Pioneer Install - Lowrider Garage - Audio

Lowrider builds rarely stay the same for long. Inevitably, new technology and ideas get into our heads as we spend hours in our respective garages analyzing our builds to the point of nausea. We are always looking for ways to improve and update our rides, and love integrating the newest technology whenever possible. This Caprice is a great example of that, because it had only been together for a few weeks before the lack of custom sounds and the clacking, squeaking noises of old school dumps were sorely missed. Clearly, it was time to gut the whole trunk and start over and design a clean audio and hydraulic system that could cap off the build. A simple, yet functional design was in order for this stock color car.

In the past, we’ve shown you molded and painted trunk compartments which can cost several hundreds of dollars depending on who does the fiber glass work and painting. These molded compartments become sensitive and you cannot use them as a regular compartment without the fear of scratching or damaging the finish. This month, we went back to basics as the audio world has toned down the molding design and gone back to focusing on the roots of wrapped custom panels. This style of trunk has come full circle, which you’ll see as we dress up the trunk with a combination of vinyl and carpet that produces an elegant look.

For the audio component of this upgrade, we caught up with a Pioneer ambassador who decided to update his trunk with the newest technology Pioneer had to offer, in addition to some of the latest hydraulics products. The design in this trunk left plenty of room to grow, while being clean enough that it could remain in this finished state as well. Now follow along, as we transform this trunk from basic to elegant with a combination of audio and hydraulic systems that will give you a clean and functional trunk compartment.

1. This Pioneer equipment system was ready to rock this Lowrider.

2. The old set up was removed and the trunk was completely gutted to allow us to build up the trunk. Starting over can sometimes be easier than trying to modify, saving time and money in the end.

3. To use as much air space as possible, the box was made in sections. This would also give us more trunk space when it was time to add our hydraulics.

4. Using an air nail gun, we began to put the box together.

5. Here, you can see the basic shape of the box coming to life.

6. The custom speaker box would hold a pair of Pioneer 12-inch subwoofers.

7. the installer started on the side panels, as they would tie in the rest.

8. The face of this panel was measured to see how much would need to be cut out.

9. The panels were test fitted one last time before they were cut out.

10. The face of the anel was cut out to recess the amplifiers.

11. This back panel would serve as the foundation to hold the amplifier in place.

12. The Pioneer amplifier was pre-fitted before it was bolted down.

13. With everything being pressure fitted, it was checked one last time before tearing it all down to complete the final install.

14. For sound deadening, the trunk received some Accumat material.

15. With the speaker box out, you can see how complicated this speaker box was.

16. The kick panel area would be receiving the Pioneer mid range components.

17. The components were mounted on MDF board, which will allow them to bolt up in the kick panel area.

18. The rear fill audio was mounted to the rear window panels.

19. The marine carpet was the first part to be laid out in the final assembly.

20. The speaker box was pushed all the way back to allow the face panels to be placed in. The face panels complemented the audio equipment and gave the trunk panels some character.

21. When doing a Lowrider trunk, the hydraulics and the audio go hand-in-hand and now that the audio is dialed in, it is time to plan out the mounting of the hydraulics.

22. Even though it might have looked as if there was lots of room, trunk space will become limited if the hydraulics are not planned out right. As you can see we went from four batteries to three in order to gain trunk real estate.

23. After measurements and a day worth of planning, the hydraulic rack was welded together.

24. With the rack bolted in place, the hydraulics were installed to allow the car’s trunk to come to life.

25. To power the hydraulic system, we installed 3 Optima yellow top batteries in a custom-built billet tray.

26. This trunk was ready to rock, as it featured Pioneer’s latest audio and a custom hydraulic set up that will make you look twice and allow room for luggage in case they throw you out of the house!