Solid rear panels.....

[MrZero]

Hey Kevin, have you started making\selling the solid "semi-permanent" rear hdpe panels you describe on your website? They are exactly the solution I've been looking for and had been prepping to attempt something very similar when I saw yours.

Thanks,

JP

 

[kevinmrowland]

I've been getting good feedback on the one set that is out there, so I can make another if you are interested, they seemed to work out quite nice.
The same things as the normal side panels would apply, I would need to see a picture of your cargo area to make sure the profile was right.

 

[MrZero]

Thanks Kevin, I'll get you a shot sometime today or tonight....

What's your price-point for a pair?

 

[sl33py]

I'm interested in a pair as well possibly, but with some speaker cutouts if you can do it. Also - how does the regular material match the hi-grip i got on the tailgate? If not super well - how much extra to do side panels in same hi-grip plastic?

cost for them?

thx!!

rob

 

[kevinmrowland]

I'm sticking with my original math, they need to be $175, link here.

The same kind of speaker options as the side panel apply, except for the back mount options, that would be tough to do.

And both the materials are black, that's a good start right Rob?
I will send you a scrap of the normal stuff so you can compare. Unfortunately we would not be able to use the grip plastic on the side since it doesn't come any thiner than the 1/2" you have on your tailgate. They are a pretty good match for each other, same basic material, just one has the machine made nubs and the other is a subtle wrinkle texture. The regular stuff will be much easier to clean, a bit of armorall every once in awhile and they should stay pretty nice, the grip stuff would catch a lot of dirt and dust.
I could use the grip stuff on a normal set of cargo panels if you really wanted it on there though.

 

[sl33py]

Kevin - thanks for the clarification. I don't absolutely need the grip plastic, but wanted to make sure they matched up ok. It sounds like they would.

So here's the remaining hurdle. I'm trying to install some uber secret hidden subs (behind the QP), but will need some sort of speaker opening. So either a regular big 'ol circle, or maybe some sort of slotted or perforated circle. I don't want to goof it up, and want it pup proof (paw through a sub would suck), while still having it look good(ie - not me cutting them...). I'd love hte storage sides, but don't know if there will be enough room to use after the boxes are built behind the QP... (i'm shooting for .5 to .75 cu/ft enclosures ea side).

I'll look at your pics again of the storage panels - i think you have some pics of some speaker cutouts you've done. Ultimately i'll probably need the sub boxes in to get all the measurements and then let you know. If there is room around or along the boxes, maybe the storage panels will still work...

Also - with some decent bass, i'm concerned about the flexibility of the thinner simple replacement sides. (i h8 rattles...) hehehe.

Great to have a forum dedicated to your products - thanks for the help!

rob

 

[kevinmrowland]

Hey rob, I think the plastic would be fine, it is pretty stable stuff and bolts up snug.

I could also cut you a solid steel panel to fit, the speed screws would not quite work for that though, you would have to run a double washer for them to tighten down all the way. Buuuuttt, if you had a big enough hole in the panel for the sub and it could be open for the panel to be installed (ie, the sub installed after the panel) you could reach in and put nuts on the back of the normal bolts. If that wouldn't work you could install nut-certs in all the factory holes as well. Or just double washer the speed screws and use the clips like with the solid panels.
There should be an option that would work out, just let me know.

 

[sl33py]

Very cool ideas Kevin!

I think maybe the best short and long term solution may be to get the speedscrews and clips first. I can use those w/ my ghetto panels now (plastic w/ 6x9's in them). Then when the boxes are built, subs are in etc. I can mark up the panels and send you pics. If there's enough room further back in QP i'd love the storage panels - if not then just the replacement panels w/ a slotted cutout for the sub. Like the back mount one you show - doable?

Along those lines - i'd love better pics of how you moved the gastank breather assembly on that side back into the corner - pics or link to thread w/ pics?


rob

 

[sl33py]

Pics are worth a 1000 word...

this would look great, but not sure if it could be big enough and not break the panel (12" is pretty big in the middle of that front part).

My crazy photoshop skillz... attached is my best guess on approx location and how big a hole will be needed... guessing from the existing (6") pictured, and from some test placements i did a while back. The front support will need to be removed to fit the 12. Hope it helps.

I won't really be able to measure until the boxes are built and installed. Then i should know exact placement etc. I wonder if a 10-11.5" opening w/ that grid would be doable?

just thinking out loud at this point. thx Kevin!

rob

 

[kevinmrowland]

You just figure out where you need stuff and we will make something work.

A note with the back mounted speaker option though, I have that set up for a 6.5" speaker and the distance to the edge of the panel shown in the pics is as close as it can get.
I need a few inches around the speaker for the frame that the speaker gets mounted to.
If you were cutting a hole that large it would basically need to be within the area that the biggest cargo door covers, that would make it so the back of the panel can have adequate bracing to support the speaker.


And for the evap tubes, I really don't have any better pics than those, IndianDoc posted up the nice ones starting on the bottom of the page here.

It literally just has the fuel lines extended a little bit and it is stuck in the back corner, nothing else complicated about it.

 

[alpinecowboy]

To reinforce Kevin's point on relocating the evap tubes - it really is a no-brainer. I just did it myself this weekend to install my new panels from wagongear.com and it was a piece of cake. You can even do it without any tools at all, but a set of needlenose pliers spares the fingers.

Kevin, by the way: The panels just rock. My truck is finally organized again with a space for almost everything. Once I get a tailgate lid installed I'll be golden.

 

[sl33py]

You just figure out where you need stuff and we will make something work.

A note with the back mounted speaker option though, I have that set up for a 6.5" speaker and the distance to the edge of the panel shown in the pics is as close as it can get.
I need a few inches around the speaker for the frame that the speaker gets mounted to.
If you were cutting a hole that large it would basically need to be within the area that the biggest cargo door covers, that would make it so the back of the panel can have adequate bracing to support the speaker.


And for the evap tubes, I really don't have any better pics than those, IndianDoc posted up the nice ones starting on the bottom of the page here.

It literally just has the fuel lines extended a little bit and it is stuck in the back corner, nothing else complicated about it.

Kevin - thanks for the link. The only remaining q i have for the fuel evap is how it's mounted/secured back there? I H8 Rattles! And with the bass i hope to have it would rattle if not secured.

as for the back mounted speaker - this shouldn't be back mounted, just an opening that lines up w/ the speaker. These will be in the box secured somehow so no real attachment to the panel. That make it easier?


rob

 

[kevinmrowland]

Zip ties of course!

With the cargo panels this is not an issue since the cargo keeps it in place, and with the solid panels it is not an issue because you do not have to do any relocation of the tubes, or remove the vertical supports.
They are a strait bolt-in thing.

In your case you need the room for your silly tunes, so I suggest screwing the holder right to the side of your box, should be nice and sturdy. ;p

And if you are making a box, we should be abel to just cut sound holes and be all set.

 

[TexasAgFJ60]

Kevin I really like the solid panels for my 60. Have you ever made them out of aluminum? Are you taking orders now for the solids?

 

[kevinmrowland]

Kevin I really like the solid panels for my 60. Have you ever made them out of aluminum? Are you taking orders now for the solids?

I've only made a few of the fixed panels, most people seem to opt for the storage ones, but I am making them.
And I've only done the plastic ones, nothing out of aluminum.
I could probably make that happen, but to be honest I just don't have the time right now (would have to figure out different fasteners).
If alum is something you are really interested in, perhaps we could work something out over the summer?
cheers,
KR

 

[ProwlerDriver]

Kevin, sent you an email regarding the solid panels. Let me know, Im ready to buy a pair from you!

 

[kevinmrowland]

Inbox got backed up, haven't made it down that far yet!
Should get to it today, but in the meantime, I'll need to see pics of your current setup.

 

[TexasAgFJ60]

Solid Panels

I've only made a few of the fixed panels, most people seem to opt for the storage ones, but I am making them.
And I've only done the plastic ones, nothing out of aluminum.
I could probably make that happen, but to be honest I just don't have the time right now (would have to figure out different fasteners).
If alum is something you are really interested in, perhaps we could work something out over the summer?
cheers,
KR

Ha, is it summer yet? May I ask if these are paintable (the plastic ones)? That is my thought about the aluminum, I could powder coat to match interior...not necessarily sold on aluminum, could go with steel but just another thing to rust right?

 

[kevinmrowland]

Definitely not summer yet.
The plastic is not paintable, steel would be much cheaper than aluminum ones but since they are just flat they would still need to have a bit of thickness to them to be rigid, and then they would probably be silly heavy.
What other color are you thinking? Even with powder coat, black still looks the best.

 

[ProwlerDriver]

get the plastic ones and get them linexd color matched. Thats what i will be doing as soon as i mine come! Im going to see if the will do the tailgate lid done as well, however this might be slightly more complicated for them. We'll see.