Really?!! Stereo install rant......

[Scott S]

I just don’t get it.

I am doing some detail work on my car. One project was to replace the absolutely garish door speakers with something more stock looking. I decided to also replace the door panels, as I loved the plaid on the early turbos, but did not want to alter the originals as they are in really great shape.

I finally finished the new panels, had acquired all of the new door card hardware and dove into the project last night. The speakers I pulled out of the doors weighed a TON. They are a kicker SS65.2. Then I noticed two sets of wires on the thing – must be a cross over somewhere… hmmmm……

Found it. It is the size of a salad plate – oh, and it is EPOXIED TO THE DOOR SKIN.

Here is the system/a picture:
Kicker Accomodations show up. Thanks UPS!

I gave it a pull from every angle, to the point I was concerned about oil canning the door skin.

I am absolutely flabbergasted. Who does stuff like this?

*sigh*

Sorry – had to vent.

[77Targa0912]

Get some floss or fishing line under an edge and saw it back and forth. Some goo gone squirted down behind it will help soften the adhesive.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Scott S

Sorry – had to vent.

Hi Scott.

Just found a web site (below) where you can freeze, heat or use chemicals.

Of course, it's on your door skin. Can't freeze because then you have to shock it (dents). Chemicals will chow on your inner protective coating. Heat will beat up your inner protective coating as the epoxy is probably harder than the inner paint. Not sure if it has that schutz stuff on the inner doors. That would soften.

I like 77Targa's idea but would be more inclined to think piano wire or a guitar string would best with a heat gun. Floss just is not strong enough. Fishing line may work if you get it started, remove line, heat door, saw a little. I bet you have a lot of room for arm sawing travel - NOT.

Can you just leave the pig in there? I am sensing a lot of risk unless something like goo-gone or (much) stronger can cut the glue.

3 Ways to Remove Epoxy - wikiHow

[Scott S]

Hi Bob -
Yes, the plan is to just leave them alone. I would just be sick if my list of small detail projects turned into a paint job. My car was re-painted a really long time ago (mid 90's). It still looks pretty darn good - but I am sure it would be impossible to match if I screwed up a door.

I am not a full blown purist by any means. However, potential future carnage/heart ache for no reason gets to me.

Based on the drywall screws that were holding the speakers to the door frame, I'll bet you a shiny nickle it is liquid nails holding those things to the door skins.

The only things on my car that are molested are tied to the radio. Cant wait to get the old Blaupunkt cassette player put back in the dash.

[DaddyGlenn]

A chalk line make a pretty good saw for stuff like that. The chalk serves as an abrasive to cut through it.

[Spenny_b]

...or a cheese wire with 2x wooden pegs to get some purchase on it for the sawing.

[porsche930dude]

try twisting it

[kenikh]

And those speakers suck donkey hog.

A propane tank, a towel and a dead blow, sand faced hammer. Freeze the door from the outside with the propane, hold the towel over the spot on the door to distribute the load and give it a whack. It should break loose with some work and not hurt the skin.

The propane is the key. You freeze the epoxy so it gets brittle like glass and shatters.

[Driver_X]

Leave them there and try to forget about them.

[kodioneill]

Originally Posted by Driver_X

Leave them there and try to forget about them.

Ditto:

[Rodek]

I'm into car audio and can appreciate some good sounding tunes and also appreciate a tasteful installation of equipment. In your case, I would just leave the passive crossovers in the doors. They're not going to interfere with anything if left alone. IMO the risk of damaging something to remove them is greater than the benefit of removing the negligible dead weight.

I may have missed it but, do you plan on installing some other speakers in the doors? For a tasteful look (classy and should withstand the test of time), decent sound, cost effective (59.99) and easy to install speaker, I'd suggest the Rockford Fosgate R16. Here's a link to them:

http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/products/details/r16


I have these installed in my black 78 SC hooked up to a tasteful entry level Kenwood KDC X396 radio. I can easily swap back to a stock setup if the need arises in a matter of an hour or so (No epoxy!). In the meantime, I'm enjoying CD's, USB Memory sticks loaded with 70's tunes and extra power and better AM/FM reception over the stock radio.