What are you early car guys doing about the dash speaker?

[EarlyPorsche]

I am about to hookup my 66 with a secret ipod installation so I wanted to replace my single speaker. I however do not want to disrupt my uncracked speaker grill and dash. Can I replace this from beneath the dash? Does the grill just pry off easily? What size should I be looking for in terms of replacement and what about two small ones in "stereo"?

[911pcars]

You can't get adequate stereo separation within the confines of the factory speaker opening in the dash. An oval speaker can fit in there, but the main access is through the top unless you want to fish an IPOD-size speaker through the cigarette lighter opening.

Most people ditch that location and instead use the doors to house speakers. 6.5" speakers can be installed without major surgery.

Sherwood

[dogslovetrucks]

Agreed- don't try to swap the dash spk out; it will lead to heartache. Popular options are either the doors (some cutting) or just running wires to 6x9 boxes in the back seat. What are you doing listening to the radio when you have the 2.2 singing behind you anyways?!

[pieterk]

Originally posted by dogslovetrucks
Agreed- don't try to swap the dash spk out; it will lead to heartache.

Heartache as in damage to the dash or because the speaker is hard to remove...or both? I'm taking out the stereo in mine altogether. If the dash speaker is still in there, it's another pound or two I can lose.

Is it possible to carefully pry the grill off and then replace it? I'm picking up some vinyl tomorrow and am going to redo the RS door panels to cover holes left from the speakers; I could easily wrap the dash grill and replace it too, and it would clean up the overall appearance as well. That is, if I'm not just inviting a world of hurt in the first place.

[daepp]

I have saved my OEM speaker and replaced it with a two-speaker setup designed for the early 911 and purchased on ebay from a guy in Costa MEsa. The sound quality is:

a) much improved compared to the stock, still working speaker
b) devoid of any stereo separation
c) nothing comapred to a modern system with bass

Still, I am very happy with the mod, and it works fine with my stock radio (Frankfurt).

If I can find the vendor, I'll post the URL.

David

[RSBob]

If I were you I wouldn't touch it. No sense risking it, and for what? - especially when there are better options for sound.

If you absolutely must remove the grill, be sure to be very gentle, go slow, use a lot of patience and most importantly - don't pry directly with a screw driver against the dash because you will mash down and it will not pop back up. Instead, pry agaisnt something like a paint stick or tongue depresser (yes we all have those handy) to dispurse the force. Ask me how I know. I did put tweeters in mine and aimed one at the driver and one at the passanger (mounted at an angle). They work fine but are not optimally placed because you can only do so much with the space.

[SandyI]

I had two tweeters installed in the single speaker opening and had custom fabric cover built. Kept the leather one. Installed a new CD player with external iPod input. Works great. Sounds like a mini boom box in my dash.

[markmaunz]

the current stereo guys are so DARN KEWL and is in the new century. These are very hip and will work in most all karz witgh little or no mods. I hope this will work for you but if not, call me!! Mark

[EarlyPorsche]

I havent even tested the speaker in there but I wanted to replace the single big speaker with two small ones. I dont want amazing sound just some sound. I would never cut my perfect door panels for speakers. I would never have "speaker boxes" in the back, this is a Porsche not a Nissan. I would however covertly put two small speakers under the stock grill and get as good of sound as possible without damaging my cars lines.

[pwd72s]

Yours is a '66? Then if it's stock, the speaker is not accessable from the top, since it's a dash without the speaker cut-out seen on later models. Only reachable from underneath. You'll probably have to pull the radio to reach everything. Hope you have small hands. I've seen pics of the ebay item mentioned earlier...think in a response to a post Kevin made. Did a search, couldn't find the pic. Looked like a good set-up to me, considering that you have the mindset that I do...no holes or boxes added, thank you. daepp? Did you find that info on the vendor? I'm thinking of getting one as well. The NOS speaker I found some time ago works, but I think this may be better...

[wreckah]

we popped the speaker grille out just like that, really easy. (1969 car though)

Our original speaker still works, but it's not sounding good anymore...we're going to replace it with two small ones, mounted on a rectangular baseplate which mounts in the same location.

edit: can you get stereo out of the original blaupunkt radio? haven't taken a closer look yet)

[daepp]

Ok - the guy on ebay goes by Woodycustom. Here is a link to the ebay site:

2 speaker replacement

If the link fails, go to ebay and search for item # 290028744249.

I am happy with the change but consider this: why use two tweaters? The radio is not stereo. If I ahd it to do over again I would modify a good 2-way (tweeter plus bass) speaker combo to fit. At least that way you'd get a little bass.

Also, with the ebay item above you must make a few connectors as there are 2 going to the old speaker and four required for the twin tweaters. I told the seller - maybe he modified the connections since the early radios only had one output.

[djdsc]

There is room to put speakers in the kick panels, the area in front of the door posts and the floor boards. All that is there is the dash heater ducting tubing. On the driver side it is a little tighter and the speaker needs to be positioned above and behind the pocket. Yes, there is a loss of originality but better there than cutting holes in original door panels. All that would need to be replaced to change back is the 2 carpet pieces, or get replacements from a donor car and don't cut your originals.

I used a piece of 1/4" plywood as a backing and screwed this into place. The speaker then mounts to the plywood over the carpet. They are mounted very solid, good separation and are not entirely visible.

[pwd72s]

daepp? Thanks for the link. Just bought one...will post my impressions after I've installed, tried it out...

[EarlyPorsche]

I think I could make what the guy has on ebay for a bunch less. That is not the point though. Since I am hooking up my ipod and the factory radio to the same speaker(s) I would want stereo capabilities. I think after I get done painting my calipers and rotor hats black today I will tackle the speaker setup and see what I come up with. I like the idea of not even using the dash speaker, rather installing a pair of speakers hidden under the dash. Of course, that will depend on how much room I can find under there. At worst I will buy two of the smallest speakers (4.5"?) and install those. We'll see.

[randywebb]

I'd put the largest high quality speaker I could in there and use it for mono or for center fill. You could try using it as the RH speaker for stereo - maybe along with one in the R door.

The stereo imaging will be shot for sure, but you will gain some more sound for high noise conditions. If you don't like it, then you can pull the plug...

Two speakers gives no advantage that I can think of.

[daepp]

Does the plain Blaupunk Frankfurt (2 AM buttons, 3 FM buttons) have the DIN plug to use for an Ipod? I looked but couldn't see it.

[pwd72s]

Originally posted by daepp
Does the plain Blaupunk Frankfurt (2 AM buttons, 3 FM buttons) have the DIN plug to use for an Ipod? I looked but couldn't see it.

I don't think so...I just finished looking at the wiring diagram for my original radio. I guess nobody heard of an Ipod back in 1972. There were some Frankfurt stereo models made. Perhaps one of those would have the plug? Or, a good radio technician could wire one in for you?

Randy, I agree. no advantage to the 2 speaker replacement idea other than fit that I can see. The cut-out for the speaker atop the dash began with the 1969 models...if your car has the removable grille, speaker swaps are a snap...I just wrapped a wide putty knife blade with a shop rag to avoid scratches, placed a flat piece of wood also rag wrapped to use as a fulcrum, and pried gently until fingers could do the job. Once the cut out grille is removed, the rest explains itself...Cars built before '69? You need to go at it from underneath...sorry.

I just want my radio to sound semi-okay. To be able to hear traffic reports on local stations, etc. If it were stereo quality I was after, I'd buy a Nakamichi equipped Lexus. 99.9% of my driving time is spent with the radio off anyway.... Of course, to each his own.

[daepp]

pwd72s (Is it Paul?): If you go with the setup I mentioned above you'll be very happy with talk radio, weather, traffic etc. IMHO.

BTW, how about posting a few more photos of your car?

[pwd72s]

I sure hope so...I've toyed with the idea of designing a template, going to a stereo shop, checking out speakers, etc. But it seems that the homework has already been done. So, no complaints about the price paid. Pics? Most have already been posted here.
I don't have a digital camera, so I just use stuff people send me.
Hey, one that I haven't posted coming up. Taken by Randy Webb earlier in the week.