Well here is the question, now that I have three days into our project...

Where and how is the best place to mount front speakers in a 85 4Runner, other then the factory dash location?

We have started on a set of 'bolt on' front speaker pods to eleminate cutting into the door. And in true fashon of putting the cart in front of the horse I figured I would ask for options. Below are a few pics of the project and the initial fitting on the door. That is a 6 1/2 in speaker and if you look in the pic with the door closed you can see that there is minimal obstruction into the floor. The box/pod has a long way to go, another coat of epoxy resin then 'bondo' and sand. repeate till smooth; and the other one is barley started.

I welcome comments or options others have used.I have added the link to all the pics if interested.

Thanks Bob and Rob




http://s40.photobucket.com/albums/e...action=view&current=100_1068.jpg
http://s40.photobucket.com/albums/e...action=view&current=100_1063.jpg
http://s40.photobucket.com/albums/e...action=view&current=100_1062.jpg
http://s40.photobucket.com/albums/e...action=view&current=100_1064.jpg
http://s40.photobucket.com/albums/e...action=view&current=100_1065.jpg
http://s40.photobucket.com/albums/e...action=view&current=100_1067.jpg
http://s40.photobucket.com/albums/e...action=view&current=100_1068.jpg
http://s40.photobucket.com/albums/e...action=view&current=100_1070.jpg
http://s40.photobucket.com/albums/e...action=view&current=100_1071.jpg
http://s40.photobucket.com/albums/e...action=view&current=100_1072.jpg

You asked and I am going to give my opinion. Those things are ugly and stick out to far. Why not just cut the doors and put a spacer behind the speaker if they stick in to far.

Our thought about making them was not to put a 5.5in hole in a door that is already thin and prone to cracking at the front window track mount. I agree they are not very sexy and am hoping they will blend a little better once finished, if they are finished...
Any other options other then cutting the doors? That is the one thing I am realy trying to stay away from. I am open to options. I know not everybody just gets out the saw and starts hacking away at the doors.

q-logic kick panels

I am concerned they would take up as much room as these do but in another area, right where you put your foot when not on the clutch. We are already making set number two and will see what we end up with. Set three will be where the kick panels are if these do not work. Now I realy wish we had vent windows.

Is there no place in the door where you can cut a circle in the panel, but not in the metal?

I am trying not to cut the panels, why I am not sure since they are in bad shape, so I was looking for an alernative. Beside the areas that I would consider cutting would need a deep space and would end up in the way as much as what we have fadricated. I think the experience my son has gained in fabrication and glassing is worth the attempts, even if not used at all. I know that most just cut the panel and install but...

I am still looking for options if anybody has them. The Q Logic style is not an option, at least for us as the ECM is located under the passenger side kick and I can't help but think that a large magnet and the vibration from a speaker would be good for it.

Thanks Bob

I got some custom q-logic type panels for my 89' and yes they take away floor space but they do not mess with the ECU...
Since mine is a 5-speed i had to take out the clutch pedal-rest to get them to fit, but now i just rest my foot under the speaker... and it's got a good grill on it so i can rest it on the speaker if i need to... i'll get some pics when im near my truck...

Greg

Pics would be great, might give us more ideas.