Front speaker fiberglass box/ within wheel wells

What sets your Spider apart from the rest?
Post Reply
azygoustoyou

Front speaker fiberglass box/ within wheel wells

Post by azygoustoyou »

Would there be any interest for front speaker boxes made of fiberglass to protect the front speakers for those that don't have wheel well liners or the plate behind the front wheel? It would go in here.
Image
Here is a sample I made of cardboard. I was thinking of making it out of 1/4" pine or luan. Giving the box a wooden lining. Then covering with two coats of fiberglass. It would be just big enough to fit in the area. If lined with poly fill, should sound great. Just depends on your speakers. I think this would be a great way to protect your speakers also. :mrgreen:
Please give me your opinions. I'm making one set for my car but could make more if there is interest.
Image
NebraskaSpider

Re: Front speaker fiberglass box/ within wheel wells

Post by NebraskaSpider »

I can't seem to visualize where the speaker would go and what goes in the wheel well. Is this a speaker box that replaces the inside kick panel and also a fiberglass piece that goes in the wheel well. I'm confused (easily done) but am interested in this idea as I don't have the plastic liners in my wheel well. How much would something like this run?
NebraskaSpider

Re: Front speaker fiberglass box/ within wheel wells

Post by NebraskaSpider »

...after thinking about it for awhile I realized that the speaker box replaces the kick panel and you just had the picture of the wheel well there to show where the liner would have been. Right?
azygoustoyou

Re: Front speaker fiberglass box/ within wheel wells

Post by azygoustoyou »

Yeah,
here is a pic of the box and how it would sit in the wheel well. I still have to cover the box with fiberglass. It looks a little rough now but will look good when finished. I made it as big as it could possibly be. The circle is where the speaker would go into the box. You would still need your kick panel. This is to protect the speaker from the elements. Once fiberglassed, you could spray the edge with undercoating to blend it in. I'm haven't figured out the price yet.
Image
Image
Image
NJFIAT1981
Posts: 1490
Joined: Sat Mar 21, 2009 11:55 am
Your car is a: 1970 SPIDER AND A 1976 SPIDER
Location: New Jersey

Re: Front speaker fiberglass box/ within wheel wells

Post by NJFIAT1981 »

Very intresting project Brady. George
azygoustoyou

Re: Front speaker fiberglass box/ within wheel wells

Post by azygoustoyou »

I got the boxes done and coated with fiber-hair. Tomorrow I'll put one coat of resin on. Then apply bed liner.
All I'll have to do then is buy some nice speakers. :mrgreen:
Image
Image
NebraskaSpider

Re: Front speaker fiberglass box/ within wheel wells

Post by NebraskaSpider »

Looking good. Did you have to do any cutting or welding to install them?
User avatar
manoa matt
Posts: 3442
Joined: Thu Oct 26, 2006 4:28 pm
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat 124 Spider 1800
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii

Re: Front speaker fiberglass box/ within wheel wells

Post by manoa matt »

How do the boxes stay in, and how do you keep them from rattling around? I would think making the rear panel that is shaped to the profile of the fender would be easier, and more aesthetically pleasing.
azygoustoyou

Re: Front speaker fiberglass box/ within wheel wells

Post by azygoustoyou »

I tried making the panel. My other car has it and it is half way coming off. It's almost impossible to make and get a good fit. This will look fine when installed. It will also sound better than a tin speaker box.
It will be held on with adhesive and the four screws that hold the speaker on. I'll also use a speaker gasket between the box and car. I'll put sealant a little farther outward to seal the box . No cutting or welding required if your dealing with the same situation I am. I have the opening in my fender.
If you look down behind your front wheel. Check to see how your panel is holding up. It could be coming off like my other car.
azygoustoyou

Re: Front speaker fiberglass box/ within wheel wells

Post by azygoustoyou »

Man these things really give a good deep echo. I'll be done with them today. I have the resin on now to make sure it is sealed completely. Next comes the truck bed coating from Dupli-color. It's funny, I got this stuff from Autozone for free for buying something else. I figured I'd use it for something. I wouldn't use it for what it's suppose to be used for. But it works great behind panels or on these speaker boxes. It's like the stuff that was put behind the parts of the car to seal them. A black gooey substance. It has no grit in it.
Image
azygoustoyou

Re: Front speaker fiberglass box/ within wheel wells

Post by azygoustoyou »

Got the speaker boxes done. Here's a pic. I figured out the cost of making them was $50
Hopefully if anyone wants to make their own, this post will help. :P
Here is the list of materials:
1/4" pine 1'x 4"
1" x 1" pine - used for battans
sand paper- I used my orbital sander
glue - I used Gorilla glue
staples- I used a staple gun
1 QT bondo short strand cat hair- You will use the whole container
1 QT resin
6 x 2" brushes
1 QT bed liner

Image
NebraskaSpider

Re: Front speaker fiberglass box/ within wheel wells

Post by NebraskaSpider »

Those look really good. Are you still thinking about selling them at all?
azygoustoyou

Re: Front speaker fiberglass box/ within wheel wells

Post by azygoustoyou »

I have to say that I had the opportunity to put the speaker box in my buddies car. It was night and day difference. He couldn't believe it. I will try to get it on youtube so everyone can experience it for theirselves. It will take about a week though. I'll let you know. :P
Post Reply