Trim panel for custom look

[r.meeker 10+ year member]

Can anyone help me on how to make a nice trim panel around my enclosure?

what materials will i need, such as wood thickness or if you use wood at all?

For a Tahoe

Thank you for any suggestions

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[Mike465 10+ year member]

Need to see pics

 

[r.meeker 10+ year member]

Here's a picture of the rear hatch.

 

[Mike465 10+ year member]

Well, it depends on what you what type of look you are going for. To do your basic one just sue 3/4" MDF and make a top plate that goes from side to side and a front plate that contours with the wheel wells. On the front plate you will build it all the way across the truck and make your cutout for the sub and port. You will need to brace the vanity panel and secure the box down so it does not slide

 

[r.meeker 10+ year member]

Would I build it up to the rear seats or the top height of the enclosure? and can i use something thinner than 3/4 mdf because I will probably just cover it in tan vinyl?

thanks

 

[mokedaddy 5,000+ posts]

You can use 1/2" no problem. As for how high you want it to go, that is pretty much personal preference. I usually just go to the top of the box though.

 

[r.meeker 10+ year member]

Thanks for the input guys,

Are there any tricks to getting the cutouts around the wheelwells such as styrofoam lol?

 

[mokedaddy 5,000+ posts]

I use a compass and cardboard and or fiberboard and lots of trial and error.

I am sure there are better ways but I dont do it very often so it works well enough.

 

[theothermike 10+ year member]

heres what you do. go buy a contour gauge. it looks like this http://www.mannyswoodworkersplace.com/6160066.html

it has 100 or so pins. and then u push it again the shape of the mold. and the pins move to the design. then u can remove it and the pins stay in place so you can trace it.

i did a trim panels for a 2001 jimmy this last weekend and his setup is exactly like yours. took me 3 hours cutting and using the gauge.

came out sick too.

 

[r.meeker 10+ year member]

Nice, do you have any pics?

 

[theothermike 10+ year member]

i will tommorrow if u like

i used 1/4" mdf and 3/4" mdf the 3/4 was to make an i shape around the 15's on the top since his subs fired up at an angle. not back but not up... and then 1/4 on the sides and the vertical part of the baffle with the amp in the midd showing

 

[r.meeker 10+ year member]

So, would I use adhesive spray to apply some kind of padding to the 1/4" mdf and wrap that in vinyl then staple it all up?

 

[Mike465 10+ year member]

heres what you do. go buy a contour gauge. it looks like this http://www.mannyswoodworkersplace.com/6160066.html
it has 100 or so pins. and then u push it again the shape of the mold. and the pins move to the design. then u can remove it and the pins stay in place so you can trace it.

i did a trim panels for a 2001 jimmy this last weekend and his setup is exactly like yours. took me 3 hours cutting and using the gauge.

came out sick too.

Hey, that is a nice tool. Beats using the old contour wheels