Just wondering how many of you have a power amplifier mounted under a seat? I realize there isn't much clearance but I think it's much cleaner/trunk space friendly to install the amp under a seat. I want to be sure that I wont destroy the amp by overheating it in this location.

If you could provide your setup specs and/or pictures that would be really helpful too. I didn't post this in the Audio section because I'd like it to be Prelude specific. 4th gens preferred, but 5ths are welcome as well.

 

hey man i would put it under the seat it will b ok i did it

 

depends on how big it is..also take into account how often you access your back seat..both of mine are mounted in the trunk one on the side wall and the other on the back seat..i would love to put them under the seat but they're too big

 

I mount mine in the trunk on the back of the seat that flips down, that way I can flip it down and it would be at the climate controlled temp

 

yeah i have mine mounted to the back seats. so if i ever need to change the setting i can just flip it down from the back seat. and pop it back up.

 

you have to think if your amp will get hotter under your seat or in the trunk.

 

running an amp under the seat will eventually cause it to overheat on you, unless you only use it for 10 mins at a time........and it would be a huge hassle to change anything on the amp once its installed

 

In reply to those who have the amp mounted on the back of the flip down seat...

How are you attaching the amp to the seat, just some 1/2" screws anywhere or are there places that are more reinforced? I used to have my amp mounted on a peice of MDF that was screwed into the metal beam behind the stationary seat... but it caused my amp to stick out pretty far and caused me to lose some trunk space. I didn't think the back of the flip down seat was sturdy enough to hold an amp, but I guess I dont see why not.

The amp I have is only 2.2" thick, so it would probably fit pretty flush with the rest of the trunk panels if I put on the back of the flip down.

I'd like to see some close-up mounting pictures if you have them.

 

Under the seatm im going to have to say no to, unless you have some sort of cooling system for the amp. Ive had amps under the prelude seat before and they all had an over heating problem. The carpet doesnt help at all either.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MilanoLude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">In reply to those who have the amp mounted on the back of the flip down seat...

How are you attaching the amp to the seat, just some 1/2" screws anywhere or are there places that are more reinforced? I used to have my amp mounted on a peice of MDF that was screwed into the metal beam behind the stationary seat... but it caused my amp to stick out pretty far and caused me to lose some trunk space. I didn't think the back of the flip down seat was sturdy enough to hold an amp, but I guess I dont see why not.

The amp I have is only 2.2" thick, so it would probably fit pretty flush with the rest of the trunk panels if I put on the back of the flip down.

I'd like to see some close-up mounting pictures if you have them.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

i have 1/2" mdf screwed into the metal beams on the seat and the amp is mounted on that.

 

This might be too logical, but why not just mount the amp directly to the speaker box? If you want it hidden, mount to the side of the box that faces the back seat, that way it is accessible when the seat is flipped down. This method simply requires 4 screws and 90 seconds. Like I said, might be too logical.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Kronn 98SH &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">This might be too logical, but why not just mount the amp directly to the speaker box? If you want it hidden, mount to the side of the box that faces the back seat, that way it is accessible when the seat is flipped down. This method simply requires 4 screws and 90 seconds. Like I said, might be too logical.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Your idea is indeed too logical. The sub will be mounted in a fiberglass enclosure that conforms to the corner of the trunk. There is no side to mount an amp to.

I know there are many different ways to mount an amp, and it's not that difficult of a task. I just installed one under the seat of a friend's 4-runner and I thought it could be a good idea to save some trunk space. However the 4-runner has a lot more space under the seat than our preludes, so I wanted to confirm if it would work or not.

Sounds like the consesus is that it may overheat under the seat, which is what I figured anyway.

 

why dont u just make a little tray from the fiberglass enclosure, and sit the amp on that? (mount it with screws or something) clean install without wasting space or anything..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dagle &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">why dont u just make a little tray from the fiberglass enclosure, and sit the amp on that? (mount it with screws or something) clean install without wasting space or anything..</TD></TR></TABLE>

too logical


and as far as installing under the seat, it all depends on the amp. I had a 200 watt Jensen installed under the seat of my old Lude (I'm on my 3rd prelude), and it lasted for years, until we did an 80mph backflip together. At that point, the amp was no match for 300lbs of mud.

 

Amplifiers do not like all the vibration caused by the subs. Just mount it to the rear of the back seat like everyone else.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dagle &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">why dont u just make a little tray from the fiberglass enclosure, and sit the amp on that? (mount it with screws or something) clean install without wasting space or anything..</TD></TR></TABLE>
That is an option, but this is how I want it to look when I'm done. Simple and clean.

I will be mounting the amp to the backseat... eventhough I really wish it would be ok under the front seat.

Does anyone know how to remove the black plastic piece covering the back of the flip down seat? Does it pop off or is it attached with an adhesive?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EFz6er &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> it would be a huge hassle to change anything on the amp once its installed</TD></TR></TABLE>

I respectfully disagree with this statement. Changing-out a damaged amplifier would be quite simple if it were mounted underneath one of the front seats. Just simply temporarily disconnect the battery cables, remove the seat, disconnect the amplifier wiring from the terminals on the amplifier, replace the amplifier, replace the seat, and then reconnect the battery cables.

To the original poster: there is a user on preludepower.com that goes by the screen names of JLude. He has mounted an amplifier underneath his driver's-side front seat. If I am not mistaken, I belive that he has posted pictures of this on preludezone.com. You might try taking a look at that for more information.

I think that mounting an amplifier underneath one of the front seats would be alright. Overheating should not be an issue on a high-quality amplifier. If cleanliness is your main concern, I think that your best bet would be to fab-up a simple stand/mount/bracket out of MDF and cover it with a grey carpet to match the coloring of the trunk while mounting the amplifier in the trunk.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dagle &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">why dont u just make a little tray from the fiberglass enclosure, and sit the amp on that? (mount it with screws or something) clean install without wasting space or anything..</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's a pretty interesting idea. I'm surprised that more people have not mentioned that.

 

Here is how I did mine

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... and my amp, I wanted to make a cover for the wires, but I have never gotten around to it.

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Modified by BlueJdm at 9:03 PM 7/26/2008

 

Awesome, that's exactly what I'm looking for! I searched a long time on this site, preludepower, and cardomain to find a 4th gen with this kind of setup, but I didn't have much luck.

I pm'd you some questions.

 

purchase-

one can fix-a-flat

one 12v air pump

remove- your spare tire

then mount your amp down there with your air pump and a can of fix-a-flat.

taa da! a hidden amp thats easy to get to

 

this is my set up but unfortunetly i blew my speaker so this is my amp set up

 

behind back seat (trunk)... probably easiest

 

i had a 300 watt amp mounted on the back of my seat (1998 prelude). it worked out quite well. i would put the seat down most of the time so that the sub would sound better. and it also meant that i could have easy access to the controls.

i had no problems.

 

mine just as an idea haha

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28405491@N04/2658962836/