Subwoofer Questions

[RockTheHouse]

Hi everyone, I'm new here.

So, I have a 2004 Tahoe LT with the Bose system (no subwoofer as far as I can tell) and the OnStar system (deactivated).
I currently have wired up a 12in Rockford Fosgate R1S412 & Boss Riot r1100m amp system, but I'm wanting to change it up. I want to take advantage of the cubby built for the Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade in the back, but I'm not 100% sure what would fit. I believe the stock woofer would've been an 8 inch, but I want to know if it's possible for a 10 inch to fit instead with minimal cutting to the plastic covering. I'm pretty sure my amp is up for the task so I won't change it out just yet.

1) I want to know if a 10in woofer would fit, and if so what is a great 10in woofer (I want loud but good sounding, as well). If not, what's the best 8in? I'd like to stay under $100 but if it's worth it I'll go over.

1.5) I also want to know dimensions of a box that would fit there. I'd like to keep my floor jack in the stock location (just under the grill where the woofer would go) or even move it to where it's out of the way of the woofer but is still accessible in case I need it (the vehicle has been within the family since 2005 and I've never used it or the spare tire underneath the vehicle).

Also, I've heard that there's a factory subwoofer under the center console of the Tahoe's (and in the pickups), however I can't find any pictures or videos showing it. I know there's a kit you can buy that's aftermarket, but I don't want to go that route yet.

2) I want to know if there's a subwoofer stock with my Tahoe in the center console, and if so is it replaceable?

If I had to trust my ears, there isn't a woofer in the console. I've opened it up where the cupholders are and only see some mounting/support brackets, cables, and that's it. Haven't opened up the console all the way, so I'm not sure if there's one in there further.

3) If there isn't a subwoofer, are there any other kits besides the JL Audio Stealthbox (that one is extremely expensive and I've not heard much good about it)?

I still have my stock radio and all other speakers are stock with the exception of my woofer (since there wasn't one in mine to begin with).

Thanks, and sorry for all the questions off the bat!

 

[Fosscore]

@RockTheHouse

Good questions and these answers are all over this forum. I'll summarize a bit.

Mine is an LS, so I did not have Bose nor any audio in the center. The LT and above guys can answer that question.

The drivers side rear cargo had a subwoofer box in 00-02 only. That box can be found on eBay or junkyards. An 8" subwoofer is what was in there. You need a shallow mount sub. Some good ideas in the threads below. A lot of those models have been discontinued with other models replacing them.

I do have the JL Stealthbox in front between the drivers seats. It will not win a competition or set off the decibel meter at a hertz level you may be wanting. Pros - 10", totally hidden, cannot be stolen (bolts under the front seats into the body), sounds pretty good and really depends on what you are powering it with and what type of music you play through it.

So many variables of what you are trying to achieve. Happy reading and search the site some more, there is plenty more info on this subject. The next thread is one of the main threads on this subject and the other threads have some good photos.

This is the 00-02 box in the back. For the short bodies ONLY!. You cannot utilize the long body box and have it fit perfectly due to the wheel well. Relocated the jack to under the 2nd row or in the engine bay in the 2nd battery tray. Both have been done on here.

Here are some threads to answer all of your questions.

https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/thr...woofer-drivers-to-fit-in-01-02-oem-box.74175/

https://caraudiotips.blogspot.com/2012/12/2000-2006-chevy-tahoe-factory-sub.html

Under rear seat option.
https://www.soundoffaudio.com/single-sub-box-2000-2010-chevrolet-tahoe-and-gmc-yukon/

This item has been discontinued. A few members got this before it stopped being made. 10" MTX or sub of your choice.
https://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_15683_MTX-Audio-Thunderform-CTYE01BK10U-Black-Unloaded.html

 

[RockTheHouse]

Ty for all the helpful information, I'll certainly check it out! And if someone could get with me on whether my LT has the console woofer or not would be great .I have a pic of my RPO codes and the one that points to me possibly having the woofer is UQ7. I can post a picture of my codes if needed .

 

[treehan77]

If you get the box from the junkyard, try to get the clips that had it in place, will make it much easier. The guy broke the clips when he got it out for me, and I had to fabricate stuff to secure it. I put an eclipse 8" ($50 or so) and a small amp in the compartment that's like a little shoebox size on the left. In conjunction with the built in Bose sub under the console, it sounds ok. Not any pounding show off system, but fills it out ok

Edit : it’s actually mb quart oops

 

[RockTheHouse]

Are the clips simply clips or are they bolted in? I've seen a few pictures where it's bolted into the pillar, if so what socket wrench will I need?

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Fosscore]

I don’t have a picture but they are those threaded style clips GM uses so the bolt threads right through to hold the box to the body.

I’ll see if I can find a picture.

 

[Fosscore]

IIRC they are something like this. Clip with threads.

One of the 2 styles. It’s been a while.

 

[treehan77]

Yes kind of. I couldn't make ANY of those type work though. They're more of a square that clips in and is threaded in the middle.

 

[treehan77]

The outer ones look like it

 

[RockTheHouse]

Thanks for the pics, I'm going to be calling around and seeing if a local scrapyard has an enclosure that will fit. I've been researching subwoofers to put in it, and while I would like to somehow make a 10inch woofer work, it seems most of the boxes are only made to hold 8 inch woofers. Any ideas as to what I can do, if I have any options?

 

[Fosscore]

Has to be a shallow mount 8". This is the OEM box below. Those original threads had some great speakers, but a lot have been discontinued. There was a Kicker one that was recommended. Maybe a newer edition would work. I have the box, just never have put a sub in it and missed that Kicker before it went out of production.

Hope this helps a bit more. I can get some tape measurements if you want to see? There might be some dimensions in this original threads as one of the guys did a pretty thorough job of looking at the box and all options.

OEM location.

Threaded bolts that go thru the inner body frame skin. Each bolt had one of the ears break off when pulling it back thru the square holes.

OEM location minus the sub box.

 

[RockTheHouse]

Thanks for those pics, very handy. Helps me visualize it more. And darn, that's what I was fearing. I've been looking around and looked at the links you posted and like you said, most of the decent woofers that size are discontinued or extremely expensive. I have been looking at Kicker and Rocker Fosgate (I've good things about the Kicker C 8in and I have a 12in Rockford Fosgate that works well), and I may go with a Kicker in this instance. Looking at your pictures, though, makes me wonder where I'd place my amp. I currently have it on the third row floorboard but I'd prefer moving it to gain my third row back (I don't allow anyone to sit in my third row due to all the wiring being exposed, afraid someone will trip over it or meddle with it and break something). How much space is there between the top of the enclosure and the covering/panel for that side?

 

[Fosscore]

Not much but I do not have measurements. Another member on here I believe mounted one in the the small cubby just forward and wired through there to keep it stealth. Under the 2nd row seats but you probably already have something under there. Not sure what your setup is.

You might be able to mount it on the forward side of the box if you ditch the jack to another location. There is a bit of room not encroached by the wheel well. Again depending on how big your amp is

 

[RockTheHouse]

Did some reading on here and found out that while the Yukon XL / Suburban box is larger overall, the depth of the short wheelbase Tahoe/Yukon is larger (for the enclosure). I don't keep anything in the cubby where you're supposed to keep the cargo net (who uses those in their Tahoe?), so I may mount my amp there. I would have my amp under second row seating but the original installer said it was a fire hazard so he went with the other route. He left me plenty of slack for most of the wire in case I did decide to move stuff around thankfully so I have some wiggle room. Just need to figure out what I should do.

My setup is everything stock except a 12 inch Rockford Fosgate R1S4 300w with standard sealed enclosure and a BOSS Riot 1100w amp. As much as I like the overall sound of my 12, it's too in the open and my current setup takes away space from me and I want to fix it. Plus, the 12, while it has great sound, doesn't have as much volume as I wish. Too quiet and even when I crank things up it still lacks volume for the size of the vehicle. I can be sitting in the middle row and it's fine, but then I can be up front and it just sounds too quiet for me.

I'd like to keep my amp since everything is already wired up to it, but I may switch that out for something else if I just have to. My main project right now is finding that standard box and a sub to go with it. I also want to replace the sub in the center console but have no clue where to start on that. If my 8inch doesn't draw too much power I may figure out how to route both subs to the amp, if that would even work.

 

[RockTheHouse]

My current setup (though I have my woofer over on the right with that seat up and the woofer facing left), the amp is just beyond the left seat on the floor.

 

[RockTheHouse]

I've been researching 8inch woofers that are within my price range, however I have no clue if any of these will fit the stock box for the Tahoe or if they're worth considering to begin with. Any feedback on these is appreciated as I'm going to begin actively looking for an enclosure tomorrow and may have something inia week or so .

Kicker Comps 40CWS48
Kicker CompR 43CWR82
Memphis Audio 15PRX8D4
Memphis Audio 15PRX8S4
American Bass XD844
Pioneer TS-SW2002D2 SHALLOW Mount
Skar Audio VD-8 D2

I know that's a lot but prices range here from $50s or so all the way to $100 on Amazon. Keep in mind I'd prefer to spend as least as possible here as I don't want to break my bank, but if anyone has suggestions on anything better, by golly I'll take that advice. Also, Ohms don't matter here I don't believe, my Boss R1100m amp I think can run either (but if my amp turns out being a problem I think I can part with it).

 

[treehan77]

I’d get something that isn’t boss

 

[RockTheHouse]

Might be going with a custom enclosure after all, and it might just be a 10inch, if I can help it. What all would I need to do to the panel (the speaker grill area) to get a 10 inch to properly fit if I went that route? Would a dremel of some sort work, just cut/sand down about half an inch all the way around? Also, does anybody know how far to the right a custom box can go without interfering with the covering/panel and the tire well?

 

[treehan77]

You’re not going to fit much unless you use fiberglass so you can use all available space- square wood box isnt gonna give you much. There’s barely room for the factory 8 as it is.

 

[RockTheHouse]

I assume fiberglass is expensive. If that's the case then I probably will just settle for an 8 inch and just optimize as much of the free space as possible. In your previous post you suggested me getting another amp, what are some good options? It all depends on what woofer I end up going with (but I don't think I'll need anything higher than 1,000w MAX), of course. I've found woofers that have a minimum of max 400 watts all the way up to 800 watts, both regular mount and shallow mount. I'm assuming my best bet would be a shallow mount due to limited space, though.