Hey all,

I have a 1988 Pontiac Transam. It came with the stock tapedeck (performance sound ) stereo system. I found out that the front speakers are right on the top of my dash, right by the windshield. I looked around but couldn't figure out how to get to them. I have no clue where the rear speakers are, looked around but can't find them however I know they are there cuz I can hear them. Any help on how to access the front speaks and where the rear ones are would be greatly apreciated. Thanks

 

4x6s in the dash under the speaker grills. 6x9's in the sail panels in the rear. (if you sit in the back seat they are right next to your head).

 

how do I get to the ones in the front? Do I have to remove the dash? The grills don't look like they come out. They look like a piece of carpet

 

Is your dash covered with carpet? if someone covered the whole dash pad in carpet then your probably going to have to remove it to get to the speakers. normaly they are just covered with a speaker grill that pops right out. Also if you get them out and you want to replace them do a search for speakers that fit. The space is very shallow and not all 4x6s fit.

 

nah its not all carpeted...just where the speakers are. Like a material based grill cover.

 

oh ok, well pull up on the grill, the speaker is under it. just becareful not to crack the dash pad.

 

I will give it a try when I get my car out of storage this summer....right now she is in my neighboors garage for the winter

 

One thing to keep in mind. There may be some funky looking nuts that kinda screw onto the underside of each peg that holds the grill in.

This is the case in my car and pretty much all other dash pads I have seen so far.

In this case unless you want to risk breaking the pegs, you will have to remove the dash to get at the speakers.

Also with the grills removed you will probably notice that the grill actually covers alot more space than the hole in the dashpad for the actual speaker does.

This means that access to the screws to remove the speakers may be hindered or even prevented.

Trans ams may be different, I have worked only on firebirds and camaros. Trans ams usually have a slightly different dash pad as well as other options which are a step up from the base model.

Just thought I would bring this to your attention for consideration. I'd hate to see you breaking the pegs that hold the grills in place for lack of knowing there was something else there holding them in yet.

:lala:

 

I was wondering if the top portion of the dash will come out without having to remove the whole thing. If you look at my site I have a pic of my cars interior on its site... if you want to take a look here is the link

http://cybcor.homeip.net/transam.htm

 

I find it's easier just to pull the dash pad off to begin with if you don't have the grills in tight just pulling them will work probably, but I have big hands and I barely have enough room with dashpad off to work with tools.

There should be 4 long screws up near your center defrost at the winshield. Put down a shop rag so they don't fall into the vents, then take the screws out. Now you'll have to take the screws out that connect the dash pad and dash on the lip. It's fairly simple just use the right socket and take the screws out on the underneath side of the dash lip they should run from the driverside corner -> above the gauge console-> above the dash pouch -> finally passenger side corner. There are acouple that you don't have to take out, which connect the gauge bezel to the plastic and have no effect on the dash pad. You can remove them all if you want. That's what I did my first time, now I know which ones I have to remove to pull the pad off and I just do them now. The pad should lift up and slide out easy. If it doesn't go back and double check to see if you missed any screws. Reinstallation is the same way except I find it easier to screw in the 4 firewall screws first remember your shop rag to cover up the vents.

 

It sounds worse than it is but the whole big dash pad must come off. Hardest part is getting some decent speakers in there. Just some normal 6x9's take some dremil work and removing some vent pipes.

 

here is a pic for your pleasure

 

I took my dash off it was easier

 

On my '89 formula, I found out the hard way that the grills are plastic riveted to the dash pad, and to do it correctly I had to take out the dash-pad, as described by demicon.

 

guess someone already broke mine cuz they pull right up.

 

Thanks for the info. I went into the garage and took a look at where you marked the screws and they all seem to be there. When the weather clears up I will attack the dash and remove it and install the new speakers.

They are 6X9's under there...heh thats a first. I always thought front speakers were 6.5" round and no ovals Well in a way that is ok, I can drop a nice set of component speakers in there to replace the factory Delco ones.

is it 6X9's all around?

 

usually it is 2 4x6's up front and 6x9's on teh back.


That or some old firebirts had like tweets in the back with a 6.5 or something.

 

has anyone successfully modded 6.5" speaks into their front dash? 4X6's generally don't give off the greatest sound...well no 4X6 that I have heard anyway. I guess when I get my dash taken off I can just mod a socket to hold a 6" or 6.5" speaker. If anyone has already done this, any advice would be greatly apreciated. I do still want to keep the stock speaker look as it makes great to keep theives away. Nothing says "steal my stuff" like a big 6.5" Alpine or Kenwood Speaker grille.

 

I just got some 100watt 6x9s and it took some work getting them into the dash. duct removal and a dremil is in order. I even cut into my gauge cluster some. Tried a better 250watt speakers not that long ago and the magnet was to big.

You will want a dremil and some nerve cause you really do gotta remove some crap to fit anything good. But once the dash pad is back on, you can't see the hack job and the sound is much better.

 

Hmmm...Hack job it is, I will just lay a shop down below the chopping area before I go hacking and cutting to avoid metal shavings in my dash. Shouldn't be a hard job. Other option is to build a custom bracket to house a 4" Coaxial speaker...they are usualy good for about 100 to 200 watts. I can then get an active crossover to send high frequencies to 200 watt tweeter and the mid to lows to the 4" full range. That might sound nice.

What about Door mounted 6.5" Full Range speakers? I think I saw a post where someone stuck 6" subwoofers in the door. I don't want to go to that extreme as I can imagine the doors would rattle however I was thinking a 6" or 6.5" full range might do the trick.

*** I love this stuff

 

After much looking around at my speaker options for 4X6 speakers I have realized that they are useless for any high wattage applications. I think I am going to try to figure out a way to attach 5X7's or 6X9's or even 6.5" coaxials into the door panels.

My initial plan is to have the Kenwood 1000 watt amp in the back beating on the two 700watt Kenwood Tornado Series Subs as well as a 1200watt amp (not sure what name yet) to power the surounding speakers. 60 watt 4X6 speakers will most likely incinerate under that much power.

If anyone has pictures of modded out dashes to support bigger, better, more efficent speakers can you please post a pic. I would really like to see what it looks like under that dash pad just so I know what I am up against this summer.

 

Everything is plastic under the dash pad so no metal shavings. Just bits of plastic. No pic here but just pick a modest speaker. The depth and magnet size is the limiting factor. Top part o f a 6x9 will fit but getting the magnet down far enough is the part where you gotta make some design changes.

And of course most of it is easier to do with your head out the window. YOu can then see straight down into the dash.

 

Magnet clearance won't be a problem. I plan on running the new line of OverDrive speakers from Blaupunkt. 300 watts with a slim slim magnet and amazing sound quality. I have their 6.5" coaxials in my tempo as they clear the windo no problem and they sound supereb. I believe I will be converting my entire setup to this line. Here is a link to their product for other members to investigate.

http://www.blaupunktusa.com/Blaupunk...ial/ODx693.htm

 

I seriously doubt those 6x9's can handle 300 watts. I know the company claims they can, but since when does that matter. Theyy do look like they'd fit in the dash easier than most 6x9's though.

 

Well I currently have their 6.5" OverDrives and the 6X9's in my Tempo. They are being powered by a Mobile Authority 800watt amp and they sound super clean so as long as they fit under the dash then all should be good and it should sound cleaner then the stock setup hopefully.

 

They may handle 300w but may never put out 300w

I know nothing about those speakers but just for reference. The first time I ever went to one of them junk auto shows, I got talked into a set of 1000w 6x9s for only $20.

They would surly take 1000w but put out nothing over 25-50w.


For front dash speakers you don't need much. I am just using some 100w sony speakers and they rock plenty for front speakers.

Got a set of 250w power acoustic 6x9s in the back side pods. And another set of 300w 6x9s in a box in the very back of the car. and a 12in sub.

100 /250 6x9s run off the stereo
300 6x9s and 12in sub share a 1200w amp run off the sub channel.

600w to the 6x9s normal and 300w bridged to the 12.

It rocks out plenty for someone who only does MP3's

 

Hey buddy, you are making this much harder then it has to be. Take out the 4x6's in the front and go to circuit city and get a set of Q logic kick panels and put a component system in the front, best sound period. Also get a panel to put it in the rear area instead of the 6x9's and then you have great sound and great bass (via your subs in the back)

Problem solved!

 

When you say panel if your referring to a plate that the subs sit in over the well they sound like a donkey with gas. They are a waiste of money and time.