Hi all, I am after a parcel shelf for my fabia... I want to conceal a couple of 6x9 speakers in a stealth shelf style.... But as its purely experimental, I want to have a spare shelf I can re fit when/if I screw up my original one with the jigsaw.

Assuming I don't knacker the original shelf, it will still be handy to have a spare so that, when extra boot space is required, I can remove my speakered shelf, (I will put plug connectors on speaker wires) and put a normal shelf back in the car. re connecting the oem speakers... If I have no luck, I may try and construct from scratch an MDF version, I can get speaker cloth from maplins, and I have a nice bit of grey carpet in my Garage...

I'm searching for somebody who has already done this mod for tips and advice, even whether or not this is a viable project, If anybody has part number and approx price of a new shelf I'd appreciate that info too,

I'd just rather be starting out with something that is already the right shape....

Anybody out there with a spare/ unwanted one?? Reasonable price paid,

Thanks all

Garry

For a decent sound quality using the parcel shelf isnt the best option (so i have been told, never had a great system :thumbdwn:) so constructing a solid shelf from mdf would prob be best

This is something I've given lots of thought to, I've even got my own 2nd shelf for the exact same reason. Though haven't done it yet as I work with music and so the need for a decent sound system kinda faded.

I've come to the conclusion that the best combination of sound quality vs ease of install is as follows.

Cut out the inner dip of the self, leaving an inch or so to make a lip the whole way round. Cut a piece of thin MDF (LDF? lol) to fit the shape of the dip, install the speakers in this and cover with speaker grille cloth. then attach the whole lot back into the dip using the inch lip you left. simples.

Doing it this way means you get the bonus of wood for resonance without dumping the original shelf and keeping the oem look.. ish. as well as all the fixtures and fittings.

The other plus is when you cut the shelf it doesn't have to be amazingly neat as the cut will be covered by the small plank of wood, and after looking at the bottom of the shelf it looks like a complete ar5e to do nice and neat in a 6x9 size.

** COUGH **

http://briskoda.net/items-sale/fabia-vrs-parcel-shelf/138986/

Decided to make my own, found some mdf in the garage and made a blank out of that by drawing an outline of original. As luck would have it... Its a perfect fit... Can even easily close the tailgate. Jammy!!

Going to make another blank tomorrow and cut holes in that to make a "framework" with the same outline to recreate the "recesses" in a normal parcel shelf that fits snugly on top. Then sand edges to get that nice bevelled smooth finish... Then fit speakers to piece A and cover with speaker cloth. Then cover framework with same cloth and fix that to piece A like a "lid". I'm making this up as I go along so a certain amount of trial and error is involved...

I access Briskoda via a PS3, I do not have a computer as such. Anybody know how I can get some photos on here via a PS3?? :confused:

Can you upload them to flickr or similar via a PS3?

Then you can just use the insert photo button when posting and type/paste in the url that your picture will have from flickr.

The other plus is when you cut the shelf it doesn't have to be amazingly neat as the cut will be covered by the small plank of wood, and after looking at the bottom of the shelf it looks like a complete ar5e to do nice and neat in a 6x9 size.

.

yes i can confirm that getting a neat hole for 6x9's is a right pain:mad:

Pic's would be good of the MDF version as thats what i,m thinking of next:thumbup:

That sort of worked... I forgot I had my phone turned to one side when I took this shot...

Stand by for shelf pics, Did a bit more on it today. Fitted hinge mechanism, (which works by the power of the bodge!!!)and the shelf sits flush with the side supports. and hangs nicely with the string/ball things. Made a rectangular recess cutout and did lots of sanding. I fit the speakers into the base next and then its covering time.... Pobably won't get much time till the weekend now but project stealth shelf is well underway.... And hasn't cost me a bean so far just using junk from the shed

Hi there, got some pictures of my shelf so far...

I used the top 30 mm of a a cut down Fischer fixing sheath (10mm) for the pivot rod tips, screwed with 4 inch woodscrews into a piece of 2x1 par timber batten which I pre pilot holed at the ends (to prevent splitting the timber. After piloting I countersunk a 10mm hole directly through the pilot about 12mm deep so that the plastic jacket goes through into the timber too. This is fixed with woodscrews burred off at the tips via angle grinder directly through the shelf from the top.

The tailgate contact point meets up perfectly with the 2 rubber buffers at the rear.

I ordered my speaker cloth today from Maplins (code KS50E) Came to about £7.50 for a 1500mm square piece. It should be in next week> its black acousticly transparent felt so should make a good shelf material.

Watch this space:thumbup::thumbup:

Hi all. Just a quick update. Took my assembled but as yet uncovered parcel shelf for a trial run on Monday. No squeaks or rattles. And much better sound quality without the rear door tweeter hissing my right ear off, as these are disconnected whilst my shelf is in. The speakers are Audax 160w 3 way 6x9. I bought them from Maplins ten years ago or more, They have woven glassfibre cones so time has been kind to them and this is the 4th car they've been in over the years. They were about £80 back when I got them and sound excellent. Almost sub levels of bass. Have just come in from the garden having spent some time today priming the mdf ready for the matt black paint I bought during the week and my speaker cloth came in so all going well I'll get all my painting done by tomorrow evening and I can start to fit the cloth.

Watch this space.

that does look like a top job. watching this with intent :P

The speakers are Audax 160w 3 way 6x9. I bought them from Maplins ten years ago or more, They have woven glassfibre cones so time has been kind to them and this is the 4th car they've been in over the years.

Yup, those cones ROCK! I had some, they're Yellow aren't they? Sold them for a tenner at a car boot.. have kicked self ever since as they do have fantastic sound quality! Oh, I got them on clearance with staff discount so think only paid like £30 as they were the last set and all that jazz.. If ya haden't guessed, I used to work for Maplins about 10 years ago

Your shelfs coming along great! Proper Job!

Hi again.

Just a little update from earlier. Have just made a small loom for some additional boot lighting using 2 small self contained LED fittings. This terminates at a small male plug connector and all 3 items will eventually be screwed to the underside of my shelf. I will be running a small pair of wires from the existing bootlight to terminate at a female corresponding connector. (So its safe from short circuit when the shelf is out.)

Have tested this on a small 12v battery and it works well. The LEDs are very bright but won't overload the circuit as their power consumption is so low.

Just thought there was a little more I can do with this project to make it special...

Got to say though..... Am terrified of screwing up when I cover it.... Fabric is SO not my mediium of choice....

**UPDATE**

Hi shelf watchers.... I have been for a liittle weekend away and arriving back today have re-commenced work on my little project.. I have many photos taken along the way to post but am having some issues getting them on here. Bear with me... They're coming...

I am 90% of the way there now with a few little bits of covering left to do then I will re-assemble and fit it.

It's looking pretty good and very tidy....

Watch this space....

Top job Garry, Looking forward to the finished article

Quick update:

Top job, can't wait to see the finished article!

Edited 29 September, 200916 yr by Purac

I just want to say a big THANKS to the most excellent PURAC for all the help getting my pics up here and keeping this thread going....

I'm still very enthusiastic about this project and just lack the time to get it completely done... I'm hoping to finish it at the weekend all going well.. Purac has kindly agreed to shoot a few more pics up here of the final stages of this job. With luck and a helping hand I'll get them up soon

Thanks for your kind comments.

Garry

I'm sure many biskodians would pay for you to make these...

might be a little earner for ya mate

I was just about to say..

How much? lol

Hi folks, a quick update of Grr's progress - they are a bit fuzzy but you get the idea:

Today's the big day folks....

It is in. It is alive.... I have mailed todays photos to purac ready for posting and even if I say so myself....

IT LOOKS SUPERB!!!!!! :thumbup:

I'm sure purac will get the next set of pics up here when he can... I'm so made up with how it looks fitted that I'm so glad I decided to go ahead and make one... I don't think it looks DIY at all. But you'll have to wait and see when the pics are up....

I invite your comments.:D

Looking great mate

Looking very neat.

Just wanted to add - how heavy is that lot? What have you done to secure it from flying forward in the event of a crash and lopping yer head off at shoulder level? Just a thought. :eek:

Also, does it hinge with the boot lid or is it too heavy for that? I made a very similar shelf for my Golf many years ago. Fecking heavy it was too! Had some chains to secure it to the inside of the boot. I made a second one in two halves, split along the length with a piano hinge. This way, only half was needed to lift up on the boot lid straps so I could still get stuff in the boot (well small things either side of the huuuuggge Sub that was in there )

Hi golf fiend....

As it happens... its not that heavy at all. I would guess about 7-8kg with the speakers fitted.

More by luck than good judgement it works like the original shelf. Hinge mechanism is strong enough to hold it in the "shelf lugs" and the rear is wedged in tightly by the rubbers on the tailgate. As for it flying forwards in a crash I'd hope the rear headrests would stop it coming too far forward. When the next set of pics go up you can see for yourself how well it fits (the rear headrests are out in the pics so you can see it)...

Thank you for your comments....

Grr.

Hi all....

In the abscence of the final set of photos, I thought I'd post again because it occurred to me that I haven't run through the materials and costings for this project.

Heres what I used...

About half an 8x4 sheet of 12 mm MDF. Probably about 8 to10 quid from a builders merchant. (I'm doing a lot of work in the house so I had a bit kicking around.) £0.00p

About 750ml of MDF primer (I would advise water based as this dries much quicker!!) About a fiver in the shops. (Nicked a drop from an open can at work.. Oil based unfortunately though... Took 14 hours to dry...) £0.00p

500ml of "International" Matt black paint. In the shops about a fiver or so but with my trade discount... £3.28p

1500mm x 1500mm Maplins Code KS50E speaker cloth. 3@ 500mm x 1500mm Obviously these were all in one piece. I found the cut a bit on the generous side anyway. I bought 3 times the amount I actually needed to allow for cockups. If you are confident with fabric, one piece would be enough. 3@£2.49 = £7.47

2 @10mm fischer fixings. Again I had some of these lying about but a couple of quid should buy a 5 pack from B&Q. they need to be long enough to get a 40mm length for the inserts.

so cost to me.. £0.00

About 1200mm of straight 2" x 1" par timber for the hinge support. A merchant should cut you a bit for a couple of quid. I had some in the garage. £0.00

I also used a piece of EML for the grille piece to reinforce the shelf above the holes for the speaker. But you could hammer flat the speaker covers supplied with your speakers if they're the black punched alloy type. I sprayed the EML black with a can of spray paint I had in the garage so it didn't glint thhrough the fabric.

I borrowed a stapler from a floorlayer friend of mine, fortunately he supplied a lot of staples too. Another freebie... Somettimes its good to work in construction.

Various screws, just use your loaf... As long as possible without being too long. I have loads of these so it was another freebie... But we've all got screws lying around right... So we should all get this one for free... MOST IMPORTANTLY you need 2 4inch 10 woodscrews for the hinge inserts. Pilot the holes for these CAREFULLY if they are not central and straight, your shelf wont swing properly or sit right. You gotta be proper anal about this... Dont be tempted to use the screws from the fischer fixings these are quite mega and may well split the timber despite piloting

Enough DIY tips... You should get change from thirty quid even if you pay top dollar for all this stuff... All in all I spent less than 12 quid.

Hope to see the finished pics up soon...

Garry.:thumbup:

Edited 7 October, 200916 yr by grr666
got booted mid message lost it all again...