Kick Panel Speaker Boxes

[Jamess113]

I thought I would post some pictures of the front kick panel speaker boxes I made for my Camaro as I have had some requests on making theses. I’m looking for some feed back on what you guys think about them and do you think there might be a market for them. I’m currently looking into having all the parts CNC laser cut in small batches to keep the costs down to make them affordable.

I know they will also fit 68-72 Chevelles, GTOs, Novas and maybe some others.

Any feed back on these would be greatly appreciated.

[Chicken Coupe]

How much and how soon is all I'd like to know.

[tumper93]

That is a pretty good idea as to where to mount them as opposed to the access to the hinge bolts like the factory did them. Wish I had thought of that before buying new kick panels and reassembling the car. As long as they are sealed from water I think that should be a great selling item! I take it you just used 4x6 plates and then just made a "box" to go on the back side as the enclosure right? I would do like you said make up a few and offer them and you will probably be surprised at the number of people that are interested since so many people don't want to fab anything because of time or skills or tools to do so.

[130fe]

How much and how soon is all I'd like to know.

X2, I am also interested.

[Jamess113]

How much and how soon is all I'd like to know.

X2, I am also interested.

I'm working on a price and I should have a good idea by the end of the week.

[TT302Z28]

Depending on how much I'm in too.

[zcrz]

me too!

[redhead]

looks good. cutting a hole in the back of the box might let those
speakers breather better. I don't think fully closing them in is doing them any favors.
details...

[stealth71]

looks good. cutting a hole in the back of the box might let those
speakers breather better. I don't think fully closing them in is doing them any favors.
details...

Other than outside air from the cowl. At least on an A-body.

What's the plan for kick panels?

[Vegas69]

And water since the cowl drains through here. They would need to be ported inside.

[Jamess113]

looks good. cutting a hole in the back of the box might let those
speakers breather better. I don't think fully closing them in is doing them any favors.
details...

The speakers are not sealed in the box, there’s at least an 1/8 of inch air gap all the way around the speaker. You wouldn’t want to cut holes in the back, because it would just let the outside elements into the passenger compartment.

The hole idea behind these are, I’m installing a Vintage Air and see no need to have the kick panel vents. I thought it would be a good place for speakers, No grills needed and they’ll blend right in. They also seal up that area.

Thanks for all the input !

[Jamess113]

Depending on how much I'm in too.

me too!

I'll keep you posted!

[oestek]

Nice pieces!

[Jamess113]

Nice pieces!

Thanks!

[Van B]

No cutting of the kick panel sheetmetal?

[Jamess113]

No cutting of the kick panel sheetmetal?

No cutting! They are a bolt on. You could just use some self taping screws, rivits or use thread setters if you have the tool to mount them.

[CRead01]

Looks like it is a nice product. I am curious if there is enough air space though with the speakers. most smaller sets of speakers are designed to be free air in a door.

I am deffinately not nocking your product though because you could easily use a hole saw in the back of the box.

just thinkin out loud.

[Jamess113]

[quote=CRead01;488446]Looks like it is a nice product. I am curious if there is enough air space though with the speakers. most smaller sets of speakers are designed to be free air in a door.

I really think that there is no need for a hole in the back of the box because the speaker in not seal in. There’s an air gap if at least 1/8 of inch maybe a little more around the whole speaker. The speaker sets on 4 corner tabs not a flat plate so I really don’t think it will be a problem.

Think out loud! This is the stuff I need to know! Thanks for the input!

[claytonisbob]

I really think that there is no need for a hole in the back of the box because the speaker in not seal in. There’s an air gap if at least 1/8 of inch maybe a little more around the whole speaker. The speaker sets on 4 corner tabs not a flat plate so I really don’t think it will be a problem.

Think out loud! This is the stuff I need to know! Thanks for the input!

Acoustically you don’t want there to be a gap around the speaker. This would make it more like a free air speaker, which wouldn’t sound very good (mostly wouldn’t have any mid-bass). To make it a true IB speaker it needs to be sealed in the front and open in the back. I totally agree with preston about cutting the bottom of the back so it still shields the speaker from water, but allows it to vent properly. Having a small opening in the front or back would probably be the worst though. It needs to be a large opening, or none at all. If your thinking of vented or ported speakers (like in , design would be home theater or subwoofer boxes) theres a lot of math to do to tune it properly. And to be honest there isn't enough volume to be had in that area for that.

I really like the design though. I've been thinking of doing something similar with fiberglass for 5.25" speakers. I am going to try to make them as big as I can.

[carguy502]

Depending on price, I'm in. Whatever the price, that is an A1 idea. What kind of speaker are you running? Is it powered off the deck or an amp? Options?