Custom rear flooring for 4dr hatch

[kimberleyrolla]

Hi All,

I have a 4dr 91 Corolla hatch (Australian "CS Limited" 4A-FC) and I'm planning on removing the rear seats and making a custom floor and speaker setup.

My plan was to go for MDF flooring covered with carpet, cutouts for the seat belt buckles (for my 2 dogs to use), 6X9 speakers in the rear corners and whatever else I can think of. I like the idea of a 4dr hatch mini wagon. I don't ever use the rear seats so why not right?

I was wondering if anyone had done anything similar or has any ideas?

Thanks.

[RogueMoog]

Sounds like a pretty cool project! Good luck.

For similar reasons, I bought my All-Trac Corolla wagon. I wanted something practical, and those rear seats' folding backs have come in handy for transporting stuff. Much better than my del Sol or LeBaron convertible

[kimberleyrolla]

Well I made a start today and ripped out the rear seats and carpet. Unfortunately under on of the seats there was a pile of what looked like unpopped corn kernels - or maybe garden fertilizer granules? Anyway, under the pile were some rust spots, one resulting in a 1 inch hole where I can stick my finger through and touch the petrol tank. I think it's a minor issue but I'm glad I found it and can repair it.

Rust:



Preview of what it might look like:

[kimberleyrolla]

Applied some 3M rust converter and primer to my rust spots. Came up great. Next to fill the holes.

Slowly sourcing my audio gear. I've got a 2 channel X 60W amp (350W max) already and now a friend of mine has 2 Fusion Powerplant 6X9s and 5x7s and a JVC amp new in the box for $50. About 5-6 years old, never used. Should be a nice start at least.

Now to the hardware store for some MDF.

[kimberleyrolla]

Progress pics.

800W 2 Channel wiring kit installed. Ran the speaker wiring along the centre of the floor and the power cable along the left hand side. Power cable through firewall via heater drain hole. Most of the hacking seen in the pic was done before I got the car :-)

I chose 12mm ply as the flooring. I found it to be a better option as in my opinion it's able to cope with moisture better and the dust from cutting it won't kill you like MDF dust will...

Carpet is basic automotive grey carpet. Secured with Bostik spray adhesive and staples via electric staple gun.

Wiring (new deck TBA):



Part installed:



Rear section complete (no, I couldn't use a single floor piece along the back because it's physically impossible to get a single piece along the back section):




Speakers and amps arriving next week which I plan to install into the front section.


Any thoughts or ideas would be great. I do plan to keep the rear section free and the front section will either be removable or it will hinge back to just past vertical so my dogs can ride in the back on odd occasions.

[RogueMoog]

Nice work! I'm curious what the car itself looks like, as I don't think we had the hatches here in the USA.

[kimberleyrolla]

This is my car. 1991 Corolla Hatch CS Limited. Made in Australia.

4AFC carb, 3sp Auto. 15" RJR Alloys.

[Kiwi-Corolla]

Nice work with the rear flooring so far. Good looking Corolla too, we have that exact same shape over here in New Zealand. My mate used to have a 3-door FX-GT the same shape as that, except it had the factory 4A-GE engine. Used to be a lot of fun to drive. I don't think I've seen one the same colour as yours before, looks very clean and straight. The wheels suit well too. Now it just needs lowering .

[RogueMoog]

Nice! Too bad it's an auto, maybe you could throw a 4A-GE in there

[kimberleyrolla]

So all the hardware has arrived.

Kenwood 350W amp for 2 X Fusion Powerplant FPS 693 (6X9 3-way)





JVC 330W amp for Fusion Powerplant FPS 572 (5X7 2-way)




Not sure how to mount it all yet. 5X7 to the front or 6X9s to the front? All speakers on my front floor section?...

[kimberleyrolla]

Some new pics. Still deciding what setup to go for.

6X9



Layout 1


Layout 2


Rear section space



Really a newbie when it comes to sound systems but I have good experience with electrcal/electronics. Not sure if putting the 4 speakers in this section will be overkill and maybe I should just go for the 6x9s and mount the 5x7s elsewhere or the 5x7s in the front and the 6x9s in the rear maybe in "off the shelf" 6x9 carpeted MDF enclosures.

[Kiwi-Corolla]

Hmm, I think the second layout would be the best way to go. As you said, 4 speakers all together could be overkill. By placing two in the front and two in the rear you should get a nice even sound. Although bear in mind that the rear-fill speakers are only meant to be there to provide balance, not to pump out bass or midrange tones. However, since you're running each pair on a separate amp, you could turn the low pass filter on for the rear set to cancel out any of the high tones so that it doesn't seem too 'hissy' and overpowered. It mostly comes down to personal preference and a bit of playing around with the amp/head-unit settings until you get it just right.

[kimberleyrolla]

Progress

Cut-outs




Speakers wired and fitted





Still need to finish the power circuit. My current deck has no pre-outs so I'll run the 6x9s from the speaker level inputs till I get my new deck.

As a bonus, the whole panel does hinge back past vertical which is what I was hoping for but I thougth the 6x9s may have been in the way.

Hopefull be finished next weekend.

[Frozentide]

If some of that space is meant for your dogs, arent you worried about them stepping all over the speakers?

[REN69]

I think you mean a 4AFE... all that trouble to put 6x9's in the trunk??? (or boot, whatever they call it on your side of the world) with all that trouble I thought some 12s or even 15" subs were going in there.