I was hoping to hear from some of you who have installed speakers either in the rear floor board/shelf, or the side panels. I found 1 post here with a picture of what look like 5" units in the side panels, and there are many out there with 6" X 9"'s or similar in the floor panel.
My '86 560SL has a Kinderseat, so I'm looking at either removing it and putting in floor mounted speakers, or (preferably) putting them in the side panels. I've already replaced the dash speakers with Eclipse's, and I have 2 more 5" Eclipse's that I think will fit into the side panels.
Since the rear shelf or folded down Kinderseat would mainly serve as storage on trips, I'm not really into shelf mounting, but would still like to know if the sound can be heard at reasonable volume from the rear.
For mid-range sound fill only, not bass, what is the experience of those of you who have rear mounted speakers? Can they be heard at all with the top down at cruising speed?
(PS: my bass will be from a trunk mounted Infinity Basslink, when it arrives)

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1986 560SL
2002 Toyota Camry
1993 Lexus

I had rear shelf mounted 6x9's powered by 40w/ch alpine and could hear them with the top down. It was mainly lower mid range as the higher the frequency the more directional the sound is. It sounded good with the hardtop on because it reflected off the rear window.

The PO tried to put them in the side panels but there was not enough depth for the 6x9. He did leave big holes in the side panels that let a lot of road noise from the rear wheel wells into the cabin.

Since you have the skill I would suggest that you build pods that would mount on the side panels higher and could be directed towards the front seats better. If you really want to hear the basslink it could be ported through the side panels.

I am actually considering making pods where the map pockets are on the front doors for 5-6" speakers. I am just not sure if I can do it without making it harder to get in and out of the car. I am looking for more mid range than the 4" in the dash can provide from the front.

Yes, front door pods have also been on my mind, for over a year now. I'm very sure they will fit, in the spot just above the pocket. I'd fashion a slightly elliptical mount that would tilt the speaker upward and rearward. The corner sheetmetal would need to be cut to accomodate the magnet and some of the basket. I'd anticipate no interference with getting in or out, as they would not protrude in further than the pockets, and would be too far forward to hit your knee with the door open.
However, I also have a messed up left rear panel, with scrapes and tears in the vinyl covering just below the top lever. Someone had somehow managed to push the lever counterclockwise to about the 7:00 o'clock position and back. A speaker grille cover would hide it perfectly, and just below this mark is what I think is the deepest part of the well under the panel (like in the picture I posted above). I may consider the pod idea for here as well....way easier to work with those panels than the doors...but hoping to get some input first on the rear-mount position acoustics.
IIRC, you had built quite an elaborate setup filling the rear area, so I assume you are drawing on what you had before this was constructed?

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1986 560SL
2002 Toyota Camry
1993 Lexus

Well, I worked all day yesterday and almost finished 2 compartments for a pair of 5 1/2" Eclipse 2-ways. They fit beautifully in the sides of the rear storage area. Today I'm off to the junkyard to try and find some decent looking grille material that can be adapted to the side panels.
I'll put up a how-to thread soon. I figure if they don't sound all that great, I can still do the door pod idea later. The pods would be like those kick-panel units sold by Q-Logic....but I'm hoping the rear units will give me the mid-range fill I'm looking for.

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1986 560SL
2002 Toyota Camry
1993 Lexus