Front Speakers for 1970 dash

[IronChef]

My dash has not only the 4X10 speaker, but also the 3.5" speakers on either side.  I'd like to replace the stock speakers with something better.  The 4X10 Speaker will not be used.  So, a few questions for those who've fiddled with this:

1) What are the best quality speakers that I can put in the two side locations.  Cost is not an object.

2) Do I have to fabricate a plate to make the replacement speakers fit?

3) How difficult is it to get at the mounts?  Does anyone have any tips or better yet some pics?

Many thanks for all your help. 

[brads70]

    I watching as I plan on replacing my dash pad with the 3 speaker unit.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

It tough to get those outer speakers grills and mounting brackets. I wish you luck.   

[70 383 SE]

I`m doing mine right now and I did not use the side speakers on the sides as the sound out of a speaker that small is not great. I put two 4" speakers in the middle but I had to make a mounting plate for them to fit. I turned them every which way but loose to try to make them fit in the mounting holes but no luck. I also had to do some cutting down in the opening to make room for the magnets, but other speakers might have smaller magnets so they might fit. Also the 4" speakers I used are 2-way and the small Tweeter in the middle sits up alittle to high, so I had to put a couple of washers under the grill to lift it up just enough to give it a bit more clearance. I used JL Audio speakers.  Good luck with what ever you choose. Hope this helps you alittle. 

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Another from the live and learn department.   

My car came with the 3 speaker dash, but I gave up on the idea when I put in a new dashpad. No way I could get decent 3" speakers for the amp I wanted to use. I bought a B-body speaker for the center since it has a much bigger magnet on it. Oops. It doesn't quite make it into the E-body dash frame. Almost, and if I didn't tell you, you wouldn't notice....But the truth is, if you want anything up there that will handle some power, you have to hack at the dash frame.

[rallye73]

You could try a component speaker type setup. That usually consists of mid-range speakers along with seperate dome tweeters. You would have to fad mounts, but the dome tweeters would mount under the outboard speaker grills just fine. Then you could mount the mids under the center grill. Just a thought. That what I've been thinking of doing with my 3 speaker dash.

[IronChef]

Well after thinking about it some more, I've pretty much trashed the idea of front speakers for the reasons all you have brought up: Too hard to install and not enough sound to make it worthwhile.  And I have to be realistic: How much time am I really going to spend in this car and do I need killer sound or just good sound that will drown me out when I'm singin' "Magic Carpet Ride." 

I bought a Secret Audio system, a Sony 800W amp and a pair of Polk DXi 690 6x9's for the rear shelf.  Should be plenty.  I'm going to remove the radio completely and fabricate a plate for the SA control unit to fit in its place.

Thanks for all the suggestions. 

[perfect]

My dash has not only the 4X10 speaker, but also the 3.5" speakers on either side.  I'd like to replace the stock speakers with something better.  The 4X10 Speaker will not be used.  So, a few questions for those who've fiddled with this:

1) What are the best quality speakers that I can put in the two side locations.  Cost is not an object.

2) Do I have to fabricate a plate to make the replacement speakers fit?

3) How difficult is it to get at the mounts?  Does anyone have any tips or better yet some pics?

Many thanks for all your help. 

No doubt cost is the basic factor for speaker but if were going to expend on the speaker then it should be better one.

[CID440]

I just ran some tweets in the little holes on the sides.  It was easy to get the grills out with one of them bent 90 degree screwdrivers.

[EB3-GranCoupe]

i bought my 4x10 from this guy:

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

andi was very pleased. 

[Mentally Challenged]

My dash has not only the 4X10 speaker, but also the 3.5" speakers on either side.  I'd like to replace the stock speakers with something better.  The 4X10 Speaker will not be used.  So, a few questions for those who've fiddled with this:

1) What are the best quality speakers that I can put in the two side locations.  Cost is not an object.

2) Do I have to fabricate a plate to make the replacement speakers fit?

3) How difficult is it to get at the mounts?  Does anyone have any tips or better yet some pics?

Many thanks for all your help. 

As far as quality, there are a lot of options. JL Audio, Kicker, Polk, Rockford Fosgate, and others. As far as fitting them in the dash, I can't help you with that. Hit up a couple local stereo shops, see what all they offer. There is always www.crutchfield.com but they can be pretty pricy, I have always had better luck and prices with a local stereo shop.

[ragtopdodge]

http://www.polkaudio.com/caraudio/dxi/index.php?s=dxi350

[EB3-GranCoupe]

With aftermarket speakers, the problem i ran into was the size of the magnet. It  would not fit the existing frame.  i suppose if you want to cut the dash frame, you can install them.  i opted to go with a restored original speaker.  the good news is that both options are available!

[Jim]

Get a 4x10 dual voice coil.

Custom Autosound makes them. Available on Ebay. Reasonably priced.

Need just slight modifications to drop in. They fit fine in a B-body, but the dash frame in an Ebody is different. Depth might be a problem.

[Aracer]

I used needle nose vise grips, ball peen, long chisel and curved tin snips to remove some braceing under the side grills. Tape some card board on the glass for errors.