Front dash side speakers

[tommyg29]

Installing a new classic am/fm radio and need to replace my old front speakers. Anyone know the size and have any recommendations? I already have decent 6x9s in the rear deck.
Its 4" between screw hole centers, and about 3" wide at the cone, but whatever I get has to obviously be fairly low profile and depth and fit within the cover.

[don340-4]

   I got all 5 of my original speakers reconed, I doubt you will be able find aftermarket speakers that will fit properly plus if you get them rebuilt you will be able to use the original wires & plugs. I had mine done at Year One, there are a few others out there doing them, The Speaker Shop in Savanna GA is one. Is that retro radio you have designed for 8 ohm or 3 ohm speakers? the originals are 8 ohm.

         

[ToxicWolf]

   I got all 5 of my original speakers reconed, I doubt you will be able find aftermarket speakers that will fit properly plus if you get them rebuilt you will be able to use the original wires & plugs. I had mine done at Year One, there are a few others out there doing them, The Speaker Shop in Savanna GA is one. Is that retro radio you have designed for 8 ohm or 3 ohm speakers? the originals are 8 ohm.

         

I have the same radio and I seem to remember it saying not to use the original speakers. 

[tommyg29]

I have the same radio and I seem to remember it saying not to use the original speakers. 

That is correct. They recommend 4ohm speakers, which I think are the going thing now?
I picked up a cheap set of 4 inch speakers (smallest they sell) today at best buy and will see if they fit down in the hole. They will not fit onto the cover, which is set for an exact 4inch screw diameter but I should be able to get them to work. Originality is not important to me, and I couldnt imagine rebuilding these speakers. Theyre pretty sad. 

[1 Wild R/T]

3.5" speakers bolt right up to the speaker grills

http://www.crutchfield.com/g_51100/3-1-2-Speakers.html?tp=96

However the magnets are always to large to fit the lower dash frame... But since the lower frame isn't visible I've cut dozens of them to fit decent speakers.... A little trimming of the metal and the 3.5's drop right in..

[tommyg29]

I found that out. So, I just did what some recommend and I bought a pair of 3.5" "voice over" speakers set in a 4x10" base. Paid about $50 for one from classic car stereos and it's on the way to me now. Just fits the center space.
I didnt want to hack up those two small holes. PITA because its hard to get to. Problem is the magnets typically are just too big for that hole, and/or you need a very shallow speaker. I found one at crutchfield I thought might work, the Retrosound brand was the smallest, but didnt want to order it and find I would still need hacking.
I also found out I can probably sell my old original speakers for a few bucks. Seems some guys rebuild them for true restoration cars.

[Topcat]

I bought my 3.5"speakers from this place.

http://www.turnswitch.com/speakers.htm

I listen to the engine more often.

[AAR6BBL]

http://www.turnswitch.com/speakers.htm

 
Mike is right on, these guys really know there stuff, and everything is quality and fits!
Greg

[tommyg29]

Thanks. I saw their stuff before, and it looks good, but I dont think they sell a 4ohm 3.5" speaker. 
Anyways, my dual center space setup is arriving tomorrow and I will post up pictures and review.
http://www.classiccarstereos.com/product/4x10-Dash-Speakers/3001DVC.html
Same guys my wife purchased the radio from, and turns out theyre in Oceanside, CA, and they just drop shipped the stereo from the manufacturer who is just a couple miles from a co-worker here in Florida!

All I can say is: buy stock in fedex and UPS

[ToxicWolf]

Thanks. I saw their stuff before, and it looks good, but I dont think they sell a 4ohm 3.5" speaker. 
Anyways, my dual center space setup is arriving tomorrow and I will post up pictures and review.
http://www.classiccarstereos.com/product/4x10-Dash-Speakers/3001DVC.html
Same guys my wife purchased the radio from, and turns out theyre in Oceanside, CA, and they just drop shipped the stereo from the manufacturer who is just a couple miles from a co-worker here in Florida!

All I can say is: buy stock in fedex and UPS

I used a dual cone in the center front and Mark had to enlarge the hole a little to stop the short from it touching the dash frame.  It was a very small but necessary mod.  Just something to watch out for.   

[johns cuda shop]

Interesting. I been mocking up my dash now , I was thinking about two 3.5 speakers in the front with a generic 4X10 adapter for the center speaker hole.. I was assuming that I have to cut the dash frame for the speaker magnets to clear.. Tommy29 Let us know how the 4X10 daul cone fits..

[tommyg29]

It does look like a tight fit but I'll make it work. Rather work on one opening than two 
The side openings are very tight. Dont think any modern speaker with their larger magnets would fit at all without hacking, which by the way would obviously be a lot easier without the windshield in place.

[1 Wild R/T]

It does look like a tight fit but I'll make it work. Rather work on one opening than two 
The side openings are very tight. Dont think any modern speaker with their larger magnets would fit at all without hacking, which by the way would obviously be a lot easier without the windshield in place.

Even easier with the dash frame out of the car.... And a hole saw works real good.... Just gotta tack in a piece of metal for the center drill to drill through & pilot off of....   

[tommyg29]

Installed the 4x10 combo and hooked it up. Sounds good but still kinda wish I had the side speaker setup. Could sound better, but Im happy with it. Im not an audiophile, and the car is a little too loud anyway to really listen to quality music 
As for the install, I did have to use some heavy duty snips and cut the opening in about 3 places, and then use pliers to peel back the sheetmetal. Took me a good hour to get that magnet to fit down in there. Kept having to peel further and further back. At first it seemed like a close fit, but ended up peeling more than a half inch in the two areas I marked.
There would not have been enough room to do that on the side openings. Way too tight.
But, whatever I was doing, I ended up noticing all 4 of my headlights were on, and I couldnt turn them off!. So instead of taking the cuda for a ride and enjoying the new tunes, I had to disconnect the battery, and then solve the light problem another day. Turns out I must have done something down around the high beam switch on the floor but got it fixed after pulling everything apart again. Hopefully I dont have to spend any more time upside down under the dash 

[johns cuda shop]

Tommyg29, That looks like a tight fit there. Did you have to cut any material from the dash cage..? are you mounting the speaker on top of the dash pad or underneath ?