Driver Side Speaker
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Rhineland MO
Driver Side Speaker
What is the best way to replace the drivers side speaker? I tried to do this last weekend trying to take the instrument cluster out but it looks like you have to remove most of the steering column. Any ideas?
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 419
Likes: 4
From: Lewisville TX
You don't have to remove the column.. Just remove the instrument cluster. You will have to remove the plastic collar around the steering column(at the dash), and unscrew the instrument cluster. It's a Pain in the A$$, but do-able. Just be careful pulling the cluster out - Remember to disconnect the speedo cable first!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
I would pull the dash pad, not the cluster. Remove the pillar trim pieces, the screws that hold the speedo/tach. cluster and right side map pocket panel to the dash, and the 1 screw at the top of the center gauge cluster. Remove the right map pocket/pad. There may be a dash pad support bracket behind it. Carefully remove the dash pad, tilting it as necessary. IMO, alot easier than F-ing with the speedo/tach. cluster.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by big_G
I would pull the dash pad, not the cluster. Remove the pillar trim pieces, the screws that hold the speedo/tach. cluster and right side map pocket panel to the dash, and the 1 screw at the top of the center gauge cluster. Remove the right map pocket/pad. There may be a dash pad support bracket behind it. Carefully remove the dash pad, tilting it as necessary. IMO, alot easier than F-ing with the speedo/tach. cluster.
This is how I first did it many years ago in my '77. Much easier. You will have to wrestle the dash pad a little to gt it out so be careful you don't hurt it.
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Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by 75BrownC3
Are there any clips underneath the dash pad to look out for?
The leading edge under the glass has a lip that slides under the dash frame so it can't pull up without first coming out a little.
The only other fasteners are the screws that hld the left and right sections to the upper pad, and the gauge cluster bezel.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by 75BrownC3
I'll have to try that out this weekend. Thanks for all the tips.
What are you replacing it with? I am fairly skilled at car audio too. If you're keeping a stock or better HU and you install better speakers you will get poor sound quality. Better speakers must be amped. If you don't feel like amping the speakers, then make sure you find some replacement speakers that are only 15 - 25W RMS. If they're much higher than that the sound will be worse than with the old crappy speaker.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 223
Likes: 0
From: Rhineland MO
Nothing can be worse than the old crappy ones because the just don't work at all. I replaced the passenger side one lasy weekend, that was a piece of cake. These are supposed to be direct replacements from Mid-America. The magnets are bigger than the one I took out. I am keeping the stock HU because I want to keep the car as original as possible. I was thinking about adding my XM Roady with the inline FM modulator but not sure where to put the XM antenna since it is magenetic. I do have a T-top so I can fish the antenna wire through that if needed. It is the AM/FM mono radio in there now.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Originally Posted by 75BrownC3
Nothing can be worse than the old crappy ones because the just don't work at all. I replaced the passenger side one lasy weekend, that was a piece of cake. These are supposed to be direct replacements from Mid-America. The magnets are bigger than the one I took out. I am keeping the stock HU because I want to keep the car as original as possible. I was thinking about adding my XM Roady with the inline FM modulator but not sure where to put the XM antenna since it is magenetic. I do have a T-top so I can fish the antenna wire through that if needed. It is the AM/FM mono radio in there now.
OEM style speakers should be fine. Good luck with that speaker.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Bakersfield CA.
I just removed the dash in My 75 vert last week. (Im redoing the heater core,then anoughter an anoughter,project always comes along?)
anyway-the drivers side lower pad is the worst. after you remove all the screws that are on the front. and lower the steering colum, then disconnect the speedo cable under the car(mine has a 2 cable system,not just one long cable) and I had to push a little of the cable into the firewall. then you can pull gently on the pad and give yrself enough room to unbolt the speedo and the tack.
also dont forget to remove the milage cable under the dash and after you get enough room on the inside of the upper left hand corner to release the head light ****,then undo the head light swich.
from there you can see the speaker and replace it.........
damn makes my tired just typing this. lol
good luck.
anyway-the drivers side lower pad is the worst. after you remove all the screws that are on the front. and lower the steering colum, then disconnect the speedo cable under the car(mine has a 2 cable system,not just one long cable) and I had to push a little of the cable into the firewall. then you can pull gently on the pad and give yrself enough room to unbolt the speedo and the tack.
also dont forget to remove the milage cable under the dash and after you get enough room on the inside of the upper left hand corner to release the head light ****,then undo the head light swich.
from there you can see the speaker and replace it.........
damn makes my tired just typing this. lol
good luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Again, why mess with all that when the dash pad will come off without removing the dash panels? Just remove all the screws, a-pillar trim, and worm it out. Change the speakers, and slide it back in. Re-install screws, and play the music.