Driver2's Dual Front Dash Speaker pictures...

[Chris Lott]

I'm posting these for Scott White, Driver2 as most of you know him. I'll let him log on and elaborate on the pictures for ya.:TU:

[Chris Lott]

picture #2

[Chris Lott]

Last one

[Driver2]

THANK YOU, CHRIS! :bglasses:
For those of you who want "decent" stereo sound, after all of the guys who asked, these pics are of my ORIGINAL dash speaker that I modified with the 2 Kenwood speakers for "Stereo" (Left and Right channel, for those who don't know) sound from the dash!
WHAT a DIFFERENCE these make in your '70-'72 Skylark/GS!:bglasses: Cheaper to do it yourself, with "Professional" results!:bglasses: :TU:

[gstewart]

chris:
looks great & very professional ! i believe those kenwoods are 4 ohm . what is the diameter of the speakers ? 3.5 or 4 inches.
i am using audiovox speakers & contemplated doing the same conversion as u but changed my mind in case i needed to reinstall the original radio if i were ever to sell my gs . i have an am/fm 8 track unit in my car & i have to use at least 8 ohm speakers & as far as i could determine, only audiovox makes 8 ohm speakers .

[custom sky]

What you would want to do is get two 4 ohm speakers and wire them is series which will give you 8 ohm's. NOw you don't have to go looking for a specific speaker. You can use any speaker you want.

[gstewart]

jason:
it is not possible to run series connections if u want to re-use the old front speaker mounting bracket . i found a great article on speaker resistance ( ohm ) ratings & seires / parallel speaker connecting . if i can find it, i will post the link here .
by the way, my am/fm/8 track actuall is 10 ohm output .

[lcac_man]

Scott/Chris
Thanks for those pic's, Ive been wondering what to do up there, though I'm taking a bit different path, I think I'm going to use the under dash mount for tweeters only and then mount the muscle back by the convert. top inner well boot, still like to find a good spot for some mid range units (5or6" drivers) that won't involve hacking anything up. Definately helped out though.

['77 Regal]

What size speakers are in the skylark? My Regal has a single 6X9 in the middle, so 5 1/4s should fit with minimul modifications.

Has anyone installed them in the kick panels without resorting to getting the pre-fabbed kick panel enclosures?

Thanks

Scanlon
http://blowngp.com/scanlon/buick.jpg

[Shortymac83]

I'd just stick with a 6X9 for the front, scanlon. You can get a 3 way and they have really nice sound and a decent amount of bass.

[Driver2]

'77 Regal said:What size speakers are in the skylark? My Regal has a single 6X9 in the middle, so 5 1/4s should fit with minimul modifications.


A (70-'72) Skylark dash speaker is 4x10. Kenwood makes a 4x10 speaker that would work, but it's just as easy, and actually BETTER to use TWO speakers, rather than just ONE.

I'm not familiar enough with "other" buicks, like the regal, to tell what would fit. Whatever car that you own and get to know WELL, it's just research, until you find what works best for you.

You have a two sided debate here, Scanlon. On one hand, it is true that you could go with a good 3 way 6x9. The drawback to a "3 way" is that you lose some of your sound "quality", because the "smaller" speakers "Block" the larger one. On the other hand, with TWO speakers, you would have the advantage of having the MidRange and Tweeter speakers in the dash, and you could "Balance" your sound more, by placing your woofers and subs in the rear. It's all in personal preference. If you want to go cheap, and it doesn't matter how GOOD it sounds, get the 6x9. If you want "Surround Sound" quality sound, then take the time to invest in the separate speakers and amps (if you choose). "Learn" from your local car stereo shops. ASK Questions to find out about the best setup for your car.:Smarty: :TU:

[brblx]

how did you get the magnet out of the center section, scott?

[Driver2]

I didn't remove the magnet, David. That's what actually holds the mounting bracket to the dash in place. It doesn't affect the other speakers. The only thing I did was trim the metal on both sides of the (original) magnet, to make "openings" for the other speakers sound to pass through. Then I mounted the 2 speakers on the "original" frame, by just screwing it on there. Put the "screen" back on, to protect the speakers, and put it in the Dash, hook it up, and it's done.
If you want to get creative, I'll have to see how my next one turns out. I just bought a new MIG welder (and have never learned to weld, but I guess now would be a good time, since I already have it :bglasses:), and I may just remove the magnets completely, and weld the mounting bracket directly to the speaker frame, for a more "clean" appearance. Thanks for the idea.:TU:

[TimR]

I've had that same mod on my website for quite some time, works well.....check it out:

http://www.members.shaw.ca/ritc1/speaker.html

I took the magnet out, if you peel off the silver tape on each side you find the magnet is actually a little tiny round thing in the middle, not the whole assembly as it first appears so you don't lose the mounting.

It doesn't add much to the volume but certainly adds to the quality....now if i could just figure out where to put the speakers on a ragtop for some decent top down sound....

later
Tim

[Driver2]

Hey Tim, :grin:

I got the idea about building my own Dual Dash Speaker from Custom Autosound, when I first heard about it, a few years ago. I researched it, and considered buying theirs, until I saw a picture of it, and I didn't like the appearance of the "aftermarket" bracket. It looked "sloppy" to me. I just went to my local car stereo shop, and found the pair of 4" Kenwoods on the Clearance table for $20 (instead of $80, New). I did the conversion, and installed it, and it STILL sounds GREAT!:bglasses: THEN, AFTER I did this thing, is when I saw you post the INSTRUCTIONS on how to do it!:laugh: If you would've done it just a LITTLE sooner....:laugh: :TU:
It is one of the cheapest mods that you can do, with the BEST result, for GOOD stereo sound. If I perfect the Convertible sound, first, I'll post my results for you, too. I have the same front speaker in ALL of my Skylarks, and the Convertible is fine, just with that. Not much trunk space for other speakers, and I think it should just be a 2 passenger car, anyway, so I'm trying to get a fiberglass "rear deck" built, to eliminate the back seat, and I can put the Subs/Amps/Speakers back there, and to use for more "storage". I got the car for free, so I can afford to use it as the "experimental" model.:bglasses: It still gets a LOT of attention!

[TimR]

yeah Scott, I thought it was funny we both came up with the same thing independantly and at about the same time!! We are smart!!:beer LOL

The convertible thing has me going too, the stock 6x9 location in the back is fine except when the top is down (which it will always be!)....the front speaker would be good, but need something in back...the "A" frame setup for the rear seat would be good for a sub (or NOS bottle) but the sound would be quite muted. Your idea to ditch the rear seat is a good one, but I am trying to keep my car looking stock....must be some way to hide some speakers back there....

later
Tim

[lostGS]

That is a good idea but having the speakers so close it would cancel the L-R. and give a slight mono sound.
one thing on wiring donot wire them mono to a radio as the radio wouldn't live long d running a 2 ohms. Radios are not capable of running anything less than a 4 ohm load.
For me I plan on building kicks in my GS. Why, becouse I am a car audio nut, a pro installer, and enjoy great sound, plus being the 02 USACi world champion I want good sound.

Tim

['77 Regal]

That is a good idea but having the speakers so close it would cancel the L-R. and give a slight mono sound.
one thing on wiring donot wire them mono to a radio as the radio wouldn't live long d running a 2 ohms. Radios are not capable of running anything less than a 4 ohm load.
For me I plan on building kicks in my GS. Why, becouse I am a car audio nut, a pro installer, and enjoy great sound, plus being the 02 USACi world champion I want good sound.

Tim

What year is the GS your planning on making the kicks for? Wouldn't happen to be the pace car in your avatar is it?

Scanlon

[Driver2]

Actually, I'd rather HEAR the sound from my DASH speakers than NOT hear the sound from the "Kick Panel" speakers (because they are mounted TOO LOW!). You still have true STEREO sound from the 2 Dash speakers, as they ARE Left and Right! It doesn't SOUND like Mono, because you can still adjust the balance and hear the difference. Of course, if you "upgrade" the speakers, you need to "junk" the original radio, and "upgrade" to a Modern radio, too. I have NO USE for an AM radio ANYTHING! If there's no Rock and Roll on the stations, I just pop in a CD!
You're also comparing apples to oranges, as if you don't have a SKYLARK, then you don't know how much room you have to work with to get the most sound. It's not easy with "factory" speaker locations, and by putting speakers in the "Doors" or "Kick Panels" doesn't gain much "Good" sound, just "Loud" sound, from MY experience. I may be removing (and relocating) my instrument panel and A/C system/ductwork to mount more speakers in the Dash area. I'm building a "reflective" Heads Up instrument display (including Speedometer, Tach, Fuel, Oil Pressure, Water Temp.), visible in the Rearview Mirror.:Brow: :bglasses:

[custom sky]

Hey Scott. I'm not trying to be rude. I was just wondering why you list all of your past buicks in your signature?
On another note how long do you think that it will take to modify your dash and how will you change all the wireing?

[TimR]

I did the front speaker mod because I want my car to look STOCK. The cd player is under the seat, the factory radio sits in the dash....when you look in, you can't tell there are any aftermerket pieces anywhere.

Of course putting them side by side doesn't give the stereo sound you would get from speakers in the doors, but I won't cut up my car and I won't have speakers sitting on the seat or cut into the panels. Thats just me. I enjoy the car and the music comes second.

It is surprising though what an improvement those two speakers in the dash made.

You guys need to quit beating each other up...everyone has different priorities.

later
Tim

[lostGS]

Accually you will get better sound from Kicks, the reason is that having speakers in the kicks properly aimed and mounted. you get equal sound path lenghts giving the best sound. I have heard speakers mounted in just about every mounting postion. The best was the kicks followed closely by corner dash mount. with mid or midbasses in the kicks.

As I have said before I build compitition sund systems and have been competing for over 12 yrs. :bglasses: and have won many throphies.
Hey If you like the sound from center mounted speakers go for it. For me I will be building kicks for mine. I also intend on adding a upgraded head unit to it

Scanlon, I am looking at eather a 73 GS 455 or maybe a 72 Skylark Suncoupe. what ever I get I will be doing kicks.

TimR, I totally agree with keeping the car stock appearing, I fully intend on hiding all( I do mean all) my aftermarket stereo equipment, With the kicks I plan on eather using differant kicks or completly rebuilding them. the deck will be eather factory style( AKA custom auto sound) or the factory one moddified or just adding on.


Tim

[Driver2]

Hey Tim (lostGS),
I'm not "debating" where the "best" sound comes from, as I only know how I've installed my own systems, and how they sound. I've never actually had "kick panel" speakers, but from talking to other "pro" installers, from reading "Car Audio and Electronics", and related articles, that's what I've "learned": to keep speakers as close to "ear level" as possible.
If you could "aim" the kick panel speakers up towards the "passengers", I'd think that might make a difference, but I'm not sure about just facing them "straight" towards the trans. hump in the floor, like the "aftermarket" kick panels are.:Do No:
I'm ALL for locating as many speakers as possible in the car, anyway!:TU: The more NOISE I can make, the BETTER! Of course, I need LOUD music to drown out the LOUD 455 Headers!:laugh: :bglasses:

[Driver2]

custom sky said:Hey Scott. I'm not trying to be rude. I was just wondering why you list all of your past buicks in your signature?
On another note how long do you think that it will take to modify your dash and how will you change all the wireing?

Hey Jason,:TU:
No offense taken here!:bglasses: The main reason that "I" post ALL of my (past and present) Buicks is just to show others that all of my "experience" is with '70-'72 Skylarks and GS's, through my ownership, and to remind me of why it's all worth owning a BUICK (because of all the GOOD TIMES I've had with my Past ones, too). Besides, it's easier to LIST my cars than to POST pics, anyway.:laugh:

Actually, It should only take a weekend to "customize" the dash, for what I want to do with it (with help from a buddy). Simple, I'm going to completely remove all the gauges from the instrument bezel, and just cover it with Black tinted plastic. The end result will be a COMPLETELY SMOOTH BLACKED OUT GAUGE area behind the Steering Wheel. All the gauges will be mounted in a custom gauge pod in/on the rear package tray, facing upwards to reflect off of a Black tinted Rear window for visibility in the Rear view Mirror. Digital gauges would be the most visible. Heck, with all the Gauges removed, you could put a LOT of stuff there, TV monitor, "Hidden" Stereo system (would be better RIGHT BEHIND the Steering Wheel, anyway, for controls and visibility). I have to install my Tilt Column, anyway, so while I have it out, I can remove the gauges and bezel, and do the work pretty easily.
I'm not into "Factory Stock", for MY own cars, but I like to see others'. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing WRONG with "Stock", if that's what you like. "I" just want MORE out of it than the Factory could put into it!!! I'd rather have the interior of my car look like a Military Fighter Plane cockpit, or a James Bond car, with all the "hidden" gadgets. I have pictures of the GTO interior from the movie "XXX". THAT'S what I'M talking about!:bglasses:
I'm into "Unique", One of a Kind cars. For Example: The GSX PROTOTYPE is the ONLY car to have the Hood and Rear Spoiler that it does (among other things). How many "other" GSX EL CAMINOS have you "EVER" seen?:Brow: I'VE only seen ONE!
Well, as soon as I'm finished, I hope to have built the FIRST and ONLY '70 4 Door GSX!:bglasses: Even if it's NOT the FIRST or the ONLY, at least I can say it's MINE!:bglasses:
I have a lot more "ideas" but not enough "garage space" to build ALL of them, so I'll work with the 3 that I have, for now.:bglasses: :TU:

[custom sky]

Hey Scott thanks for the reply. Is the only way to see the gauges through the rear view mirror? That sounds a little inconvienent if your racing. Of course you may never be racing. Any ways I would love to see pics. of what you come up with as soon as you have done the work.

['77 Regal]

Scanlon, I am looking at eather a 73 GS 455 or maybe a 72 Skylark Suncoupe. what ever I get I will be doing kicks

Tim, I thought you had a 73 up, damn. That would have worked out, cause I don't want to tackle doing the fabrication myself, I would have bought a pair off of you! Oh well.

Scanlon

[Driver2]

Hey Jason,:TU:
That's what I'm planning. The only way to see the gauges is to look in the rear view mirror.:bglasses: I only drive on the STREET (where the car is MEANT to be, NOT on a "track"). I just like the idea of the "disappearing dash", because it's different. :bglasses: I'm drawing up some ideas of how it will actually look when it's done. Should be cool!:TU:

[lostGS]

'77 Regal said:Tim, I thought you had a 73 up, damn. That would have worked out, cause I don't want to tackle doing the fabrication myself, I would have bought a pair off of you! Oh well.

Scanlon

Hey, Don't rule it out yet. I haven't gotten my refund yet. Check the post on the bench about the suncoupe. I haven't seen the 72 soI don't know if the 73 is in better shape.

I will keep you informed.

Tim

[landyachtlover]

Hey all,

It sounds like all of you have great ideas. I would simply like to add maybe a few more ideas. If someone were looking to add some component type speakers, without modifying a kickpanel, they could, during restoration weld up some small "boxes" for the mids in the floorboard part of the firewall. I have seen this done and looks and sounds great. You could install the small "box" type enclosure in the firewall/floarboard, weld up a mounting bracket recessed very little into the floor, and then place a metal grille over the speaker for protection, and then add a very thin fine fabric grille over that matching the color of the carpet. This way the speaker would not be seen, totally stock and stealth appearing. Another idea, would be to modify the kick panels, add to them slightly, so that the mid's on the pass. side to be "aimed" at the driver, and opposite on the drivers side for optimum imaging. Plus, when you get the speaker a little further away than ear-level, you wouldn't hear nearly as much distortion. Because after all, distortion occurs at any level of volume or quality of components. This is simply just another way around it. And for the back, I removed the cardboard from behind the rear seat of my Riv, and in the trunk behind the seat is a "shelf", I could mount some speakers in a respectful enclosure, not big bass, but good sound, and then modestly mount that to the "shelf" part of my trunk blending it in with the lines, making it unnoticeable. Everything looks stock, and sound awesome. I give props to everyone on this site who has posted suggestions, they are all great.

Aaron

['77 Regal]

Visited the local Menards this weekend to get the stuff to start on custom kicks for the Regal. Will take lots of pics when I get started.

Scanlon

[RobinBuddi]

Wow! Nice car bro! I used to have one, it was a 1976 Regal S/R with the Hurst package in it (t-tops, slap shifter, etc.)
http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3dc31b3127cce9425a19917080000001610

Never did see many of the "S/R" Regals around though, I wondered if they were kinda rare.

Regards,
Robin

['77 Regal]

Wow! Nice car bro! I used to have one, it was a 1976 Regal S/R with the Hurst package in it (t-tops, slap shifter, etc.)

Never did see many of the "S/R" Regals around though, I wondered if they were kinda rare.

I would have to say that the S/R model would have to be pretty rare. You definately do not see them that much.

Although out of 466,240 cars built in '76 and '77 (Century, Century Custom and Regal 2drs only) you don't see many of them period as far as I am concerned.

It's ashame to, it's a great car with lots of potential.

Thanks for the compliment.

Scanlon

[RobinBuddi]

'77 Regal (Quote)
"Although out of 466,240 cars built in '76 and '77 (Century, Century Custom and Regal 2drs only) you don't see many of them period as far as I am concerned"


Are those the true production figures??? I'm not sure if I follow you correctly, please explain a little further. Do you or anyone else have any way of checking the production figures for the 1976 Regal S/R in particular, I have only seen one besides the one I owned. I wish that I still had it.

Thanks!!
Robin

['77 Regal]

buicks.net has production figures for most years. Should be accurate for the most part. Here's an example...

http://www.buicks.net/years/77.shtml

Scanlon