Thinking of doing a stereo conversion (160w - 4spkr) on my factory am/fm but not sure where the best places to put speakers would be - I know there's limited depth in the rear top cylinder well panels - I'm thinking maybe the front doors may be the only option. I'm not too impressed with with the 4x10 stereo dash speaker unit I've seen advertised - can't imagine there'd be much sound separation with everything built into 1 speaker... Besides, the original one still works and would make a great CB radio speaker p ... Anyone done any similar audio work on their rags?
Behind the rear seat, on the support, there should be a couple cut-outs made for speakers. Not the best place for sound, but it would be good, hide the speakers, and not require cutting anything. Some people here have converted the front dash speaker - using the housing to hold 2 smaller modern speakers. You could also try mounting some under the dash, try very small tweeters in the dash vents - creative stuff like that. You could even box the rear speakers, and throw them in the trunk when you park or when you have rear passengers.
I bought some aftermarket plastic front kick panels that came with 6" speakers installed but I pulled them and put some Sony's in them. They sound and look good, I can't remember where I got them but I will look for a receipt. Tim
The factory locations are pretty much useless if the top is down (which will be always for me!). I don't want to cut any holes in my car, either. I did the front speaker mod on my 71 hardtop and the difference it made was quite amazing. http://members.shaw.ca/ritc1/speaker.html It just balances out the sound (You could also use a a/c dashpad on a non a/c car and put a speaker in the center vent). The stereo on that car is mounted under the drivers seat with a wireless remote to run it (bounces off the drivers forward kickpanel), that way the factory deck can stay in the dash for shows. As for the main speakers on a ragtop, I am still fighting with that one. The piston panels might be ok since you can replace them later on if need be. I was debating mounting speakers in my factory kickpanels and then they can be hidden behind the grilles but then you lose the vents. The aftermarket ones make the speakers obvious, I want my car to look stock. Clarion make a subwoofer built to fit under your seat. Its only 3" tall, someone on the board here turned me onto them, but I have not bought or tried one yet. It even comes with a remote control to set the tone levels, but it is expensive. I was also wondering if a guy could mount a subwoofer INSIDE the rear seat support, and then port the sound out through the front of the lower rear seat armrests (use the factory light location?)? They do this on lots of blasters, big speaker buried deep and then ported out through a smaller outlet... Just some thoughts. There are a few guys on the board hashing this out right now, so hopefully some good solutions will be coming soon. If you aren't worried about it looking stock, then its pretty easy. later Tim
I used one of the dual front speakers conversions along with removeable speakers in the rear. Custom AutoSound makes speakers in boxes that are supposed to mount under your seats, but don't. I use them for rear speakers moving them in and out as I need. When I'm at a show I can remove them and it looks bone stock. I have used this set up for years. There are really nice premade speakers in smaller boxes available out there. Also, if your worried about theives cutting your top to remove stereo equipment, this is a nice set up, in that you put it all in your trunk instead of being left in plain sight.
great food for thought! I have seen the Custom Autosound kickpanel speaker sets - they make 'em for a lot of cars and they're not bad when cutting a car up isn't a preference. they use pioneer speakers, either 80w or 120w coaxials. I've got time since the suspension needs to be gone thru before she'll be roadworthy enough to cruise. Definitely gonna put some thought into these ideas in the meantime!
