Some people liked my door pods for my 6.5" speakers so I'm making a DIY. I do not know if these will fit with manual windows or with 4 doors. I could make these for people if anyone is interested.
Recommended tools:
-Belt sander
-Hair dryer
-Drill
-Auto Scroller
-Dremel tool
Materials:
-Vinyl
-3/4” MDF
-1/2” wood screws
-Liquid Nails
-3M Super 77 spray glue
I didn’t take pictures of every step, I wasn’t expecting to do a writeup…
Cut the grill out of the door. There is a little dip around the grill and that is what I cut. I used the dremel tool to cut grill out.
(pictured, what you should have cut out from the door, and a pod cut for just a 6.5" speaker)
Put the grill down on the MDF and trace about an inch and a half around it. If you just have a 6.5” speaker you can keep the egg shape. I extended the top part out to fit room for the tweeter in the component set.
(pictured, cut out pod for 6.5" components)
Trace the hole, or holes, for the speakers. You’ll want to center it so the speaker fits into the hole made by the grill.
Take the drill and drill a nice big hole in the circle(s) you traced out. Now the fun part… Auto scroller time! Cut out the circle and the pod. When you have one cut out, use that to trace the second one and repeat the cutting and drilling.
This part took the longest. Once it’s cut out and you test fit to make sure the speakers will fit it’s time to sand it down. I used a belt sander to make the curves. Just sand it to get the nice curve you want. I should’ve spent a bit more time on it. I finished up the sanding by hand with some 220grit. It doesn’t have to be perfect since the vinyl covers some of the imperfections.
(pictured, before I did final touch up sanding by hand and with the belt sander)
This part sucked the most. Laying the vinyl and stretching it. Spray the 3M glue onto the wood and let it sit about a minute or two then spray another layer on. Lay the vinyl on top. Take the hair dryer and heat up the vinyl in a small area (less than 30 seconds) and I used the flat end on a pair of scissor handles (NOT the blade!) to force it out and stretch it. Once you heat and stretch the top, turn it over and do the same on the back. This is the worst part because you need to pull it tight, stretch it, glue it, and keep most of the warping out from the sides. I cut a good portion off to leave maybe half an inch left on the back.
Repeat the sanding and the vinyl laying on the second one.
I cut a small X in each hole and tried to push the speaker in. I’d cut just a little more each time until the speaker fit. I trimmed off the edges of what was cut for the speaker. Mock mount the speaker and drill the holes for the speaker screws. Screw the speaker down.
Almost done!
I do not have pics of mounting the pod to the door, but pics shouldn’t be needed. Drill 8 to 10 holes around the opening on the grill of the door within half to a quarter of an inch to the edge.
You may need help for this part, just for someone to hold the pod. Put some liquid nails on the pod, not too much but one ring around the grill. Have the person hold the pod against the door and put the screws into the holes you just drilled. Go slow when using the drill to screw the screws into the pod. If you’re using half inch screws you shouldn’t have to worry about going too far and screwing up the vinyl on the outside.
Repeat on the other door.
I spent about 3 hours making the two pods and about an hour installing them. So overall it’s about a 4 hour job.
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/676422/1
nice man. how well do the speakers run with the pods? i mean there on a treadmill
Might look into making some of these. good job man
very nice writeup. Is there anyway to angle the speakers upward more? Or do you think fiberglass will be required for something like that?
Now that is pimp. Great DIY write-up for sure.
-Teske
awesome. this makes me hate my tan interior even more!
good write-up!
Desert Tuners
“When you come across a big kettle of crazy, it’s best not to stir it.”
Those are realy sweet! but woul dnot fit maual windows
. BUt something similar could be done my thinning out are that gets close to the crank
they look damn good, definately good job, and good write up, but u do know thats particle board, not MDF right?
On the other hand....you have other fingers.
i had lots of toys when i was young.slinky,etc.but once i found my penis,that was all she wrote
I thought it was MDF, oh well, it all does the same thing.
If there isn't a tweater then it wouldn't stick out so far and could be trimmed down more.
Might be possible to angle them up more, cut an angled piece and put them together. Maybe I'll give it a shot one day.
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/676422/1
