Dash speakers on 2006+

[lakersfan1]

Just bought a brand spanking new 07 Base Vanilla 5spd with the intent of adding a nice stereo. Already have pretty much all the gear ordered except one thing: The dash speakers.

Two questions I have are:

1) How do I remove the dash on the 06+ models? Is it the same as the procedure for the 00-05 I found in the archives?

2) Can I only put 3.5" in the dash? Or with a little Dremel work or a spacer, can I get a 4" in there? If so, do I have limitless depth or is there a limit? If not, how much do I have? There are a couple high-speed 4" speaker sets worth buying, but if I can only get 3.5" speakers in there I might as well just put a nice tweeter in there and cross it over all the way to the door speaker frequencies.

Thanks,

Jason

[Cartman]

You could do some cutting to fit 4s, but why ruin an 07? there are several nice 3.5s that fit int he hole provided. I recently changed mine out for Infinity reference series, and it sounds great. Polk, JL, Boston Accustics also make good 2 or 3 way speakers that will fit too. no need to go to a 4. as for the dash, remove the pillar trims, then I used a nylon trim tool (windshield bone works too) to gently pop the clips that hold the edge of the dash cap on, then pull towards you to release the cover. easier than previous models.

[lakersfan1]

While I've no problem with BA, Polk, or JL .......(I've had BA in my last two installs, and have always loved the sound of Polk speakers) ...... the ones they offer are of thier lower-mid lines of speakers. I want something closer to high end. If I couldn't enlarge them I was going to look at a Dynaudio or Morel tweeter for there.

However, if I can enlarge those openings a tad, I think I'm going to order some A/D/S/ 334IS I see on eBay. I've loved A/D/S/ for 15 years and the 334IS come with an outboard crossover. That should fit the bill.

The rest of the system that I've already ordered is

-an Audiocontrol DQL8 with speaker inputs/30 band digital EQ/2-way digital crossover
- Image Dynamics 6" midbass for the doors
- an Eclipse subwoofer amp and an Eclipse 4 channel amp (plan to put them under one of the front seats)
- an MB Quart Reference 12" subwoofer

But the mids and highs are the most important part of a car install IMO, so I couldn't go with any of the Polk/JL/BA options at 3.5" without second guessing myself every second of every day.

[Cartman]

well i wouldnt enlarge the holes. seeing as your going with midbass in the front doors, just place a component tweeter in the hole. you might have to make a small bracket to locate the tweeter where you want it.

[lakersfan1]

I already bought new speakers. ADS 334IM 4" coax/component. It's a 4" coax, but it has a full sized externally mounted crossover. Probably the baddest ass 4" coax ever made. I was lucky to find some new-old stock online. I don't think they've made the 4" version in several years.

Here's a pic of one of the new speakers side-by-side with the old 3" tweeter thingy that was already in there.


To get them to fit, I of course had to enlarge the hole with a razor knife. But to get the depth, I had to take a small torch to the blower vent ducting below it, gently melt it (without it catching fire), and press it down a flat spot into it about 3" in diameter and an inch or so deep.

[Cartman]

beefy lookin speakers there.

[lakersfan1]

OK. Got the speakers in a couple weeks ago.



Problem after that was that the tweeters were so high that they were smushed under the dash cover. No good. I tried melting the grilles and bowing it out a little, but that looked horrible. So I decided to rip a hole on each side of the dash for clearance and create my own grilles with some ABS plastic and grille cloth.



Not bad IMO. The grille cloth I picked was a damned good match. Looks like something the factory would do. If anyone's interested in the future, it's 'Charcoal' color from Stinger / AAMP. Available on eBay or many local Stinger car stereo shops.

[Cartman]

looks good!

[outfit]

Not bad at all... Charcoal is nice ,, have some coming in for my rear speaker holes that i am going to make for my 6x8's.. My PT did not have the upgraded sound system.. Dash is next... Hellva Job..