Custom Rear Side Panels

[FoxHound]

Been trying to find the thread for this, pretty sure I've seen it before but not having luck...at any rate I know no one on here wants to pass up an opportunity to show off their truck

I'm putting in a stereo system in my k5 and want to mount the speakers within some custom made side panels in the bed. There's no way I'm paying for the china-made LMC ones, especially when I know I can make them way cheaper. Anyway I'd like to see some pics of what y'all have made. I'm leaning towards making them out of plywood and upholstery but by all means post up anything you've got, always down for new ideas. I've seen some pretty cool diamond plate aluminum ones. Thanks

[fxdxharley]

there is a vendor here that sells them as a kit. they match to orginal almost perfect. cant find the link right now and the search function isnt working.

[fun in dirt]

Just get a big piece of cardboard to make you a template & go from there.
The ones in my current '72 Blazer are made out of aluminum diamond tread. The ones in my previous '85 were plywood, then stained outside & coated the back & edges in roll-on bed coating.

[in deep 72]

Working on a set myself, but not very high on the priority list right now. Hoping to make a prototype out of plywood, bondo, and fiberglass cloth/resin, Then shoot a glass mold off of it.

Not 100% sure on finished design as of yet, but hoping to NOT have them flat. Want to incorporate in at least 2 speakers/subs/???. Just want something out of the norm. Once the mold is made, the plan is to make a finished part out of carbon fiber. The plan for the whole truck is going ot be black with CF accents (side pannels, door panels, kick panels, and maybe dash pad) Then repaint the truck again (quality job this time) back to black, with CF deck stripes.....Going to be a long slow project. Have been trying to do things while keeping the truck drivable, now thinking of a complete teardown so I can do everything RIGHT without feeling rushed. Just hope I can stand the waiting and not driving.

[bigblock68]

i used 1/4-20 carriage bolts with a wing nut behind the speakers and amp so there are no visible screws or mounting tabs

[FoxHound]

hey those are all pretty slick. fun in dirt, like the stained plywood. and bigblock that's a nice setup with the vinyl. i'll probly end up doing one of these two. tossing around the idea of plywood with a black gloss finish to match my interior.

[ch0psv1lle]

how hard does that subwoofer hit

[SamMargritz00]

i made mine with a cardboard stensil and cut it out on plywood. i added more wood to the top tho where the bed curves in, so it was a straight piece instead of having to go on the inside and all that junk. looks way cleaner now. these are old pics, i have new ones now that its finished on my cell.

[FoxHound]

i made mine with a cardboard stensil and cut it out on plywood. i added more wood to the top tho where the bed curves in, so it was a straight piece instead of having to go on the inside and all that junk. looks way cleaner now. these are old pics, i have new ones now that its finished on my cell.

I think I'm sold on that setup there. Nice clean look, simple vinyl pattern, easy to mount in, great speaker positions...well done sir. I've seen some of the threads with your k5 in it, that is a sweet ride. Love the color combo.

[SamMargritz00]

thank you!
heres the picture where i got my insperation. idk who originally posted this picture but hats off to you.

heres some better pictures of mine too. tried to find one the best i could of the pictures i have of the front part. but pretty much i just wanted it to go the full length of the side. then i had the tailgait covered as well to add to it.

[blaze92]

how are you guys mounting those panels?

[JBerno]

Mine bolt in behind the speakers so that there are no exposed bolts or screws.



http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=549269
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[BigCountryx]

Just some quickly thrown together panels testing the waters. I used nutserts to attach them to the factory brackets. Some black bolts would have been better, but these are brushed stainless.




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[fun in dirt]

Those look nice!

[rfsnyder]

I went a little more on the rugged side... the truck has Al's liner covering the entire floor/cab. So I cut 3/16" plywood to fit the side panels and covered those with Al's liner as well. I did happen to squeeze in a custom built sub box in the back, also covered with Al's.

[RANDY COX]

Don't have any pics,but i used diamond plate in the rear of my burban.

[Erik V]

A single 6X9 per side hides behind the grill between the rollbar tubes. Sounds much better with the top up than down. Someday I hope to add 2 speakers in the front corners somehow-currently the sound isnt the highest of quality...but considering this setup has been in the truck since 1972'ish I think its pretty nifty. Current speakers since 1996.

Erik