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1969 C3. Replacing the kick panel speakers and adding some speakers to the rear.
Question 1: What kind of speaker boxes or setup do you recommend for those rear speakers? Not much space back there and I don’t want a bar. I see some of the corvette part sites have custom made speaker boxes. Anybody done this option? If so, what kind of speakers did you put in the boxes?
Question 2: I’ve got this weird, old insulation padding that is in the dash. You can see it here (the hay colored mess).
I like having some padding in these, but want to replace this. What should I use in its place? Weather stripping? Diff kind of insulation?
3. As you can see the radio is too tilted and I’d like something to prop it up to be more level. Anything I could use besides insulation padding to do it?
4. Where can I find a list of the different screw sizes that fit the interior (like the ones that anchor the dash and panels)?
5. Any tips to keep in mind while doing the wiring on all this?
6. Oh and what glue would you recommend for gluing carpet back down?
I built my own speaker box for the rear out of particle board that is in the shape of a squashed "T." It nestles in the very back and the top part of the box rests over the wheel wheels- it's a snug fit so it won't move around and does not need to be fastened down. I just put 7 inch coaxial speakers in the box and they sound pretty good. Nothing to make you go deaf but it overpowers the side pipes. I also use my carpet scraps to fully carpet the box and it makes it almost impossible to see. I can send you a pic and the dimensions I used if you want. I used Elmer's spray glue for carpet but 3M also makes a glue spray as well.
I built my own speaker box for the rear out of particle board that is in the shape of a squashed "T." It nestles in the very back and the top part of the box rests over the wheel wheels- it's a snug fit so it won't move around and does not need to be fastened down. I just put 7 inch coaxial speakers in the box and they sound pretty good. Nothing to make you go deaf but it overpowers the side pipes. I also use my carpet scraps to fully carpet the box and it makes it almost impossible to see. I can send you a pic and the dimensions I used if you want. I used Elmer's spray glue for carpet but 3M also makes a glue spray as well.
I took a couple of pics but could not find my plans to build with all the dimensions. Let me know if you want to do something like this and I can look a bit more- I'm pretty sure I kept them.
I took a couple of pics but could not find my plans to build with all the dimensions. Let me know if you want to do something like this and I can look a bit more- I'm pretty sure I kept them.
Thanks!!! No need to get me dimensions just hearing you cobbled it yourself is enough for me to want to give it a shot myself. I’ll probably do two boxes so I can still see the rear area light. What size speakers are those and where’d you get the carpet?
The cone diameter size is about 5.5" (outer grille ring obviously larger). They are CRUNCH speakers- nothing high end but sound pretty good. I think they handle around 60W RMS power and 300W Max Power- I think they are model CS65CXS. I don't have a light in the back so the box is not covering anything up. If you go with two separate boxes, you will need to possibly velcro them to the carpet. I thought I used scraps of the loop style carpet (the same as the actual carpet), but upon closer inspection, it is not. I think I went to a local upholstery shop and bought cheap, black carpet. I have a drop down tray for the pop out back window but my box does interfere with that operation.
Mocked up some speaker boxes. Hopefully will post progress soon.
In the meantime - as far as insulation. Where do I need it and what kind? Like I said, there’s a lot in the dash and under the radio. Essentially it’s just padding, like house insulation. Could I use some basic stuff from Lowe’s like this?
Don't put fiberglass insulation in your car. That stuff is meant to be sealed in a wall, not somewhere that you can touch it, and get fiberglass splinters and a rash.
That weird, old insulation padding that is in the dash is called "Under Dash Sound Deadener" and is inexpensive considering. Do the job right the first time and move on.
So these speakers are 4 ohms and, 320 peak watts and 70 RMS. I’m connecting it to a custom auto sound system which says 300 peak watts and “45W RMS x 4, and 2 ohm stable”.
So, if my research is correct (which it may not be), I need like a 16 or 18 gauge wire? But, the terminals and wires that came with the pioneer speakers are SO SMALL. Like, I had to set the wire stripper to 22 and it still kept slipping through.
Do I not understand something? Doesn’t a smaller wire mean less power? And for the accompanying wires to be this small, doesn’t that mean the speakers won’t perform nearly as well as they’re capable??? Really need help understanding, and need recommendations on which wire gauge to get. 16? 18? 22?
Here are the Pioneer wires, with a spool of 12 gauge wire for scale.
I would use either 16 or 18 gage speaker wire. I'm sure the wires they provided will work, but might get a bit warm. Although bigger may be overkill, there won't be any question and if you decide to upgrade with an amp, they would be good to go.
I would use either 16 or 18 gage speaker wire. I'm sure the wires they provided will work, but might get a bit warm. Although bigger may be overkill, there won't be any question and if you decide to upgrade with an amp, they would be good to go.
Cool, I’ll try and find 16 or 18. I had bought some 12 thinking bigger was better, but turns out it doesn’t even fit the radio’s connectors. Is it possible and/or okay to connect wires of different gauge? Like 16 and 22 or something?
Is it possible and/or okay to connect wires of different gauge? Like 16 and 22 or something?
That would kind of defeat the purpose. The smaller gage would be the weak link. Find connectors that would slide onto the speaker tabs and fit the desired gage you want to use. Or, solder the wires directly onto the speaker tabs. Just be sure to put a knot in the speaker wire just outside your box so it won't pull off accidentally.
That would kind of defeat the purpose. The smaller gage would be the weak link. Find connectors that would slide onto the speaker tabs and fit the desired gage you want to use. Or, solder the wires directly onto the speaker tabs. Just be sure to put a knot in the speaker wire just outside your box so it won't pull off accidentally.
I’m just afraid the correct wire for the speaker is like size 22. Which seems like it’ll undercut its performance.
As for the rear speakers... I installed the custom boxes that are sold by Corvette Parts sites, and installed Kenwood speakers inside (6X9's I believe)... I'm happy with the results... takes a bit of room, but minimal.
I got some boxes from Zip Corvette and used those with 6x9s in them along with an 8" sub, 4 channel and 1 channel amps. I have some 4.5" speakers in the front kick panels as well.
It goes nice and loud and sounds awesome! :-)
Doing some interior work…
