Dash Speakers - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Jeepwm69 · 03-02-2010, 05:03 PM

What can ya'll using for dash speakers? I saw a post somewhere where a 4 inch will fit in the corners where a 3 1/2 in is from the factory but can't seem to locate it now. Are any of you running a 4x10 in the center or did you fab it up to put something else in there? Not looking for awesome sound, but the 28 year old factory speakers are sounding a little fried so figured I'd replace them when I take the dash pad off to install a cover.

ECU PIRATE · 03-02-2010, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeepwm69

What can ya'll using for dash speakers? I saw a post somewhere where a 4 inch will fit in the corners where a 3 1/2 in is from the factory but can't seem to locate it now. Are any of you running a 4x10 in the center or did you fab it up to put something else in there? Not looking for awesome sound, but the 28 year old factory speakers are sounding a little fried so figured I'd replace them when I take the dash pad off to install a cover.

4" will fit but you may have to trash the factory speaker brackets and cut up your dash. Most of the aftermarket 3.5" speakers will have a tweeter that protruds about 1/2 to 3/4" above the speaker. This may make your dash bulge, I have (2) sets that I am trying to figure out for this use: Infinity REF3012 and Polk DB351's. I have been working on a mount to under mount these in the factory 4x10 opening in the center. This should work with all of the dashes from 73-87. I got the idea from a post on here last year. One thing to note is the actual width of this opening ( 9.75" long by 3.75" deep). I am figuring on making a 3/4" plate out of plywood that may be roughly 12" wide x 4.5" deep. Hope this helps but, PM me if you have questions. I can shoot you some pics of what I am talking about

Mike

thrtsxchambers · 03-02-2010, 07:45 PM

Here is my setup, I have 4" mb quartz all the way across. When I ordered the speakers they came with an mount for 2-4" to fit in the middle. The 4" does fit in the side holes but does not fit flush like stock but you still have room under the dash pad where they do not hit. you could make them fit flush but will have to cut the dash, I opted not to. This is not the best picture but you can see where mine are, I cut holes and installed the covers b/c the factory dash is covered with leather. I don't have a pic of the speakers with the cover off but it will be coming off in a few days and can get one then if you would like.

Dapper Dan · 03-02-2010, 10:58 PM

This is what i did. they fit fine, however like ecu pirate said my dash does slightly bulge on the passenger side. That may be partly because it is a reproduction

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=344303

USSkoval · 03-02-2010, 11:03 PM

For my '88 I just used 3.5's in the factory brackets. It's OK, but I would like to ditch them in favor of something larger in the kick panels. For my '77, I mounted dual 4's in the center opening. The frames were large enough that I could bolt the two together and then mount them to the dash. I like that setup.

Jeepwm69 · 03-02-2010, 11:43 PM

I'm going to get a dash overlay, and the factory speaker grill areas in the dash pad are absolutely trashed (cracked, split, disintegrating). I'll probably put 4" in there and wallow out the dash pad to get it to sit down like it should. Anyone see a problem doing that?

staggerd86c-10 · 03-03-2010, 12:43 AM

i did 4" kickers all the way across i had to make a bracket out of some abs for the middle but the sides fit fine. I did have the glass out when i did it though. i think it will be really difficult to do it with a windshield in the way

54Caddy · 03-03-2010, 01:26 AM

i have a kenwood 4x10 under my dash thing sounds good man. If you want to go with a stock look. Its a 3 way 400 watt i believe if i remember right.

thrtsxchambers · 03-03-2010, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by staggerd86c-10

i think it will be really difficult to do it with a windshield in the way

It is!

jklonowski · 03-03-2010, 11:46 AM

what i did to mine is flip the bracket upside and instead of puting them on top of the dash like factory i put them under the dash. it's hard to explain but if you can picture it in your head its not hard to do. it only took about 45 min to do. what it will do it will give you about 1/2 to 3/4 inches more clearance.
also i used the factory 3 1/2" speaker.

kelsfine69 · 03-03-2010, 03:51 PM

If anyone has any pics of 4" vs 3.5" front corner speakers installed that would be great. Im just about to buy front ones cause mine are toast. I would like to go 4" but not if I Have to mod alot or it makes the dash sit higher?

Jeepwm69 · 03-03-2010, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelsfine69

If anyone has any pics of 4" vs 3.5" front corner speakers installed that would be great. Im just about to buy front ones cause mine are toast. I would like to go 4" but not if I Have to mod alot or it makes the dash sit higher?

yeah, I'm in the same boat. I would prefer to put a 4" in there, but I want it to look ok without having to do a bunch of modding on the dash.

kelsfine69 · 03-04-2010, 10:28 PM

I went to the local Pick-n-Pull after work today and scores a locking dipstick, heater control, sportbumper licence plate lamp, and 2 front speakers with brackets($22 Bucks). It was nice the dash was ripped off. Im going to see how the 3.5" compare to the 4" speakers for mounting. Under the bracket I noticed there is lots of room so opening the holes should not be an issue...

Jeepwm69 · 03-05-2010, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelsfine69

I went to the local Pick-n-Pull after work today and scores a locking dipstick, heater control, sportbumper licence plate lamp, and 2 front speakers with brackets($22 Bucks). It was nice the dash was ripped off. Im going to see how the 3.5" compare to the 4" speakers for mounting. Under the bracket I noticed there is lots of room so opening the holes should not be an issue...

Pics would be nice......please?

ECU PIRATE · 03-05-2010, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeepwm69

yeah, I'm in the same boat. I would prefer to put a 4" in there, but I want it to look ok without having to do a bunch of modding on the dash.

Try DapperDan. He mounted 4" speakers in the factory location. It looked pretty clean. I would love to see some pics with those factory mounts flipped upside down and installed under the dash. This may solve my whole problem so I can use my Polk db351's that are just waiting..........................

SkinnyG · 06-20-2014, 07:32 PM

A bump only because I've just gone down this road, and wanted to show what I came up with for others who are searching for the same thing:

Ditched the original 4x10 single speaker for a pair of old JBL 5-1/4" two-ways I shelved from a car I cut up eight years ago. Adapter made from a dollar store cutting board.

tucsonjwt · 06-20-2014, 07:41 PM

I think you can also add spacers (nuts?) to the mounting areas to bring the speakers down a little and clear the dash pad.

I have 3.5" speakers in the kick panels - but just in a circular hole cut in the metal kick panel. The magnets are a close fit but they work fine. I made triangular wood speaker boxes for the rear speakers in the cab corners. Overall, my setup is OK, but I think if you can do the two speakers in the center that would be a nice stock touch. Being able to control the fade from front to rear speakers is nice, as well as left to right balance, especially on a long drive.

motornut · 06-20-2014, 08:40 PM

i used 2 newer stock 4X6,seems great compared to 1 speaker mono lol
i kept the 4X10s for "ashtray replacement" in the Jimmy

motornut · 06-20-2014, 08:43 PM

used my 88 burb covers and they appear stock

y5mgisi · 06-20-2014, 10:58 PM

I did 4" in the outers and 3.5's in the inner. As stated, the 4" speakers i got were a pain to fit. I had to ditch the bracket on the driver side and cut the dash to get the speaker to drop in. The centers clear the dash pad just fine how they are in the picture. THe passenger side 4" hits the A/C duct but its manageable.

TexasJeff · 06-22-2014, 03:23 PM

I bought this one from LMC, and sounds great, also bought some 4x10 3 ways for behind the seat from ebay for $30 with shipping.
http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cc/full.aspx?Page=129

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-NEW-BOSS-C...item51b60f0d5a

**ShortHaul** · 03-08-2019, 02:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkinnyG

A bump only because I've just gone down this road, and wanted to show what I came up with for others who are searching for the same thing:

Ditched the original 4x10 single speaker for a pair of old JBL 5-1/4" two-ways I shelved from a car I cut up eight years ago. Adapter made from a dollar store cutting board.

brilliant. I'll be 100% adopting this glorious idea. thank you.

Nodnarb76 · 04-12-2019, 11:40 AM

How is everyone wiring 6 speakers (4 in the dash and two in the rear) with a standard 4 speaker wiring setup?

rideair · 04-12-2019, 02:58 PM

In my Suburban, the factory head was replaced with a unit that had four standard speaker outputs (which I ran two to the 3 1/2 in the dash, then two to feed two powered subwoofers under the bench seat). The new head also had four RCA out puts that was used on a 4 channel amp that was used to power 6.5 in the kick-panels and the 4x10's in the rear.

Jeepwm69 · 04-15-2019, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nodnarb76

How is everyone wiring 6 speakers (4 in the dash and two in the rear) with a standard 4 speaker wiring setup?

Initially I tried tying the 4 dash speakers together in the front, and ran the rear channels to the 6x9's behind the seat. Head unit didn't have the power to run them that way, got all kinds of distortion on the fronts, so I unhooked the 3.5's in the middle.

I figure eventually I'll add an amp, run them something like rideair said he's done.

03-02-2010, 05:03 PM	#1
Jeepwm69 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Arkansas Posts: 670	Dash Speakers What can ya'll using for dash speakers? I saw a post somewhere where a 4 inch will fit in the corners where a 3 1/2 in is from the factory but can't seem to locate it now. Are any of you running a 4x10 in the center or did you fab it up to put something else in there? Not looking for awesome sound, but the 28 year old factory speakers are sounding a little fried so figured I'd replace them when I take the dash pad off to install a cover.

03-02-2010, 07:45 PM	#3
thrtsxchambers Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Salisbury, NC Posts: 316	Re: Dash Speakers Here is my setup, I have 4" mb quartz all the way across. When I ordered the speakers they came with an mount for 2-4" to fit in the middle. The 4" does fit in the side holes but does not fit flush like stock but you still have room under the dash pad where they do not hit. you could make them fit flush but will have to cut the dash, I opted not to. This is not the best picture but you can see where mine are, I cut holes and installed the covers b/c the factory dash is covered with leather. I don't have a pic of the speakers with the cover off but it will be coming off in a few days and can get one then if you would like. Attached Images

03-02-2010, 10:58 PM	#4
Dapper Dan Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Middle River, MD Posts: 171	Re: Dash Speakers This is what i did. they fit fine, however like ecu pirate said my dash does slightly bulge on the passenger side. That may be partly because it is a reproduction http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=344303

03-02-2010, 11:03 PM	#5
USSkoval Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: West Jefferson, OH Posts: 999	Re: Dash Speakers For my '88 I just used 3.5's in the factory brackets. It's OK, but I would like to ditch them in favor of something larger in the kick panels. For my '77, I mounted dual 4's in the center opening. The frames were large enough that I could bolt the two together and then mount them to the dash. I like that setup.

03-02-2010, 11:43 PM	#6
Jeepwm69 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Arkansas Posts: 670	Re: Dash Speakers I'm going to get a dash overlay, and the factory speaker grill areas in the dash pad are absolutely trashed (cracked, split, disintegrating). I'll probably put 4" in there and wallow out the dash pad to get it to sit down like it should. Anyone see a problem doing that?

03-03-2010, 12:43 AM	#7
staggerd86c-10 Squarebody Aficionado Join Date: May 2008 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 713	Re: Dash Speakers i did 4" kickers all the way across i had to make a bracket out of some abs for the middle but the sides fit fine. I did have the glass out when i did it though. i think it will be really difficult to do it with a windshield in the way

03-03-2010, 01:26 AM	#8
54Caddy GM Addicted Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Visalia, Ca Posts: 2,291	Re: Dash Speakers i have a kenwood 4x10 under my dash thing sounds good man. If you want to go with a stock look. Its a 3 way 400 watt i believe if i remember right. __________________ ..Mac’s Garage.. 73 GMC, 54 Caddy, 2010 Silverado, 68 C10 RIP DAd My 73 GMC Truck Build Pic 2010 Silverado 4/6 on 24s IG:MacsGarage

03-03-2010, 11:46 AM	#10
jklonowski Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: franklin kentucky Posts: 70	Re: Dash Speakers what i did to mine is flip the bracket upside and instead of puting them on top of the dash like factory i put them under the dash. it's hard to explain but if you can picture it in your head its not hard to do. it only took about 45 min to do. what it will do it will give you about 1/2 to 3/4 inches more clearance. also i used the factory 3 1/2" speaker. Last edited by jklonowski; 03-03-2010 at 11:47 AM.

03-03-2010, 03:51 PM	#11
kelsfine69 18 Till I Die Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 1,522	Re: Dash Speakers If anyone has any pics of 4" vs 3.5" front corner speakers installed that would be great. Im just about to buy front ones cause mine are toast. I would like to go 4" but not if I Have to mod alot or it makes the dash sit higher? __________________ 2011 GMC Acadia 1969 GMC BBC LS7 2007 GMC Crew Duramax 1987 Camaro Iroc 350 Tuned Port Injection 42000Km 1987 Chevrolet Silverado 350 TBI 1987 Chevrolet Silverado 350 TBI(yes 2) Take me drunk, I'm too home...

03-04-2010, 10:28 PM	#13
kelsfine69 18 Till I Die Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 1,522	Re: Dash Speakers I went to the local Pick-n-Pull after work today and scores a locking dipstick, heater control, sportbumper licence plate lamp, and 2 front speakers with brackets($22 Bucks). It was nice the dash was ripped off. Im going to see how the 3.5" compare to the 4" speakers for mounting. Under the bracket I noticed there is lots of room so opening the holes should not be an issue... __________________ 2011 GMC Acadia 1969 GMC BBC LS7 2007 GMC Crew Duramax 1987 Camaro Iroc 350 Tuned Port Injection 42000Km 1987 Chevrolet Silverado 350 TBI 1987 Chevrolet Silverado 350 TBI(yes 2) Take me drunk, I'm too home...

06-20-2014, 07:32 PM	#16
SkinnyG Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Beautiful BC, Canada, eh?! Posts: 2,171	Re: Dash Speakers A bump only because I've just gone down this road, and wanted to show what I came up with for others who are searching for the same thing: Ditched the original 4x10 single speaker for a pair of old JBL 5-1/4" two-ways I shelved from a car I cut up eight years ago. Adapter made from a dollar store cutting board. __________________ 1961 Apache: "Grabber Orange" Shortboxed, pancake, step-notch, air-ride, boosted-LS 1977 Silverado: Shortboxed & dropped, potato-potato V8 Pontiac Firefly (Chevy Sprint): The ultimate engine swap: 5.7L in a 1.0L bag Lotus Super 7 Replica: Scratch-built street-legal rollerskate

06-20-2014, 07:41 PM	#17
tucsonjwt Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,188	Re: Dash Speakers I think you can also add spacers (nuts?) to the mounting areas to bring the speakers down a little and clear the dash pad. I have 3.5" speakers in the kick panels - but just in a circular hole cut in the metal kick panel. The magnets are a close fit but they work fine. I made triangular wood speaker boxes for the rear speakers in the cab corners. Overall, my setup is OK, but I think if you can do the two speakers in the center that would be a nice stock touch. Being able to control the fade from front to rear speakers is nice, as well as left to right balance, especially on a long drive.

06-20-2014, 08:40 PM	#18
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	Re: Dash Speakers i used 2 newer stock 4X6,seems great compared to 1 speaker mono lol i kept the 4X10s for "ashtray replacement" in the Jimmy Attached Images __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350

06-20-2014, 08:43 PM	#19
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	Re: Dash Speakers used my 88 burb covers and they appear stock Attached Images __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350

06-20-2014, 10:58 PM	#20
y5mgisi Second Chance Program Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 2,642	Re: Dash Speakers I did 4" in the outers and 3.5's in the inner. As stated, the 4" speakers i got were a pain to fit. I had to ditch the bracket on the driver side and cut the dash to get the speaker to drop in. The centers clear the dash pad just fine how they are in the picture. THe passenger side 4" hits the A/C duct but its manageable. __________________ 90 Chevy Suburban 2500 5.3 swap/th400/np241/14bltSF/10blt. 77 C20 crew cab Silverado. 396/th400. In work.



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06-22-2014, 03:23 PM	#21
TexasJeff Don't Crush em Restore em Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Pinehurst, Texas Posts: 764	Re: Dash Speakers I bought this one from LMC, and sounds great, also bought some 4x10 3 ways for behind the seat from ebay for $30 with shipping. http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cc/full.aspx?Page=129 http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-NEW-BOSS-C...item51b60f0d5a __________________ TexasJeff 2009 Silver with Linen Interior Cadillac DTS 1990 Red with White Top and Interior Ford Mustang GT convertible 1998 Red with Gray Interior, C3500 Chevy Crew Cab Dually

04-12-2019, 11:40 AM	#23
Nodnarb76 Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: Mississippi Posts: 501	Re: Dash Speakers How is everyone wiring 6 speakers (4 in the dash and two in the rear) with a standard 4 speaker wiring setup? __________________ 1987 R20 Suburban LQ4/4L80e swap: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=693824

04-12-2019, 02:58 PM	#24
rideair Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Front Royal Virginia Posts: 243	Re: Dash Speakers In my Suburban, the factory head was replaced with a unit that had four standard speaker outputs (which I ran two to the 3 1/2 in the dash, then two to feed two powered subwoofers under the bench seat). The new head also had four RCA out puts that was used on a 4 channel amp that was used to power 6.5 in the kick-panels and the 4x10's in the rear.

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