void behind map pocket for speakers

[81SPIDERMATT]

searched several different subjects and found mention of this void under speakers but no answer to my question.....

not sure of other years but removing map pockets there is a hole already cut for some round speakers... however looking thru the holes I can see the front tires ... have not pulled the tire to get a better look but it seems like you might be able to seal up that area at first "feel with your hand" but reaching up in that area all of a sudden it does not seem like such an easy task .....

my reasoning for sealing is for speakers that will go in that location... interested in how one would deal with the fact that now the speaker is just shy of being outside the car....

I can see only 2 solutions .... make a weatherproof box that will house the speaker and stuff it in that space ... if anyone has done that I would like to know more ..... or somehow seal off that area and utilize the now weatherproofed space as the box itself .... this is my favorite as the amount of volume the box would have .... would love details if anyone has done or attempted this scenario

going with 6 x 9 speakers in that spot ..big amp blah blah blah (and I know that they will point at the tunnel ..but that will actually be good for the base and the tweeters are adjustable directional )

as I type this a third option has occurred to me .... using the map pocket plastic backboard as a template and build custom boxes... most likely would loose a couple inches of space for your feet ..from what I could tell it would not affect driving just getting in and out of the car ...they will be out of the elements but not very much volume for the speaker for sure ......thanks... Matt

p.s. I am set on this size and location for the speakers ....

[So Cal Mark]

the later cars used the inner fender liner to prevent water from getting into that area. We use a speaker box on the back of the speaker to seal it up.
I've seen lots of stuff shoved in that area, including towels and plastic bags to try and preserve the speakers

[paintdudeluke]

if you sacrifice the pocket you could make a nice small sealed enclosure for a 6 1/2 or 6x9 but the pockets are handy too.

[81SPIDERMATT]

Mark .... when you say "we" does that mean you have such boxes available??

Luke ... losing the pockets no matter which route I take ... they are just pop riveted in and I have never used them ..always wanted to try and build a custom box... would be a cool touch... and in my mind would be as hard/easy as trying to seal off that area from the outside

[burgandy81]

I used something like this;

http://www.crutchfield.com/g_762/Foam-S ... tml?tp=660

Seems pretty good. I also have the later wheel well liners Mark referred to.

[paintdudeluke]

Mark .... when you say "we" does that mean you have such boxes available??

Luke ... losing the pockets no matter which route I take ... they are just pop riveted in and I have never used them ..always wanted to try and build a custom box... would be a cool touch... and in my mind would be as hard/easy as trying to seal off that area from the outside

If you never use them have a stereo shop build you some sweet custom fit boxes. 6 1/2" would be the stealthiest fit and sound great. 6x9s are pretty deep, put those in the rear.

[81SPIDERMATT]

I used something like this;

http://www.crutchfield.com/g_762/Foam-S ... tml?tp=660

Seems pretty good. I also have the later wheel well liners Mark referred to.

BURGANDY
I talked with crutchfield and they recommend if I use those that I cut a hole in the back or cut out the whole back of those baffles otherwise I kill the bass response ..... which takes me back to my original problem .... I also have a set of wheel well liners that came with the car ... I have never installed them as one is in pretty bad shape... I could however repair the damage and use them ... I know that they would help A LOT but do not seem like a weather proof solution as my car is my daily driver and sees more than the sunny day drive

LUKE .... going with just a 2 speaker setup that is the reason for the 6 x 9 size ....difference in sound from 6 1/2 to a 6x9 is substantial ... local shop wants 85 an hour plus materials to build the boxes and will not attempt sealing off wheel well ... I am quickly approaching 4-5 hundred for the stuff that I want and that is with self install .... while I will pay good money for something I want ... frankly I just cant afford to do what I am doing now ... and it will be a 2 or 3 months worth of pinching pennies to get me there ... but I got it in my head and will achieve my vision ...slow and steady

gonna pull one of the tires off this week and stick my head in there and see what I can see

[burgandy81]

BURGANDY
I talked with crutchfield and they recommend if I use those that I cut a hole in the back or cut out the whole back of those baffles otherwise I kill the bass response ..... which takes me back to my original problem .... I also have a set of wheel well liners that came with the car ... I have never installed them as one is in pretty bad shape... I could however repair the damage and use them ... I know that they would help A LOT but do not seem like a weather proof solution as my car is my daily driver and sees more than the sunny day drive

Good points.

Another option is to use mounting rings, also available from Crutchfield. I used a set for my 5 1/4 rounds. In this way you can use the baffles (and some silicone) to get a very good weather seal and use the mounting ring for the porting. My guess is that 3 or 4 or more 1/4" holes in the side of the mounting ring would provide enough air to push some good sound.

I hear you on the budget. My system was assembled from some free MB Quarts out of a friends car and craigslist parts all assembled by me. VERY cheap, kinda fun and if every want to change it there is no loss.

[ride65]

Why not open up the round hole in the steel to accept the 6x9's( you have to open it up towards firewall), make a 3 sided (door hinge pillar will interfere with 4th side) box out of some sheet metal, slide it into the void from the outside, drill your holes for pop rivets, pull it back out, caulk (use a good butyl caulk) the living daylights out of it, put it back in and pop rivet in place, let caulk set up, then install speakers. There's room back there, but it'll be tight (i just pulled the fenders off a cs2 so I know how tight it is). If you mount them in the map pockets, you're gonna' lose some of your bass because there's no way to get a good firm mount into the plastic, that in turn will allow the speaker itself to move with/to the music

[81SPIDERMATT]

burgundy .... great idea with the mounting rings .... good outside the box thinking.. pun intended ... that sure would make for an easy install ... need to investigate that option further .... I have a friend that has more money in his stereo than the car is worth ... he was not very agreeable to the idea of me just swapping it over ... I need more friends

ride 65 .... that idea is as close to what I had in my mind yet ... I really need to pull a tire and get a better look at what I am working with ... my feeling around with my hand is what prompted the question in the first place ... I was imagining more of a 1 or 2 sided piece that would essentially close off that whole area creating a box ... covering the odd shaped hole below the round speaker hole (that would be enlarged for the 6x9) thanks for the tip on which way to go with the hole ... and my plan with this scenario was always to mount to the steel ... when I said "map pocket" ... on my car there is a large contour back piece and then a smaller piece that creates the actual pocket ..it is pop riveted onto the larger piece and easily removed.. my plan was to loose the small piece and mount thru the larger piece into the steel of the car.. thereby retaining that piece of trim.. or to use that large piece as my base for a custom box ..essentially skipping the first step in a custom box build because I know it fits the space already ... float the ring and stretch the material and start glassing


thanks guys for taking time to comment and make suggestions ....

I will keep you updated as things progress and decisions are made and on that note ... was always told to do it from your ears backwards to the radio ...so here is what we have so far

infinity 6x9 speakers pair ... 9021x ..crutchfield online .. to the door 140.00
stinger 10 gauge power and signal wiring kit .... local shop 40.00

total to date ... 180.00

[81SPIDERMATT]

side note .... inspiration for all of this was a new Pandora station that I added ... "Italian Traditional Radio" ... I play it on the garage stereo whenever working on the car ... it is to say the least .. inspirational ... and cruising thru the mountains at loud volume will just make me smile

[SoFlaFiat]

Matt, if it helps, both my wheel wells are wide open and I could take pictures to give you an idea of the space you are working with.

[81SPIDERMATT]

Matt, if it helps, both my wheel wells are wide open and I could take pictures to give you an idea of the space you are working with.

thank you and while I want to say yes .. I will be getting the front up and wheels off tues morning .... but curious what you think you would do after staring at it for a minute or two

[So Cal Mark]

here's what we use, they are also available in 6x9;

[SoFlaFiat]

I have gone in circles thinking about using spray foam to fill the area/create speaker pocket and slope it up at the back, then undercoat the fender area like mad. I think I would want to spray the foam in bursts, so as to not put pressure on the fender.
Keep in mind that I will only drive the car in the rain if I get caught in it.
My other idea is making a fiberglass half skirt to keep water out but then I worry about movement against the fender, how to fasten it, whether to seam seal it...
Any opinions?
Stupid question, that was