Part VIII - Disappearing amp rack install

5speed6 v.2 · 02-28-2008, 07:12 AM

I wanted to do something different with the amp rack I was going to install.

My goal was:

- not to lose as much space as possible.
- being able to access the amps for tuning or servicing purposes.
-stealth, non-exposed installation.

After much thought and looking at different materials, I decided on using sliding trays sold for computer server racks.

I mounted two of the sliding trays together, side by side and added heavy duty "L" brackets at the corners and in the middle:

Side view of the trays:

View of the trays operating independently:

I test fit the amps for best position with regards to cable, fuse access & front panel access..

2 Alpine amps test fitted:

a/d/s 8 channel amp test fitted:

I had to cut off a 1/4" lip on one side of both trays for the amps to sit properly.

Action shot, using air powered "whizz wheel":

One Alpine amp is mounted and protected in the foreground.

I then mounted the trays under the rear deck, secured with #10 machine screws, lock washers and nuts.

Trays installed under rear deck:

Drivers side tray slid outward:

Passenger side tray slid outward:

Both trays slid outward:

After this, LOTS of wiring followed, for the power, speakers and signal. After all the wiring was loomed up and secured, all the trunk panels were replaced.

I then made a carboard template of the area in front of the amp trays. It is actaully quite curved at the top. Once I had a nice fit, I traced it onto 1/4" medium-density fiberboard (mdf). After cutting out the wood, belt sanding, and test fitting, I applied spray glue and covered it with a pretty close matching carpet.

Here is the panel installed.

It is tightly press-fit at the sides and held in by a single securing fastener in the middle.

Close up of the fastener(attached to the center bracket):

I believe I have succeeded in meeting the criteria of my goal for this project.

Thanks for reading

**Kris Hansen** · 02-28-2008, 07:18 AM

EuroVWGTi · 02-28-2008, 07:19 AM

when can you do mine :P

5speed6 v.2 · 02-28-2008, 07:23 AM

...across the rails at the center, and each side in the front. Rock solid!

2000 A6 2.7t 6m · 02-28-2008, 07:23 AM

Audeye A6 · 02-28-2008, 07:27 AM

**Kris Hansen** · 02-28-2008, 07:29 AM

Press · 02-28-2008, 07:30 AM

5speed6 v.2 · 02-28-2008, 07:34 AM

...and lock you in the car for a half hour.

Bring a good action movie.

4Driver4 · 02-28-2008, 07:35 AM

02-28-2008, 07:18 AM	#2
Kris Hansen Chief of Goat control Account #: 20 Join Date: Oct 2000 Posts: 66,548,170	Nice!!!!!!! How are they locked in place, so when you launch hard, they don't slide back?

02-28-2008, 07:19 AM	#3
EuroVWGTi Junior Member Account #: 66320 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Jamaica Queens, NYC Posts: 1,092	WOW thats hot bro...... when can you do mine :P __________________ 2002 C5 A6 2.7T Ming Blue Exterior/Cream leather interior Audi Navigation RNS-E, Bose Premium Sound (10 speaker plus sub system), Cold weather Package, 82,500 Miles Performance Mods:Forge 007P Diverter valves, Hotchkis HSport swaybar kit, Audi RS6 18s, RS6 Grills, Milltek Exhaust system, Kenwood eXcelon DNX8120 Radio/Nav, Tints (35% rear window & back doors, 25% front 2 doors Adaptions"01032" transmission code - "15981" door lock code What the warranty covered at 80,200 when I bought it: New turbo setup, new cam seals, valve cover seal, front tranny seal, Secondary air pump, new tcm and harness, new electric secondary fan, transmission redone, new climate control fan. 2 visits, 3 weeks, cost me 2 deductables totaling $100. gotta love the CPO What I have done so far: Just did my Timing Belt service at exactly 84600 miles. To Do List:APR chip, PSS9s, RS6 brushed aluminum mirror housings, RS6 spoiler, Tinted Tails

02-28-2008, 07:23 AM	#4
5speed6 v.2 Member Account #: 44347 Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 21,926	Before I put the trim panel on, I secured them with a steel plate... ...across the rails at the center, and each side in the front. Rock solid! __________________ Click for Stereo Install - Part I - Dynamat Click for Stereo Install - Part II - removal of OEM components, rear speakers installed Click for Stereo Install -Part III - Custom door panels Click for Stereo Install - Part IV - C6 antenna Click for Stereo Install - Part V - Headrest Monitors Click for Stereo Install - Part VI - Front door speakers installed Click for Stereo Install - Part VII - Eclipse head unit install Click for Stereo Install - Part VIII - Disappearing amp rack install Click for Stereo Install - Part IX - Custom Stealth Subwoofer install

02-28-2008, 07:23 AM	#5
2000 A6 2.7t 6m New Member Account #: 110523 Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 147	Looks Good!! Same place I mounted my amps, but mine don't slide out :( __________________ 2000 A6 2.7T 6M Click for photo album Completed Upgrades: APR 93 ECU -=- H&R Coilovers -=- H-Sport Swaybars -=- VMR B7 RS4 Reps in Onyx Black -=- Hella Smoked Tail Lights -=- Smoked Sidemarkers -=- Clear Corners -=- 4.2 Door Blades -=- Hidden Compass OEM B6 mirror -=- Upgraded Sound System -=- Phatbox -=- Short Shifter -=- Low Temp Afterrun Switch -=- VASTperformance Solid F-Hose -=- 710Ns -=- Samco TBB -=- Independent Fog Light Mod -=- Central Locks Recode -=- ABS Rebuild -=- Motul Fluids Saving money for: Allroad Headlights -=- Window Tint -=- Spoiler

02-28-2008, 07:27 AM	#6
Audeye A6 Member Account #: 67177 Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 4,245	Wow..very clean !!! __________________ 2001 2.7T / 6spd / Cold Weather Pkg. / Premium Pkg. EPL Custom Tuned Stage III / 93 Oct 710N's Bilstein-HD / B&G Sport Coils / H-Sports KO4/997 Hybrids Autospeed MAF 60 lb injectors RS4 Accordion tube Kevlar Clutch,PP & Throwout bearing Autospeed Trans. stabilizer bar AWE/McNeil Downpipes/graphite rapped AWE/McNeil Intercoolers APR exhaust/snub mount Port/Polished/Ceramic coat exh. mani's JHM short shifter Hardwired/stealth V1 Digital Boost gauge Debadged

02-28-2008, 07:12 AM	#1
5speed6 v.2 Member Account #: 44347 Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 21,926	Part VIII - Disappearing amp rack install I wanted to do something different with the amp rack I was going to install. My goal was: - not to lose as much space as possible. - being able to access the amps for tuning or servicing purposes. -stealth, non-exposed installation. After much thought and looking at different materials, I decided on using sliding trays sold for computer server racks. I mounted two of the sliding trays together, side by side and added heavy duty "L" brackets at the corners and in the middle: Side view of the trays: View of the trays operating independently: I test fit the amps for best position with regards to cable, fuse access & front panel access.. 2 Alpine amps test fitted: a/d/s 8 channel amp test fitted: I had to cut off a 1/4" lip on one side of both trays for the amps to sit properly. Action shot, using air powered "whizz wheel": One Alpine amp is mounted and protected in the foreground. I then mounted the trays under the rear deck, secured with #10 machine screws, lock washers and nuts. Trays installed under rear deck: Drivers side tray slid outward: Passenger side tray slid outward: Both trays slid outward: After this, LOTS of wiring followed, for the power, speakers and signal. After all the wiring was loomed up and secured, all the trunk panels were replaced. I then made a carboard template of the area in front of the amp trays. It is actaully quite curved at the top. Once I had a nice fit, I traced it onto 1/4" medium-density fiberboard (mdf). After cutting out the wood, belt sanding, and test fitting, I applied spray glue and covered it with a pretty close matching carpet. Here is the panel installed. It is tightly press-fit at the sides and held in by a single securing fastener in the middle. Close up of the fastener(attached to the center bracket): I believe I have succeeded in meeting the criteria of my goal for this project. Thanks for reading __________________ Click for Stereo Install - Part I - Dynamat Click for Stereo Install - Part II - removal of OEM components, rear speakers installed Click for Stereo Install -Part III - Custom door panels Click for Stereo Install - Part IV - C6 antenna Click for Stereo Install - Part V - Headrest Monitors Click for Stereo Install - Part VI - Front door speakers installed Click for Stereo Install - Part VII - Eclipse head unit install Click for Stereo Install - Part VIII - Disappearing amp rack install Click for Stereo Install - Part IX - Custom Stealth Subwoofer install

02-28-2008, 07:29 AM	#7
Kris Hansen Chief of Goat control Account #: 20 Join Date: Oct 2000 Posts: 66,548,170	Nice!!! Can't wait to see, and hear this in person!

02-28-2008, 07:30 AM	#8
Press Yeah, I have a Porsche Account #: 78455 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 20,147	looks great __________________ PSA - Don't post angry "Just living the dream" Autobahn Country Club (North-South-Full), Blackhawk Farms, Daytona International Speedway, GingerMan, Grattan, Mid-Ohio, Milwaukee Mile, Nurburgring, Road America, VIRginia International Raceway, Watkins Glen International "The most fun you can have in a car with your pants on"™ RIP Zipper 08/03/1999 - 05/09/2009 TeamJanicaRacing.com 2004 A4 3.0 USP Avant 1989 Porsche 951 2001 A6 4.2

02-28-2008, 07:34 AM	#9
5speed6 v.2 Member Account #: 44347 Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 21,926	Thanks Kris. I'll have to steal you away at WF from chasing the girls... ...and lock you in the car for a half hour. Bring a good action movie. __________________ Click for Stereo Install - Part I - Dynamat Click for Stereo Install - Part II - removal of OEM components, rear speakers installed Click for Stereo Install -Part III - Custom door panels Click for Stereo Install - Part IV - C6 antenna Click for Stereo Install - Part V - Headrest Monitors Click for Stereo Install - Part VI - Front door speakers installed Click for Stereo Install - Part VII - Eclipse head unit install Click for Stereo Install - Part VIII - Disappearing amp rack install Click for Stereo Install - Part IX - Custom Stealth Subwoofer install

02-28-2008, 07:35 AM	#10
4Driver4 Tech Guru Account #: 43812 Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 27,918	Curses! Pics blocked at work. Now I'll have to run home at lunch. __________________ 4Driver4 "Never give up the throttle until the bitter end." -RC 1990 Coupe Q 1999 A6 Sedan Q 2.8 2000 A4 Avant Q 2.8 1995 Mazda Miata: the anti-Audi 1999 Mazda Miata: Track beotch 1999 Chevy Suburban: the anti-earth :-( 1990 Nissan Pickup: Snow plow/garbage hauler 1981 VW Scirocco: the car I shouldn't own

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