Home-Made Speaker Kick Panels

[Joe67]

Awesome - I need a set

[cstanley]

what a nice detail to go the extra mile and re-mount the fresh air controls! that is the pro way to do it.

hey frizzle, are you a primus fan?

[jkaylor68gmc]

I would be willing to purchase a set of those from you!

[jd4300fel]

Mike ,
Real nice job, You have me thinking of doing the same. Not to rob the thread but, I had a vision when you mentioned the tweeters on the dash has any one used the factory AC vents to mount tweeters in not just the hole's but the just remove the deflector?

[BigSky71]

I have intended to attempt this mod on my truck. Very cool, thank you for the write up!

[BACKYARD88]

Originally Posted by jd4300fel

Mike ,
Real nice job, You have me thinking of doing the same. Not to rob the thread but, I had a vision when you mentioned the tweeters on the dash has any one used the factory AC vents to mount tweeters in not just the hole's but the just remove the deflector?

I plan to mount the tweeters behind the vents in my truck. I did this on my mustang. Good way to hide them if you're going for a stock appearance.

[project1971]

I am going to have to look at this thread at the house..... they have the pictures blocked here at work

[Orange]

Man - those are great!
Terrific job! This is one project that a fella just needs to have some fiberglass for.

DLB

[Frizzle Fry]

Thanks for all the props I wrote this up because it's so easy to make something so much nicer than what's available in the catalogs. This was my FIRST fiberglass experience and it's not difficult at all. The vinyl took some patience and attention to detail, but the whole thing was pretty darn easy.

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

Great idea! By using a newer column or actually modding just the lever?

I got the cheapo plastic kick panels and my switch is useless behind it.

The idea is still brewing, but I think I will go see what's available at the parts store for replacement Hi-beam switches on newer car/trucks that have the turn signal lever switch (GM if at all possible ) I'd like yo get a three position switch--1)mid positions is low-beams, 2)push lever fwd to toggle on hi-beams, 3) pull lever back for momentary hi-beams (flash headlights). Then I'll figure out how to make it work in my column. I'll post what I come up with.

Originally Posted by muddpile

I've thought about doing this, but one question: How well do the floor vents work now with the handles spaced out from the original location on the tin kick? Are they just out 3/8" or so (wood+fibreglass+vinyl), or are they more than that? If I could make that work, that would be killer!

Yep 3/8" is about right. The vents work perfectly. The flap/doors hit the intended hard-stop as designed before the puller rod touches the kick panel.

Originally Posted by Ozona

Now that you've done these, what would you do differently next time?

I would love to hear your thoughts...so I can learn from you.

That a good question. Let's see...

• The backer board bowed up slightly at the edges when the fiberglass cured. You may be able to prevent this by clamping them down around the edges after applying the resin.
• The grooves for the wires were made at almost the same place that the vent puller bracket screws ended up (very close), so I'd put the grooves off to one side or the other rather than the center.
• Tossing the vinyl in the dryer for a while before covering does help make it more pliable.
• I didn’t mention that I took the longer dowels out after all the fiberglassing was done. Just knock them loose with a hammer and take them out. I left the short ones in place.

Originally Posted by cstanley

what a nice detail to go the extra mile and re-mount the fresh air controls! that is the pro way to do it.

hey frizzle, are you a primus fan?

I wouldn’t give up those vents! And where else would Frizzle Fry come from?

Originally Posted by Orange

Man - those are great!
Terrific job! This is one project that a fella just needs to have some fiberglass for.

DLB

First fiberglass job for me. Home Depot has the cloth and resin in the paint section. I must have used more hardener than I was supposed to because I had to go back for more before the resin can was even half empty Home Depot does carry the hardener by itself.

[Gary]

While you're at it, tell us about those door panels

[project1971]

man i checked out this thread here at the house and the pictures came through.... absolutly amazing! those are great! I am definatly going to have to make some of those! I am off today and that give me some insperation to go to the shop and work on my truck and get something done. Thanks for the walk through looks amazing.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

Thanks for all the props

The idea is still brewing, but I think I will go see what's available at the parts store for replacement Hi-beam switches on newer car/trucks that have the turn signal lever switch (GM if at all possible ) I'd like yo get a three position switch--1)mid positions is low-beams, 2)push lever fwd to toggle on hi-beams, 3) pull lever back for momentary hi-beams (flash headlights). Then I'll figure out how to make it work in my column. I'll post what I come up with.

Great! Keep us (mostly me ) posted on that!!

By the way, I'm putting a new carpet in my truck next month, so you have about 3 weeks to figure it out

I don't actually use my high beams (with the fog lights on with my low beams, I have plenty of light at night.) I'll probably just let it sit on top of the carpet for now. Don't want to cut up $120 carpet yet....

[70rs/ss]

I like it, would a 67-8 ebrake assembly fit? I know it'd solve the interference, just not sure if you could put the 67-8 ebrake set up in a 69 and up? Just a thought, very cool!!

[Frizzle Fry]

Originally Posted by 70rs/ss

I like it, would a 67-8 ebrake assembly fit? I know it'd solve the interference, just not sure if you could put the 67-8 ebrake set up in a 69 and up? Just a thought, very cool!!

I thought about that too. I have the hand e-brake out of my 61 and I think they are the same through 67 or 68. You know anything can be done, it's just a matter of how much work is involved.

Originally Posted by Dixiesys

While you're at it, tell us about those door panels

Here's the scoop on the panels.
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[grayw0lf]

Wow! Very Nice work!

[bcbasketball11]

Incredible explanation, i will DEFINATELY be making some. Thank yyou so much for enlightening us with this knowledge haha. Can't wait to get started!!

[atxsteve1]

Nice job..looks good.

[72swb_327stroker_?]

great job!!!!!!!
fantastic pics to boot!
awesome!

[Madmandav]

[chrislehr]

awesome.