I want to remove the front speaker in my dash and replace it. Is this difficult and how much stuff do I need to get out of the way to get to it??
You will need to remove the dash pad and the radio itself to get at it easily. Then there is a "clip" that holds the speaker in place. You can replace with another, if you can find one. Or you can put in to mini speakers. There is a thread somewhere here on how to do it. That's what I did and it worked out pretty well. You can find the speakers on ebay for about $15 or so for the pair, used.
Easiest way is to remove your Dash Pad, first. Open the Glove Box, and at the top there are 2 "10mm" nuts to remove. Remove the Glovebox Liner (cardboard insert), CAREFULLY! There will be another "10mm" nut in the Top Center of the Dashpad, make sure you take that one out or you will break the Dashpad if you try to remove it while it's still bolted to the Dash. Once you get the Dashpad off, there will be an A/C vent screwed into the Dash (if you have A/C). Remove the 2 screws, and remove the vent tube. The Speaker is right behind that! With your Glovebox removed, it will be easier to get to the speaker. One more "10mm" nut holds the Speaker onto the Dash. Remove it, and the speaker will come down from the Dash (You may have to get it unstuck from the Dash because it has a sticky seal around the top. Just work with it and it will drop down.) It doesn't really take too long to DO it, but just take your time, so you don't break anything!:TU: When you replace the Speaker, I always recommend the Stereo Speaker Conversion (2 Speakers in the dash, instead of the 1)! Especially in the Convertible, where there are "less places" to PUT speakers (not much room in trunk/back seat area due to Folding Top). That's what I put in my Convertible.:bglasses::TU:
Dash Pad Removal Also before removing the dash pad there are 2 screws in the top of the dash bezel that screw into the dash pad,be sure to remove them before pulling the dash pad.I've forgot to do that a couple of times myself.I make it a common practice to remove those 2 screws 1st thing now so i dont forget!:eek2: Actually the 68-72 Skylark/GS dash pad is about the easiest one there is to remove out there,in my opinion.
Removing radio speaker You don't have to take the dash pad off to remove the speaker...if you are talking about the A body cars..just remove the radio knobs and escutcheons...remove 2 5/8 hex nuts and 2 screws from the radio filler plate and remove plate,you don't have to remove the radio...Unplug the speaker from the radio..( it is plugged into the back of the radio )..there is a nut that holds the speaker to a bracket that holds the speaker in place..just remove the nut and the speaker and bracket will slip thru the filler plate hole...that is if you DON'T have A/C....:laugh: ..If you have A/C it is little more work...
Jeff, Thanks for adding that!:TU: Sometimes I forget to Mention things that I just DO, automatically.:grin: Yes, don't forget to remove the 2 screws above your Speedometer bezel! When all the "Screws" are removed, the pull the Dashpad TOWARDS you, as you're sitting in the car (away from the Windshield). There are a couple of metal "clips" that hold it in the dash, so TAKE YOUR TIME to remove it! It is VERY important that you don't get in a "hurry" to get the dashpad out, because IF you break it, it will not be cheap to replace!!! It's a lot easier to DO, than to Explain, Todd, so don't "worry"!You'll do fine!:TU: No, Bill, you don't HAVE to remove the Dashpad, but it sure does make things a lot EASIER, when you're trying to run wires/connections, etc.:TU:
I do have AC, and there is a AC vent tube right above the radio, between the speaker and the radio. Is there screws or something holding that tube in place. I think I can get the speaker out if I could remove that AC vent tube.
Todd Yes there is 2 screws that hold it to the dash..you will have to take the upper dash panel off to get to them..and the radio will have to come out also..just follow the inst above that was posted earlier...but make sure you unhook the antenna lead before you try and pull the radio out..it is located on the right side of the radio as you are looking at it in the dash...
Ok It's a done deal, Dash pad came right out, per the great instruction given by the forum members. I put in a 4X10 replacement speaker (Circuit City) Pioneer. Had a heck of a time getting my air vent back in, Depth of the new speaker was pushing on the air ducting. I was able to use my heat gun and soften up the ducting, using a mag light rear end, I reformed the ducting with an extra dent right where the speaker mag was hitting. Got everything back together and it's sounds great. I tell ya, in a vert that little front speaker makes all the difference in the world when the top is down and your jamming to some tunes. My two door panel speakers just would'ent ever get the sound up to where I could hear it. The dash speaker ties it all together so the sound is much better. Thanks everyone for all the help. :grin:
