Opti-Pods

[DakotaTJ]

Anybody use these? I just picked up a TJ and have only driven it twice. But I did notice the soundbar was making all kinds of racket, not rattle from the speakers type of racket as the stereo wasn't on. I think caused by the vinyl wrap on the bar rubbing against the roll bar cover. I tried jamming some small pieces of rubber in-between, didn't work though. So my thinking is to eliminate the soundbar completely.

I have ordered the Opti-Pods along with a new head unit, 5-1/2's for the front, 6-3/4's for the pods and a 100 x 4 amp. My thinking is the 6-3/4's will probably sound better in the pods as it is a bigger enclosure. I also don't mind the extra cup-holders and arm rest factor.

But I also can't help but feel that I am overthinking this. Should I go with the pod idea or just shut up and reinstall the bar with some 6-1/2's?

The reason I've only driven it twice is it is the dead of winter here and I've got the doors and hard top off so I can more easily work on the interior. I also plan on sound dampening the entire tub. Picked up a 98 TJ 4cyl., manual, gunmetal pearl with 49k Miles.

Have been lurking on this forum for a bit and can't wait to share the progress on my new toy.

Thanks!

 

[lBasket]

Anybody use these? I just picked up a TJ and have only driven it twice. But I did notice the soundbar was making all kinds of racket, not rattle from the speakers type of racket as the stereo wasn't on. I think caused by the vinyl wrap on the bar rubbing against the roll bar cover. I tried jamming some small pieces of rubber in-between, didn't work though. So my thinking is to eliminate the soundbar completely.

I have ordered the Opti-Pods along with a new head unit, 5-1/2's for the front, 6-3/4's for the pods and a 100 x 4 amp. My thinking is the 6-3/4's will probably sound better in the pods as it is a bigger enclosure. I also don't mind the extra cup-holders and arm rest factor.

But I also can't help but feel that I am overthinking this. Should I go with the pod idea or just shut up and reinstall the bar with some 6-1/2's?

The reason I've only driven it twice is it is the dead of winter here and I've got the doors and hard top off so I can more easily work on the interior. I also plan on sound dampening the entire tub. Picked up a 98 TJ 4cyl., manual, gunmetal pearl with 49k Miles.

Have been lurking on this forum for a bit and can't wait to share the progress on my new toy.

Thanks!

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I'll tell you this much, you definitely don't want to remove the fabric from the sound bar unless you want it to look disgusting, or have a huge job on your hands removing the glue.

 

[DakotaTJ]

I'll tell you this much, you definitely don't want to remove the fabric from the sound bar unless you want it to look disgusting, or have a huge job on your hands removing the glue.

Thanks for the warning. Based on the lack of response, I'm gathering nobody uses these.

 

[lBasket]

Thanks for the warning. Based on the lack of response, I'm gathering nobody uses these.

I can show you mine if you want, it's super gross.

And yeah, I could see that. With space at a premium, it's probably just best to leave them up on the ceiling and out of the way for a lot of people.

 

[ChasUGC]

Most of the rattle in that area comes from the passenger seat bushings. You can also check for looseness in the roll bar or the soundbar. But, I suspect it is your passenger seat. This is the normal culprit. You can try to put heavy items on your passenger seat and rear seat and see if you still hear the noise. Sometimes, there is even noise from the rear window or rear shocks or shock bushings. But, I would start the process of elimination with the passenger and rear seat.

 

[DakotaTJ]

Most of the rattle in that area comes from the passenger seat bushings. You can also check for looseness in the roll bar or the soundbar. But, I suspect it is your passenger seat. This is the normal culprit. You can try to put heavy items on your passenger seat and rear seat and see if you still hear the noise. Sometimes, there is even noise from the rear window or rear shocks or shock bushings. But, I would start the process of elimination with the passenger and rear seat.

Jeep was loaded with passengers. I’m 99.9% sure the noise was coming from the soundbar.

 

[DakotaTJ]

I can show you mine if you want, it's super gross.

And yeah, I could see that. With space at a premium, it's probably just best to leave them up on the ceiling and out of the way for a lot of people.

The only time they’d be on the way is attempting to remove cargo from the side.

 

[KennethS]

You can also check for looseness in the roll bar or the soundbar.

This is what I was thinking as well. The sound bar should be tightly affixed to the side roll bars and not be able to move at all. When I got my TJ, the sound bar was loose because the installer didn’t tap the bosses on the roll bar - he just jammed some bolts into the non-threaded holes and cranked them until tight. But that just mashed the bolt threads and they loosened up. I got a tap and ran it into the bosses to cut threads, installed bolts, and the sound bar has stayed firmly in place for 20+ years.

I recommend you lift the vinyl flaps on the ends, that wrap around the roll bars, and verify the bolts are actually installed and are tight.

 

[LJ-MXer]

Also curious about the opti pods with the kicker sub. Clean factory look it a plus but not sure about the sound?

 

[DakotaTJ]

Also curious about the opti pods with the kicker sub. Clean factory look it a plus but not sure about the sound?

Figured out the rattle/squeek was the hard top rubbing on the roll bar pad. Discovered that too late though. I had already installed these pods. Put kicker 6.75 2-ways in them. 75 watts going to those and kickers in the dash with 400 watts going to a Kicker 48TRTP82 (sealed down firing 8” sub).

The system sounds amazing and I think the pods help balance everything as they’re not right above your head. I do kind of regret installing them though, they do kind of get in the way. Especially when loading golf clubs, etc.

If i were you. I’d look into the sub I mentioned. It fits perfectly behind the back seat and you only lose a few inches of vertical space as you can set stuff on top of the sub (it’s very sturdy).

 

[LJ-MXer]

Figured out the rattle/squeek was the hard top rubbing on the roll bar pad. Discovered that too late though. I had already installed these pods. Put kicker 6.75 2-ways in them. 75 watts going to those and kickers in the dash with 400 watts going to a Kicker 48TRTP82 (sealed down firing 8” sub).

The system sounds amazing and I think the pods help balance everything as they’re not right above your head. I do kind of regret installing them though, they do kind of get in the way. Especially when loading golf clubs, etc.

If i were you. I’d look into the sub I mentioned. It fits perfectly behind the back seat and you only lose a few inches of vertical space as you can set stuff on top of the sub (it’s very sturdy).

I have a tuffy cargo drawer so zero room behind back seat. I'm limited to opti pods with the RT Subs, something that can fit behind the drivers seat and still recline (I think this would be the most enjoyable option) or a powered sub.

 

[DakotaTJ]

I have a tuffy cargo drawer so zero room behind back seat. I'm limited to opti pods with the RT Subs, something that can fit behind the drivers seat and still recline (I think this would be the most enjoyable option) or a powered sub.

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Got it. I bet the pods would be ideal for you then. They do look really good and my console doesn’t have rear cupholders, so gained those. I’ll snap a photo later this evening.

 

[LJ-MXer]

Got it. I bet the pods would be ideal for you then. They do look really good and my console doesn’t have rear cupholders, so gained those. I’ll snap a photo later this evening.

How do you feel about the bass they'll provide?

 

[DakotaTJ]

How do you feel about the bass they'll provide?

I bet they’d be pretty good. The 8 incher i have is more than enough, so 2 6.75 subs should be similar if not better. But I’m no expert. With the top off though, they’ll suffer a bit.