i want to add kick panel speakers on my A/C equipped 70 Chevelle. I am curious how to mount them. Sincen my factory kick panels are thin flimsy plastic do I assume the speakers would mount to the metal structure in that area? If i were pushing some serious wattage to the speakers and they were mounted to the kick panels I would think it would shake/vibrate a lot. I do not necessarily want to buy the aftermarket panels with the bulged out appearance. It looks like it would interfere with my parking brake (I have a 5 speed). What is the process for mounting some decent speakers down there?

I have a 67 with A/C and I used the factory kick panels w/ the factory kick panel grills and then used upgrade after market speakers. Problem there was the size of the magnets. The stock speakers have a small magnet and are shallow so they fit. Your trick after market speakers will have large magnets that bang right into the metal cowl structure. You may have to cut a large hole in the metal or run a stock size speaker. I sent the speaker mounting screws into the metal structure. They don't sound as good as expected either without a cabinet or speaker inclosure.

Does anyone make an enclosure for mounting in the kick panel or should I just move them to another location?

I bought an aftermarket set of kick panels with places for speakers on EBay. they were for my 69 with a/c. they do interfere with the parking brake but we modified that to work.The OEM panels are too thin to use. You would have to cut into steel side panels to fit speakers, not cool.
I put a set into the doors of my 67 camaro 30 years ago but had to cut panels and door shell. They used to use a 5" hole saw to install speakers back then.

http://taymanelectrical.samsbiz.com/?mainURL=%2Fstore%2Fcategory%2F8ho4%2FKick_Panel_S peakers.html%3Fcategory_id%3D8ho4

These work great - a bit stiffer than the original panels. The only thing is they are very glossy and shiny. I sprayed them with SEM Landau black and they look perfect now... sound great, no buzzes.

I've seen those Custom Autosound pieces. I just need to find them without the speakers.

I've seen those Custom Autosound pieces. I just need to find them without the speakers.


I think these (from tayman) are the same as the Custom Autosound... I bought some for my 70 w a/c, but haven't installed them yet... I want to pick my own speakers...

http://taymanelectrical.samsbiz.com/?mainURL=%2Fstore%2Fcategory%2F8ho4%2FKick_Panel_S peakers.html%3Fcategory_id%3D8ho4

I used my factory non AC panels to mount some 6" speakers and they seem to work fine. I used the little clips that go over the edge of the hole for the screws to go into. I had to clearance the metal behind the panel slightly for the speaker to fit but it seemed to work well.
If you are leaning towards the aftermarket you could always try the originals and if you don't like them buy the others, If you like them you will save some $

LK

Tayman sells the Custom Autosound panels but he sells them with or without the speakers. That's where I got mine. On my 70 I had to remove part of the metal bracing to clear the magnet. Slim style speakers would fit better but won't handle the power like my Infinity Kappa's.

Believe me, I tried every which way but there just isn't much room to play with. I lined the back of mine with Dynamat as well as the surrounding metal and then stuffed in baffle fabric (pillow stuffing) before mounting the speakers. No problems with vibration at high volume.

Next time tho, I'm gonna go with components and put the tweet up in the door panel. My Tacoma has this set-up from the factory and I really like it. A small sub or mid down low and the tweet up high. It's hard to find a nice balance without fading too much power to the front channel. Even with my 4way 500w amp it's still not what I'd
hoped for. Bottom line is that all those legs muffle some of the sound.

Another satisfied customer of Tayman Electrical. I ordered a set without speakers and they were a perfect fit. I installed a pretty thick speaker (Infinity) and had to remove the horizontal metal strip behind the panel. A shallow speaker would work without cutting.

I have a few pictures on my web page: http://home.comcast.net/~dcabral99/stereo.htm

Dave