kick panels - what should I make then from will speakers fit

My kick panels are a bit worn out so was gonna make some new ones & possibly fit speakers in them.

Is it best to use hardboard or 3mm MDF? I was gonna just get some from Wickes & cut them out ysing my old ones as templates then cover them in vinyl.

I have seen some with speakers fitted in them - can anyone give me dimensions as to where the speaker should go & how deep I could have the speakers to avoid fowling the front panel strengthening piece thingys.

Thanks

 

MDF will absorb water if not sealed correctly also
you may not be able to bend them, as they do need to
flex a bit to follow profile of front panel.
For what its worth, I am using the original plastic
ones, will be glueing some upholstery foam to them
then applying vinyl

 

I'd go for hardboard (which the originals were made from). They do need to flex.

 

I used fibre board for mine, but make templates from cardboard first as a lot easier to trim for a good snug fit, and much easier to get you speaker holes right so you miss the headlight bowls!!

I have got 6 inch speakers in there, its tight , and 7 's might fit but would be close

 

any chance you could post up a photo so I can see exactly where you have fitted your speakers?

 

As luck would have it I had to take some photos yesterday for the agreed valuation form. Not the best view but you can see where the speakers are.

 

I used 3mm faced ply with speakers like others said if you use wood make sure you seal them well, I didn't first time round and when my front screen leaked without my knowledge the offside kick panel soaked up a lot of water and went mouldy on the back. I've rescued it though and after drying out sanding and loads of preservative it's fine now.

 

what sort of sound do you get with speakers there? surely with no enclosure behind they are as tinny as hell?

 

Not too bad actually - I cut down two large plastic trifle dishes (one behind each one) to reflect the wall of noise. I like my music loud and these could be louder but they do.

 

I used plastic kick panels (from JK as I recall) and I fitted 6x9's in a vertical position. If you offer one up without the panel you can see that these will fit with 3 of the fixing holes going through metal. This gives a solid fixing for the speaker and the kick panel.

 

I just bought some off this guy:-
http://www.busandcamper.com/

 

here's how mine are, the front panel has alot of extra insulation on there, so the sound is deadend quite alot, but still sound ok.

The main bulk of the audio woek is put through these in the back though!!

 

I had the Jk plastic ones and thought them a bit cheap looking and plasticy ,I now have the TMI ones which are a black fibreboard type material