I installed Polk db351's in the dash a few months back which was a great improvement for the base radio. I have been planning my audio upgrade for some time, comparing notes with awpgti and waiting for the correct interfaces to become available for the headunit swap, which will be happening soon.
After deciding on Kicker 6-3/4" (Model #41KSC674) speakers front and rear, I decided to make my own mounts as the commercially available ones did not accommodate the Kicker's opening requirements of 5-9/16", and I wanted solid rings as opposed to the jig-tab open design.
The construction is .250" ABS bases with Baltic birch ply rings. The ring thickness is sized to match the OEM speaker projection into the cab. The rings are Z-poxy encapsulated and coated with bedliner.
Here is the process:
MDF template I traced from the original speaker mounts. I plan to make a CAD drawing of these and post them as a PDF at some point.
The templates were used to trace the outline onto the ABS back-plate using a silver Sharpie. I then rough-cut approximately 1/4" - 3/8" to the line.
Templates adhered to ABS (using double-sided carpet tape) and prepared to flush-cut on router table.
Closer view of template and part. Bit is 3/8" flush trim bit (top bearing)
Chips ahoy! Part trimmed and lots of statically-charged ABS chips clinging to everything!
Almost finished. Note relief cut in back side to allow room to mount flush (lower left in photo). OEM speakers had this also.
Now to mount speaker gasket tape front and back and install.
After deciding on Kicker 6-3/4" (Model #41KSC674) speakers front and rear, I decided to make my own mounts as the commercially available ones did not accommodate the Kicker's opening requirements of 5-9/16", and I wanted solid rings as opposed to the jig-tab open design.
The construction is .250" ABS bases with Baltic birch ply rings. The ring thickness is sized to match the OEM speaker projection into the cab. The rings are Z-poxy encapsulated and coated with bedliner.
Here is the process:
MDF template I traced from the original speaker mounts. I plan to make a CAD drawing of these and post them as a PDF at some point.
The templates were used to trace the outline onto the ABS back-plate using a silver Sharpie. I then rough-cut approximately 1/4" - 3/8" to the line.
Templates adhered to ABS (using double-sided carpet tape) and prepared to flush-cut on router table.
Closer view of template and part. Bit is 3/8" flush trim bit (top bearing)
Chips ahoy! Part trimmed and lots of statically-charged ABS chips clinging to everything!
Almost finished. Note relief cut in back side to allow room to mount flush (lower left in photo). OEM speakers had this also.
Now to mount speaker gasket tape front and back and install.
