ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: Shilly on March 18, 2006, 04:45:17 PM
-
I've got a new set of 6x9's for the Tracker and was wondering if anyone has any opinions on placement. My idea is to remove the panels adjacent to the back seat (I have a '91 2 dr) and fab replacements out of 3/8" plywood using the old panels as templates, then cover the new wooden panels with matching fabric. Attaching it to the body would be with locking plastic fasteners through predrilled holes in the plywood. Now, the question..are the existing panels sturdy enough to support a set of beefy 6x9's, or do I need to press on with this idea? TIA...
-
I've got a new set of 6x9's for the Tracker and was wondering if anyone has any opinions on placement. My idea is to remove the panels adjacent to the back seat (I have a '91 2 dr) and fab replacements out of 3/8" plywood using the old panels as templates, then cover the new wooden panels with matching fabric. Attaching it to the body would be with locking plastic fasteners through predrilled holes in the plywood. Now, the question..are the existing panels sturdy enough to support a set of beefy 6x9's, or do I need to press on with this idea? TIA...
Even if the stock panels are strong enough to hold the speakers, I'd just make new panels out of 1/2" MDF - it will sound better and it won't rattle or vibrate. I did this in a friend sidekick a few years ago - I used MDF, it's the best wood to work with when dealing with audio panels and enclosures. I did as you said, used the old panels as templates, cut them out and I also rounded the edges with a router and covered them with acoustic carpet. We chose to use screws and screw clips in the plastic clip locations. In my 2-door, I'm building an MDF panel for the rear door to hold 6x9's. Around the door latch is raised more than the rest, I need to trim the wood and fill in the rest with fiberglass to make it fit and look stock.
-
The only downside to MDF is its susceptability to moisture and impacts to the edge. Rounding the edges usually solves this but if you expose it to the elements even with carpeting it can break down/swell really bad.
-
;)Been thinking of making those panels out of diamond plate and cut out holes for 6x9's.
put some thin foam tape on the backside to keep from vibrating.
-
pop rivit the panels on they don't vibrate.
Ross
-
NICE!!
(http://mysite.verizon.net/msmoniques/underboobs28vl.gif)
-
NICE!!
([url]http://mysite.verizon.net/msmoniques/underboobs28vl.gif[/url])
X2 :o
-
I had a constructive thought on this...
...oh yeah...there it is...boobies...no wait...
...anyone thought of that high density plastic they make cutting boards out of? Light weight, strong, and different.
-
I just cut a hole in the stock panels and bolted them in through the stock fastener places. Also, for a little extra sound quality, I used old jackets to use as sound deadening in the quarter panels and tailgate. ;D ;D ;D
-
stock mounting places? 6x9s? how, where?
-
No, not in the stock locations. lol, I put them up in the rectangular are toward the rear off the vehicle. I re-used the stock rear panels though. I bolted the speakers to the cardboard panel stuff then bolted the panels through te holes where the fasteners are normally at. When looking into the back, it looks nice and clean, except for the 3 screw heads that are holding the rear of the panel on.
Ill try to upload pics somtime of it ;)
-
I'm totally in love with that girl dancing!
LOL
-
I have looked at doing this, and the best thing I could come up with is to remove the factory panel, and basically weld in some metal to mount the speaker to, cut a hole in the factory panel and mount them through there, screwed into the metal so there is no chance for vibration. I dont' know that I like the look of the big grill sticking out however, so I might try to come up with a way to mount them behind it and create a flush grill or something.
-
I like the idea of the aluminum diamond plate, I just finished ripping out my interior this weekend to weld up all the holes in the floors etc. Diamond plate would look really goodin the back.
-
well, ambition wouldn't wait for funding, so I went ahead and used the existing panels until I get $$$ and time to use all the ideas you guys provided. I did get some good insight on installation though, and pre-planning and careful preparation are invaluable. In addition, those existing panels are unbelievably tough. They are much stouter than just cardboard, and I found out a Skilsaw comes it handy to make the cuts. I'll post pics in the next day or so of the completed installation, but the sound is 100% better. Thanks to all who posted; I'd have never come up with a fraction of the suggestions y'all offered.
-
I just installed a stereo in my Brother-in-laws Tracker this weekend. His is yellow, and I suggested replacing all his interior panels with Diamond plate. But, I would paint the Diamond plate Black (matches his yellow Tracker). I then suggested that he could keep them unpainted, untill he's ready to have more items powder coated black. Then he could take them all down to the powder coater at one time.
I hate the stock interior panels, well at least the fasteners, if you do not have a fastener removal tool, you will tear the carboard. Especially if the interior is older and exposed to the weather (Junkyard finds). Those darn plastic pieces either break where they slide into the cardboard, or refuse to come out of the holes in the metal body. Then, they some times get to brittle to hold anything. Kinda of funny, either they are brittle and hold nothing, or they are hard and can't remove them. It's either one extreme or the other.
If I were to do the diamond plate, I would grill it as well and mount the speakers behind it. If done properly, you could weld the grill to the diamond plate and weld studs on the back to hold the speakers on to the diamond plate. (Of course ,you would need somebody with an aluminum welder unless you decide heavy steel is more your style)
Then when attaching the diamond plate to the tracker, I would use bolts/screws that have a torx head or something other than a Flattip, Phillips, or Six Point Head to help prevent theft.
Now for the funny, we were installing the last speaker, when all of sudden my brother-in-law slipped of the screw and drilled a nice hole in his new speaker. ;D
...anyone thought of that high density plastic they make cutting boards out of? Light weight, strong, and different.
I like this idea, maybe with a little research you could find a plastic piece with a nice pattern or flat surface as well.