? That's the only thing a out the jeep? Can't "feel" the music.

 

10" Rockford Fosgate P3 subs

 

I would also like a box! Passenger side, let me know how much :-)

 

Might also be interested pm wondering price and if you will ship