Project: Door Panels ****

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

The problem:

For the past couple months, ever since I installed my Tang Band midbasses, I've been making baby steps towards better sound.... things like deadening, weatherstripping, and attempting to dampen the door panels. So far, I am very pleased with the Tang Bands, but my doors are another issue. With the deadener in, my midbasses could easily pass as a good 10" sub, but the problem is they rattle my door panels like crazy. I've tried using deadener on them, strategicly placing foam pieces, and just friggin leaning on them, but nothing seems to work. I think this is mainly because the door panel actually contacts the speaker, and all I have separating them is some foam wweatherstripping. The door panels sound like.... flimsy cheap plastic as they buzz along with the bass.... which is funny because they just happen to be flimsy cheap plastic.

Another problem that I've learned to live with is that my windows go down halfway //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/blush.gif.99bc659ee2012b7d826165e26fb5eebe.gif I know, shame on me. It was a sacrifice I was willing to make for some kickass midbass.

The goals:

1) Stop the damn rattles!

2) Be able to roll down my windows

3) Help SQ out a notch

4) Maintain a factory look

The method:

Step 1: Driver remounting- Remove midbasses from doors, and remove any excess butyl from the deadener, or adhesive from the weatherstripping. Cut new baffle pieces out of 3/4" MDF, paint them black, apply caulk to the back side, and secure them to the door.

Step 2: Door panel modification- Luckily, the area of the door panel that forms the map pocket and speaker grille is easily removable. I will remove that area in a fashion that will allow me to return it to the stock condition if I so desire.

Step 3: Factory appearance- I am going to use hardboard to form a baffle that will replace the removed panel. It will have a hole in it to accomodate the midbass, to where the midbass will not be in contact with the door panel at all. The hardboard piece will be wrapped in vinyl that matches the factory gray as best as possible. Then, around the hole, I will make a ring to which I will adhere grille cloth to cover the driver in order to maintain the factory appearance.

Comments? Questions? Suggestions?

I will be posting pics when I start the project after work tomorrow.

Click to read more...

 

[9512ds 5,000+ posts]

fiberglass pods out of the question?

 

[9512ds 5,000+ posts]

I guess with wanting to keep the factory look that would be the case.

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

Yes, they are out. I don't have the time/money/expertise/will/patience to do so //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[Immacomputer 10+ year member]

Check the metal bars that should be running from your locks and handle and make sure they're not rattling against a plastic holder. I just redid my doors and noticed that they're what have been causing a very significant amount of rattling that I thought was the panel.

 

[Sythlord79 10+ year member]

I feel ya man. Dodges ****, cheap cheap hard plastic interiors. I have a Ram myself and have alot of interior rattles I cant fix.

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

Check the metal bars that should be running from your locks and handle and make sure they're not rattling against a plastic holder. I just redid my doors and noticed that they're what have been causing a very significant amount of rattling that I thought was the panel.

well theres very little if any rattling w/o door panels, and there are places that if i hold them, the rattle goes away.

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

Well, I got after the drivers' door today, and got the midbass remounted on 1" of MDF. The window now goes down, and the midbass does not rattle the panel. I must say.... mounting it on MDF made my midbass sound like straight up subs... and that's with just one side done. It got a bunch louder. I should get metered with just my doors //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

 

[Ku-sama]

sexah

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

don't worry, it won't look like that for long //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif Grille cloth and vinyl will make it look nice //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[mlstrass 5,000+ posts]

Good job on taking care of the rattles and they can ruin a good system.

I'm also fond of using some self tapping screws to help hold the door panel down tight. I go around the outer edge and do 4-6, with 2 near the sub.

 

[HKUSP45]

what the hell kind of speaker is that? looks like a 6x9 subwoofer

 

[95BlackGA 5,000+ posts]

Them TangBands are ugly. Where'd you buy them, and how do you like them over all? Would they make a good rear fill, or should I just get something cheaper?

 

[wesl56 10+ year member]

nice.. thats probably exactly how i would have done it