I've almost got everything I need to put my stereo system together, so now I'm creating a plan for mounting the two amplifiers. I will create actual plans with AutoCAD when I have it figured out, but for now I'm using Sketchup for conceptual 3d modeling.

I haven't built a car audio system in about a decade, and back then I didn't care how the installation looked. I would mount the amp straight to the speaker box or it would just sit loose somewhere, on the floor or behind the back seat. This time around I'm going to do a better job, and I'd like some creative input from others.

I have two amps with approximate dimensions of:

1'-3 1/2" long by 9 1/2" wide by 2 1/2" tall (2-channel for subs)
1'-1 1/2" long by 9 1/2" wide by 2 1/2" tall (4-channel for components)

(Notice they're the same size, except one is 2" shorter than the other)

I have a pre-built speaker box (with 1.8 cubic foot volume of air per chamber and 40" transmission line ports) for dual 12" subs that looks similar to this:



I modeled the exterior box dimensions exactly to scale. I found the subs in the Sketchup Warehouse, since I was too lazy to model those (the brand I'm using is different). The box dimensions are:

2'-8 3/4" wide by 1'-6" 3/4 deep by 1'-2" tall

The space in the back of the '99 2-door Tahoe is about 4-0" wide by 3'-0" deep. The add-on I'm building will match the width and height of the speaker box, so I have up to ~17" in depth to work with.

My idea is to build onto this box to mount the amps, component crossovers, and power distribution block. I have two 4' X 4' sheets of 5/8" thick MDF board and three 6'-0" long 3/4" by 1 1/2" (aka: 1x2) pieces of SYP wood (+ wood glue & misc. hardware). I intend to spray paint it flat black once it's built.

I had originally planned on mounting the two amps in a straight line, but after I modeled it I noticed they're too close to each other. I thought I'd try placing them at angles, like this:



...but they're still way too close. I can easily reach the adjustment knobs on one amp, but not the other (unless it's mounted upside down, but I want access to both sides anyway).

With some revisions, the first design that works looks like this:



I liked it at first, but then realized the lower amp is too enclosed and I am concerned about heat.

This is what I'm doing on the bottom, by the way, with the 1x2's:



This will give me room to route and hide the wiring.

My latest design, and my current choice, is this:



I think that's what I'll go with, unless a better idea comes my way. Any input is helpful and appreciated.