944 rear speakers

[K Wayne]

Is it true that you have to take the rear windows out of the car to change the rear speakers ?????

[asidrave]

i changed the rear speakers on my 944 with polk audio. its very simple, around the rear window where the panel is underneath the rubber moulding i simply with a sharp razorblade or an xacto knife cut into the vynil panel very close and carefully to the rubber moulding all around. when i removed it it came out good. i installed my speakers and reinstalled the panel. before reinstalling the panel run a very small line of silicone glue around the vynil panel where it was cut. when you reinstall the panel press gently anound the glue. mine came out great and it dies not even look loke the panel was removed. good luck.

[asidrave]

sorry bout some of the spelling. i was in a rush to reply

[1.2gees]

I'd recommend removing the windows instead.

If you remove the windows, and take out all the screws, you will likely not damage anything. However there might be some glue dried up around the windows, from which the panel might not want to let go of too easily.

If you've replaced glass before, it's not too hard (using a medium thickness string, to put the seal back in), if you haven't, I can see how it would be a tad harder. You could use another persons help (if you've never done something like this before), though it's not 100% necessary.

I removed both windows about a year and a half ago, by the time the first window went back in, it was almost second nature...
Ahmet

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It's all the driver...

[palaxdad]

I managed to change mine w/o removing the windows or the panel. I pulled the rubber weather stripping away from the rear of the door sill, removed the screws (5 if i remember) that held the interior panel in place, laid the rear seat back down, and very carefully pulled the front of the interior panel away from the body (the rear was still fastened). Using a short (about 1 1/2 ") screwdriver, I removed the old speakers and replaced them with Kenwood metrics. (There's not a wide selection of 4x6 metrics out there). I had to operate by feel as you couldn't see in there - and if you drop a screw, well...... but it did work for me. I have performed this process twice.

[JasonM914]

I used to install for a living, and we did the same way as "palaxdad" suggested. You can get a small "stubby" screwdriver to fit back there, but I use a screwdriver bit on a 1/4" drive socket for the extra reach. FYI, I istalled infinity "plates" (a 31/2" mid/tweeter mounted on a plate) in all four factory locations powered by a 4 channel amp, and a powered bazooka tube in the back, and it sounds very respectable for minimal cash.

[1.2gees]

It's not that hard to warp those carboard backed panels...

Your call, there's the right way, and then there's the short right-ish way...
Ahmnet

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It's all the driver...

[PrerYDoG]

I've done quite a bit of installing, and in fact my dad started his car audio career as an installer, so for us it didn't take but about 10 minutes a side.

I did not remove the glass, but instead removed the screw on the panel, and peeled the stripping from the glass and pulled the panel, not completely off, but far enough off that I could get to the speaker easily. Going back on, just make sure you get all the bubbles out of the panel around the window seal so it looks right.

[wolfrpi]

I've installed rear speakers on two 944s now and I have found that all that is required is taking out the screws that hold the panels to the body and removing the panel while being careful not to rip it. Takes about 10-15 minutes a side for me. Personally, i would not consider removing the windows for fear of breaking them.

Erick

[greg944T]

I need to do my speakers as well. Has anyone ever tried cutting a hole in the fiberboard around the speakers, then replacing the speakers and adding a speaker grill over the speaker to cover the cut-out?

Greg

[floridaporsche]

You definately do not have to take out the windows! Do as others suggested, it is very easy. My brother has a 83 944 and I have a 89 944, we both changed our speakers two weeks ago. He mounted a 4" round polk componant speaker in the rear with tweeters in the front. We had to create a plate out of wood to fill in the missing area. No big deal. On my car, there was the space for the 4x6 and also a hole was already cut out for a 6.5 round and was covered by a black metal plate. (I think that only the later model cars have this.) Anyway, I created a plate out of wood to fill in the hole where the 4x6 was. I mounted 5.25 component polk speakers and I mounted the tweeters on the rails on the inside of the windshield. it was not hard and definately sounds awesome.