Factory sub-woofer...

[Hipee]

Hey all. I am in the process of replacing my factory plastic center console with a Tuffy model, and was considering the one that can accept the sub-woofer. My jeep didn't come with the factory sub-woofer option, so I started calling around town to see if anyone could get one. Nobody could get one. They all told me to contact the Jeep stealership, which I did. Jeep wanted $800 for it - not installed. No way! Too rich for my ears. So does anyone here know of an aftermarket replacement or an alternative solution?

Thanks.

[Tomster]

Hip:

Try Crutchfield. They USED to have them, but not sure if they still do.

Tom

[Paul E]

Don't even bother with a factory sub.

I have the Tuffy console with sub option. I have a Kicker 8" sub in there just fine. Another guy I know has JL Audio 8" sub. I got mine in Bakersfield, CA. They mounted it in the console after dynamatting it (they were already doing a headunit and double amp installation). I finished the security part of it once I got home.

Took about 45 minutes to an hour to get it all in and looking the way I wanted it to.

[Hipee]

Paul -
So you had them mount a JL Audio 8" subwoofer in the Tuffy console in the speaker section? You didn't lose any of your storage space? What did the sub run ya? An amp is required to run it, right? I might go that route. Lay the details on me if you can.

Thanks.

[Hipee]

Okay guys, I order this: http://www.tuffyproducts.com/consoles/tj/055.html

Once it arrives I will go down to my local stereo shop and have them rape me for a sub-woofer and 125w amp.

Thanks for the help.

[Paul E]

Hipee,

I went the Kicker route. I went to Oklahoma State and got a chance to meet some of the folks that run Stillwater Designs and Kicker. I like their stuff. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif I had an 8" Kicker put in. Since having this done, I've learned a LOT about the Jeep and stuff, so if I did it again, I'd probably buy the parts and do it myself. Wiring an amp to an aftermarket head unit with RCA's then running the speaker wiring to the speakers is quite easy.

The Kicker installation was easy. They put a spacer between the speaker and the wall of the enclosure to reduce vibes. They also dynamatted the interior enclosure space. This space is totally inaccessible once that part of the console is installed. Getting it off will be a PITA too. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif The enclosure does NOT go all the way to the lid. There is about 2-3" of space between the top lip and the storage area, perfect for a face plate, sunglasses, etc... BUT there is also a depressed area in this storage area that is perfect for holding CD's (with the long edge down). It can hold about 8-9 CD's? with regular cases no problem. When I carried CD's in the Jeep (I have XM now and don't mess with many CD's), I could carry about 9 CD's, store the face plate, put my Leatherman in there, sunglasses, and a couple of other things. I've thought about dynamatting the storage area as when the sub is pumping, stuff in there can rattle... kinda annoying.

My setup is this:
Alpine CDA-9827 Head unit with XM
Kicker amp (forgot wattage) running front MB Quart 5.25's and Kicker 6x9's in the soundbar
Dedicated Alpine V700 amp running Kicker 8" sub

I forgot how much the speaker was, but I got a great deal on it and I got the MBQuart's at the same time (I blew out the Earthquake 4x6's in the front. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif)

You could probably do a single amp setup and do some kind of crossover, but I have NO clue on how to do THAT. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif I wanted my bass, but not overpoweringly so, and I wanted clean sound from the other speakers so went with the double setup. I'd LIKE to get some kind of Tuffy underseat drawer thing and hopefully mount the amps in it for some additional security and water protection.

[BillM]

Sounds like a good setup. I have personally always liked Kicker's. But I like JL Audio also. Hipee, I would not waste my time and money on a 125 watt amp for a sub. I have a 100 watt running the sub in my DD Protege 5 and you cannot even feel it. Of course it is Pioneer but still. Kenwood makes this cool little sub amp. It is a no frills kinda thing. Mono amp for one 8 or 10" sub in a small enclosure. I have put this setup in an Acura Integra and it will simply drowned out the other speakers if you have the gain too high. Kenwood sub 10", Kenwood Amp, and enclosure was not even $300 installed. No way you would need anything more than this in a Wrangler. Just my .02.

[Hipee]

NEED HELP guys...

My Tuffy Rear Half Speaker Console (#055) came in today. So far I am not happy. After reading the directions I've come to the conclusion that I am missing some parts I may seriously need. In the directions is states:

Step 6. Remove the factory console with the speaker box but leave the front shifter console in place.

Here's my first problem. I have a 2003 TJ with the full factory console - no sub woofer though. I don't have a "speaker box" - that I'm aware of. It says to mount the new bracket to the old bracket (I don't have this) and mount that to the factory holes then mount the console over the speaker box (again, I don't have this stuff). Think a stereo shop will be able to mount the 8" sub in there without this stuff? How will I manage to mount it to the jeep without the speaker box and factory mounting bracket? Will I need to purchase these from my local jeep stealership?

My second problem: I see what you mean by trying to fit stuff in the Tuffy one. Man that storage space is small....I can carry more stuff in my pants pockets. I desperatly need the storage space. I am a member of my local CERT team and carry/keep a lot of equipment in my jeep for disaster/rescue operations. I don't have a rear cargo box or other storage yet. When I opened that Tuffy console up and saw the "storage" space I about threw it out the window.

So far my luck with Tuffy products hasn't been good.

Paul, did you have the factory console and sub in your TJ before purchasing the Tuffy one? If not, then how did you mount your console (or do you have a different model?)?

Back to the amp thing, so BillM you're saying NOT to get the 125w amp? I don't want the bass to drown out my other speakers (which are factory) but I want enough bass to make it worth all the money. Paul, how is your amp/sub setup? Sound good? What wattage amp are you running?

Thanks for bearing with me guys.

[BillM]

Well I know the factory amp/sub in my Mazda is no better than a set of 6x9 and some 4x6's in a chevy. Just enough depth to keep it from sounding tiny. But you can always turn the gain on the amp down if it is a lil too high for your stock speakers. But then if you upgrade those then you have enough for the sub to pump it up a bit.

[Paul E]

I did have a console in mine, but it was the small elcheapo one that only had a cup holder... nothing at all around the brake lever.

The sub mounted just fine in the Tuffy. Once I had things where I wanted them for the console, I broke out the power drill and drilled holes in the tub. All the mounting bolts (except for around the shifter lever if you got the full size one) will go through the floor. It can be a PITA to get in, so having some help would be good. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

As for amperage... you HAD to ask on the one day I didn't drive it to work. I think the sub amp is 350W, but I'm not sure, but it is from Alpine. The Kicker amp is one of the older, hotter 4 channel amps, but it was only about 300W total.

For the setup I have, I LOVE how it sounds! Very crisp and clean, especially for in a Jeep. I can hear it above the wind and highway noise when the top/doors are off, without distortion.

[Hipee]

So Paul, how did you go about mounting your sub into your Tuffy Speaker console and how did you mount the console to your tub?

I take it you bought the full length Tuffy console? Does that have a solid bottom on it? The Tuffy Speaker Console doesn't....it's hollow. It's designed for the console to fit OVER top the factory speaker box.

Sorry for all the questions.