Where to Put Subwoofer in Extended Cab Truck?

If you want to get the most out of the subwoofer from your extended cab truck, you must place it properly. I have seen many audiophiles (especially beginners) picking up the wrong spots for their subwoofers. But how can you decide the most suitable subwoofer location in an extended cab truck? The quick answer is;

According to my experience, the ideal location to place the subwoofer in an extended cab truck is under the rear seats (facing the front). However, if you don’t have rear passenger seats, you can use a walled subwoofer position for maximum performance (This placement is ideal for deep bass audiophiles). Remember to secure the subwoofer properly to prevent rattling and enhance the audio experience.

Why Does Subwoofer Placement Matter in an Extended Cab Truck?

Subwoofer placement matters not only in extended cab trucks but in every car or even home audio system. Sub-direction influences the quality of the bass output. Generally, a subwoofer requires some space to reproduce low-frequency sounds effectively, which can be challenging in a restricted space like a truck cab.

Don’t worry! I’ll guide you through everything you need to get the most out of your truck audio system.

Ideal Subwoofer Placements in an Extended Cab Truck:

Below are some of the ideal subwoofer placements that you can use. However, some of the positioning requires adjustment and careful installation.

1. Rear Seat Area:

The position involves installing the subwoofer behind the drive seats (passenger area) in an extended cab truck. You can place the subwoofer enclosure on the passenger seat in any direction.

However, you’ll have to sacrifice some space for the passengers who can sit if no subwoofer is present there. Anyway, this configuration uses the truck’s cabin as a resonance chamber, enhancing the bass frequencies and creating a more immersive audio experience.

2. Under-Seat Placement:

This is the most utilized and space-saving placement in an extended cab truck. In this positioning, you just measure the space under the passenger’s seat and make a subwoofer enclosure accordingly.

You don’t have to compromise on anything if you put the subwoofer beneath the seats to optimize cabin space. Although an under-seat subwoofer might not deliver as deep a bass as subwoofers placed in other locations, it significantly improves the overall sound system of the truck, providing a more enjoyable in-cabin audio experience.

3. Rear Wall Placement:

This place is only suitable for extreme bass lovers. Rear wall placement refers to installing the subwoofer on the back wall of the truck’s cabin.

As you know, there is already less space in the rear area of the extended cab. You’ll have to remove all the passenger seats and then make a subwoofer enclosure that will fit from the floor to the vehicle’s roof (making a wall impact).

It offers optimal sound distribution, ensuring the bass notes are evenly dispersed throughout the area. By compromising on the passenger’s seats, it is an excellent option for those who want to enhance their audio experience to the next level. However, remember to consult with a professional regarding such a position.

4. Center Console Installation:

This last setup is commonly used in extended cab trucks to optimize space, as the design allows for the subwoofer to be hidden away while still providing excellent bass sound quality.

It involves some modifications to the console to fit the subwoofer and may require skilled fabrication. The end result is a streamlined and tidy appearance without compromising the available space within the cab.

This makes it a popular choice for truck owners who wish to enhance their audio system while preserving interior space.

Which Way Should My Subwoofer Face in My Extended Cab Truck?

Now, you know about the subwoofer placement. Let’s discuss some directions that you utilized with these placements:

• Down-Firing Subwoofer: A down-firing subwoofer in truck enhances audio performance by directing the sound waves to the floor, allowing them to be evenly distributed throughout the cab. This positioning minimizes vibrations and avoids the “rattling” often associated with in-cab subwoofers, resulting in a cleaner, deeper bass response.
• Front-Firing Subwoofer: A front-firing subwoofer directs the sound waves straight toward the driver, enhancing the audio quality. Its placement takes advantage of the vehicle’s existing structure, creating a resonant environment that extends the bass response, providing a richer and fuller audio experience.
• Back-Firing Subwoofer: This direction can create a more immersive and resonant audio experience. A back-fire setup amplifies the sound waves to the back area of the extended cab truck (making them bounce off), enhancing the overall sound quality.
• Up-Firing Subwoofer: This direction will allow the subwoofer to direct sound waves upwards, allowing them to bounce off the roof and evenly disperse throughout the vehicle. This results in a fuller, more immersive sound, making music and audio content more enjoyable during journeys.

Tips to Secure Your Subwoofer in Truck for Better Sound Quality:

Here are some of my favorite tips that will help you to secure the subwoofer in your truck efficiently:

1. Acoustic Considerations:

If you want a rattle-free sound performance, consider using some acoustic materials, such as padding, polyfill material, etc. The materials in the truck’s cabin can produce sound reflections and resonances that may distort the audio output.

This distortion can result in a less desirable listening experience. Additionally, vibrations from the truck’s engine or road can interfere with the sound produced by the subwoofer.

You can minimize unwanted vibrations by paying attention to these acoustic elements and using sound-dampening materials.

2. Enclosure Types:

However, every enclosure has its own unique characteristics. But still, you should put some time into determining what will work as the best sub setup for extended cab truck.

Sealed enclosures are compact and excellent for tight spaces, yielding clean and concise bass. In contrast, ported enclosures require more room and deliver louder and booming bass, ideal for genres like hip-hop or heavy rock.

Additionally, your choices must also follow the available space in your cab and your sound preference.

3. Securing the Subwoofer:

Securing the subwoofer correctly is also critical for optimal sound quality and the longevity of the equipment. An unsecured subwoofer can vibrate and rattle, disrupting the sound’s clarity and leading to damage over time.

Further, it could become a safety hazard in sudden braking or an accident. Therefore, you must use robust brackets and screws to keep the subwoofer firmly in place, ensuring that you reap the benefits of superior sound, preserve the device’s condition, and maintain a safe environment within your vehicle.

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