Replacing dash speakers in a 1985 Grand Prix
- Thread starter UOFLcards
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I replaced my dash speakers last week. (83 Bonneville) It's a big job and yes, you have to pull the main dash panel away from the firewall to get at the speaker attaching screws. It took me several hot and sweaty hours to get it done.
You'll also find that beneath the small speaker holes there is a reinforcement bar that is molded into the dash substrate. That bar will interfere with most 3.5" two-way tweeters, but if you cut out the bar, you'll probably end up with a cracked or torn dash pad.
A pro installer told me that he always uses a short piece of PVC tubing (same diameter as the outer diameter of your speaker's metal outer frame) to make sure the speaker is far enough below the dash to eliminate the interference with that reinforcement. I didn't follow his advice and sure enough, the speakers touch that bar. Sounds nasty when you turn it up...
I'm not sure if it was worth the effort. If I was doing it today, I might just pop out the center speaker grille and install one of those front speaker frames that are designed to hold a pair of 3.5" stereo speakers. You could fish the wires down behind the gauges and be done without having to pull the dash. You'll lose channel separation, but it's a much simpler project.
You'll also find that beneath the small speaker holes there is a reinforcement bar that is molded into the dash substrate. That bar will interfere with most 3.5" two-way tweeters, but if you cut out the bar, you'll probably end up with a cracked or torn dash pad.
A pro installer told me that he always uses a short piece of PVC tubing (same diameter as the outer diameter of your speaker's metal outer frame) to make sure the speaker is far enough below the dash to eliminate the interference with that reinforcement. I didn't follow his advice and sure enough, the speakers touch that bar. Sounds nasty when you turn it up...
I'm not sure if it was worth the effort. If I was doing it today, I might just pop out the center speaker grille and install one of those front speaker frames that are designed to hold a pair of 3.5" stereo speakers. You could fish the wires down behind the gauges and be done without having to pull the dash. You'll lose channel separation, but it's a much simpler project.
Your speakers covers don't just pop out? That's all I've ever had to do to change the dash speakers in my Cutlasses, Caprices, Monte Carlo, and my dad's El Caminos. Pop off the cover, then unscrew the speakers, pull them up, unhook the wires, and toss 'em.
Qdub24 said:
Sadly they don't...
And as someone pointed out, where the speakers are are only holes poked through the dash. That's the only thing I HATE about the Pontiac G-body dashes.
Once you remove the dash and have the speakers, you might consider cutting out the holes, albeit carefully to avoid destroying it. You can then just fasten the speakers on top and use their included speaker covers.
UOFLcards said:
It depends on how much work you really want to do. You can go with what JMT455 suggests and just drop a pair inside the center speaker hole though.
jasonreid said:Qdub24 said:
Sadly they don't...
And as someone pointed out, where the speakers are are only holes poked through the dash. That's the only thing I HATE about the Pontiac G-body dashes.
Once you remove the dash and have the speakers, you might consider cutting out the holes, albeit carefully to avoid destroying it. You can then just fasten the speakers on top and use their included speaker covers.
I did not know that. Thanks for the info jasonreid. Sorry I could not be of any assistance to you UOFLcards, and good luck with replacing your speakers.
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