

| Subject: | Vanagon Bass - My Solution |
| From: | Frank Grunthaner |
| Date: | Mon, 3 Feb 2003 23:34:38 EST |
As I have indicated several times before, a subwoofer is an excellent addition to the Vanagon. The possible loss of space in the Westfalia and the need to place where it would be most effective put me through several iterations. My current solution has been pumping away for years. In my case, I start with the diesel vanagon and the two undefiled compartments beneath the driver and passenger seats. After due consideration, I designed a sealed enclosure tuned box for a 10 inch sub. I used a Pioneer (details in the archives) with Thiel parameters consistent with the space available under the driver's seat. Of course I built an enclosure with medium density particleboard and used it to "line" the full available interior of the compartment. I mounted the subwoofer in the center of the rotary retaining plate that supports the swivel seats. The gap between the bottom of the seat and the top of the protective grill on the subwoofer is about 1 cm. I filled the enclosure with fiberfill. I adjusted the amount of fiberfill to make the measured transfer function exactly match the optimal response of the sub, my crossover network and the amp. I then mounted a (now) 400 watt rms amplifier to drive the sub on the Westfalia cabinet wall face behind the driver's seat back. I also mounted a CD changer there for easy access from the rear for musical set changes. The underside area under the passenger seat holds the monster 4 channel amp for the rest of the system. Circulation fans with thermostats mounted in the metal face below the seat. Didn't infringe on the battery box area. Instead, I put in a hard rubber battery box (cut to size) to contain tools and other goodies. I believe the pictures are on Alistair Bell's web site. So much better than the Bazooka (10) or the dual truck boxes. Easily gets the attention of an 18 wheeler when I pass, windows up, with the Ride of the Valkeries pumping at a level I enjoy. Helps justify the front to back 00 gauge rewiring and the caps behind the glovebox. Frank Grunthaner
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