Did my searching and did not find much at the detail I wanted...

I'm trying to gauge whether or not trying to do a custom trunk by myself is feasible.

One basic question I had was how do you prevent whatever (mdf, 2x4s, plywood) is hitting the actual bare metal of the car (under trunk liner) from moving around? Glue? Velcro? Bolt it to car?

The main issue I have with my box in their now is that it slides around (yes it moves the trunk liner with it) and it always hits the roof of the trunk when going over bumps. Its currently velcroed down to the carpet without much help (did not have a problem with a smaller box, and dont plan on buying another box).

Secondly, what tools? I'm guessing a good drill w/bits, circular saw, and jigsaw should do the trick for mdf/plywood/2x4s and the alike, right?

Things I want:

1) Something to mount 3 amps (in open view if not overbearing, can be hidden)
2) Something to prevent box from sliding
3) Enclosure pushed all the way back to the back seats to maximize space.

Thanks in advance!

 

awesome

 

how custom are you thinking? any fiberglass? or are you just talking about building a box? Or are you trying to make a custom trunk w/ the box you have?

is your box carpeted? I've never really had a problem with boxes sliding around unless it had a completely flat bottom that was uncarpeted. I've had downfiring boxes with 'feet' that never slid and none of my carpeted boxes ever slid. Maybe if you put on some feet/spikes, to put the pressure on smaller points. But don't make it too tall to the point it could tip. Maybe even just half an inch or something to get most of the weight on the feet. or is your actual trunk lining sliding? or is your box on the bare metal? Sorry I'm just a bit confused.

Maybe a picture of your current set up would help, or at least a description of what you are running. I can't imagine a box being able to fly high enough to hit the top of the trunk.
What kind of car do you drive? If your box can't slide all the way against the back seats, then I guess it's possible, since near the seats it usually gets shorter and can be kinda held down at the very back of the trunk if that makes sense.

what would you be using 2X4's for?

as far as tools.
the easiest tool for making a box/straight cuts would be a table saw. A circular saw will work though, just won't turn out as nice, unless you spend a long time with a tool guide and stuff. A jigsaw is a good all around tool, and good for making beauty boards and could use it to cut out larger circular holes (like for subs), and if you got a decently steady hand and a good sander, you could probably get away with just using a jigsaw for your straight cuts. A router would probably be the best for cutting circular holes, flush mounting subs, making baffles. And a good drill I guess for a few screws. Might want some clamps maybe. I could probably make a really ugly box w/ just a jigsaw and some glue. Plus carpet hides a lot of rough cuts anyways.

here's a basic guide to building a box put together by ED:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb_hhu6nTX0

for mounting the amps, you really need to say how big they are. I've ran 3 memphis amps in the past in a tiny corner of the trunk because they are so small. As far as normal sized amps, you could mount to the box, but people have some concerns with this due to vibrations and it's easy to swipe. How about building a false floor and mount the amps there. I've always like putting amps under the front seats, but with 3 amps, you'd probably want to have them together.

here's how I did my 'custom' set up like a year ago with limited tools (almost exclusively with a jigsaw, but was able to do a few cuts on the box that you can't see with a table saw at a friend's house) and all wood.
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...3/IMG_5025.jpg
http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j1...3/IMG_5027.jpg
worked well enough, but I sold the amps and tore everything out in after like a month, cause I needed money . I really need to start my next install

sorry if that was too long, and just answered your questions with more questions

 

so i used to have a much smaller box (altrend i think was the brand -- smaller footprint, height and volume) that held 2 x 12s in it. I sold the box when I moved and just picked one up at bestbuy which does not slide back anymore and is very tall. my rear suspension is really stiff so whenever i hit a small bump it picks up the carpet which i've bolted the box to and hit the top of the trunk lid (but more like the area right under the stock subwoofer location).

I plan on using mdf, wood, and plexiglass -- no fiberglass. so far i've stripped everything out of my trunk and i'm using the 2x3s or 2x4s to build a frame that 1) my subwoofer box will sit atop, 2) my amp rack will sit atop. this also allows me to run a lot more cabling under the wood frame instead of under the carpet. when i'm done, i'll carpet everything up.

the footprints of the amps are 10x13, 10x10, and 10x10. i've borrowed a drill and a circular saw. i've been cutting MDF and trimmed down the box using the circular saw and template to make sure my cuts are straight. i think i'm going to invert the subs now that i think about it -- i like the look and it will allow me to use a smaller box as it will be firing into it and not into free air. starred at the trunk for a bit trying to figure out how i'm going to build this riser/frame that everything will bolt down to...the trunk is uneven in quite a few places so i'll have to start getting crafty lol