Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

Steve, after looking at tooling options it would require a whole new jig to be made to get the size whole you are looking for. Sorry. The kenwood speakers call for the same size hole you are looking for. I cut them a little bigger to make sure there was no interference with the part of the speaker that moves. (no vibration noises)

If there is anything else I can do please let me know.

Kyle

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

Any luck on install? I had another customer email me with some tips. He said rubber gloves are a must as the adhesive is a bit sticky. Also he removed the glove box liner and the passenger defrost vent hose. Said the piece slid in very nicely.

He was also extremely happy with the quality and volume that was produced by just the center speakers. here is a picture of his install.

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

Thanks for considering that for me Kyle. Question: the holes that you are cutting, are they an exact 4"?

Thanks.

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

Here is the actual hole size and spread for you. Hope this helps.

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

Paul, I just wanted to give you a update. The new inserts we switched to came in, I presses them in and after a little testing ended up failing. Although they failed under a condition I dont ever see them being in, they still failed. So Im headed back to the old tried and true design. You will have yours soon.

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

Sounds great. Take your time.

Paul

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

Kyle,
Got my set up installed and love it. As info, I installed this in an AC truck. I had to make a very minor modification to clear the hoses by thinning the front corners by about half just over the center plastic vent. Took 2 minutes with a multi-max tool and I did it after the piece was installed. Looks great with no modifications to the truck and is very solid. Thanks for the part, it was exactly what I was looking for.
Todd

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

Thats great to hear Todd. Thanks for the feedback.

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

Not to hijack the thread but FYI the fredstruckparts site is down.

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

Thanks for letting me know. We have been having some major issues lately. The server company keeps telling me is cyber attacks. They are starting to irritate me.

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

Here is a little video of the sound quality we are getting out of the speaker plate.

https://youtu.be/Lmj7gzJHWFY

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

Any updates?

Paul

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

Paul,

The new inserts were here yesterday. I need to install them in your plate today and it will go out tonight. I will make sure to email you tracking. Thanks for your patience.

Kyle

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

Cool!

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

Thanks for the update Kyle. Looking forward to getting dash speakers in my truck.

Paul

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

[QUOTE=88Ironduke;7463601]Thanks for the update Kyle. Looking forward to getting dash speakers in my truck.

Paul[/QUOT

Any update Paul? Install pics? Reviews?

Thanks.

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

I have been in contact with Kyle about the delay in shipping. He has had some assembly issues and wants to get it right before shipping. Seems to be honest dude, Kyle has contacted me about the delay and not the other way around and explained the issues briefly. I'm being patient. I know allot of guys make these products in their spare time and I do appreciate their willingness to support the old truck community.
However it has been a minute, I sure do want to get my dash reassembled. Patience is a virtue I discovered in the military. Hurry up and wait...

Paul

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

I received the speaker mount assembly today from Kyle at Freds Truck Parts. Once the weekend gets here I'll install it and pass on my thoughts. Initial thoughts are I like it. More to follow.

Paul

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

Thanks Paul.

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

I wanted to post up a couple of pictures I took this weekend installing my speaker holder assembly I got from Fred's Truck Parts. Here is what is in the box. Before I go into detail here is my disclaimer. I am not an audio guru, I understand the mechanics of audio systems, wiring and such but what sounds good to me may not be what is supposed to be correct.

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...pswmcsrndy.jpg

The 3M windows weld is good stuff, the tube is not expired and has lots of shelf life left. I emailed Kyle, he recommended to ensure everything on the bottom of the dash be clean and grease free and scuff both the dash and plastic holder with some sand paper. I used a little 150 grit on both to give a cross hatch pattern and that was done. I used Acetone to wipe down the dash board where the adhesive would go and glass cleaner on the plastic bracket. I mounted the Kenwood 4" speakers and did attempted to do a test fit. Sounds good in theory but the magnets get hung up on everything metal. So they came off and I test fit bracket, eyeballed up center on dash grill and called it good. I applied the goo to bracket noting that my dash board is slightly concave and not true flat on the bottom so a little extra to account for the gaps is required.

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...psvbg5rrdy.jpg

Next page...

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

I used the mounting points that were visible thru the dash grill as a guide to center the bracket in the opening. A couple of zip ties and it was good to go.

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...pscfj75wku.jpg

24 Hours later I installed the speakers as advertised, I have yet hook my head unit so I can't say that they sound great, but I am certain they will be leaps and bounds ahead of what I had.... Nothing..

http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/...ps95uke4ee.jpg

Lessons learned I can pass on. Fishing the little screws can be a bit of a challenge, I had some weather stripping strips and I out a little dab on each screw to help hold it on my fingers during fitment. They are fine thread so they screw in very easily. The strip caulk stuff will also help with ensuring the screws don't back out. Wear a long sleeve shirt, you will be working thru your radio opening in the dash, the metal is sharp and will fillet your wrist. Then you're sad. My trucks dash has been cut for a single DIN radio, the upshot is the plastic bracket fits thru that area easily. It meant I didn't have to remove those pesky defrost hoses from the dash to clear an area. I have not played under the dash of an AC truck but I'm confident there are issues of space requirements already. If you have your glove box liner out I am 100% sure that it will help you dramatically.

Overall I like the kit, there are no holes in my dash so its a win. The speakers are shallow and will not interfere with the what ever your radio may be. What you order is what you get. Kyle threw in a free tee shirt since it took so long to ship. Very cool.

Fire away if you have any questions.
Paul

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

Thank you for the great write up. I always like seeing stuff like this. weather good or bad I can learn from it and make a better product.

Seems one thing the product is missing is a solid set of installation instructions. In the coming weeks we will be shooting a "how to" video on this product. that should help clear up a lot of questions. Again, Thank you for the write up.

Kyle

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

Quick update, I couldn't leave things alone so I slaved my head unit in place and the little 4" speakers by them selves have excellent sound. Another positive for Kyle!

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

Thank you.

I am no stereo guy and there was no sound engineering involved but I am impressed with the sound quality that comes out as well.

I have thought about shrinking the diameter of the speaker hole so it does not have the small gap. Do you think that will increase the sound quality?

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

You are correct. I did notice the small gap, most speakers come with a small foam coil to stick to the face of the housing. Since the speakers are high frequency units I do not see an issue but I did seal that area up with some more strip caulk around the back edges. It would appeal to an audiophile for sure. Its small potatoes in my book. Form and function always first.

Paul

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

Paul,

again, thank you for all the input. All the feedback from everyone has been a huge help in the development of this product. I'm hoping in the coming months I will have it refined enough to produce a large number and leave them on the shelf for quick delivery. I feel its almost there.

Kyle

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

If you do decide to shrink the holes a little, put me down for one! Thanks.

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

Interesting project for sure ! Anyone ever add speaker cloth ? I can only imagine the grandchildren dropping a coin on the dash and it finding its way down on to the speaker. Is there to much sound quality lost by adding the cloth ?

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

Speaker cloth is a great idea!!

Now, If we could get Kyle to make the speaker holes a little smaller, we'd be in business.

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

I suppose that this would make installation a little more challanging since you would not be able to use ty wraps to pull the assembly in place. I have a solution , bond 4 studs to the underside of the dash using panel adhesive. I have used a product made by Click Bond and they are fantastic. They come with a plastic application aid which sticks to the mounting surface with double sided tape and applies pressure to the bond joint.Once the adhesive is cured you remove the aid and are left with a stud which will support an elephant (providing you did the prep work properly. I am sure some of you folks are clever enough to create something similar and figure a way to hold in place while the bond cures. Finished item looks like this .Hope this helps !

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

The speakers are extremely easy to remove. If someone drops something down there you can pops 4 screws real quick and it will fall out.

Steve, Im getting there. Just trying to keep up with current demand right now. haha

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

Question for you? Do you have these in stock ready to ship?

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

hey Kyle its Mike Randys friend in Escondido .. are those the Retrosound Kick Panels ?

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

I have been trying to reach Kyle I sent paypal payment two weeks ago and have not heard a thing anybody else heard from him.

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

Trust me I know Kyle personally. He's a good guy it may be taking a bit to get your order . But you will get it . He's been really busy with the shop lately . But rest assured you will get your product. . ... ;) Happy Truckin

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

Sorry for the radio silence and the delay. trying to run the shop, build product and hold down a full time job is getting a bit out of control for me. I think its time to quit the job. but thats not a good excuse

You have a email with all the shipping info coming. I sent it priority to get it there quicker.

Thanks Mike. I may be slow sometimes but I have never failed to deliver product that was paid for. but I do need to work on being faster at getting stuff out the door.

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

Naaaa. Kyle don't worry brother your doing the best you can . And that's all anyone can ask of you . Keep your head up man . I know you would never not deliver . That's why I tried to smooth things a bit for ya . Don't quit your full-time job yet not till your truck shop is all you need to stay a float . Because we don't wanna lose your shop down here due to not making enough to keep it open . Just keep your axe to the grind. Keep working hard and it will workout we friends randy and I are always willing to help out with anything you might need or just even to have your back ... Happy Truckin brother

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

Just a heads up. I had to cut a notch in mine to clear one of the dash pad bolts.
No big deal the plastic is easy to cut.

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

I did hear this from one other customer and after looking at the 72 we did a dry fit on that stud was removed from the dash pad from the prior owner thats why we missed it. I would like to make a revision to the 67-72 plate but I dont have a truck with the dash pad stud in place.

If I make a 1/2 cut out on the top edge of the plate will that give enough clearance to get a socket on the dash pad nut?

Re: Prototype center speaker holder
 

Depends on how you mount it as far as being centered front to back. I didn't measure mine but it is more than half an inch. Here is some sub par pics I took of mine that you can see what I cut out and were in the grill my holes lined up. Just eye balled it.