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Thread: 2010-2013 Mazda 3 Jack subwoofer enclosure (semi how to)

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    Default 2010-2013 Mazda 3 Jack subwoofer enclosure (semi how to)

    I haven't found any decent pics or write ups on how to do a jack subwoofer installations. At the very least, I'd like to provide my amateur skills and to show you what I have done on mine and to learn from my mistakes. As I am in the building phase currently this will be on going.

    So here we go....


    This is what I currently have in my car. A single 10" box that takes up about 1/4 of the usual trunk space.

    First thing I did was took out anything that was unnecessary. Anything in there has a potential to get resin on it or be an annoyancy. I kept the factory carpet/false floor in place while doing the build.

    First thing you have to do is take off the Jack door. I had to trim a few places (youll see when you look). Unfortunately later stage (aka my mistake), I should have taken it right to the lip removing all but the very most outer edge of the jack location. My subwoofer was too wide to fit the location but it also had a protective basket. To note, the stock jack location holds on estimate .65to.70L of space.

    Next was I used aluminum tape (1 roll) and I taped about 6" longer than necessary. The reason for this is you want the flattest parts to be on your actual fiberglass box. You will be trimming and shaping later. I taped 4 layers of aluminum tape in a cross hatch pattern in order to make sure there was no sepage into the carpet.



    Inside the jack area, you will want to clean the area with alcohol or a degreaser. I then used masking tape inside the jack/wheel well area. Youll see in the pic but from here, I continued and made my own surround with the aluminum tape. Again, making sure to have several layers to ensure it didnt leak and could withstand pressure from the fiberglass.



    At this time, you will need to protect everything. It may get messy! Use plastic to cover your seats, double tape all the seams etc. You may think its pointless but if you have resin on your hand or clothes and it gets on your paint or plastics it aint coming off. Next thing to do is use some wax and coat the aluminum foil to make it easier to remove your shell.

    Assuming you know how to fiberglass but if not, have plenty of pieces of 4"x2" and 2x2 strips. Any size shape as youll go through them. A helper is usually good as one person fiberglasses and if necessary a helper can bring more if need be. Again, youll want at least 4 layers here; nice and thick. you are aiming to have a 1/4" shell essentially you should be able to walk on it.



    After a day or so you should be able to pull it out without difficulty. Keep in mind it will be very tight. Just make sure it is dry.

    After some trimming, I was able to fit and secure it. Note the screw. I used an allen head screw, metal washer and rubber washer to hand screw it into place.


    At this time youll need to make the face of the box. I used both 1/2" MDF and 3/4" HDF to build up the face.




    the outside edges (except the base) are bevelled and the face and the base (of the face) and screwed and glued together. The face is 3/4"+ 1/2". This is strictly to protect the subwoofer.

    Hope to have at least some people inspired!

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    Default Re: 2010-2013 Mazda 3 Jack subwoofer enclosure (semi how to)

    Cant figure out how to edit...
    When you are fiberglassing though, once you get all your layers on there, youll want to use a fiberglass roller to get rid of any air bubbles

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    Newbie Jimjang's Avatar
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    Default Re: 2010-2013 Mazda 3 Jack subwoofer enclosure (semi how to)

    Great work. Let me know if you have any interest in making a clone for sale. I can't find any for sale. The guy on facebook has never responded to any of my requests.

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    Default Re: 2010-2013 Mazda 3 Jack subwoofer enclosure (semi how to)

    Quote Originally Posted by Jimjang View Post
    Great work. Let me know if you have any interest in making a clone for sale. I can't find any for sale. The guy on facebook has never responded to any of my requests.
    Assuming you are talking about Zoomboxes Jim. The other option i am aware of is Audiointegrations
    http://www.audiointegrations.net/cat...82/8254228.htm

    I have no comment on either of them. I chose to do this myself as I could build to the exact specifications I required for my sub and I could control the quality of it.
    There is one for sale and has been for the longest time in the audio classifieds. Bigger than mine that I am building.

    More pics will be followed shortly; had to flare out the sides of the box as the Hertz sub has a basket that wouldn't clear in a few places. Tomorrow, mounting the face plate, fleecing and resin.

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    Newbie Jimjang's Avatar
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    Default Re: 2010-2013 Mazda 3 Jack subwoofer enclosure (semi how to)

    Looking forward to more pictures of the final product. I will probably just do the same and build one myself.

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    Default Re: 2010-2013 Mazda 3 Jack subwoofer enclosure (semi how to)

    You can do it as can anyone else. It is just time consuming and messy. I'm trying to figure out how to edit the original post so i can put in more detail without luck.

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    Default Re: 2010-2013 Mazda 3 Jack subwoofer enclosure (semi how to)



    Todays update. Got the sides outlined, cut and mounted. Alot of finishing nails (screws were taken out).

    Hard to explain pics but pretty self explainatory. For the fleece wrap, we used a mixture of staples (which will be removed) and hot glue to wrap it. The last pic it is resined and awaiting to dry.
    Thats all for today folks. Gotta think if i want to wrap in carpet or not

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    Default Re: 2010-2013 Mazda 3 Jack subwoofer enclosure (semi how to)




    Next steps are pretty length....Cutting the access fleece. Removing staples. Sanding like no tomorrow and using body filler. Anything you can see or feel (valleys/mountains/divets etc.) Goal here is to get it smooth. Doesnt need to be perfect but needs to be good enough that when you carpet it it wont show through. I had to sand the inner ring as some resin got to the mounting ring area.

    I put in banana terminal binding post to my box for simplicity.

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    Default Re: 2010-2013 Mazda 3 Jack subwoofer enclosure (semi how to)

    Done.


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    Default Re: 2010-2013 Mazda 3 Jack subwoofer enclosure (semi how to)

    The carpet is matched to OEM but looks like it is very grey

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    Default Re: 2010-2013 Mazda 3 Jack subwoofer enclosure (semi how to)

    Nice work. It looks great.

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    Default Re: 2010-2013 Mazda 3 Jack subwoofer enclosure (semi how to)

    Thanks Jim....now get to work on yours

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    Default Re: 2010-2013 Mazda 3 Jack subwoofer enclosure (semi how to)

    I will 6mtsedan....I just need to be at home for a few days...too much travel at the moment.

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    Default Re: 2010-2013 Mazda 3 Jack subwoofer enclosure (semi how to)

    Updated the enclosure. Doubled the size (still using the jack space). Utilized the tie down screw spot. Enjoy

    https://i.imgur.com/UBFfnAp.jpg

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    Default Re: 2010-2013 Mazda 3 Jack subwoofer enclosure (semi how to)


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    Default Re: 2010-2013 Mazda 3 Jack subwoofer enclosure (semi how to)

    Very impressive Do you have pictures of the final product installed ?
    2010 Black Mazdaspeed 3 - Lightly modded

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    Default Re: 2010-2013 Mazda 3 Jack subwoofer enclosure (semi how to)

    Quote Originally Posted by S.F.W. View Post
    Very impressive Do you have pictures of the final product installed ?




    I misplaced the screws for the grill but you get the hint.

    Its completely molded now. Hard to tell from the pic but the hatch part follows the contour of the truck lid and the back follows the back of the seat. Its a minimum of 1/4" thick 6oz fiberglass. There is absolutely no airleaks in this.

    The trunk tray is all mdf. As you can see, section for the tire with a 22.5lb strut to hold it upright if need be. The "amp rack" has a hidden panel that is removable and is held on by magnets so that it doesnt rattle.

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    Default Re: 2010-2013 Mazda 3 Jack subwoofer enclosure (semi how to)

    Trunk pics



    Fiberglass so you can figure out how its molded in



    And Interior....




    This is my wifes car now.

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