We install an acoustic shelf on a LADA Priora with our own hands

Just 30 years ago, sound in a car was only provided by a standard radio. Nobody thought about sound quality back then. Today everything has changed, and car audio is already a common occurrence. And high-quality sound is an entire industry with a special culture in which high technology serves for the benefit of art and beauty. Many devices have been created: from inexpensive radio tape recorders to speaker systems. One of the most common methods of improving the sound quality in a car is installing an acoustic shelf on the Lada Priora.

Purpose and design features

The element is located behind the row of rear seats, regardless of whether it is a sedan, station wagon or hatchback. On the Priora, both a regular and an acoustic shelf can be installed from the factory, although the latter can be called such a stretch. It is designed to secure speakers and other devices that reproduce sound. It has cutouts for standard elliptical-shaped speakers measuring 6x9 inches.

The factory shelf is in most cases made of plastic. Due to weak fastenings, it constantly rattles, which reduces the sound quality.

Installing an acoustic shelf solves several problems at once:

• sound quality becomes higher;
• when playing audio recordings, extraneous noises cease to be heard, this is especially noticeable at high volumes;
• you can install speakers of any shape and size (relevant for a homemade product);
• the ability to create a competent acoustic scene in the car thanks to the correct location of the speakers.

The only advantage of a factory-made acoustic shelf is that you don’t need to spend time and effort making it yourself. Otherwise, it has more minuses than pluses.

Do it yourself or buy ready-made

Those who appreciate the high-quality sound of the Priora’s built-in audio system unequivocally say that it’s only made with their own hands. A well-fixed acoustic shelf, processed with high-quality materials, will reveal the entire rich sound background of the player. And if there is an additional amplifier in the trunk, the Priora will become a magnificent mobile music center.

The process of manufacturing an acoustic shelf for a Priora sedan

This is a rather complex operation that requires certain skills in working with wood. To make a high-quality shelf you will need the following tools and materials:

• Board for the base (plywood).
• Covering (leather, fabric, leather substitute).
• Jigsaw.
• Varnish.
• Sheet of cardboard.
• Screwdrivers.
• Self-tapping screws.
• Glue (epoxy).
• Sandpaper.
• Beam.

First of all, the shelf installed at the factory is dismantled.

It is necessary to cut out a layout from cardboard. Then, on this layout, holes are drawn for the available speakers.

A layout is placed on the prepared sheet for making a shelf, and a silhouette is made with a pencil. A workpiece of a given shape is cut out with a jigsaw. When all the necessary cuts have been made, the edges are sanded to remove burrs.

After this, the shelf is varnished and dried. From below, you need to attach a beam with self-tapping screws to give it rigidity. Make sure that the ribs fit tightly to the surface.

When the product has dried properly, cover it with sheathing, placing it on glue and securing it at the joints with self-tapping screws. Attach the speakers to the shelf, and you can mount it in place. The main thing is to secure it well in the places of standard landing.

How an acoustic shelf works

Since the speakers are embedded in a shelf located in the trunk, the system is closed. In this regard, special requirements are imposed on such structures:

1. All components must be rigidly fixed. Otherwise, it will not be possible to eliminate the effect of resonant sound. Powerful speakers weigh quite a lot, and the fragile material may not support them.
2. Tightness. This will help avoid an acoustic short circuit, which negatively affects the quality and volume of car audio.
3. Minimizing resonance. The structure should not rattle. Stiffening ribs must be installed on flat surfaces.

Acoustic shelf diagram

Taking into account all these requirements, most acoustic shelves are manufactured: both industrial and homemade. The product is upholstered with textile materials, which give it a finished and aesthetically attractive appearance. Carpet is most often used, less often - leatherette or leather.

Depending on the body type, the shelves are available in different designs:

1. Single (solid) surface. Used in a sedan. This is a simple panel with holes for mounting speakers.
2. Prefabricated structure. It consists of two side parts, which are fixed motionless, and a central one. Speakers are mounted in the first, and the second is folded up or completely removed to load the luggage compartment. Used in station wagons and hatchbacks.

The design allows you to install the speakers openly (top) or closed (bottom). During hidden installation, the casing is not cut out, since the carpet does not interfere with the propagation of sound and does not affect its quality.

We make a shelf in the trunk with our own hands. increasing usable space in the car

The author, alas, is unknown.

I decided to share how I made a double bottom into the trunk of my car. I own a 2nd generation Seat Leon, which is quite small in length and width, but has a deep trunk.

One day I was fed up with all sorts of bags, organizers and other crap, because it was problematic to put bags from the store. Yes, and I got tired of watching the shit in the trunk. I decided to bring to life an idea that had been on my mind for a long time - to make an underground floor. I decided to do it wisely, so that everything would fit and so that it would be easy to get the spare tire if something happened.

Let's go: To create this structure you will need: 1. Boards for the walls, 4 meters (I took 148x20) 2. Material for the lid 1000x800 (I took 6mm plywood) 3. Fasteners 4. Hinges (I used 4 pieces, since the lid is the same) 5 . Corners for the divider 6. 2 gas lifts (I took 6 kg) 7. Carpet for gluing and glue (I took 1500x2500, this was enough exactly, it’s better to take 3000, with a reserve) 8. handle for opening

Let's start creating. To begin with, we prepare the walls by cutting the boards into the following pieces: 2 pieces of 1000 each, 2 pieces of 660 each. Next, we fasten them together, I drove self-tapping screws into the joints of the boards, and then added corners at the top and bottom for rigidity. It should look something like this:

Let's try on:

Let's also try:

There is a small gap due to crooked boards, but after pasting with carpet it is leveled out

try on the standard carpet to understand the shape of the cover

Next, we make the lid, outline the hinges, corners and gas lifts, assemble, and try on. There are no photos, unfortunately. I’ll say right away that the shape of the lid for easy closing and opening should be a little smaller, there should be a gap between the lid and the wall, it will be removed when pasting. Nothing will knock even without magnetic or other latches. Then we proceed to pasting with carpet. I did not stretch the whole box, but cut it into pieces and glued each side. It turned out so-so for the first time, but it’s not that visible.

bottom of the lid

open and see

Before pasting, I took everything apart and put it back together afterwards. I'm tired of looking for holes. Put it in the trunk:

the remaining height to the shelf is enough for bags from the store, and I almost never carry anything else

open

view without central partition

Spare wheel. It is extremely easy to get, just pull out the middle partition, and then as usual

at the moment it is laid out like this

The project is not finished yet, soon I will add a piece of plywood with Velcro to each of the compartments for quick access to jars/flasks, a compressor and other things. Easy to use, I really like the result. All that remains is to attach the hooks to the shelf. Let's move on to the estimate for materials: 1. Boards - 2 pcs. 124 rubles each 2. Plywood - piece 1500x1000 - 330 rubles 3. Had my own fasteners 4. Hinges - 3 pieces for 50 rubles, one was 5. Gas lifts - 2 pieces for 130 rubles each 6. Made the corners myself 7. Carpet 1500x2500 - 900 rubles 8 Aerosol glue - 400 rub. 9. Pen - 225 rubles Total: 2513 rubles. By the way, the original idea was to make the lid out of laminate, but unfortunately the idea fizzled out because the corners had to be ground down too large. There would be too large gaps in the laminate; carpet, due to its homogeneity, levels them out.

Ways to refine the product

Removing the shelf from the trunk of a Lada Priora takes no more than a minute. In hatchback and station wagon you need to pull it up and then remove it. In a sedan body the removal process is more complicated:

• you need to disconnect the wire block from the additional brake light and from the speakers (if any);
• pull the locking strap up and remove the back of the rear sofa;
• lower the armrest down and unscrew the fastening screws of the luggage compartment hatch;
• press the 4 locking elements;
• lift the front part a little and pull it towards you, overcoming the force of the seals until the latter come out from under the rear window.

To put the shelf in place, repeat all steps in reverse order.

The process of finalizing the shelf in a sedan

The standard design is not of good quality and most often begins to rattle and creak. If it is not possible to make a shelf yourself, modify the factory one.

To work you will need:

• polyurethane foam;
• scotch;
• noise and vibration insulation material;
• glue, preferably epoxy;
• silicone sealant.

The upgrade looks like this:

1. The standard shelf is removed from the car along with the speakers.
2. All holes are sealed with tape - it is important to prevent polyurethane foam from getting into them.
3. The bottom surface is moistened for better adhesion to the sealant.
4. Polyurethane foam is applied to the lower part and after 40 minutes it is pressed down to increase rigidity. The sealant must be pierced in several places with a nail to expel excess air.
5. You should wait until the foam has dried completely and treat all seams with silicone sealant.
6. Noise-vibration insulation material is glued to the outside with epoxy glue.
7. If desired, you can top the product with textiles.

This modification increases the rigidity of the structure, prevents squeaks, and improves sound quality.

To ensure that nothing interferes with the sound, no foreign objects are allowed on the acoustic shelf.

Improvement method without polyurethane foam

On Lada Priora hatchbacks and station wagons, using the method using polyurethane foam is undesirable. The thickness of the product is considerable, and for a large surface area this threatens sagging. For this reason, other materials are used for modification: modelin, anti-creak or vibroplast.

If the rear parcel shelf rattles on a Priora/Kalina/Grant

The rear shelf of Priora, Kalina and Granta is famous for its crickets, they are especially noticeable on hatchbacks and station wagons. According to statistics, 70% of car owners, after purchasing a domestic car, almost immediately soundproof the rear of the car. Do you know what to do if a shelf creaks?

You will need : a trunk lid bumper from a foreign car (catalog number: 96567780), anti-creaking (for example, Modelin) and vibration-absorbing material (for example, vibroplast).

The first step to keeping the rear parcel shelf from rattling is to weigh it down. To do this, we glue vibration-absorbing material on the back side of the shelf, using a hair dryer to heat it up and a hard roller to roll the material. A heavier shelf will rattle less.

The final step , which should help you get rid of squeaks in the rear parcel shelf, is rubber bumpers from a foreign car. You just need to replace the standard bump stops with new ones (from a foreign car). What will it give? Thanks to them, the closed trunk lid will tightly press the rear parcel shelf, preventing it from bouncing on bumps.

Thus, by completing a set of measures to soundproof the rear shelf, you will completely get rid of squeaks, crickets and rumbles.
By the way, another way to “kill crickets” is to install an acoustic shelf. The soundproofing of the shelf on the sedan is slightly different. Photo source:

Similar materials

Advantages and disadvantages of homemade products

A DIY shelf has a lot of positive aspects:

• precise adjustment to the dimensions of the luggage compartment;
• the ability to use any acoustics connection scheme;
• you can use any material for manufacturing and upholstery - in order to increase durability, it is better to choose natural wood treated with moisture-proof compounds;
• Compared to a standard acoustic shelf, a homemade one does not rattle or vibrate;
• you can create a product according to your own drawings and increase the amount of usable trunk space.

Among the disadvantages, they note only the need to spend free time, especially if you have to develop everything yourself. You also need to have skills in handling various power tools, for example, a jigsaw.

Making a shelf for a station wagon and hatchback

The acoustic shelf for the Lada Priora hatchback or station wagon is made of the same materials. The process of working on the design is also similar. It differs in that standard shelves in cars with a hatchback or station wagon body type consist of two elements. One part can be folded down to make it easier to load luggage.

Lada Priora hatchback

You can create such a shelf model in two ways:

1. Both parts are cut out according to the template of standard elements. One part is slightly shorter - 1-3 cm. Both parts are fastened with epoxy glue and self-tapping screws.
2. To make the folding part of the shelf, plywood is taken that is thinner than the insert part. Some people make it simpler: they modify an old folding shelf, weighing it down with insulating material. You can also use old fixing parts.

Making an acoustic shelf with your own hands

To improve the appearance of the product, it is recommended to use artificial or natural leather. High-quality casing made of sound-permeable materials will help hide the speakers from prying eyes. If you choose the size and shape of the shelf wisely, you can achieve maximum effect when playing low frequencies using budget playback equipment.

You should create a layout after purchasing the speakers, since the holes in the finished product must exactly match the dimensions of the built-in devices.

Creating a Layout

To create a layout, you can use the shape of a standard acoustic or regular Priora shelf. Taking its dimensions as a basis, calculate the required dimensions. First you need to remove the shelf from the car and attach it to a previously prepared cardboard sheet. Next, use a marker to outline the product, including the slots for the seat belts. After this, you can select any location to install the speakers and mark it on the layout.

The excess part of the cardboard is cut off with scissors or a stationery knife, and holes for the speakers are also cut out. If there are podiums for speakers on the factory shelf, then they are also removed and used to create a layout.

To work you will need the following tools:

• material of suitable size and thickness - plywood, chipboard, OSB, MDF;
• jigsaw;
• wooden bars;
• self-tapping screws of different lengths;
• sealant;
• fine-grained sandpaper;
• epoxy resin based adhesive;
• stationery knife;
• sound-absorbing material for finishing.

First, you need to attach the cardboard model to the material that will be used for the future acoustic shelf, and trace all the lines with a marker. For manufacturing, it is advisable to use composite materials made of thick wood. Usually this is a panel up to 25 mm thick, for the manufacture of which a plywood sheet or MDF panel is used.

Making a shelf for a sedan

The creation process includes the following steps:

1. The shape of the product is cut out with a jigsaw, and all unnecessary parts are cut off.
2. Several wooden blocks should be attached between the holes for installing the speakers, using sealant and self-tapping screws. The bars will act as stiffening ribs, preventing rattling when playing music at high volume.

Podium templates are cut out on a separate piece of material using a jigsaw. They are fixed to the workpiece using mounting foam. After the sealant has completely hardened, excess pieces should be cut off with a stationery knife. Slots are cut for seat belts.

The workpiece is processed on all sides with fine-grained sandpaper until the surface is smooth, after which all seams are sealed with sealant. The shelf is covered with finishing material - you can use adhesive bases based on epoxy resins for this.

If non-vibroplast is used for finishing, then it is better to additionally apply any sound insulation.

Now all that remains is to install the structure in its original place. To secure it, it is better to use strong bolts that will not loosen over time. If you are installing a homemade product, it is important to adjust the dimensions correctly.

Creating a shelf for a hatchback and station wagon

The same materials are used for manufacturing and the algorithm of actions is also almost identical. The difference is that the standard shelf without sidewalls in cars with these body types consists of two parts. One of them reclines for easy loading of luggage.

There are two main manufacturing methods:

1. Two parts are cut out of the material based on a template created according to the dimensions of a standard shelf. One part should be 2-3 cm shorter than the other. Using epoxy glue and self-tapping screws, both halves are fastened to each other.
2. To make the part that folds up, a thinner sheet of plywood is used. If desired, you can modify the folding element from the old shelf, making it heavier with sound insulation. Fasteners can also be taken from an old product. Holes for speakers are cut out as desired on the folding or fixed part.

What happens in the end?

The rear shelf on the Priora, created with your own hands, will not be inferior in quality or appearance to standard models, which are sold in a wide range in any online store. In addition, creating a shelf for your own design from professionals or ordering it from an online store will cost you much more than you will assemble the option you like in your garage. The most important thing is that before starting work, be sure to read the photographs of the manufacture and installation of the shelf on the Priora.

I IMMEDIATELY WANT TO EXPRESS HUGE THANK YOU to Gogik173, WITHOUT HIM THIS WOULD NOT BE REALISTIC)

Well, it's time to tell everything in order.

Three days ago I decided to make an acoustic shelf for a Prioric Hatch. One large chipboard and one large sheet of plywood for the shelf itself, as well as several smaller boards for the sides.

Started work. I removed the shelf and the side panels (the latter are held on by 4 screws - 2 on the trunk lid side, 1 in the center of the side panel and 1 on the seat side).

I drew out the left side panel, started cutting it out, took a long time and painfully to adjust everything to size, but... I’ve never seen wooden shelves before, obviously nothing worked out for me, I couldn’t figure out how to put it in its regular place.

As a result, the day went down the drain.

The next day I went to a friend to get patterns for the sides and shelves. He offered to help with the production, I couldn’t refuse, because... I was sure that I couldn’t cope on my own.

I went to the store and bought everything I needed, namely, several packages of self-tapping screws of different lengths with wide heads, a piano hinge, carpet - 1.5 m, mounting glue for wood, metal hangers (using them in the future we will secure parts of the side panels between each other and install them in their normal place.)

Then the procedure began for drawing the sides according to the pattern and then sawing them out.

After all the parts of the side panels were cut out, they were fastened with self-tapping screws, and the “hump” was screwed to the main part of the side panel using metal hangers.

We tried on the first side panel - it fit like a original, there were small gaps in some places - just under the carpet)

Then they cut out the second one and repeated the steps.

The next day we tried to fit the speakers into the side panels, as usual - from above, it turned out that we were a little wrong with the size of the holes for the speakers, but it was not scary, we just covered the holes with a secret mesh)) and covered them with carpet on top, and seated the column from below. How they covered it with carpet - glue was purchased for installation, and a construction stapler was also borrowed. The upper part of the side panel was coated with glue and a carpet was applied, then with a little effort the edges were tightened and stapled from below.

And voila - we got amazing sidewalls, just like straight from the factory)

Then, using the same metal hangers, we secured them into the standard holes. To be honest, I was initially skeptical about these hangers - how would such little things hold heavy wafers made of chipboard and plywood. But my fears were in vain, the sides were firmly attached)

Then the shelf itself.

Since the sides were made according to the stock dimensions, they decided to make the shelf accordingly, i.e. We measured the dimensions using the stock shelf.

Measured and cut. At first we were a little wrong with the width, but thank God we didn’t cut it enough) we trimmed it a little more on the sides - the result is that it fits like a native.

Installed in the intended place. At this point, at 8 pm, the two-day work was completed.

According to rough estimates, carpet, glue, hinge, screws, hangers cost about 500-600 rubles.

Reviews from Priora owners about the acoustic shelf

Standard acoustic shelves are clearly inferior in quality to homemade ones. Many car owners are forced to modify the factory version, since it copes with its functions very mediocrely. Many people come to the conclusion that it is not practical to pay for an element that still needs to be improved.

The way out is to create an acoustic shelf with your own hands. Such structures are strong, durable, do not creak or start to rattle. An acoustic shelf, even the simplest one, is found in almost every car today. Homemade products have become very popular. Whether to choose an acoustic shelf from a store or to make it yourself - everyone decides based on their financial capabilities and the availability of the skills necessary to create the product.

An acoustic shelf, which you will create with your own hands, will allow you not only to improve its decor from various materials, but also to accurately select the size and all the elements of the future acoustic system. Basically, Priora owners who are constantly engaged in tuning and want to significantly improve the interior design of their car tend to install acoustics in the trunk on the rear parcel shelf.

Manufacturing process

You will need: 2 sheets of 10 mm plywood, a tool, a jigsaw, a drill, furniture corners, carpet, glue or a furniture stapler.

We cut out a shelf from plywood according to the drawing. The sides will be more accurate if you remove the plastic sides from the car and trace them in the place where the shelf will fit.

The side part of the shelf is an optional part of the acoustic shelf (if you buy a ready-made rear shelf, this element is not present). We fix it at an angle to the shelf using furniture corners. We bend them in place on the car.

We make another copy of the shelf template without a lid, only leaving small protrusions that will hold the lid. We fasten two sheets of plywood together with glue and screws. The lid is held in place by these hinges.

All that remains is to tighten the rear shelf with carpet using glue or a furniture stapler.

We install the resulting structure into the car, securing it around the perimeter in four places in the trunk.

The result is a non-removable, acoustic shelf with sidewalls. This drawback can be solved by using simpler fasteners, or by using a different design where the side parts will remain standard. Let us remind you that if you decide to leave the standard rear parcel shelf, but it creaks terribly, follow these recommendations.

What are the advantages of a homemade shelf in a hatchback compared to a purchased one?

Those who decided to equip not only the rear shelf, but also the sides of the car, highlight the following advantages of making all the components themselves:

1. A homemade rear shelf will fit perfectly into the dimensions of the trunk,
2. It is possible to choose the wiring diagram for the speaker system yourself, in which the sound of all musical compositions without exception will cause frantic joy,

Attention! If you decide to make a shelf manually, then it is best to choose natural wood for the body, which will be treated with a special moisture-resistant compound. This will significantly increase the durability of the structure.

What do you need to know before making an acoustic shelf for a Priora hatchback?

1. For upholstery, experts advise using materials made from artificial and natural leather. This will give the shelf a solid look, and a high-quality finish will completely hide the new speakers from your fellow travelers.
2. By choosing the right size and shape of the shelf, you can achieve maximum effect in sound and bass, even when purchasing budget speakers for Priora,
3. When creating a layout for the rear parcel shelf, you must first calculate its dimensions according to the diameter and dimensions of the purchased speakers. Otherwise, at the installation stage you will have to redo the assembled circuit again.

Improving sound insulation when installing an acoustic system for Lada Priora

When installing speakers with higher power on a VAZ 2172, the sound insulation of both the rear panel and the car doors, instrument panel and ceiling should be improved. You can get rid of extraneous sounds in your car using vibration and noise insulating materials, as well as protective covers.

Since the new acoustic shelf of the Priora Hatchback is made of dense plywood, sound insulation begins with the installation of vibration-absorbing materials, such as vizomats, ECO, vibroplasts, etc. Next, a second layer of sound-absorbing material such as “Accent” or “Isoton” is applied. In this case, the thickness of the sound insulation layer should be taken into account, otherwise the installation of plywood parts will become impossible.

Where does the creation of a rear shelf for a Priora hatchback begin?

The first step in creating a high-quality acoustic shelf is the selection of materials for the body and the box outline itself. Here, the most popular among Priora hatchback owners are inexpensive types of wood materials, such as chipboard, samples of thick plywood or MDF boards. Such materials tolerate moisture well and have good durability indicators - on average, an acoustic shelf on a Priora will last you 5-6 years. The next stage of choosing materials comes down to selecting a method for connecting the cut out parts of the shelf layout and covering it. To glue the parts together, it is best to use carpet. Working with it is quite simple and the end result should definitely please you. It does not leave marks or burrs at the joints. However, many Priora hatchback owners choose more expensive combinations of materials to implement their ideas - for example, covering a body made of natural wood with leather. The last stage in preparation is to create a sketch or layout of the future shelf for the trunk or sidewalls. Here you need to accurately measure all the corners and sides of the car and recreate the image of the future shelf, indicating the places for the speakers.

Attention! Often, the rattling of the shelf is associated not so much with the use of low-quality materials, but with the occurrence of vibration after improper fixation of the rear shelf in the trunk. That is why, before checking the operation of the system, be sure to ensure that the rear side of the structure is firmly secured to the corners of the machine using appropriate fasteners.

Features of creating shelves

Acoustic shelf in Priora sedan

You can create an acoustic shelf for a Priora at home in different ways. In general, there are several main methods used during such a process. Fans of loud music can even create an acoustic stage in their car. Most often, inexpensive materials (chipboard, plywood or MDF) are used to make shelves. Subsequently, it is covered with carpet. Working with such materials is not difficult, especially since the end result will please many. However, some choose expensive options to realize this goal - natural wood, leather, and the like.

Acoustic shelf for Priora sedan

Note: To avoid problems with rattling and vibration after fixing the shelf, it should be installed in hard places using high-quality fasteners.

Advantages

Priora sedan acoustic shelf

A DIY acoustic shelf can be decorated with various materials. That is, this option is suitable for those Priora owners who want to create a unique interior design. Let's look at some of the benefits:

• With the help of a homemade shelf you can significantly improve the sound of musical compositions. It depends on the material that is used in the process of its creation;

Note: it is best to use natural wood treated with a special moisture-resistant compound.

Advantages

Priora sedan acoustic shelf

A DIY acoustic shelf can be decorated with various materials. That is, this option is suitable for those Priora owners who want to create a unique interior design. Let's look at some of the benefits:

• With the help of a homemade shelf you can significantly improve the sound of musical compositions. It depends on the material that is used in the process of its creation;

Note: it is best to use natural wood treated with a special moisture-resistant compound.

• It will eliminate various types of rattling that are often observed when installing a standard shelf;
• The interior space of the cabin will be increased. For best sound, it is not recommended to place any objects on the shelf;

Priora sedan acoustic shelf

• In the process of creating it, you can use various materials. To make the shelf look more solid, it can be decorated with leather materials. The finishing allows you to hide the speakers from prying eyes, which is not bad, because in this way you can hide budget speakers;
• You can install speakers of various sizes.