Double-din radio housing for center dash and dash speaker blanks

[E90400K]

I hadn't realized it was all plastic. I'm still learning about this vehicle. And learning about antennas. Perhaps it would be possible to put a few wires in the hood to make a sort of ground plane, to connect to the base of the antenna. But obviously this isn't a simple matter, probably why they decided to skip it.

If in the glass works as well, how bout put it in the front windshield? Like a whip on front fender, that also voids differences for different bed/shell/whatever configuration.

I think Slate skipped it because they expect most owners to stream music/radio from their smartphone via the cellular radio network rather than the traditional analog AM/FM and digital radio frequencies.

 

[bloo]

How the rear glass works at all is something that hasn't been on the early prototypes we've seen. The mechanism that it is attached with was also just temporary non final parts in those prototypes.
We used to see wire antennas embedded in windshields, not sure where those went, but it does seem that those and rear window defroster antennas could be at least matched with an antenna hidden under a roof or other panel.
On the other hand, with plastic panels, it would be easy to add a no ground plane whip.

There are a few ways to make a ground plane...

- aluminum speed tape on the back side of the fender
- spray-on conductive paint on the back side of the fender
- braided strap from antenna ground to Slate frame

In each case youll need some sort of backing plate under the fender directly below the base. Otherwise, torque from the antenna might crack the plastic fender.

 

[Luxrage]

I've seen some interesting antenna mounts for the rear from the offroading crowd putting on big whip antennas. I'm sure the striker is going to be right into the metal frame on that second pic. As much as I'd like a fender antenna like my LTD or an A pillar pull-out style one like my Geo, I wouldn't be against a whip in the rear.

One thing I have noticed in some of the early pics of slates with their doors open is the bottom half of the door is a large removable panel. Looks like the perfect place for a pair of 6'' speakers, even if they'll throw most of it into the footwell. Still better than nothing.

Slate render as going back at the videos it seems the influencers all stay away from showing the door cards... interesting.

 

[TomFrank]

One thing I have noticed in some of the early pics of slates with their doors open is the bottom half of the door is a large removable panel. Looks like the perfect place for a pair of 6'' speakers, even if they'll throw most of it into the footwell. Still better than nothing.

I don't think that's a removable panel, but mounting points for the door cubby option. If you go to the maker doors and interior options, watch the bottom of the door card and switch the door cubby option on and off; you can see how the cubby uses those mounting points.

 

[E90400K]

The advantage of electric windows, the window crank doesn't take up half a square foot of door card real estate.

 

[cadblu]

I was reviewing some video footage and noticed the large protruding door "pull panel" offers opportunities for storage, and perhaps speakers. Wondering if the aftermarket community is looking at this. Maybe 3D-print a few prototypes for a flip-down storage panel and /or speaker grills. I think this would be preferred to cutting out the lower door panel "cubby" area for a speaker. What do you guys think?

 

[beatle]

When the door is closed, speakers mounted in that area would be firing into your hip. Probably one of the worst places to put them. The open section with four screws looks like something more modular, but it also appears to run the full width of the door. We'd really need to see what the metal door skeleton looks like to see where they might want you to put speakers. But that said, I heard on the Jay Leno video that "the IP (instrument panel) becomes a soundbar." I'm hoping that's from integrated speakers and not just a big bluetooth speaker hanging below the HVAC knobs.

 

[sodamo]

I was reviewing some video footage and noticed the large protruding door "pull panel" offers opportunities for storage, and perhaps speakers. Wondering if the aftermarket community is looking at this. Maybe 3D-print a few prototypes for a flip-down storage panel and /or speaker grills. I think this would be preferred to cutting out the lower door panel "cubby" area for a speaker. What do you guys think?

Storage cubby 🤙

 

[AZFox]

But that said, I heard on the Jay Leno video that "the IP (instrument panel) becomes a soundbar." I'm hoping that's from integrated speakers and not just a big bluetooth speaker hanging below the HVAC knobs.

I think he's referring to the "Speaker Pair" (Front Left + Right Integrated Speakers) and "Center Speaker" (Front Center Integrated Speaker) accessories.

Thanks for the jargon tip about "IP". 👍

 

[KevinRS]

1. That door pull is the same part as the center console options. Identical part used for both doors and for optional console top.
2. The maker shows several bluetooth speaker options. Below the HVAC knobs is one, there is also center speaker, 2 side speakers (speaker pair), all basically in the dash cubby areas, and extension speakers that would mount on the bed. In the maker anyway, you can choose all those options at once.