[Tomikaze]

I've started a project. I'm making "RS America" style door panels. I can see Flash cringing as he reads this. I'm doing this out of necessity not just to do some mod that no one but me likes. The covers on the speaker boxes on my door panels do not fit with the bolt in roll cage I have installed. I could remove the speaker boxes and have no front speakers and a large area of unfinished cardboard showing or I could try to do this right and make something that looks like it belongs. My drivers side door card was already warped and ruined. 968 door panels are difficult to come by and the few I have come across were way to expensive (typical junk yard pricing). I found a mint pair of 944 panels off a 1987. The upper portion has a little less bulge than the 968 panel but they are a direct fit otherwise. The lower portion of the panel will be taken down to the cardboard. The speaker box indentation will be filled in flat and then wrapped in matching german vinyl. I am having the pleating done to match the look of the original door panel. I will retain the stock door release handle and the window switches. The armrest is going away and it will be replaced with an RS America door pull. Not the fabric pull but just the simple handle. I've seen some other door panel mods on web and have not been happy with what I saw. I want this to look like it could have been an option on the car. Now to my question...



On the back of the 944 door card there is a stamped area that looks like it is for a 4x6 speaker. The 968 door has the corresponding cavity in this location for a speaker. What size speaker fits here? I'm not looking for audiophile quality sound here. Just an easy installation. What will be invloved with the wiring that is already there? Can I reuse the current wiring and just plug in a speaker? Is there a factory crossover in the door somewhere? If I reuse the wiring that is there will that speaker only function as a mid-range speaker? Any advise will be appreciated.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

lol - not cringing. i've done that, though it was always motivated by weight loss



the 944 indeed came with a 4x6. i found the yamaha 3 way to be the best of the bunch.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Tomikaze]

Any specs/requirments of the 4x6 speaker you know of? Maximum depth? Anything to watch out for? Or should I just measure and take my best guess?

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[flash]

just take off the panel, roll down the window, take a measurement, and go for it. make sure you don't let the magnet get too close to steel.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Tomikaze]

The most shallow mount speaker(s) I can find mount at a depth of 1 5/8ths which is the same measurement I took from the flush metal panel to a metal bar in the door that assists with the power window operation. I could figure a way to raise it a bit but that magnet is going to be RIGHT THERE. Will the speak not function?

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Tomikaze]

Update on my little project. Found a pair of Blaupunkt speakers that are shallow enough to clear. Ordered up my RS America Door Pulls from AppBiz. Very nice product by the way and got it all dry fitted on the 944 door panel.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Tomikaze]

Got the almost finished panel back from the upholsterer today. VERY impressed with the work. They look OEM just like I wanted. The speaker cubby is filled in. All that's left to do is cut out the areas needed for the door pulls, window switches and speaker holes.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[schwarz968]

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Tomikaze]

Yup. Both are available. I listed them for sale on the site a while ago but got no response. I was going to either list them again or go the flea bay route. The passenger side is close to perfect. The drivers side has some warpage and cracked vinyl at the top. Make me an offer.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Tomikaze]

A new moisture barrier. Doesn't have to look pretty. Lubed the window sliders while I was there.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Tomikaze]

Finished product. Not too shabby if I do say so myself. Looks and feels OEM. The new speakers were a noticeable improvement in sound too.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[EEZATOY]

looks great....

What was the model number for your Blaupunkt speakers?



Thanx Sam

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[JTP]

Wow, looks like it came from the factory like that. Great job!!

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[MLB]

Hi Tomikaze,

What did you use for the moisture barrier?

I'll be pulling my door panels this summer to work on the window mechanisms and Lock pulls.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Tomikaze]

[quote name='EEZATOY' timestamp='1398642732' post='157342']

looks great....

What was the model number for your Blaupunkt speakers?



Thanx Sam

[/quote]



Blaupunkt ODx462

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Tomikaze]

Went to Home Depot and got 3 mil plastic drop cloths. The kind Dexter uses in his kill rooms. 3M spray adhesive to stick them on. Like I said... doesn't have to look pretty.



[quote name='MLB' timestamp='1398646485' post='157346']

Hi Tomikaze,

What did you use for the moisture barrier?

I'll be pulling my door panels this summer to work on the window mechanisms and Lock pulls.

[/quote]

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[EEZATOY]

Ok last question on the speakers - so any interference with the window or modifications you needed to do to make work...



Thanks again Sam

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Tomikaze]

No mods needed. Even the screw holes from the factory lined up with the speaker. It's not interfering with anything in the door. The tweeter in the new 2-way speaker does stick out a bit and is touching the 944 speaker grill I installed. I'd actually like a better looking speaker grill with a little more clearance but it works for now. Looking for a round grill to cover it up. Bascially plug and play. The factory wiring is a little goofy. It runs to the speaker then back out through a bass blocker and up to the tweeter. I lost use of the tweeter but it actually sounded better without it.

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[type968]

[quote name='Tomikaze' timestamp='1398639111' post='157339']

Finished product. Not too shabby if I do say so myself. Looks and feels OEM. The new speakers were a noticeable improvement in sound too.

[/quote]



Did you make the vinyl for your doors?

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.

[Tomikaze]

The Upholsterer had "German" vinyl in stock. That's what it was called. [quote name='type968' timestamp='1404784301' post='159763']



Did you make the vinyl for your doors?

[/quote]

Partial Post: Please Login or Register to read the full post.