I purchased a new speaker panel and tried to install today. For some reason I can not get it in.

I don't want to break it. The rear hatch mount attachment seems to be in the way. Do I just need to bend it under the mount or what. I'm afraid it will crack doing that. Has anyone had this problem and how did you solve? I can't slide in from the front either because of the wheel well. Maybe this panel is just made to large and I need to trim it some.

Hi

I had the same problem with my panels, specially that side that has the hatch mount, but what i did was i put at sun for a 5- 10 minutes, them i put in the car and it was easy.

That was the way i did on mine

Filipe

Just unbolt the hatch support mount. It only has one nut to take off and then have someone hold the hatch up for a few minutes while you put the panel in. You could also prop it up with something, just be very careful not to knock it down.

-Mike

I'm confused. I've installed dozens of those and never had anything in the way. Just remove the taillight cover, load the panel with speakers, load it in the car, slide it back and into place, lift it a little to get the screws started, after loading the screw clips onto the tabs, screw it down snd crank it up.

Dave.

I'm confused. I've installed dozens of those and never had anything in the way.

He's really talking about the original speaker panel, i.e., the left side plastic interior quarter panel trim.

I agree with Dave, this should be no problem. I am thinking the tallight cover panel is still in place and causing the problem. Need to remove the taillight panel and it goes right in.

The the tail light cover is also off. The panel does not go in with out bending it way more than I feel comfortable doing. I will put it in the sun or use a hair dry to so if that helps bending it. I did not know the hatch support mount could be removed, I thought it was welded on. I'll look at that also.

This panel is an after market reproduction. I think it might be too big and needs to be trimmed back some.

Edited March 2, 200916 yr by manny1973

There is a mounting tab welded to the hatch opening, but the actual support bracket is bolted to the welded tab. Once the lower support is unbolted, the welded tab is smaller and has no protrusions on the back side. Your panel should be able to flex enough to go in then.

to trim it to fit. Get a very sharp x-acto knife and trim where you need to trim. A friend of mine got those aftermarket panels from Datsun Spirit and he said this is what he had to do to make it fit.

good luck

I just installed all new panels in my interior a couple of months ago. That panel was very difficult to get into place. I did warm mine up and bent it into place. I did not have to trim any at all. Make sure all your speaker and antenna connections are finalized. I ran some sound deadener on the metal as well.

The back taillight panel I trimmed a lot. Good luck.

Hi

My panels are aftermarket, bought from Eiji at Datsun Spirit, they are very nice and looks really great on my car.

My old ones were very bad shape.

I took one piece of the holder strut off and "cut off" a little of plastic with a machine, (see picture, sorry my english). The finish was very good, much better them a X-acto, that i tried as well.

Besides, with that machine it cleans and soft were i cuted before, so it was a better finish.

What i also did was, the straith parts ends, i round them a little with the machine and once again it was great, no one see the differences.

Filipe Azevedo

If you do that, you will see what i mean. Hope that helps.

OK, now I understand. That one is a P.I.T.A. Just warn it up as suggested. Slide the top into place first, then pull the bottom out to give it enough bend to slide it into place. The slide it forward to get the front tabs under the other plastic trim above the wheel well.

Have fun and keep it warm while installing it.

Dave.