So I have a 2011 2-door base model w/o infinity system. I already put an Alpine CDA-117 head unit in. Now I'm looking at doing new speakers and an amp. I'm looking at either the Alpine PDX-5, or the JL Audio XD700/5. Looking at the installs under the dash, I'm wondering if that will work on an '11 since the dash is a little bit different. There definitely is not enough room under the back seat, and I'm not sure if it'll fit under one of the front seats. Anybody that has an '11 with aftermarket amp, where did you put your amp?

 

I'm somewhat in the same boat as you. My plan is to get a marine-grade amp (I'm also getting the tub lined. I have a bad habit of getting rained on.) and possibly put it under the drivers seat. But I'm definitely looking for alternate places as well.

 

Under passenger rear seat

 

I have a two door model, so I don't have that room under my back seat.

 

I have 2 Alpine's, one under each of the front seats. No issues have arsisen as of yet

 

When I had my CJ, I installed my amp in the bottom of the rear seat. I removed the seat covering and from there you can make up a bracket (or leave it hanging), run the wires and there you go! I did this for the fixed rear seat but I really can't see why this won't work with the folding seats as long as you make arrangements for the wiring to move and flex with the folding of the seats.

This way you can have your amp and hide it too and it will not be in your way. The only down side I can see is if you remove your rear seat, you may want to install a series of plugs to connect the wiring harness but that may defeat the reason for an amp.

 

I recommend that you don't put that Alpine amp in the location where the OEM Infinity amp goes....ie NOT under the steering column.

That Alpine amp is a Class-D amp. Class-D amps are known to cause interference with near by electronics. Others that have put class-D amps in that location have experienced TPS lights staying on and other electronic gremlin problems. You want to keep Class-D amps as far away from other computer type electronics as possible...there are multiple electronic modules under the steering column....so that's not a good location.

 

Im starting to shop around for an amp myself and decided to go into this car stereo shop I've passed several times. While their I played devils advocate and asked a ton of questions, one of which about amp location. The installer said he could fit a small amp like the Alpine PDX5 or the JL 700 in the center console, I immediately called BS on his suggestion. I took the guy out to the Jeep and showed him the center console and he swears to me that he did an install two weeks ago on a 2011 Wrangler and thats where he placed the amp. Don't know how true this is but it is a new idea none the less, bastard had me thinking about that all day long

 

I put mine on a peice of wood and put it to the bottom of my passager seat. Did it so it won't get wet when I have the door off.

 

I too took out my passenger seat and mounted underneath the seat. This way with the doors off and it happens to rain your amp stays dry.