hi all,

i am hoping someone more knowledgeable than myself can advise me on whether it is safe to trim a small amount of sheet metal from my 1971 Cutlass convertible kick panel area.
as pictured in the attachment, where the black marking pen line is drawn. Would it be safe to trim this small amount of sheet metal away to facilitate flush mounting of a speaker on each side?
or would doing so ruin the structural integrity of my car?
thank you in advance for any insight! This is the drivers side kickpanel area
Closer view of the same

 

That won't hurt. I cut more than that for mine because my 6.5" have large magnets.

 

I was able to use aftermarket kick panels with speakers without trimming anything behind the panels.


Custom Auto Sound kick panel speakers for GM A body vehicles:
http://www.casmfg.com/Chevelle_Kickpanels.htm

These are for 68-72 AC cars
KCHV-68/72A

IMG_11611_zps727762d6.jpg

 

People have cut material out of that area for decades.

It will result in some reduced strength (by definition), but I've never heard of it causing any problems.

- Eric

 

Kenneth, do you happen to have a link to the modified kick panels you used? I'm sure a lot of folks would find that handy.

 

I updated my post above with a link to Custom Auto Sound's web site.

http://www.casmfg.com/Chevelle_Kickpanels.htm

 

Thanks guys!

what say you Joe Padavano joe_padavano ?

 

I have the same panels. The need to cut or not will depend on the speaker you install.

I found mind on CARid which can work to your advantage if you have a discount code.

https://www.carid.com/custom-autosou...103527108.html

 

I was a stereo installer from the early '80s to the late '90s and I remember cutting that portion of the kick panel on many, many cars. My theory was that people cut holes in many types of structural parts to lighten them so I was just making the car better by removing a little bit more weight and enlarging that hole. I don't think it will cause any problems with vehicle integrity but be very careful when you put the screws in. That metal is quite thick and is difficult to get sheet metal screws to thread in. Don't let your screwdriver slip and perforate the speaker! Ask me how I know that!