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kickin’ it
How to Update the Interior of Almost Any Pickup With Homemade Kick Panels
Author
![Picture of Josh Kaylor](https://theautobuilder.com/wp-content/uploads/author_logo.jpg)
Josh Kaylor
Photography by Mike Dempsey
Over the past 20 years custom truck interiors have taken on many forms, and like so much of the world today, prices and costs for these outlandish interiors have reached new heights in every way. Molded, flowing consoles, leather and killer stereos have taken front row in the world of custom interiors, and gone are the old, plain, painted panels.
Going to the local upholstery shop can mean some serious change in today’s market, as the price of materials and the cost of labor have risen dramatically. But leave it to truck guys to study the art of interiors to help contain the cost of a new look, making effective use of options throughout the build of a classic or a more modern truck.
While checking out some pictures on the Internet, we happened upon this at-home molded kick panel build that cost under $50!
You may ask how?
With a little ingenuity and a few hours of hard work you, too, can build a set of custom kick panels that is sure to keep your friends curious at the next cruise night. Now, speaker choice is strictly up to you, but for around $30 to $40 you can have a nice set of 5-1/2-inch speakers. The owner of this ’69 Chevy Suburban was tired of not having any speakers, as well as the dreary painted kick panels of his classic truck. It was time for an update.
After a trip to the local parts store and to Home Depot, he managed to pick up the needed materials, which totaled around $50. He then gathered the necessary tools, which included a jig saw, a designated work table, scissors, hot glue gun and rubber gloves, and began building his new kick panels. The owner worked on the kick panels for two afternoons, allowing the fiberglass to cure between the work. This allowed proper curing time before upholstery. Thanks to the T-shirt mold the kick panel build was easy, and it turned out great!
This particular installation included speakers, but it can be completed as a smooth panel even more easily. The new kick panels look awesome, and the new speakers will pump out the tunes while cruising to the next show, all for under $100 including speakers. There are, however, premium speakers that will cost considerably more. Here’s how the process goes.
Price List
Vinyl: $7
Speaker wire: $8
Fiberglass cloth: $6
Fiberboard sheet: $5
Fiberglass resin: $15
Supplies (paint brushes, sandpaper, etc): $5
Old T-shirt: Free