So did anyone ever figure out what the max mounting depth is for the rear side panels? Also are the speakers 6 1/2" or 6 3/4"? I am trying to find a decent set for shallow mounting, but everything on Crutchfield and Etronics that is shallow has low power handling. Any other suggestions?

TIA...

 

Bump - anyone...

 

How do you remove the rear side panels on a couple? I know it requires removing at least the bottom section of the rear seats. Where's the DIY?

 

I currently have the rear of my G35 stripped - haven't had time to do the sound proofing yet or finish the stereo install...

I measured the depth - it's not much more than the depth of the stock Bose bracket+speaker depth which is 2.5". At most 1/4 inch more eyeballing it. BUT that is only if the magnet for the speaker is 3" diameter or less, cause the indentation is only that big. For bigger magnets, 2.5" I would say is the max without it protruding farther forward than stock. I don't know how much separation there is normally between the side panel and the rear speaker (cause it's not exactly transparent, eh?) so don't know how far forward you can space it without the plastic panel pressing on it.

I will be putting in Diamond Audio 361i in the rear very soon, which has a mounting depth of 2.5" (but will require spacers to move out forward as far as the stock speaker does) and a magnet diameter of 3.5". Will post an update after I get those in (if there's any trouble).

You can remove the rear side panels (bottom part) very easily by just pulling after both the bottom and top seat parts are removed (in coupe, just two bolts directly behind rear seat at bottom by the velcro hold the seat in place - very easy to remove with standard socket wrench). Then just pull - several clips that can fall out onto the floor though - so keep an eye out. Once you have it out you can see 3 yellow clips still attached (hopefully). The hardest attachment point is at the far rear to the top panel - hold the top panel in place for that or you might end up pulling that off too - and with the big SRS label on it, that might not be good.

 

Thanks rcdash. So I must remove the top and bottom section of the seats to remove the rear side panels? For the botton seat, all you need to do is pull up and it will come out? Any precautions to avoid issues with the side airbags such as disconnecting your battery terminals?

 

Yep - almost impossible to remove without both lower and top parts out of the rear seats taken out of the car.

I always have done it with battery terminals disconnected. It seemed safer that way. I highly recommend not mucking around with anything (other than specifically for testing something, or changing the gearshift when required) while the battery is connected.

 

I just wanted to confirm that my Diamond Audio 361i with a 2.5 inch mounting depth just barely fits into the rear speaker locations. I spaced them 1 1/4 inch forward using two 1 1/2 inch bolts to attach it to the stock metal frame (2 holes lined up perfectly so no drilling was required).

The bottom of the speaker magnet is actually touching the rear metal frame of the car but the speaker magnets have an outer rubber lining (so it's not metal on metal contact). I figure it'll just help stabilize the speaker (it's snug in there no doubt). Anything less than 2.5" should work fine, particularly if the magnet diameter is less than 3.5".