Project Lemon Drop: anything but stock!

[jugernot]

Oh the circle hole in the template is for one of these. Not sure if I will put it there or somewhere else.

[Joe Pass]

Looks good, making some progress...........You know a Vice would look good on that Free router table

[mac72]

Originally Posted by jugernot

Oh the circle hole in the template is for one of these. Not sure if I will put it there or somewhere else.

Where in the hell did you find that !?!

[jugernot]

Originally Posted by mac72

Where in the hell did you find that !?!

Amazon. Its made by Rockford Fosgate.


Amazon.com: RFX33SD: Electronics

[mac72]

Originally Posted by jugernot

Amazon. Its made by Rockford Fosgate.


Amazon.com: RFX33SD: Electronics

I've been looking for something like that, NICE! Thanks

[chevycheetah]

Updates????????????????????????????? It's so close to being finished.....

[jugernot]

Originally Posted by chevycheetah

Updates????????????????????????????? It's so close to being finished.....

Unfortunately not. I was just looking at my calendar and will probably take a week off from work in August. I was thinking I might work on the speaker enclosure behind the seat and stereo installation.

Thanks for asking. I will sure and update the progress if I'm able to get to work on it.

[chevycheetah]

I've been following for a while and I'm getting ready to start my resto/ mod once I move into my new house. I'm really curious how the speakers will look when they're done.

[jugernot]

Originally Posted by chevycheetah

I've been following for a while and I'm getting ready to start my resto/ mod once I move into my new house. I'm really curious how the speakers will look when they're done.

Me too

[jugernot]

For the past few weeks I have been watching car build TV shows and YouTube videos to motivate myself to get to work on Lemon Drop this coming week. I managed to get a week off from work and requested nice weather. I really hope to have most of the work on the enclosure done by next week end.

Months ago I took the truck out for a spin and forgot to reattach the battery tender. So when I tried to start it yesterday, the battery was dead. I wonder if it was caused by the mechanical clock???? So a quick trip to NAPA Auto Parts for a new battery.

Anyway. I really want to get the interior done, so I started working on the rear cab speaker/amp enclosure. Before removing the seats I made a cardboard template of the available space behind them. I decided that I would use the existing threaded bolt holes, inside the cab, from the gas tank to attach the enclosure (3 on the top and 4 on the bottom). The subwoofer will go behind the passenger seat and brains of the head unit will go behind the middle seat and the AMP will go behind the driver seat.

Once I was happy with the fit of the cardboard template, I transferred it onto a 3/8 inch piece of plywood and then sanded and cut that until I was happy with it. Then I used that as a template and made 4 copies on the router table.

I made vertical support braces from MDF and will attach them to a piece of MDF across the floor. I plan on making the back of the enclosure out of fiberglass and then once all the components are attached and wired, I will cover the front of the enclosure with fiberglass with access panels to allow access to the components inside.

I'm not sure if the vertical support braces will go in the spots shown in the picture. I put them there to help me visualize the enclosure. Which, in my head looks good, but we'll see how well it turns out. I have something in mind for the cab corners but that will be the last part of the project.

I welcome any input or advice on this part of the project, but take it easy on me. (this is the first enclosure I've ever made)

The last picture is the supervisor who stopped in to check on my work

[Palf70Step]

Looks like some of the supervisors I have in my shop. Glad to see you get back on it again.

[Joe Pass]

Its been awhile....hope to catch up with you soon.....good to see you back at it...

[jugernot]

Originally Posted by Joe Pass

Its been awhile....hope to catch up with you soon.....good to see you back at it...

Thanks Joe. Yes definitely

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Good to you back at it

[jugernot]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Looks like some of the supervisors I have in my shop. Glad to see you get back on it again.

Originally Posted by FRENCHBLUE72

Good to you back at it

Thanks, I try to stay up on it this time..

[jugernot]

I did some more work on the speaker/amp enclosure. Instead of using the lower bolt holes from the original gas tank. I drilled holes in the floor braces and compressed some threaded inserts. Then I placed the particle board base down and bolted it to the threaded inserts.

I decided to scrap the original Pioneer speaker box and make a new one. I was worried that the shallow box, that I made, would not allow enough room for the speaker, but it worked out fine.

I glued up the Amp box and the speaker box. I still have to work on the face of the Amp box and decide how I will mount the amp. I'm not sure if I want the Amp to be visible through the top of the enclosure or have an access panel that hides it. I put them in place and re installed the drivers seat to make sure there was nothing hitting the seats.

Once I have the Amp and speaker boxes done, I will work on how to mount them to the top gas tank bold holes. (I have idea in mind) and then secure them to the base. Once that is all figured out, I will work on the area for the brains of the head unit.

The brains of the head unit will be mounted between the speaker box and Amp box. Since there is less room behind the center seat, I will have to recess the face of that section. This will be hidden, but will have an access panel.

Once all that is done I will attach all the components, wire them up. I think there is space between the base of the enclosure and the floor to hide the wires from view.

After all that is done I will remove the entire enclosure and fabricate the face of the box with both particle board and fiber glass. The goal is to have cover with a vinyl that matches the seats.

[gringoloco]

Nice work! Watching this

[Joe Pass]

wow...your kicking some a**

[jugernot]

Today I cut the back board for the head unit, lined up the three pieces and was pleased with the way they turned out. Next I focused on the cab corners.

When making the cab corners I wanted to use the space in the corners for storage or something. My idea with the cab corners was to make them as a separate piece to the main enclosure. This way I can tuck them into the corners and then slide the main enclosure in between them and attach all of them together by bolts.

It took probably half a day of cutting the many different small pieces, putting them together to get the shape that I wanted. The other side with probably take half the time. I'm very happy with the way it turned out (just how I envisioned).

[Joe Pass]

I had no idea you had these skills....I'm still at a AM radio mentality...lol

[jugernot]

Originally Posted by Joe Pass

I had no idea you had these skills....I'm still at a AM radio mentality...lol

I don't I'm winging it........ I was about to give up and just leave the non-functioning OEM radio and install plain stock door panels, but I decided to give it once last try. The big test will be if I can get it all wired up and working.

[jugernot]

Okay I think I have it all figured out now. Well at least the box itself. I have just a few things to fine tune to finish it up, including the face plates. I'll still have to wire and install the components and then wrap the box in vinyl. I called it a day at 1:30 because it was just a little to hot. Maybe I'll have a chance to do some more in the evening.

Oh I still have to fiberglass the cab corners too.

I picked up this tool and it has been a great with helping figure out the different angles.

[Joe Pass]

That tool looks to complicated....

[jugernot]

Originally Posted by Joe Pass

That tool looks to complicated....

Yes you are absolutely right. I have already thought about things I would have done differently.

[jugernot]

I fiber glassed the cab corners, then covered them with a little body filler, and did a bit of sanding. I also made some kick panels, one of which will hold the a hard wired remote for the radio and the transmission temperature gauge that is currently located under the center of the dash. I could not find a 4 way stretch vinyl in a charcoal grey, but did find 2 way stretch vinyl in charcoal grey, which I will use to cover many of the pieces. This is the first test fit and still needs some adjustments, but its getting close