Custom Parcel Shelf for 6x9

[Sambo]

Hi Guy's,

What do people think of getting a custom made parcel shelf for 6x9 in a vq statesman? I ve been told you will get better bass with a custom made parcel in the rear. Is is it worth getting one made or trying to find at the wreckers?

[Ra1d]

not a big fan of 6x9's but yer you will get a better sound out of them using a replacement mdf parcel shelf. putting them in boxes would probably be better tho.

[roon_VR]

just stick with normal 6.5 coaxial's and save your time and money. You want the majority of the sound coming from the front from the splits and not the rear. But if you already have 6x9's, put them in boxes. You can buy them from Strathfield. I wouldn't worry about acquiring a custom made parcel shelf.

[Sambo]

Ok guys I have been quoted $200 for a custom parcel shelf in the rear using 12mm of mdf . Is that a good price? Also does it make a difference if the 6x9's are vertical in the rear or horizontal?

[Tom_1569]

Thats expensive mate. I made mine for the VK for less then 15 bux in wood. Im after quality, so i done full insulation, and a set of speaker spacers, and still cost me less 35 bux. To save money i bought a 1200 X 2400 of 12mm MDF, its about 29 bux a piece, and u use about one third of it, maybe half with a VQ, but you have heaps left over. Its so easy to make its not funny, just take your old one out, and trace it onto the MDF, and cut, fit, you may have to trim. What i found with the VK is that the original parcel shelf is thinner, so i had to trim the MDF down to fit nicely. But seriously if you have a drill, and a jigsaw then have a go. Even go to supercheap and get some of their $15 drills and jigsaws. Pays for them selves really.

[Sambo]

Tom_1569 thanks for your tips and advice mate. I m tempted to give it a go, just worried i might f*ck it up...Are you in Melbourne, maybe you can help me out...:O)

[Phreddy]

Obviously if you're serious about bass performance, go for a subwoofer. Then again, you might have your own reasons for not wanting to go that way. Especially on a decent mdf panel you'll get fairly good bottom end performance from good 6x9s.

As for the panel, I reckon have a go yourself! You can sure buy a lot of MDF for 200 bux!! If the first attempt isn't quite right, learn from where you went wrong and have another go!

I suggest using cardboard to make a template to start with - it's easier to cut so you can make sure you get the right shape. Trial fit until you have it about right, then transfer the pattern to your mdf. Then go nuts with your drill and jigsaw! Once you've got it all fitting in nicely, you can either take it to a trimmer to get some nice upholstery over it, or even just squirt some spray paint around to get a nice finish on it.

Seriously, I reckon $200 is way too much for a parcel shelf panel.

Best of luck with it, Cheerz.

[Tom_1569]

Tom_1569 thanks for your tips and advice mate. I m tempted to give it a go, just worried i might f*ck it up...Are you in Melbourne, maybe you can help me out...:O)

Nah Im in Sale (2 -3 hours east of melb).
Making one really isnt that hard, took me probly an hour to make the actual shelf and have it all trimmed to fit in. Its about 30 bux a sheet (shop around) you should get atleast 2 shelfs out of that, so if you stuff up dont worry. Its not that much, you can design it how you like, and should work out alot cheaper.
Heres some pictures of mine
Mines different caus its a VK and is alot more simpler. I've never taken note of a VQ parcel shelf but if its similar to a VN then its quite easily possible.
Give it a go, not much to lose, 30 bux and an afternoon.
OR have a look around and see if someone else has made one, and is willing to trace theirs on to some paper. I just did that with mine to a member on here.

[Sambo]

Guys You have convinced me to have a go, thanks for that. Tom_1569 nice pics. do you have any pictures of the finish product?

[Tom_1569]

Guys You have convinced me to have a go, thanks for that. Tom_1569 nice pics. do you have any pictures of the finish product?

I havent carpeted mine yet, just been to busy and lack of motivation at the moment. And speakers are waiting caus the ones im using are 200 bux a pair.
But if you have any more questions feel free to ask. Also to get the best trace, if your existing parcel shelf is flat, clamp it down on to the mdf to get a good trace, then cut and fit, and you will see where it needs trimming up.
Good luck, and post up some pics.

[potshots007]

yeah man bit of time and patience and you can have a nice piece of work, that you have done all yourself, i made mine using fibreglass and crap, i think all up it cost me about $100 for materials but i still have lots left over, but yeah give it a go and let us know how it goes

[VRSS]

if you have a sub. lose the 6x9s and run splits front and rear.
the sub will give plently of bass and the splits make it sound clear and crisp