If you're hunting for a 2017 silverado crew cab subwoofer box, you likely already know that the stock sound in these trucks is a bit underwhelming. It's a great truck—reliable, spacious, and looks sharp—but the factory audio just doesn't have that "kick" most of us crave. Whether you're listening to country, rock, or hip-hop, a decent sub makes a world of difference. The problem, as any Silverado owner will tell you, is that there isn't exactly a ton of spare room to work with.
The struggle with space under the seat
The crew cab version of the 2017 Silverado is huge inside, but once you start looking for places to hide a speaker, your options shrink fast. Most people end up looking at the space under the rear bench seat. It's the most logical spot because it stays out of the way, but it's also a very shallow area.
When you start shopping for a 2017 silverado crew cab subwoofer box, you'll notice that almost every design is "down-firing." This means the speakers face the floor. It's a smart move because it protects the woofer cones from people's feet and allows the bass to load against the floorboard, which can actually make it sound a bit deeper. But, it also means you're fighting for every half-inch of clearance.
Why shallow mount subs are your best friend
Because the floor-to-seat height is so tight, you probably aren't going to fit a massive, competition-grade 12-inch sub in there without some serious modifications. This is where shallow mount subwoofers come in. These are specifically engineered to provide decent excursion (the movement of the speaker) while having a very small mounting depth.
When you pick out a box, check the "mounting depth" spec carefully. If the box says it has a 5-inch depth, don't buy a sub that requires 5.5 inches. It sounds obvious, but it's a mistake a lot of guys make when they get excited about a specific brand of speaker.
Choosing between a single or dual setup
One of the first big decisions you'll have to make is whether you want one sub or two. A single 10-inch or 12-inch 2017 silverado crew cab subwoofer box usually takes up about half the space under the rear seat, leaving you some room for tools, jumper cables, or whatever else you haul around.
On the other hand, if you want that "chest-thumping" bass that shakes the mirrors, you're going to want a dual box that spans the entire width of the truck. A dual 10-inch setup is usually the "sweet spot" for most owners. It provides plenty of surface area for moving air but doesn't require as much airspace as two 12s, which can be hard to squeeze into a low-profile enclosure.
Airspace: The hidden factor
This is something that often gets overlooked. Every subwoofer needs a specific amount of internal air volume to perform correctly. If you put a sub in a box that's too small, it'll sound tight, choked, and won't hit those low notes. If the box is too big, the sub can lose control and potentially get damaged.
Most pre-fabricated boxes for the 2017 Silverado are on the smaller side—usually around 0.5 to 0.8 cubic feet per side. Make sure you check the manufacturer's recommendations for your sub to ensure it'll actually work in that tiny space.
Prefab vs. custom-built boxes
You've basically got two paths here. You can buy a "prefab" box off the shelf, or you can go to a local shop and have one custom-made (or build one yourself if you're handy with a saw).
Prefab boxes are great because they're affordable and usually upholstered in a gray or black carpet that matches the Silverado's interior pretty well. They're designed to "drop in" without much fuss. However, they are often made of thinner MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) to keep costs down.
A custom-built 2017 silverado crew cab subwoofer box is going to be more expensive, but it'll be built to the exact specs of your chosen subs. Plus, you can have it built with thicker wood, which prevents the box from vibrating and "leaking" sound energy. If you're a real audiophile, custom is the way to go. If you just want some extra "thump" on your commute, a high-quality prefab will do just fine.
Ported vs. sealed enclosures
In the world of truck subwoofers, you'll mostly see sealed boxes. Why? Because they take up less space. A sealed box is literally just an airtight cube. It produces very tight, accurate bass that sounds great for most genres of music.
Ported boxes have a "vent" or a hole that allows air to move in and out. This makes them significantly louder and more efficient at specific frequencies. The catch? Ported boxes need to be much larger than sealed ones. Fitting a ported 2017 silverado crew cab subwoofer box under the seat is a challenge. You might find a single 10-inch ported box that fits, but a dual ported setup usually requires raising the rear seat with a lift kit.
The seat lift kit option
If you're absolutely dead-set on running big subs that aren't shallow mounts, you can buy seat lift kits for the 2017 Silverado. These are basically spacers that sit under the seat brackets and raise the entire rear bench by one to two inches. It doesn't sound like much, but in the car audio world, an extra two inches is huge. It opens up the door for larger enclosures and better air circulation for your amps. Just keep in mind that your passengers will be sitting a bit higher, which might be weird for taller adults in the back.
Installation tips for your Silverado
Once you've got your 2017 silverado crew cab subwoofer box and your speakers, the fun begins. Here are a few things to keep in mind during the install:
- Clear the Floor: Make sure there's nothing under the seat that could puncture the speaker surround. Even a small bolt or a stray tool can ruin a sub if it's down-firing.
- Secure the Box: Trucks bounce. If you don't secure the box, it's going to slide around, which can strain your wiring. Some guys use heavy-duty Velcro, while others use L-brackets to bolt it to the floor (just be careful where you're drilling!).
- Amp Placement: Don't put your amp inside the sub box. It needs air to stay cool. Many Silverado owners mount their amps behind the rear seat backrest. There's a bit of a gap there, and it keeps the wiring hidden and clean.
- Wiring Gauge: Don't cheap out on your wiring kit. If you're pushing a lot of power to your subs, you need a thick power cable (usually 4-gauge or lower) to prevent overheating and ensure your amp gets the juice it needs.
Final thoughts on the upgrade
Getting a 2017 silverado crew cab subwoofer box into your truck is probably the single best thing you can do for your driving experience. It's not just about being loud; it's about filling in those frequencies that the door speakers simply can't reach.
Once you get it tuned right, you'll wonder how you ever drove around without it. Just remember to measure twice, check your mounting depths, and maybe warn the neighbors before you pull into the driveway. Whether you go with a single 10-inch sealed box or a dual 12-inch monster setup, your Silverado is going to sound a whole lot better the moment you hit that play button.