So I'm happy because I have time on my hands to finally install my Kodas in the doors of my EL (Civic) but lo and behold! - the Koda magnet is too big for the sheetmetal hole. It won't fit in there! Argh... SO - how should I go about this? Is there an easy way to cut the sheetmetal? Special tools? I don't really wanna have to go and buy an expensive power tool just to cut out about an extra 1/2" out of the two holes (one in each door)... Are there any special bits for a Dremel tool that could cut the metal? I've already tried tin-snips and it didn't really work... Edit: I also should say that there's not much room behind the hole because there's the track for the window that's pretty close behind there, so I don't know about using a saw there...
to add to that, probally the best to get is eith a Right or Left Cut off depending on which side your working on
I thought I told you about that issue. When cutting metal, I always use an air saw. They are inexpensive, if you have air handy. Here's a pic: But you are right that even after cutting, they will be about a 1/4" too deep. What I recomend is getting/making some rings for the drivers. This should prevent you from having to cut the doors as well since it's just the top part of the basket that doesn't fit. Steven Kephart Adire Audio
Argh... I already tried tin snips... didn't seem to work too well... And no air tools for me... I don't have a tank/compressor or anything like that. I made 1" mdf rings already - that's not the problem - it's the fact that the hole in the sheetmetal behind it isn't even big enough to fit the Koda magnet.... What I think i'll do is try using the dremel with the cutting disc... it'll take a long time, but I think it should work just fine...
Actually now that I think about it - I think the ones my dad had were straight snips.... argh... Okay, I'll go get me a pair of angled snips... and if that don't work... fall back on the dremel idea
Well, rather than trying to cut out a circle, which would be a pain in the butt.... I'd suggest just making some radial cuts, maybe one every inch, maybe just going back a half inch or so, 3/4", whatever... Then, you'll have several 'tabs' you can just bend back, into the hole - enlarging the hole. This will work particularly well since your actual mouting baffle is your MDF ring. Personally, if I were trying to cut a circle (if for some reason you want to stick with that idea), I'd use a reciprocating saw and a metal cutting blade (like I used for my line array, or just a jigsaw with a metal cutting blade. Draw your circle with a sharpie and cut away. Just make sure you use a short enough blade that you aren't poking that metal behind it - that's the outer door skin of your car, and dents poking outward will really look weird..
The problem with using a jig or reciprocating saw is that there were wires in the way which were pretty hard to keep out of the way, as well as there being a track for the window to slide upon which was pretty close too... Thanks for the help guys, but I ended up using the Dremel with the reinforced fiberglass cutting disc... it worked pretty well, with lots of sparks and lots of debris flying out at me...but hey, it still worked... Two more nights work and I should be done with this portion of the install!
I was going to suggest the same thing as Geo - just cut some "slits" in the sheet metal every few inches (or however often you like) and bend back the tabs created by making these slit cuts. OR, take your door panels off and go to a welder or body shop and pay them to cut the holes. I bet it would take them a matter of minutes with the cutting tools they have.
Glad you got it figured out. I was going to suggest what I did for my rear fill: sawsall and a hammer. It worked, it's not pretty, it can't be seen, I never have them on anyway's, and no one knows. Well, except for you guy's but if you tell anyone................ :boxing:
Are you by chance a mini-trucker? That sounds like the mini-trucker approach. If you aren't.. maybe you should be! :lol:
me? mini trucker? what's that? Now I'm having a hard time finding the speaker wire that leads to the door to splice into.... <sigh>
I'm not sure what year your car is, but here's the stereo wiring for a 2000 Civic: http://www.the12volt.com/installbay/detail...976&type=Stereo Steven Kephart Adire Audio
Thanks for the link. I actually have the service manual for my car already, so I don't need it. When I think of the amount of work that I have to do on this car... ugh... edit - 2 questions: When I took off the vapour barrier behind the door panels, there was this leftover white gooey gunk that was used to stick that plastic barrier on... how do I get rid of it? Also, there's this yellowy orange waxy/greasy stuff that's in the doors, I can scrape it off partially with a flat edge, but dunno how to fully get rid of it - I may just try paint thinner, but does anyone know what it is or how to better get rid of it?
scrape off as much a spossible and use some adhesive remover, like bumper sticker remover or something like that. Ther are many things you could use that si what I use somethimes. Good luck it's so much fun. :no:
Seriously? :huh: Mini Truckin magazine website Just one of the interesting event links they had inside The whole mini-truck culture is something that's fun and creative and free-thinking. It's 100% about finding new ways to do old things (like lowering trucks)
