Speaker in the Kick Panel

[Ed Cave]

Those of you who have installed after market speakers in the kick panel, please share your experience.

How large a speaker will the factory cut out allow? 5 1/4" or even larger?

I've decided to purchase the best coax speaker that comes with a simple generic grill that I can find. Paint the grills to match the leather on the kick plate and leave the speaker modifications to that.

So, those with experience doing this please share any dimensions you know (diameter of factory cut out and how much depth is there from the front face of the kick panel to the inside face of the fender?

I need to try and buy speakers this weekend.

Thanks.

Ed Cave
Atlanta, GA

1964 356C
1971 280SL
2002 SC430
2004 A4 3.0

[hauser]

Ed, wouldn't you also need to know the depth that have to work with?

1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.

[tdun824259]

Ed,
I think you will be hard pressed to find a factory coaxial speaker that will fit that factory opening.  The rough factory opening is around 2.5 inches, you usually need close to 4inches for a flush mount.  If you want the speaker to protrude into the vehicle then it will work but you would have to build a frame to mount the speaker.  The magnet for most coaxials will fit into that 2.5 inch opening but not the entire speaker.
I went with a MB Quart component system.  German made and high end sound.  I wanted to do the same as you using the existing factory opening, but opted to put the speakers behind the seats.  I created a 'false floor' underneath the back shelves to hid an amp and crossovers.  Love the sound.
Good Luck
Tim
1971 280 SL

[norton]

You could use a pod to mount the speaker to the kick panel, it would also angle the speaker towards you for better sound, this is one ex. http://www.crutchfield.com/S-AC6QMWcFXWJ/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?i=044U50011&search=speaker+pods
There are other types.

[TA250SL]

The depth at the kick panel area is about 3" minimum near the door jamb, increasing as you get closer to the firewall.  On my early 250SL, there is also a vertical support at about 3- 3/4" forward of the door jamb and runs from the fender to the kick panel steel. It starts at the floor and goes up to the dash.

I used 4" Isophon speakers installed in original vintage square Becker speaker enclosures.  The speakers mount to the inner metal frame of the enclosures with tubular rivets in the corners, exactly as the original.  The speakers mount in the area between the door jamb and the vertical support.  Center of hole is at 81mm from the bottom trim and 61mm from the jamb trim per Becker specifications.   The old enclosures place the speakers about 7/8" into the foot well, so the hole is only for the speaker magnet.  I hope this helps.

Tom
1967 250SL
Los Angeles

[Dick M]

I used a couple of Pioneer speakers. I cut the speaker frames down to fit the stock kick pannel housing... easy mount

Download Attachment: speaker 2.jpg
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Download Attachment: speaker 1.jpg
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Dick M
1970 280SL

[hauser]

Check out this very unusual speaker lay out on a 1970 280sl.

Ebay item #4526290210

1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.