Help w/'06 Hot Box Subwoofer Install

[BBoling]

After ordering up one of the Hox Box subwoofer boxes off eBay (The box I ordered is referenced in this thread, see the second post on page 1. ), I don't think this is the right box for my truck. #@$%! Truck is an auto with the manual transfer case floor shifter and the floor/center console with the three cup holders and tray, etc. Cloth int. is mineral gray. I spent a whole three day weekend installing new speakers in all four doors, two amps, a Kenwood deck, sirius hookups that are controlled by the head unit and an iPod jack. It turned out killer, EXCEPT, when installing literally the very last piece of the floor console to finish up the job, I couldn't get it to clear the front of the sub box, i. e. between the dash and the sub box. Almost like he sent me the wrong box for my truck. Anybody installed one in a 2006 truck like mine?

I emailed the guy twice in the last week and haven't heard anything back. Anybody know the him? His name is Doug (PM me for his email addy and last name). Right now I'm driving around without the floor console, which sucks for obvious reasons, biggest of which is I have no cup holders !:-{}

Plus, these things ain't cheap and I want the right one. Thanks for any input!

Blake in the PNW

 

[BBoling]

Morning bump. Anybody have input, or have this sub box in a similar truck?

 

[CStockton]

Sorry, can't help you but watching this thread for myself.

Also what amps did you get and where did you install them?

 

[JEstes]

Do you have any pictures? That might help.

 

[ENafziger]

Yeah, I installed the same box in my '06 Laramie. However, I have a JL W6 12" sub in mine, so he had to make my box slightly taller than usual for it to fit.

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My console didn't fit perfectly either. How much is yours off? I was able to "persuade" mine into position (it was off by about 1/4"), and everything looks great. The plastic console is TIGHT up against the HotBox.

Another thing you may look out for... There is a "black box" underneath the center seat section on the floor hump. After asking many questions, I think this has something to do with seat belt lock up, air bag deployment, etc. It's position is very critical (I was going to move this to gain clearance). In the picture below, I've removed the black cover to see what was underneath:

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Before putting too much power to your sub, you might want to check clearance between the bottom-firing sub and this black box. I had to double nut the studs on the bottom of the box, and shim it up so that the sub didn't hit this box on full excursion.

The Geno's cupholder makes a great add-on to the armrest, especially since the square-shaped box makes the factory cup holders even a little more inaccessible. However, after installing the HotBox, I had to remove my shifter, bend with a torch, and weld piece of 5/8" round stock to allow the shifter to clear the HotBox in 4th and 6th gears.

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Hope this helps!

--Eric

 

[BBoling]

ENafziger, I see you too installed an amp under your driver's seat, and ran your wiring through the OEM slot in the carpet! Check, check. As far as how far mine is off, hell I wonder if I'll have to cut some of my console off for it too fit. It's off alot. It's been over a week since I wrestled with it, prolly should get on my boxing gloves and try it again. Wanted to see if I would hear from the seller b4 I get too crazy. No dice yet. If I shim up the box a bit more it might help, but it's already up pretty high. I hear you on the little box under the center console. I left mine alone totally. I knew it was there b4 I started the job thanks to this forum. I was concerned with the clearance from the box to my sub, too, but only used like a couple washers, maybe 1/4" to allow room for the sub to 'BOOM', hahaa. Hope it's enuff. Like I said, might have to add more. What a PITA to have to remove that GD Hotbox again! Very tough to get to those front nuts off. GRRRrrrrrrrrr. Man, you really went to some serious lengths to get yours to all fit right. Well done. It really pays off to do the work yourself sometimes -- that way you gain the knowledge, and it's done RIGHT!

I will really think hard about that Geno's console addition now that i have the subbox, would be nice to have the extra storage right there, and yeah, I can see how this box makes it tough to use your cupholders down on the floor. GD pain in the arse. If you can't tell, I am not happy with this thing at the moment. I will wait to see how it plays out to give my full feedback on the box, sound, THE SELLER, and install. Stay tuned.

 

[Big_Horn]

BBoiling... I was in the same boat as you. Got the box home and the thing didn't even come close to fitting. I ended up rebuilding the thing from the ground up. Man was I upset. I paid how much for a custom carpet job!?!?! What ever you do, make all your modifications to your box, not the center counsel. It’s actually pretty easy to do; this is what I did...



I ended up removing all the carpet, exposing the box. Mine was way too high so I measured how deep my speaker required and gave it one more inch just for good measure. (If it’s still too high, there are several 12" subs that are shallow to choose from. ) With my measurements, I cut out the bottom of the box, then off to homer depot to buy a sheet of 3/4" MDF for the replacement bottom. Cut out the new bottom then reattach. Measure your mounting points, drill and add the studs. The hardest part was cutting out the hole for the speaker, ensuring that the grill will clear the brackets the box sits on. I had some headliner fabric lying around so I wrapped the entire box with that then re-stapled the original carpet back on. By doing that, it gave the box a little softer feel because of the foam in the carpet. Because you shortened the box then added the headliner, there's not a whole lot of extra fabric left. It’s a pain in the hinney but you can get things done in an afternoon. I have no clearance issues with my shifter and this box gives me a mounting point for my brake controller and Cobra 29. Oh and don’t forget to stuff batting in the box before you add your speaker, trust me... it sounds much better!



For those who are thinking on buying the hot box… don’t! Just get your dementions, buy a sheet of ¾” MDF, some liquid nail, some mounting bolts and a box of 1 5/8” sheet rock screws. When you’re all done go down to a custom upholstery shop and have them match your carpet…



If you have any questions… email me at -- email address removed --