Mounting Stereo Speakers in the House

[DavieBabie]

It's time to resume upgrading the cab stereo in my 2009 Solera. I've already installed a nice Pioneer unit in the dash and am turning my attention towards speakers. In addition to replacing the stock speakers in the doors and dash, I'd like to add speakers somewhere in the "house". Space being so tight, I wondered if it's possible to mount some rear-facing speakers in the panels at the transition from the house to the cab. While the slide would cover up one of them when it's retracted, it would be ideal with slide out.

Anybody know how to remove those panels and what's behind them? Are they suitable for mounting speakers?

Thanks for any info,

Davie

[bclemens]

I don't think there is enough depth in those "wing walls" to put a speaker. It is covered in 1/2" plywood...so there is plenty of backer to put a surface mount...but not really a recessed speaker. The only other option would be to replace the existing ceiling mounted speakers and use the existing wiring.

[DavieBabie]

Thanks for the quick response, bclemens - much appreciated.

After reading your description of the wing walls (as you called them), they seem ideal for what I want to do. My Solera didn't come with speakers in the house so replacing them isn't an option; the speakers I want to install are component car speakers that can be top mounted and require 2.5" clearance behind them.

What I still don't know, though, is how the wing walls are mounted and whether I can easily remove them to work on (and how)? Or should I mount speakers to the wing walls without removing them? Can you provide some guidance on this, too?

Warm regards,

Davie

[bclemens]

You're not going to get 2.5" of clearance in the wing wall. The top layer (that you see) is 3/4" thick. behind that is structure that is filled in, but there is a steel rib from the chassis that runs at the same shape as the chassis door...if you route any deeper than that top layer, you can get into the steel rib that extends along the cab wall.

I would recommend mounting the speakers on the wing wall without removing them. Plus the wing walls are screwed & glued so it would be a mess. You could cut the vinyl and use a plunger router bit to clear some space...but I would go no deeper than about 5/8".

[bclemens]

PS. there is depth in the ceiling...the issue would be getting the wires up there.

[DavieBabie]

Thanks for the fuller explanation, bclemens. I can plan an approach now.

Best regards,

Davie