speaker Kick panel....bummer

[GreyHoundSteve]

Originally Posted by 68CST327

Type-R's won't fit those kick panels? Damn. There goes my idea.

The 6 1/2's wouldnt so i went with the 5 1/4's. Part of the reason may be do to the fact that im going to use the factory dimmer switch and the design of my kickpanels will have them angled up and in, maybe a different style kickpanel might house them but with my design they were just too big. My problem now is trying to find some subs small enough to fit behind the seats.

[4x4Poet]

Originally Posted by GreyHoundSteve

...There is a direct relation to magnet size and quality. If you laid out all the best speakers you could almost put them in order of size and determine which ones are better. While this isnt true ALL the time it is pretty standard....

Magnets types do differ in magnetic strength. Within the same type of magnet (same basic molecular structure), your "size matters" rationale is perfectly sound. But djracer hinted to a superior magnet material used by DEI which is why I asked him to provide specifics. OTOH, a small, yet powerful, magnet prolly won't be able to make up for shallow cone depth. I'm hoping such a speaker may be able to perform better than one would expect.

For comparison purposes, have you ever compared the magnetic strength of same sized magnets in magnetic retrieval tools and noticed a difference?

[GreyHoundSteve]

Originally Posted by 4x4Poet

Magnets types do differ in magnetic strength. Within the same type of magnet (same basic molecular structure), your "size matters" rationale is perfectly sound. But djracer hinted to a superior magnet material used by DEI which is why I asked him to provide specifics. OTOH, a small, yet powerful, magnet prolly won't be able to make up for shallow cone depth. I'm hoping such a speaker may be able to perform better than one would expect.

For comparison purposes, have you ever compared the magnetic strength of same sized magnets in magnetic retrieval tools and noticed a difference?

DJ is correct and ive seen 3" speakers that will blow your hair back but they run about $1500 per speaker and are custom made to order. I was generalizing about typical speakers you will find at retail outfits. In avaition we can charge upwards of close to a million dollars for an entertainment system so we employ all types of components that defy typical limitations but for practical purposes the magnet size rule holds pretty true.

[speesh]

has anyone thought about replacing the ebrake with one from a 67? they are the hand pull type, that fits under the dash.... don't know if it would work or not....

[ChevyDude]

I'm am determined to do this with the deep 6.5" Kappa speakers. Looks as if I am going fashioning these panels myself in fiberglass. Pics to be shown as soon as I get them done. The new panel will hold a deep 6.5" and the 1" component...and have clear access to the dimmer switch and also not interfere with the E brake. Time to start craving a mold.

This is what I want (pic borrowed from 383 Stroker):

[bc gman]

I picked up a couple of the kick panel speakers about two months ago and was going to get some speakers for them after Christmas, I didn't realize that there would be a problem getting quality speakers to fit. I have already installed the two 4" under the dash and was hoping that the Aftermarket decks for these trucks along with an amp would sound good.

[70c10]

Alex, here is a very good link for you or anybody else who wants to make enclosures, kick panels, etc. to check out: http://web.njit.edu/%7Ecas1383/proj/main/

4th topic down

[BIG ORANGE]

I got aset of those panels in the Harley truck and used velcrow to mount them to the kickplate they sound good!

[ChevyDude]

A BIG Thanks to all the replys!!!! Seems like there are alot of us who want nice Speaks in our trucks and need some nice workable panels. I really believe the nicest ones I seen so far are the ones that 383 Stroker had made. He sent me a pic of the drivers side which is below. He doesn't have the E brake problem because his truck doesn't have an E- brake....at least that's what I think he told me. The panel I'm going to make will be like these however will deal with the Vent rod, E-Brake, and Dimmer Switch. This will be a nice lil' challenge and project on it's own.

[Brainchild]

Driving without tunes is a crime in the US.So we have to figure this thing out

6x9s in the floor in front of the seat are OK if you drive alone,but when someone gets in BLAH!

[68CST327]

ChevyDude, or anyone else, if you get a mold going, and can make some sets of these panels, I'd definitely be wanting to purchase a pair. I need to have some good sound; I've been without music in the truck for too long!

[Gary]

Make a mold that'll fit a standard depth 6 inch speaker (about 3 inches I think is enough for even the beefier 6 inch door speakers). Make the mold so you can ALSO easily mount a component set OR NOT "one size fits all" type deal, maybe leave a "flat spot" where you "could" bore out as much as a 3 inch hole into it for even the largest high frequency speaker and you'd have a best seller.

If you could make this for around $120 per pair and just leave them primered and 'ready to paint' I know I for one would likely purchase a set and I suspect you could sell a few of them easy.

Maybe use the Infinity's as your template but don't make component the "default" make it so you can easily USE component but don't have to.

[68CST327]

Originally Posted by djracer

http://www.directed.com/audio/speakers/default.asp here is a link to the speakers I was talking about! They are similar to the dddrive alpine speakers from a few years back! I have been in the bus since 1986 and these are the same people that make the best car alarms (Viper, Phython, Avital, Clifford and more) I am a dealer for these if any one want's a quote pm me. They are not cheap but they will fit in small spaces and sound awesome!

Huh, well that's interesting. Says the 6.5" speaker from Directed Electronics has a mounting depth of 2.5". On Alpine's site, they say the Type-R 6.5" speakers have a 2.75" mounting depth.

What precisely is the maximum mounting depth you can fit in those generic kick panels that just about everplace sells?

[EDIT] I just checked Alpine's site for the Type-S 6.5" speaker, and it has a mounting depth of 2-13/64", which is even better. Don't know how well they sound though. I suspect they are pretty good.

[passthebuck]

i'm in for a set! "build it & they will come"!

G

[4x4Poet]

You automatic users have it made for spacing out an enclosure. I need to clear both clutch and emer brake pedals.

[ChevyDude]

The challenge is there....the people want the product....let the games begin! Speaker molds Coming up!...I hope.

[volzfan59]

I'm thinking about building custom boxes and mounting speakers behind the seat in the area where the gas tank used to be.

[djracer]

Another thing about the dei speakers is the diameter of the magnet it is a bout 2 inches instead of the typical 3 to 4! This would help allot if you are to angle the speaker towards the driver! I strongly reccomend againest installing them without the angle. If you do this they will cancel each other out and have poor lowend!

[GreyHoundSteve]

Originally Posted by volzfan59

I'm thinking about building custom boxes and mounting speakers behind the seat in the area where the gas tank used to be.

Thats where i have decided to mount my other set of Alpine type R components. I had originally decided to them in the kick panels and door panels but when i saw the finished door panels i didnt care for the looks of them so im having another set made without speakers and im going to just put them in the kick panels and in the speaker box behind the seats with some subs.

Everyone i spoke to about this said i would be better off putting all four up front but i want the front to rear sound so when im listening to some pink floyd or something i can appreciate the studio work better. I'll post pics of everything when its done but its probably going to be awhile.

p.s. it didnt look like 383 would have an easy time getting to that dimmer switch with that design not to mention you wont pass state inspection without a parking brake. They look good but imo its not worth losing the pb and dimmer just to use a larger speaker, especially when you can find a slightly smaller speaker that will sound just as good.

[383 Stroker]

Originally Posted by GreyHoundSteve

p.s. it didnt look like 383 would have an easy time getting to that dimmer switch with that design not to mention you wont pass state inspection without a parking brake. They look good but imo its not worth losing the pb and dimmer just to use a larger speaker, especially when you can find a slightly smaller speaker that will sound just as good.

It's not nearly as close as it looks in that picture. I can easily get my size 15 under the kick panel. I removed the parking brake a long time before I put speakers in the truck. My truck had the pull handle under the dash and I didn't like the way it looked. We don't have inspections where I live. I also have speakers in the corners behind the seat.

[chevybill]

What is that under the gas gauge? Kinda looks like a radio?

[GreyHoundSteve]

Originally Posted by 383 Stroker

It's not nearly as close as it looks in that picture. I can easily get my size 15 under the kick panel. I removed the parking brake a long time before I put speakers in the truck. My truck had the pull handle under the dash and I didn't like the way it looked. We don't have inspections where I live. I also have speakers in the corners behind the seat.

Oh yeah .... that looks much better. In the other pic it looked like you speakers were right on top of your dimmer switch but in those you can tell there is plenty of room. I saved your pics for reference, i will be using a very similar set up except istead of a bottle behind my seat i will have some subs though if i didnt plan on using this as a daily driver i would prefer the bottle.

[383 Stroker]

Originally Posted by chevybill

What is that under the gas gauge? Kinda looks like a radio?

Cd changer display. I have a Pioneer 6 disc changer.

[68CST327]

Those enclosures that 383Stroker has are very, very, nice. If only they mass produced those for sale.

[383 Stroker]

Originally Posted by GreyHoundSteve

I saved your pics for reference, i will be using a very similar set up except istead of a bottle behind my seat i will have some subs though if i didnt plan on using this as a daily driver i would prefer the bottle.

I have a 8" tube style sub on the passenger side. I had two of them back there before I got nitrous. The sacrifice you make for a extra 150hp. haha.