I'll take what's behind Kick Panel #2 for $100...
 

Can anybody clue me in as to what this box is behind the passenger side kick panel?

http://www.geoprise.net/P5/BehindKickPanel_1.jpg


I'm thinking about putting my crossovers behind the kick panels, and I wanted to know what I was dealing with if I need to make some room (which I'm sure I will).

why don't you put it under your seat?

Yeah, that was actually my original plan and I may go back to it. I was just trying to minimize the stuff under the seat, as I have a couple things that are usually stored under there, so I thought the kick panel location might be a way to go.

It cuts down on the wire needed, too, though that's not really any big deal.

For theft considerations, I suppose it's always better to have the stuff hidden. Would someone steal the crossovers if they were next to an amp that they were stealing?

But, you're right, the under-seat location might just be easiest.

I can safely say i have no clue what that is, I didn't have one in my MP3.

That should be the control unit for the cruise control.

Hmm, interesting. Thanks.

Running new speaker wire into the doors is NOT fun - trust me. It can be done, but it's a little risky and not entirely necessary.

This is why I mounted my crossovers INSIDE the door panels. There's a ton of room in there, and it negated the need to run any extra wires into the doors:
http://www.wagonsport.com/pics/audio/crossover.JPG

Just $.02 from someone who's been there :):)

~HH

Hey HH,

Very nice! That's a great idea. I kind of wanted my crossovers to be more accessible so I could tweak the tweeter levels once the installation was complete.

Man, you're not kidding about running new speaker wires! I spent most of the afternoon sizing and cutting the MDF panels, and then running the wires in the passenger side. I got them done and it actually turned out pretty cool. I'll post some pics soon.

What better way to spend a lovely October afternoon? :) Listening to the Giants, and drilling holes at extremely uncomfortable angles in my P5.

Fretless

I ran into the same, mysterious, plastic box when I was building my kicks. I checked the name on the circuit board & did a search for it on the internet. I found a company that makes semi-conductors/electronic stuff for air bag sensors. Definitely something you do NOT want to be messing with. By looking at the board, there are the usual resistors, transistors, caps, etc & one unknown, small black box. I eventually moved it to right above the ECF cover in the passenger footweel & hotglued it in place. I hope it works as I really don't want my girlfriend getting a good punch in the face from the air back deploying when I stomp on the brakes. (I'd probably get a much harder punch in the face from her :p ) Anyways, there's one on the driver's side as well & if you do decide to move it, make sure it is in the same orientation as it was ie. upright & facing forward & mounted solidly.

That's good to know, Huey. Thanks! I definitely don't want any stray airbags or punches flying around in my car.

I just got inside from buttoning everything up on the passenger side. What I ended up doing was leaving the mystery airbag control box exactly where it was, and I just put the crossover behind it. In fact, it's kind of holding the crossover in place.

One side down, one to go! At least it will go a lot faster now that I know what to do. After that is the amp install.

I hate that black tar goo stuff that holds the plastic on the door panels.

Body shops usually use a razor blade to cut the black, gooey stuff. When you just pull it off, it stretches & gets all over the place. You also end up stretching the plastic vapour barrier. Use the disposable razor blades, even cheap one's will work fine.

Yeah I used a razor for a little of it, then I used a little wooden paint mixer and just pressed it against it a few times and pulled away quickly, like you do with gum, and it came off. Then used mineral spirits and Acetone to get the rest off.
When I had used the razor I had noticed I was not only taking off the goo, but also the paint.

Pull on it first, then the razor.

I ran new speaker wires in my doors too. I also ran speaker wires into my rear doors(ES doesn't have rear door speakers stock). It was a heck of a job. But still worth it in my opinion.