I'm getting ready to fabricate some rear panels for my 72 CST

[ChrisCostlow]

What's the best material to use? Wood? Most importantly, how thick?

Thanks in advance
Chris

[JBerno]

I made mine out of 3/4" MDF and fiberglass. I mounted my 10" Woofers in the rear and 2 - 6-1/2 speakers in the front. I just put some LED's on each side that are hooked into the door lights and a charging port on each side by the rear seat for cell phones, etc.

[tubbedII]

Wow JBerno! Need more details on this one for sure...

1. How did you still be able to mount the top chrome hold down if you used such a thick wood?
2. What did you use to mount the rest of this panel (stock risers?)?
3. This might answer #1 too, but what size panel is used ontop of the 3/4" mdf?
It looks like you put another peice ontop of it to go over the front pillar and maybe into the top hold down.

Killer job!!!

[JBerno]

Thanks man, I hope I answered your questions, I am not sure if I answered your's in the correct order. Just hit me up if you have any other questions

Originally Posted by tubbedII

1. How did you still be able to mount the top chrome hold down if you used such a thick wood?

On the first run I routered the top portion down along the entire top so that it slid in behind the metal rails, I did not care for that to much so I decided not to use them. I reworked them so that they now come up flush with the bed rail. Since I am not running a top anymore I filled in the mounting holes for the top so the rails are now smooooth.

Originally Posted by tubbedII

2. What did you use to mount the rest of this panel (stock risers?)?

I cut the panels to fit and then built some "skeletons" for lack of a better word. I cut a wood circle that the speaker would mount into then mounted it on a 3 legged tripod type deal to get the angles that I wanted on the speakers. I then streched an old sheet over that and stapled it around the edges to give me the basic form, then I mixed up some fiberglass resin and painted the entire thing, I did not use any fiberglass, i just wanted to get a firm back that would support the weight once I started putting the fiberglass on. Once that hardened up I started laying the fiberglass down. I sanded like crazy and then finished up with Bondo to get it super smooth.

Originally Posted by tubbedII

3. This might answer #1 too, but what size panel is used ontop of the 3/4" mdf?

See the previous answer, there is only the one 3/4" panel, the rest is Fiberglass and Bondo

Originally Posted by tubbedII

It looks like you put another peice ontop of it to go over the front pillar and maybe into the top hold down.

I put some wood behind the rails on the bed sides right behing the speaker holes, I mount it thru the speaker holes and then put the speaker in so there are no bolt or screw heads or anything else visible.

Originally Posted by tubbedII

Killer job!!!

Thanks Again

[jc06vmax]

Wow...awesome work!

Subscribed...I'll be watching this one
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[29od1]

If you use the stock chrome strips with the lip, I think the material width needs to be around 1/4". That seems to be what my panels are at the top.

If you're going to drive it with the top off a lot, there's always a chance to get stuck in the rain. So I would use either aluminum, plastic or fiberglass like JBerno and then wrap it with something. That way if it gets wet, you can just let them dry out. If you use wood or other resin bonded wood, it can rot or swell when it gets wet. JMHO.

[SamMargritz00]

i used plywood on mine wrapped in vinal. not as flashy as above^^^^^^LOOKS NICE!!

heres some links of what it looks like

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=539327
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=541362

[jc06vmax]

Originally Posted by SamMargritz00

i used plywood on mine wrapped in vinal. not as flashy as above^^^^^^LOOKS NICE!!

heres some links of what it looks like

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=539327
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=541362

That looks slick.

Does anybody have any pictures of setups with a double wall top? I was wanting to build a setup in a way to where I wouldn't have to remove the boxes every time I wanted to take the top off...

[tubbedII]

I have a double wall...but I can't think of a way that it's possible since the bolts go up into it. I thought about building access panels that fold down, but I don't think the easy access gain is worth the loss you take in the look. I think I'm just going to live with the fact that I have to pull it all apart to take off/put on the top. The trick will be to making the panels not a PITA to get off...

[JBerno]

Go topless, then you will have no worries
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[SamMargritz00]

Originally Posted by JBerno

Go topless, then you will have no worries
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That's what I say to my girlfriend. Doesn't go so well lol.
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[jc06vmax]

Originally Posted by SamMargritz00

That's what I say to my girlfriend. Doesn't go so well lol.
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