1953 Chevrolet Kicker Audio Bomb Build - Extreme Audio & Kustoms

1953 Chevrolet Kicker Audio Build Left Rear

We stopped off at Extreme Audio & Kustoms in Riverside, CA, best known as the one-stop shop that built the 2007 Mini-Truck Magazine "Truck of the Year," the 2008 Truckin' Magazine "Mini-Truck of the Year," "D-Lowest", and others in the 2009 Mini-Truck Magazine "Best Builds of the Year" feature. This shop services more than just trucks, in fact, they were tackling a Lowrider build when we stopped by, so we got the scoop on this crazy install. The guys showed us just what it takes to build an award-winning set-up, so we were happily on board to document the install, step-by-step.

Air Zenith Compressors & Kicker wanted this car to be featured in their booth at a Lowrider show in San Bernardino, CA, so the car needed to have a top-notch system in it. Knowing what a crunch it was going to be to complete this job from start to finish in only four days, they called upon Joel "Grommit" Sadenwasser, the owner of Extreme Audio & Kustoms. Once in contact with them, Joel put his best guy on the job, in the form of master audio fabricator Adam "Handmade" Radovich. Luckily, Adam was available for the build and they knew they could count on him to get the job done. "Handmade" was confident in his ability to pull it off in time, and he made sure the work would be well above industry standards. After talking to everybody and getting the green light on the project, Adam was in full-throttle, to get some pounding sounds into this '53 Chevy. Now follow along, as "Handmade" builds an audio trunk compartment masterpiece in just four days.

Extreme Audio & Kustoms were ready to install this Kicker gear. The trunk was gutted to allow Handmade enough room to work in the trunk.
Extreme Audio & Kustoms were ready to install this Kicker gear. The trunk was gutted to al
The speaker box was cut out and sealed using glue and silicone to make sure that no air would escape.
The speaker box was cut out and sealed using glue and silicone to make sure that no air wo

The speaker holes were carefully cut out after the box was sealed up.
The speaker box was set in place, so they could start building the trunk kit panels.
Using cardboard and tape, Adam created a stencil which was then used to cut out a wood panel.
Using cardboard and tape, Adam created a stencil which was then used to cut out a wood pan

Adam used a steady hand and an electric jig saw to cut out the design panel.
The same "stencil" method was used to cut our the side panels.
The side panels received tops that tapered in the quarter panel. Adam used L-brackets to hold the panels together. They will be reinforced with fiberglass later.
The side panels received tops that tapered in the quarter panel. Adam used L-brackets to h

The floor section is also going to receive a raised floor, so a stencil was needed to create it. Then it was raised and reinforced.
The floor section is also going to receive a raised floor, so a stencil was needed to crea
The Kicker amplifier was set in place and checked to ensure a proper fit.
Adam wanted to dress up the panels, so he created a trim using 3/4-inch MDF board.

The trim was then coated in fiberglass resin to allow it to be wrapped in vinyl.
The interior panels were smoothened out using automotive filler. Later, glue and vinyl were used to finish up the panels.
The interior panels were smoothened out using automotive filler. Later, glue and vinyl wer
The speakers were mounted and wired.

Custom kick panels were made from a stencil. Adam cut out the speaker holders, which needed to be angled.
Custom kick panels were made from a stencil. Adam cut out the speaker holders, which neede
The kick panels were set up for the fiberglass process. Cloth was laid across the panels giving the desired shape.
The kick panels were set up for the fiberglass process. Cloth was laid across the panels g
Thin coats of resin were spread on evenly.

The edges of the kick panels were cleaned up.
The kick panels were sanded to a smooth finish.
Vinyl was stretched over the kick panels

The speakers were mounted into the fabricated kick panels.
Adam ran the wires through the car and routed them to the trunk. Then he worked on connecting the Kicker amplifier.
Adam ran the wires through the car and routed them to the trunk. Then he worked on connect
The Air-Zenith Compressors were mounted to the side panels, as they were going to be exposed and incorporated into the design of the trunk. The compressor power lines were then connected.
The Air-Zenith Compressors were mounted to the side panels, as they were going to be expos