I know this is really beating a dead horse, but . . .

I want to go back to my original mono am/fm radio and dash speakers.
I'm looking at pulling out the current aftermarket speakers putting the stock speakers back in the dash myself. From what I've read, the passenger side is not too bad. I'm wondering what I'm up against with doing the driver's side.
Mine is a 72, 4-speed, no a/c car. I would think the lack of A/C wiring, ducting may help. My dash pad is actually in great shape. I'd hate to screw it up.

I guess I'm looking to squeeze that driver side speaker up there without too much carnage. The previous owner had aftermarket speakers installed, so someone was able to get up in there. The original metal brackets are still there, so I guess that's a good thing.

Staring down the barrel of this project, words of wisdom and encouragement are appreciated.

 

are the speakers bad

 

When I replaced the speakers in my 1973 (stock) on the drivers side:
1) removed the seat
2) loosed the steering column and lowered it
3) used my small hand to reach up and change out the speaker. Two nuts to undo, if I recall correctly.

Was a pain and took some "visual feeling" as I could not see up there that well. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

Fran

 

Current speakers are functional, but are the wrong ohmage for the original radio.

 

I never loosened or lowered the steering column. That makes me a bit nervous.

 

You could still use 4 ohm speakers in the dash....under certain conditions. The stock radio wants to see a 10 ohm impedance on each 'side' (R-L). You could have higher impedance with no problem...other than the max volume would be somewhat lower. But, you can't lower impedance too much without the amp drawing too much current and frying the guts.

However, you CAN hook the stock radio up to 8 ohms [on each side] without any problem. Oh, if you have it maxed out on the volume there would be some distortion in the audio--but it won't fry. And if you have TWO 4-ohm speakers for each side AND you wire them in SERIES, you end up with 8 ohms (total of both speakers when wired in series).

That all sounds 'peachy', and it is--I have mine wired that way; and it's been that way for about 10 years with no problems. Now, there is MORE to the story....
Since the stock radio only pumps out about 16 watts per side (RMS), you do NOT want to have speakers that are made for high-power capable systems. You need low power, efficient speakers rather than high power, inefficient speakers. If the speaker you have in the dash are capable of absorbing more than about 60 watts, the speakers will work with the Delco head, but the actual sound power will be weak. The large magnets on high-power speakers will just eat up the power; you get good, clean sound, but not very much sound power when the head only has 16 watts to power them.

If the dash speakers are only capable of 50 watts or so, they can be left in the dash with no problem. Then you need to add two mid-range/bass speakers [in kickpanels or in back] that are similar in power capability and have 4-ohm impedance. Wire each side in series (Google it...pretty simple) and hook each side to the speaker output wires from the Delco unit.

You will have a pretty good sounding system using only the original Delco head unit.

 

It was lowered slightly less than 2"; just enough to give me space to get my arm and hand up in the dash.

Fran

 

Not sure what is in there now. Just had original 10 ohm speakers restored by JV Restorations, so those in combination with the newly restored mono am/fm radio, should give me some horrible, 1972 style, fidelity

 

fastimes,
You'll be fine with a couple of advils. Not sure about '72 but lowering the steering column is not at all difficult in my '69. Removed the vinyl covered plastic trim piece at the bottom of the steering wheel and then there were two bolts that secured the steering column to the bracket. Once the two bolts were out, the steering wheel lowers quite a bit, several inches, opening up some access to reach inside the dash with your hand.

I've heard others removed driver seat to make it a little easier to lay flat on your back and reach up under the dash. I did not do that with mine - thus the advils. Go slow, careful of all the wires. I've got one of those extendable mirrors that I could fish up inside the dash to see where I was reaching too.

Kevin

 

This highly specialized Corvette dash tool I stole from my wife works great with a flashlight to see what's under there. It is about 4 inches wide.

Special Corvette Dash Tool

 

Thanks Kevin!
So, when you drop the steering column, you were able to drop the driver side dash panel and reach between the dash (Speedo/Tach) panel and the top dash pad?
(I assume Fran (Blue73Shark) did the same)

 

Yes, that is correct. The LH Lower Dash Pad on my car comes loose by removing the two screws along the door jam, the three screws that secure the top of the lower dash pad to the upper dash pad. And, I was able to pull the steering wheel down along with the Lower Dash Pad and reach my hand in through the opening at the top left corner of the lower dash pad. Seemed like easier access to me than laying on my back and trying to reach my hand up through the bottom of the lower dash pad. Just be real careful pushing and pulling on the lower dash pad so you don't crack anything and watch out for the lower corners and edges of the lower dash pad too while you are opening up the top left corner.

LH Lower Dash Pad with the screws removed

Bolt locations that secure the steering column once the vinyl trim cover was removed


Kevin

 

Thank you! This is so helpful!