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Speakers in Sliding Door?

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7.8K views 13 replies 8 participants last post by  ianto  
#1 ·
Hey,

I have a SWB T5 kombi with twin sliding doors and was thinking of installing some speakers in the sliding doors. Has anyone tried this and if so what make/size of speaker worked best? I've already had a search through the forums, but there's not a lot of information on this...

Thanks in advance and Happy New Year when it comes!

Cheers
 
#3 ·
That's all under control - there's already contacts on the door pillar and doors. It looks like the guy i bought it from was considering something similar, but never finished it etc.

It's more the depth of speaker that concerns me. The ones I've looked at are about 7.5cm deep.
 
#4 ·
Speaker wise you could pretty much put what ever you wanted in as long as it doesnt protrude too much or you'll catch the rear wheel arch...

cable wise I cant see it being posible- you'll either have to run a cable in the bottom runner cutout inside a 'rolling chain' like you see on machines in factories (to keep it safe) or use smilar contacts to what you have on the vertical pillars-
I'm not sure if this will work though as I dont think the connections will be good enough for audio (maybe crackly)and it may also damage the headunits amplifier if you keep disconnecting the speakers?

I put speakers in my tailgate and when its cold the gas struts wont support the weight meaning lots of lumps on my head and a few foul words! So i'd avoid the boot lid too!

Have you got space between the rear wheel arch and window panes (assuming the picture of the silver caravelle is what you want to put them in?)
 
#5 ·
I've seen similar setups with the door contacts on other vehicles, and there doesn't seen to be too much of an issue with crackly sound etc. I hadn't considered the risk to the head unit though! I'm running a pioneer headunit with 4x45w output, so I wasn't going to use an amp as seems a decent enough power on it's own.

I was thinking about the tailgate too, but I carry surfboards [longboards] so reckon they'd last a matter of days before they got caved in or wet.

I'll get the panel off the door and take some sizes unless anyone out there knows how deep the sliding door is??

cheers
 
#8 ·
I reckon I'll go for the door contacts for now. It should be okay as long as I keep them clean and corrosion free.

Once I've got the panel off and sized it up for speakers, I'll get some pictures up for those that are interested.

Anymore thoughts or ideas are welcome though!

Cheers.
 
#9 ·
Surfdub, 1stly happy new year,

I'd change the door cards to a more solid mdf sheet if I were you- It'll give you a better sound- Make sure that the extra thickness of the board and speakers will still clear your wheel arch.

Stick some photos on when your done- be interested to see how you ran the cables to the pillar contacts.
 
#10 ·
Happy new year

I had the same thoughts of you but after visiting a stereo installed we had the conversation with the same ideas but went on the pillars behind the doors you can get a fantastic jbl component mounted half way up and the tweeter up at the top im running a similar speaker package in the front end off a 2x 100 amp in front and a similar amp feeding backs but an active sub going under my seat im going for dynomat in panels and running a duel audio kenwood headunit which i can run the dvd solund just through backs
install should be complete in Jan some time ill picture it so you can see
Good look with door idea it was the depth that put me off
Si
 
#11 ·
And a happy new year to you alll too...

Will try and get the door cards off tonight - I was meaning to do it over the festive time, but there was more important things to drink and eat!

Nickbd ; I was thinking of MDF and then a covering of carpet material, obviously as long as it clears the wheel arch! Anyone have any sources of suitable interior carpet?

Siwilkie; That sounds like quite an install! I'll be interested to see the pics. I've opted not to go for an amp because the inside of the van can get quite damp with the surf gear etc, so from experience of my old T4, amps and wiring tends to get affected by the moisture over time...

Anyway, I'll keep y'all up to date as it happens.

Cheers.
 
#13 ·
Sorry to dig up such an old post, but I am just trying to fit some speakers into the side door but as far as I can see the 6 contacts on the door are already all used by the locking mechanism and what I assume is a door open sensor.

Have people just put the speaker wires straight on to any one of the terminals anyway so that they are shared with some of the locking contacts (as far as I understand this should still work as they would be two separate circuits). Or have you added an extra set of contacts? I've seen these for sale and thought they might do the job:

http://www.caraudiodiscount.com/acc...ccessories/car-alarms-car-security/van-sliding-door-contact-for-central-locking

Cheers

Dave
 
#14 ·
Hey Si,

I saw your comments about the JBLs in your door pillars, could you advise what model? I'm really struggling to get decent components into the space left after a full conversion (3/4 R&R bed & kitchen/cupboards down drivers side).

I've got a 12" sub under the bed, and hoped to squeeze some 6x9s in somewhere but there really isn't space without putting them into the walls either side just behind the doors, but then I think they'd be sticking out quite a bit.

Also can you/anyone advise what dimensions for the front door speakers? I'd like to buy upgrades and only take the cards off on the day of fitting!

Any advice/comments would be very appreciated!

Ianto.