Increasing Speaker size in trim panel

dtfeld

dtfeld

Water Contrails
GOLD Sponsor
Jun 5, 2016
5,583
Milton, GA
Boat Info
410 Sundancer
2001
12" Axiom and 9" Axiom+ MFD
Engines
Cat 3126 V-Drives
Anybody install larger speakers in the cockpit trim panels? Panel is cut for a 6” speaker, I’d like to go with at least a 6.5, but 7.7’s or 8.8’s would be great if I can figure out how. Obviously, I will need the space behind to accommodate anything larger, but how do you trim the panel out? If you have a 410 and have done this even better!


IMG_0858.jpeg
 
Did the same type of thing on a Crownline I use to own. Remove old speaker, place the new speaker template over existing hole and trace with sharpie or something. I used a utility knife to CAREFULLY cut out the vinyl and padding to the new size hole. If its a wood backing use a hole saw if you can locate one big enough or other appropriate method to cut a new hole. Not sure what to tell you if its fiberglass backing, I'd let someone with more experience cut that out for me!! Just be mindful of the seam when cutting the vinyl, might need a stitch at each side to prevent it from fraying. Double check back spacing as well. JL 7.7 and 8.8 will have much larger magnets than whats currently in there. Good luck with your project!!
 
@dtfeld Dave, if you cut a piece of plywood/starboard the cut out size of the speaker with the new screw holes to match the speaker(s). Screw that in place and then with an exacto knife cut the vinyl and foam out. Then you can use a jig saw to cut the ply (with template still in place). Then remove the template and install the speaker.
 
Have you removed the cover yet? Or the speaker? My best guess is it'll be just like replacing another cockpit speaker and cutting a bigger hole. My guess is the final is laying loose and you can just pull it away. I use a Dremel last weekend to do this for my subwoofer.

I was planning to replace the cabin ceiling speakers so I pulled one out this winter to see what it looked like behind them. I'm guessing the same as your location except you'll have some upholstery to deal with.
 
Two things to avoid. Cutting a round hole in the vinyl thats the same as the speaker's ID. Compressing the foam and stretching the vinyl by tightening the screws down. When you do #2, you will discover why you dont do #1.

Pull the panel, remove the skin and foam.
Cut new or enlarge existing hole to fit speaker.
Cut foam to the OD of the speaker
Reattach vinyl
mark center of speaker cutout on back side of vinyl and trace cutout
pie cut the vinyl only to edge of the drawn cutout circle
stable the pie pieces to the panel backing in the area between the large hole in the foam and the speaker cutout. It helps to have the vinyl warmed in the sun or with a low heat gun, as it needs to stretch a little.
The installed speaker will be recessed into the vinyl without compressing the foam or stretching the vinyl. You will not have to worry about the edge of a round hole in the vinyl pulling out from under the speaker.

If the foam is very thick, cut a ring to go between the back of the speaker and panel backing, to bring the speaker out some.
 
Note what Wylie said... do NOT cut the vinyl to your new hole size. You want some extra vinyl to either wrap into the hole a bit or even in and around with a few staples on the backside of the panel to keep the vinyl in place. The speaker plate would "probably" still hold it in place (or use some glue)... but like a hair cut, you can't put it back on! :)

You can avoid removing the vinyl completely if you're careful (a sideways cutting drill bit in a Dremel or Rotozip) by cutting the new hole from the back of the panel while keeping the vinyl pulled away. Just make sure the the bit doesn't protrude through the plywood (tape the bit for depth).

What I don't know, on your boat, is if the panel is attached with plastic Christmas trees or through-bolted. Both ways are used by Sea Ray. When you pull the speaker out, you should be able to tell.

You "may" have to enlarge the hole in the fiberglass - easy enough with the sideways bit, though.
 
Thank guys. I just realized this speaker may be easier than I first thought. This speaker is actually mounted in the fiberglass behind the panel and the trim panel just has a hole in it that the speaker fits thru.

I believe the panel itself is a composite material and is held in with Christmas trees.

So if I pull the panel I can cut and trim out the hole in the panel as described above, then transfer that hole to the fiber glass behind and mount the speaker. The trim panel should then fit over the new speaker and look identically trimmed out.

now to measure and make sure what I’m thinking will actually fit in depth wise as well.
 
David, you're going to have to be VERY accurate with your cutout to make sure it looks nice when you're done. That's not to say that you "Wouldn't be"... but the last thing you want is an awkward gap around the speak grille that you'll end up staring at ALL THE TIME ;)

If needed, you could install the speaker as initially thought - on top of the panel. That's also an option to give you a little more depth for the new speaker (if you need it).
 
Lazy Daze said:
David, you're going to have to be VERY accurate with your cutout to make sure it looks nice when you're done. That's not to say that you "Wouldn't be"... but the last thing you want is an awkward gap around the speak grille that you'll end up staring at ALL THE TIME ;)

If needed, you could install the speaker as initially thought - on top of the panel. That's also an option to give you a little more depth for the new speaker (if you need it).
Click to expand...

That's a great Plan B.
 
Wylie_Tunes said:
Two things to avoid. Cutting a round hole in the vinyl thats the same as the speaker's ID. Compressing the foam and stretching the vinyl by tightening the screws down. When you do #2, you will discover why you dont do #1.

Pull the panel, remove the skin and foam.
Cut new or enlarge existing hole to fit speaker.
Cut foam to the OD of the speaker
Reattach vinyl
mark center of speaker cutout on back side of vinyl and trace cutout
pie cut the vinyl only to edge of the drawn cutout circle
stable the pie pieces to the panel backing in the area between the large hole in the foam and the speaker cutout. It helps to have the vinyl warmed in the sun or with a low heat gun, as it needs to stretch a little.
The installed speaker will be recessed into the vinyl without compressing the foam or stretching the vinyl. You will not have to worry about the edge of a round hole in the vinyl pulling out from under the speaker.

If the foam is very thick, cut a ring to go between the back of the speaker and panel backing, to bring the speaker out some.
Click to expand...

If you do what I suggested with the template, non of that will happen. I have done it that way countless times. The trick is to clamp the template in place when drilling the screw hole. It doesn't pull then.
 
Opened up the trim panel tonite with the intent of cutting a new hole for the speaker.

I was expecting a simple vinyl project, but this thing is much more complicated. Expected 1 pc of plywood or composite, but, there is a main panel, with a screwed on sub panel (looks like nylon sheet) that is going to be very difficult to remove, even more difficult to put back together. Staples up behind and in-between, that I could remove, but unless I separate the hole pc, Ill never get that back together.

Going to stop for the nite, and reevaluate how to do this.

Hole is big enough, just may staple/screw this back together, and install this speaker on top of the vinyl.

So much for all my measuring...Old boat = old house. You never know what your going to get into until you open it up.

20230523_204853.jpg
20230523_205252.jpg
20230523_210426.jpg
20230523_210539.jpg
20230523_211004.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,180
Messages
1,428,032
Members
61,088
Latest member
SGT LAT
Back
Top