1987 Coupe Bose speaker question
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
1987 Coupe Bose speaker question
I know this topic has been beat to death but I just want to know what size is the front and rear speakers. I just want to buy new aftermarket bolt in speakers with out having to design custom speaker boxes. Is this even possible or am I dreaming? 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 877
Likes: 0
From: Broken Arrow Oklahoma
I don't believe you will be able to do what you want. The bose speakers use low ohms (2 i think) and most aftermarket speakers are 4 or 8 ohms and will sound like crap.
The speakers are amplified at the speaker itself.
The speakers are amplified at the speaker itself.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Thanks, that's good info to know. Do you know what size speakers will fit? I will just bypass the amp and go directly to the speakers. I have a nice alpine head unit installed just want to get rid of the shi**y speakers.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 289
Likes: 3
From: new york
5 1/4 upfront. I didn't want to take door panles off. I just cut the speaker wire from amp (it was a major P.I.T.A) and extended it to speaker.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 289
Likes: 3
From: new york
Upon further review, My fronts are 4" they sound like **** compared to my rears. I finally ordered a pair of 5 1/4 fosgates since I have 6x9 fosgates in rear. I'm not sure if they are going to fit in the stock box. I measured and the depth will be fine, I doubt any holes will line up properly. I am going to install them sunday. Some how I am going to make these fit w/o removing the box.
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Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 289
Likes: 3
From: new york
Upon further review, My fronts are 4" they sound like **** compared to my rears. I finally ordered a pair of 5 1/4 fosgates since I have 6x9 fosgates in rear. I'm not sure if they are going to fit in the stock box. I measured and the depth will be fine, I doubt any holes will line up properly. I am going to install them sunday. Some how I am going to make these fit w/o removing the box.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
the 6x9 fit in my 87 rear w/ some modification, the holes dont quite line up but its close enough to make things work, made small tabs. the factory grills work if you put the speakers in from the front, at least they did on mine, my bose speakers were good but the head was shot. got rid of the bose amps and put one in the passenger storage box. I'm doing new insulation also , so now was a good time. hope this helps.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 289
Likes: 3
From: new york
the 6x9 fit in my 87 rear w/ some modification, the holes dont quite line up but its close enough to make things work, made small tabs. the factory grills work if you put the speakers in from the front, at least they did on mine, my bose speakers were good but the head was shot. got rid of the bose amps and put one in the passenger storage box. I'm doing new insulation also , so now was a good time. hope this helps.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Check out "speaker adapters" on ebay. The are flat pieces of pvc plastic that are drilled to screw into the original amp box and also have holes to mount the original speaker cover. They have holes to mount up to a 6.5 round speaker too. I put 4 Boston Acoustic 6.5 speakers in my car with a Pioneer Premier head unit and the sound makes the Bose ashamed of itself. The adapters make for a nice, clean, easy install and is the only way to go IMO. I ran all new wires for the speakers but left the old wiring in place.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 509
Likes: 8
From: Livonia Michigan
For my 87, I had to build an adapter plate to install the 6x9 in the rear speaker mount. In the front I used 6.5" speakers with no special adapter.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,315
Likes: 245
From: Summerland B.C. Canada
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 506
Likes: 12
From: Savannah GA
Nothing but a bose driver will fit in an 87 box, front and rear are the same. The system is common grounded and nothing else is. Without rewiring things, you can still use the factory wire, it will sound like crap.
The speakers are really about 1.8ohms but any decent head unit or amp will run them without trouble. Unless you are going to spend a lot of money you can use the bose drivers, they will sound good it they aren't trashed.
Get a good head unit, rewire the plug, go in the speaker units and bypass the amps, wire right to the speakers. You will loose the dimmer for the AC panel because it runs through the bose head unit.
JS
The speakers are really about 1.8ohms but any decent head unit or amp will run them without trouble. Unless you are going to spend a lot of money you can use the bose drivers, they will sound good it they aren't trashed.
Get a good head unit, rewire the plug, go in the speaker units and bypass the amps, wire right to the speakers. You will loose the dimmer for the AC panel because it runs through the bose head unit.
JS
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Thanks for the great input, I bought all new front and rear speakers with a new head unit and will be rewiring all the speakers. I know it is a pain but from what I read on the forums it is the right way to do it. All of the great knowledge from the people on this forum makes it a lot easier to accomplish, thanks! 
