Structural dependancy on rear deck

[forbidden 10+ year member]

You can cut this out PROVIDED you use some degree of structural reinforcment at the same time. This means make a entirely new panel out of 1/4" or greater aluminum (preferably steel) and bolt it to the vehicle in as many places as possible. The cutouts in the aluminum will be larger than necessary for the sub box. The sub box will mount behind the new panel.

Dave Oakley has a great pictorial on a job like this in a new neon with 3 type X Alpines in the rear deck. Here is his thread. It will give you an idea on exactly what must be done and the lengths one must go to provide the proper degree of structural bracing to the vehicle and still allow for subs to be held there as well.

http://www.canadiancaraudio.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=010212;p=1

 

[Mr. Opportunist 10+ year member]

wow that neon is beautiful excelent work.

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

Yup, I'm in the same boat. As was said; You can do it, you just need to reinforce the rear deck. If (when) I do mine, I'm either going to weld in new metal or add some sort of crossmember system.

Yes, it's more work/time/money......but your passenger's lives are worth it, especially if it's your own children at some point in the future.

 

[cappy72 10+ year member]

wow .... that neon is crazy

 

[GCAdidas13 10+ year member]

Aliright... I'm going to get the box in there and see what I can do about structural... probably wont be much but i'll do my best.

By the way, the subs wont be mounted to the rear deck, I'm just gonna make a hole big enough for my box to poke out of. Thank you for the post, Forbidden.