Hey guys its been awhile since i've really posted but I browse the site a couple times a week.
Im finally ready to get off my but and install my 6 1/2" CDT cla-1's in my 04 Cavalier (2dr). I have the doors deaden with RAAMat but I've ran into a complication.
In my 97 Cavy with manual windows I was able to make an MDF baffle and mount it to the door and just have enough clearance between the window and the plastic part of the door. On the 04 w/ power windows there isnt enough clearance.
I can't make kickpanels because its a manual so there isn't enough room on the drivers side with the clutch. I was thinking making an MDF baffle and mount it on the plastic part of the door where the speaker grill is. Then cut a hole in the plastic and mount the speakers to the MDF.
That would give me enough clearance but will it be sturdy enough and look good is my question, unless you guys can think of another way.
Thanks
Replies (14)
lilschtive on 07/18/2006 01:08:34
Did you say there was room to mount it in the MDF, or no?
ralter649 on 07/18/2006 03:10:44
i have an 03 cav. that i put JL 6.5 in the doors and they are some of the thickest speakers (atleast in compairison to all of the other 6.5 speakers i looked at).....any ways i just used 1/4 plywood to mount the speaker on and i mounted that to the inner steal that the factory speaker was mounted to....i dont have to chop up the door or anything.....it takes a few try to make to plywood ring right but you can do it
ryan2 on 07/18/2006 11:30:37
lilschtive I would need to use MDF as a baffle to mount my speakers so its sturdy and mounting the to the plastic part of the door is the only way they can fit right now.
ralter649 I dont think that is possible for me. Actually now that I think about it, I dont remember if I added the .75" with the MDF baffle when I was seeing if they would fit. I guess I'll have to take the door off and try again after this hot weather cools down a bit.
swez on 07/18/2006 12:04:26
This could be very tricky or somewhat simple, depending on several variables:
1. Clearance to inner window assy
2. Thickness of baffle plate needed
3. Depth of woofer in door
4. Clearance between speaker grills and window crank
A few detailed pics and dimensions would be most helpful here.
FYI: Recently did an install with a guy that used Infinity 5.25" Comps in the front door locations. (97 Acura Integra) He tried to make everything fit using the mounting hardare that came with his speakers. However, some assembly problems came to light later. He came out to my place to finish the install process. (Good thing too... I had the tools and know how he was missing) Talk about motivated... he drove from Maryland to Michigan and then headed west for California, after the install was finished.
Had to do several modifications to the stock speaker mounting wells and trim rings. Once all that was fabricated properly, the speakers dropped right in and he could then use the original grill covers that came with the car. Looked stock and stealty too.
It took a lot of time and careful triming work to get it right. But, after all the muttering, head scratching and mods were completed, they looked like an OEM install and the grill covers fit perfectly. As for sound... hehe, we were both very pleased with the outcome and fit. Oh our aching backs!!!
It was very hot and sticky here for the 2.5 days we labored. But the results and outcome were all worth the effort. Two very happy campers were found in the garage, giving high 5's and grateful hugs of joy, that we had succeeded.
(You know a guy is well pleased with the job when he gets a big, Schnitz Eating grin on his face, slaps a few high 5's on ya and then follows up with a grateful hug) That's what good friends do huh?
Uhmmm, no funny ideas here fellas... don't read more into this than there was. Just 2 (very normal) men, working out a difficult project and getting better then expected results, equal VERY content installers.
Game over... we beat the odds,
Swez
ryan2 on 08/13/2006 21:27:24
I had to drill a hole in my door to mount the speakers. Im very pleased on how it turned out. There was no way possible to fit in in the factory spot useing a 3/4" MDF baffle without hitting the door panel and window.
I have only finished the passenger door so far.
I have pictures posted on cardomain.
Heres the address: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/712302
Victor on 08/16/2006 19:33:43
I wanna send u a good pic of a thign i did to solve a similar issue.. where can i mail it to u???
swez on 08/16/2006 20:06:42
lt looks like the stock speakers were what.... 4x6" format?
This is a tough one to make it look and fit like OEM gear. Use an adhesive to hold the MDF to plastic backing on the door panel instead of screws. Gorilla glue, Liquid Nails or RTV silicone will hold it in place well enough and no gaps for rattles either. The screws just arn't needed and you'll get a better visual result too.
Like the crossover location and if you really want to make it look nice and stealty, consider some black or matching gray cloth that can be stretched over that map pocket hole from the inside. Some poclets are removable or have access from behind the door panel. Just a thought, if you want to try it.
This one is definitely an install challenge with the tear drop shaped speaker grills in the door already. Not sure one could do much better with that shape either.
Swez
UKinstaller on 08/16/2006 21:50:22
very nice, i'm sure it sounds 10 times better than a 4x6. i hate those damn things.
one thing: those screws are gonna have to go. bare minimum, don't even mess with painting them, just get some screw caps that match your paint. caps look much better than painted screws, and they're really cheap.
no way to mount from behind??
-UK
ryan2 on 08/17/2006 13:20:22
Thanks guys. I will try the RTV silicone for the next door. Victor you can email me at rbittorf@sbcglobal.net.
UK i'll try the screw caps out and no it can't be mounted from behind.
Thanks again.
swez on 08/17/2006 13:30:47
You might find Liquid Nails will hold better than RTV Silicone. LN sticks to almost anything I used it on so far. RTV Silicone is fine for small and light weight adhesive applications. (Tweeter mounts and small speakers etc.) However, if you have a small surface area and need lots of holding power, use LN.
Swez
PS The trick here, is keeping everything stationary while the adhesive sets up. You can sometimes get by with weights and make a sandwich deal. Clamps and a backing panel may be best for getting a good, tight fit.
Can you take a few pics of the Drivers door before you begin? I'd like to see the back side of the panel and what you are dealing with there OK? TKS!
ryan2 on 08/17/2006 22:53:47
I will take a couple on saturday for you swez. I'll try the liquid nails after you take a look since I have a tube laying around.
swez on 08/18/2006 09:39:01
Good Nuff there Ryan.
Swez
ryan2 on 08/19/2006 17:09:05
My webpage has been updated.
swez on 08/20/2006 10:03:04
Saw your new pics and noted how your baffle board was laid in. If the door panel is flat and the the baffle board fits pretty flush, Liquid Nails should hold it in place after the adhesive cures. If not, your fall back position is to repeat what was done on the passenger side door.
Avoid getting any LN on the factory grill plate as this will probably look bad if seen and not much holding power there either.
Swez
PS Nice work on the matting of the driver's door panel. It looks very good here! Let us know how it works out OK?
Im finally ready to get off my but and install my 6 1/2" CDT cla-1's in my 04 Cavalier (2dr). I have the doors deaden with RAAMat but I've ran into a complication.
In my 97 Cavy with manual windows I was able to make an MDF baffle and mount it to the door and just have enough clearance between the window and the plastic part of the door. On the 04 w/ power windows there isnt enough clearance.
I can't make kickpanels because its a manual so there isn't enough room on the drivers side with the clutch. I was thinking making an MDF baffle and mount it on the plastic part of the door where the speaker grill is. Then cut a hole in the plastic and mount the speakers to the MDF.
That would give me enough clearance but will it be sturdy enough and look good is my question, unless you guys can think of another way.
Thanks
Replies (14)
lilschtive on 07/18/2006 01:08:34
Did you say there was room to mount it in the MDF, or no?
ralter649 on 07/18/2006 03:10:44
i have an 03 cav. that i put JL 6.5 in the doors and they are some of the thickest speakers (atleast in compairison to all of the other 6.5 speakers i looked at).....any ways i just used 1/4 plywood to mount the speaker on and i mounted that to the inner steal that the factory speaker was mounted to....i dont have to chop up the door or anything.....it takes a few try to make to plywood ring right but you can do it
ryan2 on 07/18/2006 11:30:37
lilschtive I would need to use MDF as a baffle to mount my speakers so its sturdy and mounting the to the plastic part of the door is the only way they can fit right now.
ralter649 I dont think that is possible for me. Actually now that I think about it, I dont remember if I added the .75" with the MDF baffle when I was seeing if they would fit. I guess I'll have to take the door off and try again after this hot weather cools down a bit.
swez on 07/18/2006 12:04:26
This could be very tricky or somewhat simple, depending on several variables:
1. Clearance to inner window assy
2. Thickness of baffle plate needed
3. Depth of woofer in door
4. Clearance between speaker grills and window crank
A few detailed pics and dimensions would be most helpful here.
FYI: Recently did an install with a guy that used Infinity 5.25" Comps in the front door locations. (97 Acura Integra) He tried to make everything fit using the mounting hardare that came with his speakers. However, some assembly problems came to light later. He came out to my place to finish the install process. (Good thing too... I had the tools and know how he was missing) Talk about motivated... he drove from Maryland to Michigan and then headed west for California, after the install was finished.
Had to do several modifications to the stock speaker mounting wells and trim rings. Once all that was fabricated properly, the speakers dropped right in and he could then use the original grill covers that came with the car. Looked stock and stealty too.
It took a lot of time and careful triming work to get it right. But, after all the muttering, head scratching and mods were completed, they looked like an OEM install and the grill covers fit perfectly. As for sound... hehe, we were both very pleased with the outcome and fit. Oh our aching backs!!!
It was very hot and sticky here for the 2.5 days we labored. But the results and outcome were all worth the effort. Two very happy campers were found in the garage, giving high 5's and grateful hugs of joy, that we had succeeded.
(You know a guy is well pleased with the job when he gets a big, Schnitz Eating grin on his face, slaps a few high 5's on ya and then follows up with a grateful hug) That's what good friends do huh?
Uhmmm, no funny ideas here fellas... don't read more into this than there was. Just 2 (very normal) men, working out a difficult project and getting better then expected results, equal VERY content installers.
Game over... we beat the odds,
Swez
ryan2 on 08/13/2006 21:27:24
I had to drill a hole in my door to mount the speakers. Im very pleased on how it turned out. There was no way possible to fit in in the factory spot useing a 3/4" MDF baffle without hitting the door panel and window.
I have only finished the passenger door so far.
I have pictures posted on cardomain.
Heres the address: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/712302
Victor on 08/16/2006 19:33:43
I wanna send u a good pic of a thign i did to solve a similar issue.. where can i mail it to u???
swez on 08/16/2006 20:06:42
lt looks like the stock speakers were what.... 4x6" format?
This is a tough one to make it look and fit like OEM gear. Use an adhesive to hold the MDF to plastic backing on the door panel instead of screws. Gorilla glue, Liquid Nails or RTV silicone will hold it in place well enough and no gaps for rattles either. The screws just arn't needed and you'll get a better visual result too.
Like the crossover location and if you really want to make it look nice and stealty, consider some black or matching gray cloth that can be stretched over that map pocket hole from the inside. Some poclets are removable or have access from behind the door panel. Just a thought, if you want to try it.
This one is definitely an install challenge with the tear drop shaped speaker grills in the door already. Not sure one could do much better with that shape either.
Swez
UKinstaller on 08/16/2006 21:50:22
very nice, i'm sure it sounds 10 times better than a 4x6. i hate those damn things.
one thing: those screws are gonna have to go. bare minimum, don't even mess with painting them, just get some screw caps that match your paint. caps look much better than painted screws, and they're really cheap.
no way to mount from behind??
-UK
ryan2 on 08/17/2006 13:20:22
Thanks guys. I will try the RTV silicone for the next door. Victor you can email me at rbittorf@sbcglobal.net.
UK i'll try the screw caps out and no it can't be mounted from behind.
Thanks again.
swez on 08/17/2006 13:30:47
You might find Liquid Nails will hold better than RTV Silicone. LN sticks to almost anything I used it on so far. RTV Silicone is fine for small and light weight adhesive applications. (Tweeter mounts and small speakers etc.) However, if you have a small surface area and need lots of holding power, use LN.
Swez
PS The trick here, is keeping everything stationary while the adhesive sets up. You can sometimes get by with weights and make a sandwich deal. Clamps and a backing panel may be best for getting a good, tight fit.
Can you take a few pics of the Drivers door before you begin? I'd like to see the back side of the panel and what you are dealing with there OK? TKS!
ryan2 on 08/17/2006 22:53:47
I will take a couple on saturday for you swez. I'll try the liquid nails after you take a look since I have a tube laying around.
swez on 08/18/2006 09:39:01
Good Nuff there Ryan.
Swez
ryan2 on 08/19/2006 17:09:05
My webpage has been updated.
swez on 08/20/2006 10:03:04
Saw your new pics and noted how your baffle board was laid in. If the door panel is flat and the the baffle board fits pretty flush, Liquid Nails should hold it in place after the adhesive cures. If not, your fall back position is to repeat what was done on the passenger side door.
Avoid getting any LN on the factory grill plate as this will probably look bad if seen and not much holding power there either.
Swez
PS Nice work on the matting of the driver's door panel. It looks very good here! Let us know how it works out OK?
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