BillFitzmaurice.info

Next steps: develop a permanent solution to "strap" this sub in place, but be easily detachable. Right now I'm just using a ratchet strap attached to the seat frame. Ugly but functional. Also want to design and build a new under seat storage box to go under the double seat, since I had to remove the factory box that spans the whole width of the entire back seat to get the sub in.

Here's the design for the new under-seat storage box to replace the stock one. I might add some movable/removable dividers to better organize stuff.

Also, I can confidently confirm that this sub is teenager approved! My 19 year old and I jammed in the truck last night at near war volume for a short bit and they were impressed.

Little Christmas gift from the younger child:
Merry Christmas everyone!

Shane, your kid has a great sense of humor

Update on the overall system

I decided to bypass the factory amps and use two additional amps, one for the dash tweeters and one for the door speakers. I will not replace the speakers and will leave them stock. They sound pretty good for stock speakers. What I did want was control over the sound and a bit more headroom. I'm using the Dayton Audio DSP-408 to control the sound and output levels to each and every speaker as well as set crossovers.

After shaping the sound with the DSP's eq, this system seriously sounds high end! The highs are crisp, mids are warm, and the bass...oh the bass... Back in the day, I replaced the back seat of my F250 with a GIGANTIC sub box with 2 12's pushed by 1000w. This single 8" sub running on probably 1/10 the power has similar output to that monstrosity and is far more musical and accurate. The TAT hits my chest with midbass the way that other sub never could and digs deep. Real deep. Handles everything I throw at it with grace and effortlessness. I also don't run it anywhere near it's limit for normal listening.

I cut out a piece of scrap plywood for the amps to mount to and they sit perfectly under/behind the rear seat. Very discreet. You'd never know they were there unless I told you.

I think overall I spent about $1000 on this project which is fine for a pickup. Don't need to go super high end on the amps and speakers and stuff because all that extra would be lost as soon as the engine starts and I start rolling down the road. For a truck, this system is fine. Actually better than fine. It sounds damn good.

Pitchers:

Awesome!

I've used the DSP-408 in a couple of installs over the years and absolutely love it. Off brand drivers, no name amps, no problem. In the right hands and enough DSP, a pile of cow manure can be sculpted into a statue of David that even art critics would swear is the real thing. A friend of mine once paid a lot of money to a local car audio shop to put his system in. He was so proud to list off the brand names and how much he paid ($4k, IIRC), like a badge of honor. It had potential, but did not sound good. At all.

Boss amps, factory speakers, and an 8" sub... now, that's bragging rights right there.

Well done. Thanks for sharing the win!

Thanks y'all!

@seth Maybe DSP really stands for Delux S*** Polisher

shane2943 wrote: ↑Sat Feb 14, 2026 12:01 pm @seth Maybe DSP really stands for Delux S*** Polisher