Amps that Fit Under Front Seats

[raton]

Just installed:
- Kenwood KDC-X792
- Boston Acoustic Pro60 components
- Boston Acoustic SX65 coaxials

I don't crank it up, but want a good amp that'll compliment the stuff I already have. The only thing is I'm looking for an amp that will fit under the front seats. I don't want to put it anywhere in cargo area or on rear seats. A local shop recommended the JL Audio HD 600/4, but its $800.

I'd be willing to get the HD 600/4 if it's a good idea....but are there any other alternatives?
Thanks.

[Ciggy]

I'm sure any small 4-channel amp will fit under the seat but, if it's a tight fit and it's touching the floor and the bottom of the seat it better have a fan installed or your gunna set your car on fire

[Ciggy]

Check out a Punch P450.4 it is fairly skinny just might be to long. Best bet is to have the installers measure the space first then find an amp that will fit and meet your needs.

[The Rickster]

The thinnest amp I've seen is 1-11/16 inches thick. Blaupunkt THA475PnP 75W x 4 car amplifier at Crutchfield.com Still don't know if it will fit. The Punch P450.5 is over 2 inches thick.

[CuTeBoi]

Why don't people iinstall the AMPS behind the dash?

Under the airbag on the passenger side there is plenty of air space. people should look into that.

[lilmaniac2]

Originally Posted by CuTeBoi

Why don't people iinstall the AMPS behind the dash?

Under the airbag on the passenger side there is plenty of air space. people should look into that.

very true, I have my xm tuner, video bypass and all the wiring for it hidden there with plenty of room to spare

[Fit_to_be_tied]

i doubt it would really happen but i wouldnt put anything around my airbag that wasnt supposed to be there in case it did something to cause it to go off on its own or not work at all, amps make quite a magnetic field.

[seeremlive]

Originally Posted by raton

...The only thing is I'm looking for an amp that will fit under the front seats.
Thanks.

Whatever you put under the seats, don't forget that the gas tank is down there. Look before you drill!

[Kyle is raaddd]

Originally Posted by seeremlive

Whatever you put under the seats, don't forget that the gas tank is down there. Look before you drill!

yeah that would definitely suck!

[BigBadMadMan]

I know there might have been pics of the space behind the dash possibly in an install thread. Anybody know where?

[raton]

Thanks for the replies. The Rockford looks affordable, but it probably won't fit under the seats. The Blaupunkd, JL Audio, and Alpines look like they'll fit under the seats.

• JL Audio HD600/4:..........fits........(*$799)...............10-3/4" W x 2" H x 7-7/8" D...150x4;300x2
• Sony XM-4S..................fits........(**$125)...............7-3/4" W x 1-3/4" H x 8-7/8" D...50/60x4
• Alpine PDX-5.............might fit.....(*$599,**$550)....10-3/16"W x 2-1/2"H x 8-3/8"D...75x4+300;150x2+300
• Alpine PDX-4.150.......might fit.....(*$700,**$420)....10-3/16"W x 2-1/2"H x 8-7/8"D...150x4;300x2
• Alpine PDX-4.100.......might fit.....(*500, **$330).....10-3/16"W x 2-1/2"H x 8-1/2"D...100x4;200x2
• Blaupunkt THA475PnP:...might fit..(*$349)...............11-1/4" W x 1-11/16" H x 7-1/4" D...75x4;180x2
• Rockford Fosgate Punch P450.4:....(*$199)...............16-7/16"W x 2-1/16" H x 11-1/8" D

* = Crutchfield.........** = SoniceElectronix

I mainly took the local shop's word for it that the JL (and I guess the Blaupunkd) would fit under the seat. I have no idea how they'd secure it. They said they've install stuff in Fits before. I wanna double-check w/ them.

I took some quick measurements of the space under the seats...both came out to:
(w) 13" x (h) ~2 1/2" (d) 7 1/2"

These measurements were w/ the Honda all-season mats. I'm guessing that if I install the amp under the seat....I won't be able to use the mats. Here's some pics:
(passenger side)

(driver side)


With the depth of 7 1/2 above...I don't think it'll be completely hidden. I dunno...

Also, is the gas tank under both seats? Here's a pick of the bare floor:


I also pulled the glove box (again) to double-check the space available in there...and I don't think the JL or Blaupunkt could fit in there. The glove box itself look like it'll take up most of the available space. Here's a pic:


*Note: I couldn't re-install the two 8mm screws under the glove box after I took them out tonight. Stupid screws wouldn't thread. Left 'em off for now. I need to Mcgyver something to get them to thread...or do something else. Frackin' screws!!!

Here's some pics of "under" the glove box (w/ and w/o plastic cover)




I'm gonna run some of these options by my local audio shop.

Thanks again for the help.

[ad lib]

I'm thinkin about ditching the spare tire and dumping some alpine or JL small class D amps in there.

[Fitting]

If the amps are fairly small and not heavy then you can use velcro to secure them to the carpet.

[mrwilli]

I used the Sony XM-4S 4CH amp, rated at 50 watts RMS per channel. Not my first choice by any means but it fit nicely under the rear of the drivers seat without issues. It measures roughly 8X8X1 3/4. I have all weather floormats and simply used a box cutter and trimmed around the amp. Came out looking very clean!

[raton]

Originally Posted by mrwilli1

I used the Sony XM-4S 4CH amp, rated at 50 watts RMS per channel. Not my first choice by any means but it fit nicely under the rear of the drivers seat without issues. It measures roughly 8X8X1 3/4. I have all weather floormats and simply used a box cutter and trimmed around the amp. Came out looking very clean!

That looks promising. Could you post (or PM) any pics of your install? Thanks!

[mrwilli]

I'll get them up tomorrow. Have to charge the camera battery...

[Sugarphreak]

What about the side panels in the back, I bet there is a ton of room behind them. That nifty little pocket on the passenger side is HUGE. Must be more space around it. You might have to get creative, but that is what it is all about

[raton]

I wish I were as creative as other folks out there. This is my 1st install. So far it's gone pretty smoothly, but I'm gonna leave the amp install for the local audio shop.

The main reason for the under-seat amp install is to preserve rear cargo space. Plus, I want to keep the spare tire...just in case.

hondaf1racing (below) used the pocket in the right-rear. The pocket itself measured:
- Depth = 3"
- Width = 6 1/2"
- Height (left side) = 7"
- Height (right side) = 8"

There's a bigger opening in the metal behind the pocket--about 3" more on the right-side of the pocket. Could be a candidate for a small amp....w/ some panel cutting and such.

[mrwilli]

Seat all the way back.....


Seat all the way forward...Hope this helps!