Stock 8" sub vs Aftermarket Setup

[AH64Medic]

Now before I get hit with the "comparing apples to oranges" I'm just asking for some subjective opinions. Here goes. The factory sub in my 00 NBS suburban starting sounded like crap although it never was that great. So I went to a local sound place and confirmed my sub was blown. I like a little boom in my truck and I listen to mostly country. I'm in Texas for training for 6 more weeks and then my wife is flying up here and we are gonna road trip home so I'd like to upgrade the sound system. I have new 6.5s for the doors on the way and plan a double din Pioneer install in a week or so. So here's the question.... Should or can I upgrade the factory subwoofer with a better 8" sub and amp or should I spend that money on a decent subwoofer, box and amp? I have 2 kids that I carry sometimes and I also use the third row bench. I was thinking a small box with maybe a 10 or 12" sub and amp. I'm not trying to win any awards but I'd like to add a little lows to the new speakers I ordered and to improve our 1200+ mile road trip home. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[coolchuck]

I would say upgrade the stock sub in the stock location. That way your space is availabe and you dont have to worry about moving a box when you need the 3rd row area....
now that I think about it more, you could go with a10inch box under the 2nd row, if you have a bench seat. That will give you more bump and still be out of the way.

 

[AH64Medic]

Hey thanks for the advice. I just finished swapping the rear bench for captains chairs today and thought about the possibility of having sub boxes mounted under each seat with a 10" sub and mounting an amp somewhere (perhaps under the center console). It's been quite a number of years since I've built a system from the ground up and I'm getting kinda excited about the possibilities. Since I am far away from home (garage and tools) I think I may just find two 10" subs that would work and mount them in a box behind the seat until I can get home and start working on a new design. I really just want some sound right now and for my road trip home with the wife. Thanks again for the idea. I'll be sure to post what I come up with.

 

[ccapehartusarmyINF.(ret)]

that stock jbl 8 inch sub is a piece of garbage at least swap it out with an aftermarket 8

 

[AH64Medic]

I decided to ditch the idea of replacing the stock sub for now. I went ahead and bought some 10" Rockford Fosgate subs and a box and mounted the amp on top. I just swapped out the bench seat for captains chairs so I'm going to see if I can have two boxes made to fit under each seat. Not sure where I'd mount the amp though. Since I don't have many tools this seemed like the easiest route for now and since I'm riding around with a set of Tahoe captains chairs I bought by mistake my cargo area is pretty full with those and the bench seat. If anyone has mounted subs under the captains chairs I'd love some info on them. Thanks for the help.

 

[coolchuck]

Never seen subs mounted under the captains chairs. I doubt your box will have the airspace. Maybe a Thundeform in the stock space. You can fit a 10inch sub into that. Look for one used on Craigslist or Ebay because they are stupid expensive new.

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[tjd3004]

Bringing up an old post here, but I always wondered if the Thunderforms would rattle. Seems to me it would since its mounted directly under the plastic trim.

 

[YukonXL04]

Nothing a little foam weather stripping couldn't handle.

 

[MRS.Z-56_Hoe]

Michael replaced mine with a 8" kicker and it sounds great

 

[coolchuck]

Bringing up an old post here, but I always wondered if the Thunderforms would rattle. Seems to me it would since its mounted directly under the plastic trim.

Nope, no rattles for me.