Date: Wed, 6 Aug 2003 21:10:03 -0500
Reply-To: Larry Alofs <lalofs@RCN.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Larry Alofs <lalofs@RCN.COM>
Subject: Re: Stereo time... front speaker question
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed
Hi,
You definitely want to preserve the moisture barrier. If you have to
cut it, try to improvise with plastic from zip-lock bags or something.
Seal with tape; it's very difficult to glue polyethylene.
I think that your concern about "working volume" is unnecessary. The
vapor barrier is flexible enough that the volume behind the speaker will
effectively be the inside of the door and that is what it is meant to be
used with. Automotive speakers are not acoustic suspension; they do not
need a sealed box behind them to provide support and "springiness" from
the compressed air.
Steve Delanty wrote:
> Well, I couldn't stand it anymore and finally broke down
> and bought some stereo bits for the bus.
>
> Installing the CD player was pretty easy. DIN mount
> is cool...
>
> Installing the rear speakers wasn't too bad. I removed the
> upper rear cabinet (where the AC used to be) and opened
> up the stock speaker holes to take 5-1/4" speakers and
> also cut some particle board pieces and boxed up an
> area on each side so the speakers have a fixed rear volume
> to work into and also to keep junk that's stored up there out
> of the back of the speakers.
>
> The amp for the rear speakers was easy, it lives under the
> back seat where my 2nd battery is. (Everything is wired up
> to the house battery, not the main battery)
>
> Now I'm ready to do the front speakers....
> I picked up some Eclipse 5-1/4" speakers that have a relatively
> thin grill cover and it looks like they'll clear the Ford window
> cranks nicely, and probably even have enough room to clear the
> corner of the dash when the door is closed. (it's very close)
>
> I got the door panel off, and there's plenty of room for the
> speakers without cutting any metal. Cool...
>
> So, my question now is what to do about the plastic
> moisture shield that's glued to the door. It has a small
> "pocket" for the stock speaker to nestle into, and although
> the new speaker will also fit into the pocket, I'm concerned
> because it gives almost no working volume on the back side
> of the speaker, and I'm also concerned that the plastic pouch
> may buzz and rattle when the volume is cranked up...
>
> A photo of the door innards and the plastic speaker pocket
> are here:
> <http://www.weirdstuffwemake.com/automotive/vanagon/pics/doorguts.jpg>
>
> If I just cut the plastic out, am I inviting a lot of wind leakage
> into the van and/or possibly inviting water damage to the
> speakers and door panels?
>
> Does anyone have any experience or suggestions they'd like
> to share before I do something stupid?
>
> Thanks,
> Steve
> EJ22 -> '86 Westy "Escape Pod"
>
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