GtoRockz

I have been searching threads but still have not found a direct answer to my question.

How do I get to the front speakers on my 1987 Firebird so they can be replace?

_87TA_

the ones in the dash?
just remove the dash pad
by removing the covers up top:
LH:
RH:
Then the 7 screws underneath:
1:
2:
3:
4:
5:
6:
7:
Then lift off the pad set aside and your speakers are accessable...

GtoRockz

Thank you for the reply IceMan! So all the dash pad screws are right out easy to get to, nothing hard to get to under the dash? My speaker grills come up about about an inch on one side but not sure how they come out and didn't want to break them.

_87TA_

Yeah they come out fairly easy might need a ratchet just to break torque then you can finger screw them out. the covers should just pop out. wiggle them a little while pulling. Mine weren't very secure so they came out easy. after that then yeah its really easy just pull the top (pad) off.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

The Firebird dash pad is different that the Camaro ones dash pads....The speaker grills don't come out.

The front screws under the edge of the dash are the same, and there are (2 IIRC) long screws in the defroster vents in the center.

GtoRockz

Thanks for the help guy's.. this doesn't sound too bad at all.

GtoRockz

Just wanted to share. I ordered a set of Pioneer TS-G4643R 4x6 speakers from Crutchfield and they were delivered by Fed ex the very next day, wow that was fast. The total price was $56 and included speaker wire adapters (Plug and play) and a complete guide to install the entire stereo system not just the speakers. What a major sound improvement! Easy as pie. Best $56 I think i have ever spent. Again, thanks for the photos and quick reply IceMan!

my82roc

iTrader: (101)

On a firebird,the speaker grilles are actually suppose to be secured by 4 spin on nuts.One on each corner.

GtoRockz

Yes, that is correct.

Stephen

iTrader: (12)

Sounds like the Camaro dash pad. Maybe yours has been swapped out?

My dash speaker grilles are molded into the dash pad itself & cannot be removed at all. I've had to replace my dash pad & got the same kind, so it isn't any kind of custom thing either.

GtoRockz

That is odd.. my car was an original 49k barn find stored for 12 years. 1 owner. May be there were parts changed mid stream in 87?

bdle

Do share how it went when you get the speakers in. I was thinking of buying the same speakers for my 87 IROCZ.

_87TA_

No problem. Great deal with speakers/fed ex. Good luck with install and all your audio.

GtoRockz

Install was a peace of cake, i had to find two washers per speaker large enough to hold down the two speaker ears to the adapter plate which worked out perfect. 2 screws and a little plastic clip is all these use to hold them down.

I have the stock am/fm cassette four speaker system. These front speakers really add to the sound with actual bass response and a crisp but not harsh tweeter that sounds great. I am impressed.

For a stock system i would buy them again in a heartbeat.

Also took the opertunity to clean the lower glass nooks and crannies that you can see but never get too.. armor-all the dash and rubber, re-installed and it looks fantastic.

There is a review on Crutchfield too you might look at.

bdle

Sounds like it was an easy install. Just dont know what you meant by the two washers on the speaker ears but maybe i wont need that because i have a different car. Who knows. I also wanted to keep the stock Delco radio, so it sounds like i can since it was good on your radio. Thanks for the reply

GtoRockz

Your welcome.

When you set these speakers into position and notice how the screw holes line up, you will know instantly if and what size washers you need to add. Good luck I think you are going to be pleased.

Only now I have the upgrade fever and am pretty sure I will pull the JBL 6x9's I have now and purchase a set of JL Audio C2-690tx 6x9's ($140). These require power to move the voice coils so will purchase a tiny Soundstorm 2F200 Amplifier ($39) just to run the two JL's.
Hoping to hide the little amp in the dash but if not under the seat will work.
From what I understand these JL speakers thump hard with tight deep bass so my completely stock looking stereo will sound like a concert hall.

All for under $250 total in upgrades. If interested i will let you guys know how it turns out. May go ahead and do it in the next week or two.

BoomBoxx

Can't wait to see how it turns out!

GtoRockz

I'm finishing the system up (Hopefully) today, installing the amp right now. I purchased the JL C2-690tx 6x9's but they were $210 for the pair not $140 (Never trust internet prices) and changed amps to a JVC KS-AX3002 on sale for $59.99.

Purchased everything from Crutchfield and really can not say enough about this company. Over the top service and info. Placed three orders in the last week, two were here overnight (Fed-Ex) and one took two days to arrive (UPS).

So here is the complete system:

JVC KD-R610 Receiver $140

JVC KS-AX3002 Amplifier $60

Pioneer TS-G4643R 4x6 Dash speakers $56

JL Audio C2-690tx 6x9 Sail panel speakers $210

GtoRockz

The stereo is in and we went for a long cruise with the t-tops out tonight and the sound is really good, at 60mph you can hear loud and clear with a nice respectable thump from the JL's.

The JL's are probably as good as they get in a 6x9 these days but still nowhere close to the American made JBL's of the 1980's, those things would split your forehead open when the kick drum hit lol, like tight punchy subs in the rear shelf. Those were amazing speakers.

That said, the JL's are fantastic, the JVC amp sounds clean and quiet does its job very nicely. The receiver is the piece that falls short, for all the gizmo's gadgets and light shows it has a very thin sound.. very digital and lacks richness. I had to work pretty hard tweeking the settings to get it to sound decent but don't get me wrong, the car lights right up with sound now.

I ran two days with just the receiver, JL's and dash speakers and the head sounded thin then too so it is def the weak link.

If i had it to do over i would spend more time looking for a simple receiver with a higher quality pre amp, and probably still will but i am very pleased with the sound now especially for using only 3rd gen speaker locations.


At just 2 inches tall i was barley able to squeeze this amp under the passenger seat and it is the smallest one Crutchfield had.

Zepher

iTrader: (1)

I want this head unit,
http://ces.cnet.com/8301-31045_1-10429258-269.html

But I will probably end up getting this one,
http://signature.crutchfield.com/s_1...ssi=0&tp=27783

or this one, (same as the one above but only 1 color for display and no bluetooth)
http://signature.crutchfield.com/s_1...ssi=0&tp=27783

The bottom 2 can be found on Ebay for $220 and $160.

I need to order another 10" sub since the JL 10 I am using had the cone separate from the surround. Siliconed it together but it came apart again.

Also, the Dashpads on my 86 and 88 had the Speaker Grills held on with 4 Speed nuts.

LostNocturne

I'm surprised that you're enjoying the sound from those front speakers so much. Not because of the quality of the speaker, but I had heard that in order to get really good sound in our cars, you shouldn't put a tweeter right against the windshield the way that our cars force us to. I'm considering a front speaker upgrade and buying a four channel amp to run next to my 2 channel 1000W that's running my subwoofers.

GtoRockz

Now with the power in the back the fronts add just the right amount of "Fill" with decent mid's and crisp highs. It really did work out well.

JRobling