Highlander Stealth Sub Enclosure

[Highlander2011]

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I recently completed a refit of my 2011 with a new head unit, amps, and door speakers. I've been looking around for a solution to add a small sub to the system and have so far come up pretty short (I'm not 16 anymore, and I don't want a giant box in the cargo area).

There's ONE guy out there (to my knowledge) who manufactures a "stealth box". It fits an 8" sub.

I have no affiliation with the company whatsoever, and I wanted to share it with you all.

Thanks!

[TrailDust]

to Toyota Nation, and also to the Highlander forums! I'm sure some of our members will be appreciative of your lucky find.

[sanf]

i like it.. would be great if i can use my 12s

[Alpha Zero]

That's not bad, but why wouldn't they make it for the other side?
The sub covers up the levers to fold down the 2nd row!

[Highlander2011]

Originally Posted by sanf

i like it.. would be great if i can use my 12s

I bet you'd be hard-pressed to find anything "stealth" that could fit a 12" in there ;-). Toyota did a pretty good job of using every stinking square inch of the interior of that vehicle. Especially with the 3rd row installed.

Originally Posted by Alpha Zero

That's not bad, but why wouldn't they make it for the other side? The sub covers up the levers to fold down the 2nd row

This is only a guess, but the jack is installed in the compartment on the opposite side. Another reason might be the footprint available on the other side isn't big enough to accommodate the needed volume.

That's only a guess, though.

In mine, there's nothing functional in the corner besides the storage bin that it sits on. Is the second row lever different on different trim levels?

[Alpha Zero]

I'm picking up my SE V6 later today, and the levers to drop the 2nd row are right behind the sub in that picture.
I thought the levers were standard on all models no?

[sanf]

Highlander2011

any suggestions on a powerful 8" sub?

[Highlander2011]

Absolutely.

If you put a JL Audio 8w1 or 8w3 in there with a GOOD amp that can drive it hard (Alpine MFD-500 for example) it'll pound.

Will it shake the neighbors when you ride down the road? No. But it'll sound like a million bucks in the vehicle.

When you're only dealing with compressing the air in a 450 cubic foot space, a good 8 will sound amazing.

[Highlander2011]

Originally Posted by Alpha Zero

I'm picking up my SE V6 later today, and the levers to drop the 2nd row are right behind the sub in that picture.
I thought the levers were standard on all models no?

I had to double check since I've never put the 2nd row down, but my 2011 V6 Base does not have a lever back there. The levers are actually on the back of the seats.

[kenjacks]

That's a great looking solution. Sadly, the auto-drop 2nd row seat levers are located there behind the box on a 2011 LTD. Also, you would lose the ability to use the cargo area mat(s). And the tonneau cover could not be stored in its storage bin, which requires removal of all 3 bin covers to get it out or put it away. Of course, none of these issues apply if this stealth box is easily lifted or moved temporarily.

[CPSDarren]

Originally Posted by kenjacks

That's a great looking solution. Sadly, the auto-drop 2nd row seat levers are located there behind the box on a 2011 LTD. Also, you would lose the ability to use the cargo area mat(s). And the tonneau cover could not be stored in its storage bin, which requires removal of all 3 bin covers to get it out or put it away. Of course, none of these issues apply if this stealth box is easily lifted or moved temporarily.

I saw this box on a search, too. I'd want to know it fits the split third row seat in the 2011, just in case the dimensions of that area changed slightly from 2008-2010. Highlanders are decent sellers, I'm surprised that JL Audio or MTX haven't made their own custom enclosures for it, like they do for many trucks and SUVs.

I got a compact Crutchfield/Sound Ordnance sub under the driver's seat for now. It fills in the sound from my 6.5" component speakers well enough and plays pretty loud, but only down to 60Hz. Maybe by this fall I'll figure out something better that doesn't take up what little cargo space there is back there. I may end up making a custom box, roughly 9.5" wide by 4.5" tall by 16-20" long. With a driver that has a compatible grille, I can lay the box flat either in the cargo area tucked behind one seat or on the floor in front of the third row when one side is folded. With a good 8" driver and a quality 200-300W amp, I think I can expect decent response down to maybe 40Hz.

This one looks like it fits nicely behind one of the third row seats, but is definitely not stealth. I'm sure it would be killer with a couple hundred watts.

http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_e...10&prod_id=580