Custom fiberglass Speaker Box?

[brianscurious]

I want to have a custom fiberglass speaker box built for my '71 bug, but I haven't had any luck finding anyone in Southern California that builds custom fiberglass boxes for vw bugs. I have the rear seat out so I have more to work with, does anyone have pictures of boxes that they had made? If so, please post them. And if anyone knows of anyone that can build my custom box? Thanks, Brian

[JonF]

have you looked into doing it yourself? the concept strait forward. you build a mdf frame the shape you want and wrap it in the fiberglass.

http://web.njit.edu/~cas1383/proj/main/

http://www.ajquick.com/cars/tutorials/fiberglass.php
_________________
68 bug 1600sp 30/31
68 baja 1600sp 010 32ndix

[candyflame73]

Nothing fancy, but this is what I did. The top is fiberglassed to blend the box up to the speaker, and the front is glassed between the amps just for something different. Pretty simple process using fleece to stretch and get the shape, then resin, then add fiberglass and resin it on for strength. I also did my own kick panels with 8", 5 1/4", and 1" tweeters. On the kick panels I just used speaker grill cloth to stretch for the shape, its a little harder to work with but it doesnt soak as much resin.

This box is very basic, but the process is the same if you want to all out.
Maybe it will give you some ideas.

[OVERHAULIN67]

Here is what I'm doing so far with mine.

Above is where we taped the area we want to fiberglass.

We taped the fibglass in place to make it easier for us.

This is of course after we finished the first layer. This was all done on Monday . We will add the the next few coats thursday..Saturday we will remove it from the car and prep it for the over coat.

[JonF]

whats the sound stage like with those kick panels?
_________________
68 bug 1600sp 30/31
68 baja 1600sp 010 32ndix

[renderit]

I'll bet you were high for a week after the last coat! Fans, mask I hope?

[candyflame73]

The kick panels really pulls everything up front, as if the music is in front of you. Even the bass sounds like it is coming from up front, maybe the 8" mid-bass are helping with that some. Then again, the only speaker in the back is the sub. I mostly did this to simplify things.

[Fibersport]

Candyflame - Very nice, the carpeting looks so plush, what kind is it and how hard was it to form? For the kick panels, you said you stretched speaker cloth to get the shape but did you form it over something first? I like the VW logo in back as well, blown out any windows yet????

Hope the little guy in the background keeps his fingers out of the speakers!

Greg
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1973 Standard Beetle

[thehecticskeptic]

nice work, like the rear hatch setup! Not to thread jack, but where can I get the good front kick panels for speakers, read a lot about plastic one's (prolly empi)

[bug_me]

[candyflame73]

Thanks guys! Fibersport, the box, along with the flooring, headliner, and seats are covered in tweed. The color is called Bone. It is extremely easy to work with, and stretches very well. The box in the back is covered using just one piece that is stretched and glued. I ordered it from www.autoheadliner.com they have great color samples on there site. on the kick panels, basiclly I cut the large piece that makes the back, then cut a ring (or panel) that the speaker sits on and used some small strips of wood to prop it above the back panel. Then I simply stapled the grill cloth on top of the speaker panel and stretched it down to the back plate and stapled it to the back and covered it with resin. Once it hardened I layered the fiberglass on top and more resin for strength. Now that I read this its clear as mud. I wish I had taken some pictures during the process.

bug_me, the 12" in the back is running off of the silver Lanzar Opti500.2 on the pass. side of the car. Its rated at 250 x2 RMS @ 4ohms and 500 x2 RMS @ 2ohms. The other two amps are running the three way set up in the kick panels.

[brianscurious]

candyflame73, that is a nice setup and it has given me some ideas. Thanks!

[brianscurious]

thehecticskeptic, don't get plastic speaker panels. They crack easier. I got my fiberglass kick panels from http://www.glass-action.com/ and they work great. They were easy to install and look geat. I put 6 1/2" speakers in them.

[Quik]

you can also get great fiberglass kickpanels from Ralph at

www.vwinnovations.com

I have also bought fenders and a dash from him, fantastic fiberglass work
_________________
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of Truth

WTB: Cal-look popouts

[Hortin]

candyflame, your car looks great. I see that you have relocated the fuse block inside. Why didn't you upgrade to a better style of fuse? Just curious.
edit: never worked on a super

[candyflame73]

Thanks, but that is the factory location for the fuse box on a 73 super.

[OVERHAULIN67]

Today the speaker box mold came out pretty nice. I cleaned them up put them back in and started fiberglassing in the braces to hold the shape. I would have pics but I forgot my disk at home.....tommorow there will be pics.
Tommorow I will be building the speaker rings and putting them in the box to make sure of the position of the speakers. Now to figure out where to put the Amp's. More to come....

[brianscurious]

OVERHAULIN67, Can't wait. Keep us posted and show us as much pics as you can.
Thanks!

[OVERHAULIN67]

I got a few pic before my camera decided to just quit on me....anyway......the pics I do have show where I have cleaned up th edges and fiberglassed in some braces/dividers. The other pick is the speaker rings I made today and placed where I would like for the speaker to be positioned in the box. I had taken more but the camera didn't record them...POS!!

[brianscurious]

It's coming along let me know when you get a new camera and some more pics. Can't wait to see the finish product. Later!