How to properly install an acoustic shelf on a VAZ 2114

• We are finalizing the factory version
• We make it from scratch
• We create acoustic podiums
• Useful video

Having a hatchback body, the VAZ 2114 is distinguished by an impressive trunk, which covers the entire rear part of the car. It is separated from the interior by a seat and a removable shelf.

The shelf has bending points provided by the design, along which it folds, increasing the volume of the luggage compartment. This design does not cause any complaints, especially if the presence of music is not important, but if music means a lot to the owner, a “surprise” awaits him - there are no places for mounting an audio system in the design of the VAZ 2114.

The standard shelf is thin and light, any speaker will make it heavier, which will lead to its incorrect fixation, the shelf will rattle a lot, the audio system will resonate with the pits and the rumble from behind will be simply unbearable, the presence of such “music” is very doubtful pleasure. Later, the sides will also become loose, and then it will become completely unbearable.

The problem is solved in three ways:

1. The shelf is removed, there are no rear speakers, there is nothing to rattle, but there is no music either.
2. Acoustic shelf VAZ 2114 is inexpensive to buy, but it will improve the situation significantly.
3. Make an acoustic shelf yourself.

In addition to eliminating third-party noise, the acoustic shelf will solve the problem of trunk structural rigidity, provide the acoustic system with a reliable frame, and eliminate the negative impact of acoustic vibrations on the mechanical joints of the rear door and trunk as a whole.

We are finalizing the factory version

If the VAZ 2114 acoustic shelf is expensive for you, but you don’t want to make it yourself from scratch, then you can modify the factory shelf.

To do this you need the following tools and materials:

1. Plywood.
2. Putty.
3. Upholstery.
4. Self-tapping screws.
5. Epoxy adhesive.
6. Jigsaw.
7. Knife.
8. Emery (sandpaper).
9. Stapler.

The shelf is easy to modify; for a good result, the steps are performed in the following order:

1. We draw a template on cardboard, use it to draw places for the speakers on the shelf, and cut them out with a jigsaw.
2. We use the shelf as a template, draw what we need on the plywood, and cut out what we need on the plywood.
3. Using epoxy glue, we glue the shelf to a piece of plywood cut out for it.
4. We cover (glue) the finished result with carpet (another fabric), not forgetting about the plywood ends.

Such a shelf, due to its rigidity, will significantly improve the sound, but in addition, you can soundproof the trunk and the shelf itself, this will make the music even better.

For soundproofing the following will be useful:

1. Bitomast and Vibroplast (1 sheet each).
2. Smoothing tool (usually a roller).
3. Construction hairdryer.

Due to the fact that vibroplast perfectly dampens vibrations, it is enough to cover 2/3 of the trunk with it. Bitomast is applied to the shelf itself; it is a noise-absorbing material, it improves the sound and removes vibration echoes and unnecessary sounds. To apply, the materials are laid out on the desired surface, then heated with a hairdryer and rolled out over it.

Carefully monitor the quality of rolling; if there are bubbles under the material, the results of your work will very quickly fail.

Solving sound problems

To modernize the acoustic system of VAZ 2114, 2107, 2110 you need to put in very little effort. You can make a shelf for speakers with greater power, diameter, weight, and cleaner sound with your own hands. This is a simple design.

Acoustic shelf for car

Advantages:

• durable, rigid, hard surface, not flexible - if the plastic is replaced with a sheet of plywood or chipboard, the design will be significantly improved;
• static - eliminates the risk of speaker theft.

The difference will be immediately noticeable and will pleasantly surprise you. It takes little time to redo the acoustics - a few hours. The materials will be inexpensive. In addition to the fact that the acoustics should be slightly changed to increase the level of comfort, it is advisable to install soundproofing elements in the cabin.

This will have to be done a little later, as well as the creation of a convertible top for the VAZ 2114, 2107, 2112, and the installation of a stylish steering wheel. Saving money will not be superfluous; it is very good that you can make this important element with your own hands.

By the way, a new acoustic shelf for a VAZ 2114, 2115 or another model may also not completely solve the problem of poor sound. The vibration coming from the speakers during their operation will spoil everything, as well as the fragile fixation of the shelf to the base, and displacement when the car moves. Under the shelf you can place a layer of sound insulation, vibroplast.

Any motorist can handle this task - making an acoustic shelf for a VAZ 2107, 2112 or 2115. Making it yourself is no more difficult than restoring an old rocking chair, cutting a dry branch from a tree in the country, or making an indoor fountain from an aquarium pump and a bucket.

We make it from scratch

The acoustic shelf of the VAZ 2114 is easy to make with your own hands, you will have to spend a little on materials, and do not regret a little of your time.

The following “ingredients” will be useful:

1. Centimeter chipboard or MDF.
2. Carpet (other fabric).
3. Glue.
4. Self-tapping screws.
5. Jigsaw.
6. Drill.
7. Grinding machine (emery, sandpaper).
8. Stapler.
9. Materials for the layout: cardboard, pencils, drawing supplies.

We will do it like this:

1. We are preparing a template, then we will try it on the car, it should be a little larger.
2. We cut out the shelf according to the template, remove the irregularities by grinding down the gap included in the template.
3. We double-check its dimensions on the car, if everything matches the car and the size of the intended speakers, then the shelf is ready.
4. We are preparing materials for covering (pasting), everything should be at hand.
5. Apply glue to the plywood, apply fabric, and roll everything out to avoid bubbles.
6. We fix the edges with a stapler.
7. Let it dry for a day.

In order for the shelf to be foldable, you need to take care of the moving elements in advance and try on the hinges. It is better to do this before pasting with carpet, so the design will look much more aesthetically pleasing; the moving technical gap can be closed with a strip of “elastic” (elastic fabric), but not with carpet or other non-stretchy fabric.

Very often, people don’t want to fool themselves with jigsaws and glue, so they immediately buy ready-made ones. This solution has a significant advantage, because there are a great many modifications of shelves, both a regular “plastic shelf” and a solid “VAS 2114 acoustic shelf with sidewalls” are sold, all intermediate options are also present in the online assortment. Although the purchased version will be many times more expensive than the homemade one, laziness and the “pursuit of beauty” sometimes overpower common sense and the desire to save.

Materials you will need for work

Not everyone will undertake to make do-it-yourself acoustic shelves for VAZ 2112, 2106, or for any other model. You can doubt for a long time whether it is worth trying or conducting an experiment. There is, of course, a risk that you will not achieve good results. What could be the reason for failure? An error when applying markings, the use of the wrong fasteners, some unaccounted for nuance.

Making shelves for speakers

Even if nothing comes of this venture, after analyzing the situation, you can take the risk again, for the second time, try to make an acoustic shelf for a VAZ 2112. Due to the dismantling of the standard acoustic shelf and insulation, the interior will not become unusable. If necessary, specialists can easily eliminate any accidental damage.

We create acoustic podiums

It doesn’t seem logical to change the shelf, investing effort, time and money into good sounding music, leaving the standard VAZ 2114 podiums, which are made of plastic and eliminates more than half of your work. Plastic does not dampen the vibration of the speakers at all; on the contrary, it enhances it, creating rattling and extraneous noise. Therefore, we will make new podiums, tougher, and making all the previous torment justified.

For the new holder you will need:

1. Columns.
2. Installation rings (included in the kit).
3. Gloves and brush.
4. Epoxy glue and hardener.
5. Fiberglass and lycra.

If you start creating a podium from scratch, some skills in woodworking and other work with materials will come in handy, firstly, for an untrained person this is unrealistic, and secondly, people with such skills can imagine what exactly needs to be done without this article. Therefore, relying on the option that there are no such skills, as well as special equipment, on the basis of a standard podium we will carry out the procedure for strengthening it using the materials described above.

This procedure is done as follows:

1. We cut off the mesh (part of it) from the podium and fix the installation ring; the structure should come out monolithic and rigid.
2. We put lycra on the structure.
3. Mix glue and hardener.
4. We spread the resulting solution onto the lycra and, as in papier-mâché, glue the fiberglass (you need to stick 3-4 layers).
5. Let the structure dry.
6. We install.

The option of polyurethane foam is “not an option”: firstly, it causes corrosion of the body, and secondly, in addition to vibrations, foam also dampens sound.

Algorithm of actions

The first task is to dismantle the standard elements, leaving only the metal base.

Attaching the acoustic shelf

After that:

• A drawing is drawn, markings are made on plywood or chipboard. The dimensions of the new surface are practically no different from the dimensions of the standard one. Chipboard sheet is thicker than plywood. If you were able to buy plywood or had it on hand, you can fold it in two or even three layers and glue it with wood glue. A shelf made of one layer of plywood may not be able to withstand the weight of the speakers and will crack. It turns out that the efforts were in vain, a mistake was made.
• The new part is cut out using a jigsaw. Its length may not correspond to the length of the one that was dismantled. You need to check this - try placing it on an iron base in the cabin. The original shelf is usually slightly larger in size due to the specific fixation. The new one should be one centimeter shorter in length. In order not to break the symmetry, shorten the board on both sides by 0.5 mm.
• Cut out holes for the speakers. Markings are applied, taking into account their future location. Don't rush to cut out the parts - if you make a mistake, you'll have to take new sheets of plywood or chipboard and start the whole job all over again.
• Holes for the speakers are cut in the metal base. Markings are made on the metal frame. They are cut using a grinder. This must be done carefully - there is a risk of sparks when the disk and surface interact. It is necessary to use personal protective equipment, such as goggles and gloves, a carpenter's coat or an apron. The car interior should be protected from accidental damage.
• Using an additional layer of plywood or chipboard, you can complicate the configuration of the acoustic shelf and achieve the effect of tilting the speakers in any direction. To do this, you need to draw a drawing of an additional part that will help create an angle. The outline should be transferred to a sheet of plywood or chipboard, cut out this element, glue it with wood glue to the inside of the main sheet, and additionally secure all parts with self-tapping screws.
• The edges are smoothed with a fine-section file and sanded. The resulting product can be coated with a wood primer and varnished so that the material does not deteriorate and lasts a long time. It can be negatively affected by high or low temperature in the car interior and air humidity.
• A cover is sewn from carpet. Carpet performs a thermal insulation function and reduces vibration. It is necessary for the salon to be beautiful and stylish. It will be difficult to guess that in fact the acoustic shelf is not purchased.
• The created structure is installed in the cabin and the speakers are connected.

Speaker shelf
Job completed. The sound system will now function much better. When selling a car, you may feel a little embarrassed when telling a potential buyer about the upgrade. But if a convertible top is made, a new engine or a new steering wheel is installed, the interior, the skirt protects the bumper, the LED system is complicated, a self-made acoustic shelf will not cause surprise or disappointment to the buyer.

The VAZ 2114 is made in a hatchback body, so the rear part of its interior is reserved for the luggage compartment. It is completely separated from the interior by a seat back, a rear door and a removable shelf covering the compartment from above. The shelf can be raised to facilitate access to the trunk.

Installation on a car

We place the finished shelf on the sidewalls of the standard shelf, check once again whether it “sits” well in place and secure it to the sidewalls with self-tapping screws. Before doing this, carefully check the tightness of the sidewall fasteners, if necessary, tighten them.

A self-made shelf for a VAZ 2114 car, well fixed to the sides, is not difficult to manufacture, does not rattle and significantly improves sound quality.

The design with sidewalls proposed in the first option is not inferior in quality, but it is more difficult and expensive to make.

What you need

To make a shelf you need:

• Sheets of plywood (2 pcs., at least 0.5 cm thick);
• Sheet of cardboard;
• Self-tapping screws;
• Furniture curtains (2-3 pcs);
• Jigsaw;
• Sandpaper;
• Fabric for covering the shelf (corpet or other);
• Glue;
• Measuring instruments;
• Marker;

The self-made structure will consist of two parts - a base with seats for speakers and a folding part that will provide access to the trunk.