DIY rear shelf of Priora hatchback

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.

Manufacturing

Priora acoustic shelf

As you can see, such shelves stand in different ways. But one thing is for sure - to have a good quality acoustic shelf, you will have to pay at least 1.5 thousand rubles. A fair question arises: is it possible to make such a shelf with your own hands, taking into account your own wishes regarding its design. The answer is clear - of course, it is possible.

First way

Here's what you'll need for this:

Note. Let us note right away that the shelf can be made using different templates and technologies. You can find a template anywhere today. Fortunately, there are no restrictions on this. Just search on various sites.

Priora acoustic shelf

Advice. In this case, a drill can also provide an invaluable service. You can easily use it to cut holes for the speakers by making dots along the marked circle on the plywood. The saw will easily pass along such a circle.

Note. Reupholstering involves fixing the carpet to the shelf using glue and a stapler. For high-quality reupholstery, it is recommended to first place pieces of burlap on the ends of the shelf, and only then carpet on top of them.

Acoustic shelf on Priora

To install the sidewalls, they can be fixed to standard fasteners or additional ones can be used. As a result, we get an excellent homemade shelf, the cost of which does not exceed a hundred rubles. The sound quality of the rear acoustics will improve significantly, which can be directed towards the rear window (thus, you can get the effect of reflected sound).

The second method with a folding part

Again, plywood is used, but 2 pieces are already cut out of it. The first piece of plywood can be cut according to the template of the factory standard shelf. It is recommended to leave the second piece 2 cm shorter. Let's get started:

Advice. It is advisable to use Moment or epoxy as glue. They are the most suitable for this type of work.

Note. You don’t have to make it again, but cut it off from the factory one and screw it to the new one.

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:

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.
Tightness. This will help avoid an acoustic short circuit, which negatively affects the quality and volume of car audio.
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:

Single (solid) surface. Used in a sedan. This is a simple panel with holes for mounting speakers.
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.

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.

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:

The standard shelf is removed from the car along with the speakers.
All holes are sealed with tape - it is important to prevent polyurethane foam from getting into them.
The bottom surface is moistened for better adhesion to the sealant.
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.
You should wait until the foam has dried completely and treat all seams with silicone sealant.
Noise-vibration insulation material is glued to the outside with epoxy glue.
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.

Refinement of the station wagon shelf

Acoustic shelf lada priora

You can start modifying the standard factory shelf if you don’t want to change it. On a station wagon, the factory shelf does not have a straight surface for mounting speakers. What is the point of revision? Ensure a flat surface, that's right. The material in this case will also be plywood, the thickness of which is 20 mm. As for the width, 35 cm is what you need.

Note. Note that the factory shelf is made of 2 layers of plastic.

Note. In the process of such refinement, a difference is possible. To avoid this, it is recommended to cut 2mm plywood along the contour of the cut out part, and then glue the whole thing to a thick piece of plywood.

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 layout

A standard acoustic shelf installed in a car can serve as a model for making a new one. From it you can subtract the required dimensions and format of the structure. But it is inconvenient to use it in practice, so you should first make a mock-up. First you need to dismantle the standard shelf and get a sheet of thick cardboard of the appropriate size. We attach the removed shelf to the cardboard, outline the perimeter, include holes for seat belts in the layout, select the location of the speakers and draw their diameter with a marker on the cardboard.

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:

The shape of the product is cut out with a jigsaw, and all unnecessary parts are cut off.
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:

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.
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.

Making a layout

Next, use a cardboard knife to cut off all excess along the edges of the cardboard layout and cut holes for the speakers. Remove podiums for speakers from the standard shelf, which will also serve as mock-ups for new ones.

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.

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.

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:

A homemade rear shelf will fit perfectly into the dimensions of the trunk,
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?

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.
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,
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.