Ammo Box Speakers

Here's a small project I recently completed. After seeing some others who built speakers out of ammo boxes, I decided to build my own set, with a few differences. Instead of cutting holes in the side of the can for the speakers, I put the speakers beneath the lid. Since the boxes are watertight, the lid can be closed to protect the speakers whenever I am caught in the rain without a top.

The thin metal of the boxes will vibrate and rattle without reinforcement. To stiffen the walls of the box, I cut some 1/2" MDF to to fit tightly inside.


First, I glued in the sides.


I then applied liquid nails to the seams.


I added a DC power jack, 3.5mm stereo input jack, and speaker binding posts to the back of the first can. The first can will house the amplifier. A second set of speakers in another can will be connected to the amplifier via the binding posts.


The amplifier board was mounted to the side of the first can and wired up. I used a 2x20W class D amplifier.


A combination of nails and liquid nails holds the baffle (speaker mounting board) on. I used spray can bedliner to finish it off.


Polyester stuffing helps dampen vibrations inside the can.


All finished!

 

This is a perfect idea! I've been debating about speaker boxes from ammo cans as well. I'm thinking I'd need 6.5" inches wide to fit the top of my wheel well. Two PO's ago drilled holes in tub that i am planning to re-use (2 each side). Your can says 9mm on it but is it the same dimensions roughly as a 50 cal? Nice job...will be watching this thread.

Also, what size speakers did you put in?

 

The problem with a larger speaker/subwoofer is that they need more volume in the box to perform well. A larger can would solve that issue. I did consider bluetooth as well, but I'm not sure if it would work inside a metal box?

The cans are 50cal size. The speakers are 5.25". I can look up the part numbers if you want. I went for cheap ones (about $7 each), which sound okay. I wasn't too worried about getting stellar sound quality since the jeep is so noisy anyway.