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.

 

[Luxrage]

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.

I've made comments before about the speaker going down where those four bolts are, where most traditional speakers would be. I was hoping that lower panel would be split somewhere so you could put a 'grill' variant in there. I really want to avoid the 'addon' look that you see some people do where they put the aftermarket speaker grill on it and it sticks out like a sore thumb.

I'm hoping the door skin has at least a 6'' round hole for a speaker. It'd be far uglier but I wouldn't be against using those four mounting holes and putting a shallow 'box' like Ford did on the very last first-gen LTD Crown Victorias:

 

[cadblu]

With the Slate in pickup truck mode, obviously there is limited real estate for speaker locations. Currently, the maker only shows options integrated into the instrument panel or a bracket below the IP. Future options previously discussed here might include speakers under or behind the front seats, as well as the door cards.

Was wondering if anyone might consider installing speakers in the headrests. This is actually an option in the 2026 Nissan Leaf, Kicks, as well as some Audis and Infinity’s. I think headrest speakers is a creative way (aftermarket?) to get great audio in a non-intrusive manner.

 

[beatle]

Miatas had headrest speakers in the first gen (90-97) and again in the current gen (2016+). They are "interesting" and can be nice for things like directions, but they're a little weak for listening to music since the soundstage should really be in front of you. I removed them altogether in my 97, and I barely notice them in my 25.

The headrest needs to be built around the idea of speakers in them, with a hard, but perforated substrate behind the fabric (or perforated leather), and cutouts in the foam for the speakers themselves. Headrest speakers can get you a lot of volume from very little power since they are so close to your ears, and that's not for nothing. This is especially important in a convertible, but not in a pickup. With the cabin being so small in the Slate, and the speakers being in the dash, I think it'll be possible to get a decent amount of volume from a reasonable headunit and efficient speakers.

 

[E90400K]

I've made comments before about the speaker going down where those four bolts are, where most traditional speakers would be. I was hoping that lower panel would be split somewhere so you could put a 'grill' variant in there. I really want to avoid the 'addon' look that you see some people do where they put the aftermarket speaker grill on it and it sticks out like a sore thumb.

I'm hoping the door skin has at least a 6'' round hole for a speaker. It'd be far uglier but I wouldn't be against using those four mounting holes and putting a shallow 'box' like Ford did on the very last first-gen LTD Crown Victorias:

Just cut the inner door sheet metal for a flush-mount. That's how we did it in the 1970's. LOL.

 

[Luxrage]

Just cut the inner door sheet metal for a flush-mount. That's how we did it in the 1970's. LOL.

My only concern for that is their weird Brazilian-sourced window crank mechanism. I hope it doesn't take up too much space down there inside the door. I wonder if the seats will have much going on under them either, I've heard people have some success with under-seat subwoofer boxes in single cab pickups: