Jeep Garage  - Jeep Forum banner

How To: Build a False Cargo Floor in WK.

18K views 32 replies 17 participants last post by  TimmyB 
#1 · (Edited)
This is how I built a false floor in my 05 WK. I wanted to hide my stereo amps and retain the cargo area. Its nothing special, can be made for under 50 bucks if you have the tools already.

2 sheets of 2'x4' MDF
3 2x4s 8'
1 roll carpet
1 can 3M spray glue
Wood decking screw(dry walls fine)


I removed the stock floor first. Just lift up the plastic trim piece around the cargo door latch and it pops right off. Remove the two nuts holding the floor down, then lift up the floor and pull it towards you, it slides right out because its only held in by metal tabs in the front. For the hight I used 1/2" pine ripped down along the top and bottom horizontal. Then on the top horizontal only I laid a 2x4 on top of the 1/2" pine board, that gives it a slope. Note I laid the framing over the stock soundproofing. (the stock floor slopes up at the top)



Then I ripped down some 2x4s for the verticals, that go front to back. The middle 2x4 I have not centered for my amps to fit between. The middle one is also slightly longer to support the MDF you will see in a following pic. One long screw down thru the vertical 2x4's into the horizontal boards below were enough to hold it together.




Then I used a full sheet of the 2'x4' MDF for the top section, ripped it on the side to fit. I used 3/4" MDF. I first used 1/2" but it wasnt strong enough and bent when I kneeled on it. I wrote the meaurements I used. For the lower section I traced it useing the stock floor as a template for the curves, then cut with a jig saw. I sanded all edges by hand for a nice edge.




Installing the carpet was easy, 3M spray glue on the top surface and edges of the MDF, wait till its tacky then placed the board over the back side of the carpet I had laid out on my livingroom floor. I used a small hand roller to get it on nice and tight. Then I sprayed the glue on the back side of the MDF around the edges, folded the carpet over and used small tack nails to temp hold it. Trim the excess carpet off.






Here you can see why that middle 2x4 is not centered, due to my amps being different sizes. Also I ripped the 2x4s down the long way for added clearance. To secure the amps down I cut some strips of 1/2" pine and bolted them down thru the cargo sub floor with sheet metal screws. Then screwed the amps down into the wood. They arent going anywhere.




The metal tab used to hold the front of the stock floor down was a perfect grounding point for my amps, so I notched the framing around it for clearance.




Finished floor. It looks stock to me, got lucky with the walmart carpet closely matching the interior carpet. And now I have more storage room under the floor for some tools and jumper cables. I also installed peel n stick membrane and sheets of lead down over the sub floor for soundproofing. Its super quiet back there now.




I bought another roll of the same carpet to cover my sub enclosure I built also so it matches.




Here's an added tip, I installed egg crate foam on the inside walls of my enclosure and it sounds alot better now, no distortion and hits slightly deeper now.

 
See less See more
10
#5 ·
I cant take credit for it though. I got the idea after seeing someone on the red site having pictures of their install which is similar. They used a full sheet of plywood for the floor, where I used two sections to make it easier to remove and get to my amps for settings. They also made covers they can take off to have the amps showing. But living around here the last thing i'd do is go to a car show and let people look at what I have, the next day my car would be stripped in my driveway. lol. Thats why I left it basic. I was thinking of making a set-up for show, like car clubs have in the summer time and do a nice system but it would get stolen for sure around here. My next thing is a fiberglass enclosure for my sub. Im awaiting matts write ups on his he said he is working on for tips.
 
#15 ·
Nope, no fans. I have had this set-up since last spring, have been on over 3 hour road trips in the hot summer with the stereo cranked and zero issues at all. The JL amps will cut power if they sence overheating and even go into protection mode if needed but I have never had that happen yet. I am confident in these amps.
 
#19 ·
The jack is still in that storage compartment in the stock floor, thats packed away in my basement. Lol. I removed the spare to install the srt exhaust so wouldnt need it anyways, plus I have triple A if needed. I use my regular 3 ton floor jack when doing work. BUT, there is alot more room under the false floor to store alot of things, I have some extra tools, jumper cables and some road maps under there.
 
#22 ·
^^^ Haha. Well I haven't been on here in awhile and think its a cool stereo mod and didn't want it to get buried. And to the people saying that I needed to add fans or vents, my JL amps are still running perfect and have not shut down at all, and I always have the volumn maxxed while driving.
 
#26 ·
Really? I honestly had some laying around, from scottina actually who sent some packed in with a set of struts. I read somewhere that it the foam minimizes distortion or something along those lines so I tried the sub box with out it and then with it, and to my ears it appeared the sub did hit noticably lower with the egg crate foam installed. Maybe something about the sound waves being absorbed instead of bouncing around all inside the box, but im def no pro, just can tell of my experience.
 
#27 ·
Oh, and I also have another "tip", I blew the surround completely on one side of my JL10W6v2. I was pissed. I was all ready to just buy another sub when I tried Gorilla Glue for the hell of it. Well a year later it STILL is holding and the sub pounds, and I put it to full output daily. I am seriously amazed that it actually fixed it. Now while I can never resell the sub with half the surround glued, it saved me having to buy another one as I was just going to throw it away anyways. Thumbs up for Gorilla Glue.
 
#28 ·
Awesome job for sure. I originally found your build on another site and a in the process of building my floor very similar to yours.
 
#29 ·
Nice floor man, carpet color match is insane too! Crazy that walmart had it, guess slate grey is pretty common :) all in all solid thread, stick would be worth in the audio section if you ask me, false floors are only way to to do a system and keep it clean looking imo Everyone should do it!
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top