Looking to remove the BOSE and replace it with aftermarket. Looked at all the links to see what everyone recommends for componets and just a few questions for the experienced ones out there;
1) will the 6 1/2 speakers fit in the front of an 89 without mods?
2) What was your experience pulling the front Bose boxes out and any tips here?
3) what needs to be done to rewire speaker wires and any advice would be helpful.

Thanks all

:flag

 

1) no

your best bet is to put in a new head unit and 4 new speakers. IF you do this, you can completely bypass all the blose wiring and crap, and installation is pretty simple.

 

Hi,

My first question would be, what do you mean by "without mods"?

I have 6.5" speakers in my front, but I did have to do a bit of nibbling at the bose enclosure. I left it in because its a heck of a lot of work to get it out. Plus it's a good mounting bracket. But you do need to remove the speaker.

1: Yes you can put a 6.5" in the 89 door with minimal work.
2: Leave the fronts, the rears are simple.
3: drill a hole in the bose box going towards the wire boot that leads from teh door to the car. You'll then need a long thin flexable, but not crushable piece of plastic. I used a sand pale handle (apologies to my neice) cut lengthwise, and rounded smooth on one end. Tape the speaker wire (uncut from spool, or cut to really long length matched to opposite side) to plastic fish. Poke fish through hole in bose box, and into rubber boot. You will want to flex the boot to help the fish make the curve into the compartment. Reach up into compartment (either passenger or driver side) and help pull fish into car. run wire to stereo console opening for soldering and shrink tubing to head unit wire harness.

For the rear speakers, you'll want to lift some of your carpet, and run it down to the sills (it's easier than running it in the tunnel) and up the jam to where your other wire is. Remember to mark your wires so you rmember which is which when soldering. Also you want the wire to be of equal length, so both fronts are the same length and both rears are the same length. This will balance the wire resistance and thus balance the voltage going to each speaker.
Some speakers will allow you to use the bose speaker cover again, but not a 6.5. You will need to either swap door panels, or modify a plank, and put new carpet in. If you wish to use the stock bose covers (with modification to the cover) the you will need a low profile 5.25 speaker or smaller.

Good luck, and take your time. You can do a very nice install with patience.
:cheers:

 

Thanks Partner... Excellent guide. Just what I was looking for. Think I will go with the 5.25 low profiles and be happy with them.

"Book'em Danno...."

:cheers: :cheers: