Speaker Upgrades

[Willy]

I'm new to this forum, but from what I've seen so far, you guys have some great ideas about modifications. I have a '79 Shark that had stock speakers at all 4 corners (sounded terrible). I've upgraded the fronts to Pioneer 4x6s and want to install Pioneer 6x9s in the rear, but I'm having trouble getting them to fit. I've made new covers that I can cut a hole in to mount the new speakers, but the magnet still hits just about everything back there. I was wondering if anyone else had this problem, and what was done to resolve it? I want to keep the rear deck a clean as possible for T-top storage, so cheap $15 boxes are out. Please let me know if there are alternatives that look good, but don't cost an arm and a leg. Thanks.

 

[Bob Chadwick]

I don't know how your look because the 77 came without rear speakers but this might work. Make spacers out of 6 inch wood, it cames in various thicknesses, that will go between the speaker and the car.

I had a 73 Capri that had that same problem with the speakers hitting the gas tank. I made spacers out of 1x6 and raised them enough for clearance.

 

[78 L82 4spd]

Willy -


I also have a '79. My problem is a little deeper for a future project. The speaker panels are very loose (hanging) from the previous owner. When you find a solution (and I'm sure you will here), please post it. Also, if you have any pictures of your current setup, I would love to see what the back of my car is supposed to look like!

Also, I found this: http://members.cox.net/~mfouchi/vette/speakers/boxplans.htm

Maybe it helps. Looks interesting to me but is a Plan B.

Good Luck!

Stephen

 

[78 L82 4spd]

One more: http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/Rear6by9s.mhtStephen

 

[Willy]

Stephen,

Thanks for the pics. That really helps. I was going down the same road but hoped there would be an easier way. My stock mounting brackets are shot, so I'll probably have to buy or fabricate new ones. If I do something different, I'll post the pictures and details.
Again, thanks.
Willy

 

[soxx35]

just buy some 6x9 boxes there only around 30 bucks it takes up some storage room but you can put any 6x9 speaker in with no problems. and if you ever want to take them out just unhook the wires and take the box out.
rj

 

[78 L82 4spd]

soxx35 -


Good idea. Do you have this now? If you do, could you post some pictures?

Thanks,

Stephen

 

[soxx35]

i do have this set up in my car now. sorry i dont have any pics of it though. i still have enough room to put my t tops in if you where wondering. i also put in a cd player in the rear compartment behind the passengers seat. its pretty easy to wire. if you go to best buy or circuit city or any place that sells car audio you can see the size of the boxes. it easier then cutting up your corvette and you get better sound from the box.
rj

 

[Willy]

soxx35,

Those are the cheap $15 boxes I want to avoid. They don't match my interior color and tend to "move around" during hard cornering. I've had experience with those before in a hatch-back I once owned. I really like the finished look shown in the link above, and it doesn't require cutting up the car at all. If you like the boxes, that's fine. Everyone has their own opinion.

P.S. The stereo I bought from you sounds great in the car. I just need to buy the CD changer now. How did you mount your changer, vertically?

 

[kdlp]

I used those 6X9 boxes (bought online from Crutchfield.com) with Infinity 6X9 speakers. I was concerned about them sliding around back there too so I used the existing mounts for the old 6X9's as a latch on point to attach a harness to keep them in place. I also dropped Alpine 4X6's in the dash upfront and then tucked an Infinity BassLink subwoofer between the 6X9 boxes. I can pop the subwoofer out for storgae by removing two screws and unplugging 4 wires. The head unit is a Pioneer Premier (can't remember the model number) and it drives everything loudly enough for me. (The BassLink has its own amp).

The boxes (6X9) I got from Crutchfield are black (I got lucky, that's the color of my interior), and they are well built. (If you want consistently good mid/upper bass out of these boxes don't put any holes in them and before you drop the speakers in buy some poly-fill from a hobby store and loosely fill the box.)

Still, if you want "thump" the subwoofer route is pretty much the only way.

kdlp