My daughter was given a stereo for Christmas w/standard installation included. This means I need to have it ready for the stereo. She is taking it tomorrow morning, so I need to get this done. The previous owners cut out in the backseat for speakers. Looks like they eyeballed it and cut with a steak knife I made the openings round, and put speakers there,(not my first choice for placement, but we work with what we have). Now I need to put speakers up front. To do this, I need to cut out the kickpanels. What saw should I use? I was going to mark off, then put masking tape on it to minimize any cracking or breaking. Then, drill holes to start, and cut with a keyhole saw. Is this right? Would it be easier to just drill many holes in the kickpanel itself (providing it will fit over the speaker) and not cut it out? I hadn't thought of that, but someone on another thread here did that. Easier is always better for me. Rhonda
Rhonda, what i did was...found a set of stock kick panels with the factory grilles in them. as you said...you could drill the holes... i did a set once with the speaker grille on the outside of the panel...me and the pass. kept kicking the speaker face off... ...be sure to sound proof behind the speakers... ...Frank...
I was afraid there would be issues with the covers. I think I'll just drill the holes. If I don't like look/sound, I can always cut the entire thing out, and add covers later. How do I soundproof behind the speakers? I know something should be done behind the ones in the backseat, too. Sorry, new to all this! thanks Rhonda
I would use a dremel to do the holes. Just use the cutting discs, they work best. I have done speakers, windows for computers, cut pipe, plexi-glass and various other things with the dremel, it works slick. You can measure the inside lip of where the speaker will sit into the hole you are trying to drill and use a compass to get your size. Just go a couple mm's bigger. You are probably already done though. Let us know how you fared if you are.
Cut the kicks to fit 6.5" speaker, the factory speakers are about half the depth of new "good" speakers. Most new speakers come with some surface mount grill to install on top, my Infinity's have a extra rugged grill, they do get kicked! The factory speaker hole beind my kick pannel fits the magnets on my speakers perfectly. I also tucked some MB Quartz crossovers behind there, powering a pair of tweeters up in the corners of the dash. The tweeters sound so good bouncing the high notes and vocals off the windsheld.
