Plywood / Wheel Arch Storage / Speakers

**soulspirit** · 12-05-2009, 09:18 AM

Hello,

I am planning on replacing the lining in my SWB Mk2 with plywood. Has anyone else had any experience doing this? I am also going to aftermarket speakers into my van, and thought that I could maybe have fitted them into the homemade ply lining.

I have been busy researching speakers (with help from a friend) for my '97 T4 mk2 Transporter. I've been thinking of fitting 4" coaxials front and 4" coaxials rear, and then fitting a 10" sub under the removable seats that are in the back of my van. I would fit the sub on a quick disconnect cable setup of some sort. I am looking at getting all of this stuff from jaycar:

Coaxials:
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView...7&form=KEYWORD
Sub:
http://www1.jaycar.com.au/productVie...s&Keyword1=KJ8
Amp:
(which I have already bought) http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView...T&SUBCATID=595

What I would really like to do is protect the wheel arches from being scratched and also gain some permanent storage around the outside of the wheel arches. If I boxed them in with plywood, and built the boxes part larger than the wheel arches, I could gain a bit of storage space for my tow hitch, and box in the existing jack in it's mount. I could also maybe fit the rear speakers into the front of the boxes, facing forward instead of in the walls facing inwards.

(bear with me whilst I attempt to load some images)

That is a quick sketch I just drew to give you an idea of what I mean. I'm still undecided about the angle of the speakers and whether they should have their own internal boxes. Since the boxes would be different per side I haven't fully worked in the compartments. This is just an idea.

I hope this isn't too boring

**Deeceer** · 12-05-2009, 10:51 AM

Not boring at all - I've been thinking of something like this to go along with my camp bed set-up (but without speakers) so there's a level shelf beside the bed instead of a wheel arch that stuff slides off.

Would suggest not internally boxing the speakers but using the interior to boost the sound, possibly internally insulating the set-up and also making a vent near the speaker to let the sound coming off the back of the speaker out. Sort of a bass reflex set-up. Have a search for some speaker cabinet designs.

**Transporter** · 12-05-2009, 11:48 AM

Use the epoxy to join the corners.
Don't forget to take a lot of pictures with the progress of your work and post it here.

I saw yesterday Vito van with the AL checkered plate floor. It looked nice, It got me inspired now I’m going to clean and vacuum my van.

**DVR68U** · 12-05-2009, 02:15 PM

hey mate i would look at getting 6" speakers atleast , the back of the van is a big space and quite alot of road nosie comes in while you are driving. 4" are really just dashboard speakers. the box design looks good , but i would make the middle section of the box have a flat base, the little loss in capacity will be much less annoying they trying to pick stuff out of the acute angle where it joins up. and that amp you have got has heaps of power to handle a 12" sub , id run the left front and back in parrallel and the right front and back the same if you get 4ohm speakers, then bridge the rear left and right from the amp to power the sub. let the stock head unit handle the 2 dash speakers, and you'll have a great system and storage space.
cheers brenton

**soulspirit** · 12-05-2009, 04:38 PM

Originally Posted by DVR68U

let the stock head unit handle the 2 dash speakers

You seem to be suggesting that I have speakers 3 pairs of speakers,

I was going to fit 4" into the dash ( or 5" If I can fit them in) because I don't want to cut into the doors to fit larger speakers.

I was going to power the front speakers with the amp, and bridge the rear outputs for the sub, and then power the rear speakers with either the head unit, or a small 2ch amp that I have lying around. I figured I would want the most power to the front speakers, since I will be in the front, and I want the sound to be coming from in front of me. I might fit 5" in the back - but it depends on what gets powered by the amps.

What do you think of the above set-up?

**soulspirit** · 12-05-2009, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by soulspirit

You seem to be suggesting that I have speakers 3 pairs of speakers?

:O

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**DVR68U** · 12-05-2009, 08:31 PM

i thought you where going to put the fronts in the door. i guess if you wanted you could get splits for the front, run the tweeter in the dash and the mid/woofer inthe door. either way that amp u have has plenty of power prob 2 much for most 4" speakers lol . there is a million and one ways you can do it . just depends on what you want. and make sure you get all the speakers in phase with each otherwise they will be cancelling each other out.

**soulspirit** · 13-05-2009, 04:40 PM

When I look at the door of the transporter ( mine still has plastic pockets) the spots for the speakers are probably too low. I could fit it into the plastic moulding that has the pocket in it, but the speaker would be pointing forward and down, into the foot well - which is probably not ideal - plus I would have to damage the existing trim.

I am waiting for the new concrete to set in the driveway so that I can take a few photos and measurements of the back. But, mostly because I was getting a little rusty I fired up TurboCAD 12 and made this very approximate plan.

This is the drivers side. There will be another similar for the other side. The small Notch at the back is for the catch that holds the rear door/hatch down.
I figure that since I am protecting the paintwork of the wheel arches, I may as well protect the back of the hatch too. I also think I will build it quite a bit higher than the wheel arches.