I have an '86 Firebird, and it didn't come with the rear speaker housings in the sail panels. I know I'm gonna need to get new panels or cut them to mount some 6x9's, but what else do I need to do? I have two little black "cups" that look like a shield for speaker magnets, but that's it. Any help would be appreciated

 

Well, there arent any "housings", but there are factory 6x9 Plates that bolt right to the sail panel via 4 screws. If you dont have them, go to junk yard. I can guarantee you that you will find them, as ALL 3rd gens had 6x9's except for a few Trans Am's and GTA's which had the UQ7 (i think) subwoofer option!
Good Luck!

 

Plates huh, I'll have to check into this. I just hope that I don't need to use factory speakers

 

My last camaro (87 SC) was missing those when I bought it. The previous owner put 6x9's in boxes in the back, and for some reason decided the brackets needed to go too. I went to the u-pull-it and grabbed the two plates that go behind the sail panel, and the screws that go with it. They're goldish colored from the factory, although by now most at a boneyard are probably corroded a bit, but they fit most, if not all standard 6x9s. The only problem I can think of (I can't recall how far the setback is) is if your 6x9's have a large, protruding mid/high section, it might go past the plane of the sail panel (I've seen some pioneers like that).


Kyle

 

Thanks guys. My speaks' I have are infinity's, so I should be fine. One last thing; I'd imagine it will be hard to get some good condition cloth speaker covers in the right color. I've heard the material is the same as headliner material, true?

 

I had some infinity's in my old one, they were an older model with the kinda carbon-fiber looking cones. They fit fine. The cloth is more or less the same material as the headliner. If you're worried about the two matching, get them done at the same place your headliner is from. If it's stock, you just -might- be able to get a good pair from a boneyard, and a better chance from a 3rd gen place like Camaro Heaven, ThirdGenResource.com, or Thirdgenparts.com, to name a few. The aftermarket stuff is usually close to factory, but probably won't be exact.

Kyle

 

Before you hack holes in your existing panels, consider that its fairly uncommon to not have rear speakers, and if you decide to go back (however unlikely) it'll be impossible to find uncut panels. Junkyard replacements and keeping your originals in storage would be much more desirable.