Gundo

With much caution, I entered the no mans land of changing out the rear speakers in my 951. Perhaps I had read too much about the topic here on Rennlist. The biggest question was, would I need to pull the rear windows or not...and should I do so, how on earth were they going to get back in? I had read posts from people you just slid the rear panel out, without touching the window...I had also read post from people that ripped up the vinyl trying not to remove the window but at the same time prying the heck out of the panel.

Two Important Points:

1) I can say now, without a doubt, the windows should be removed.
2) There is no way to swap a rear speaker while prying the rear panel, it will rip, tear or crack the vinyl.

On with my saga...


Here are the speakers - Blaupunkt PCXi462..direct fit...got them on eBay for $42


This first pic shows the rear window already out. To the trained eye, you can see where the vinvyl from the rear panel covering the speaker comes over the window "ledge". There would be no way for me to remove the panel without tearing the vinyl if the window was still in...


The above pic is more of the same - lots of trim extending over the window "ledge"


Window out with rope wrapped around, ready for reinstall...


The above pic shows the rope I used to wrap all the way around the window before re-installing. There is no other way to do this...unless you have hours to pry and push...IMPORTANT - push the rear end of the window in first, you won't need the rope trick start this section of the window.


The one shows the window in place, with the rope ready to be pulled. As you pull the rope, push on the outside of the window, and the rubber trim just pops right into place - it is awesome!


This one shows completed job...from start to finish in 45 minutes...not bad for the first window. The second one took just 20 minutes...including the speaker swap.


This one shows the tools you need, pretty darn straightforward if you ask me.

And the new Blau's sound much better than my crapped out OEM speakers.

Good luck!
Brendan

Thaddeus

Awesome! Very confidence-building.

Time to search the archives for compatible rear speakers...

Operator

im gonna do this soon too
with the same speakers
i just bought a set, gonna try to squish em up front and if they fit im gonna but another set for the rear
but i REALLY dont want to remove my windows.. good luck to me

Casper

Excellent post. Wished I saw this before I did mine.

Casper

'87 944S

mideastmafia

[quote]Originally posted by Gundo:
<strong>
2) There is no way to swap a rear speaker while prying the rear panel, it will rip, tear or crack the vinyl.
</strong><hr></blockquote>


Acutally, i have changed speakers on many 944's without taking the panel off and it worked fine. all you need to do is put some glue on the lining that goes along the window edge so it stays down.


SHAUN

Tabor

this should go on <a href="http://www.tech-session.com" target="_blank">tech-session.com</a>

Mark Hubley

I replaced my rear speakers without removing the windows, and I did it without tearing any vinyl or otherwise damaging the panels. Other than hearing the improved sound, you can't tell that any changes were made. I posted the details previously, and they should be in the archives. It took patience and determination, but it wasn't particularly difficult.

I installed the same speakers that Gundo installed, and I'm very happy with them.

Mark

Type_LT

Nice idea with the rope! I didn't remove my window and it turned out ok, however if this procedure had been available I would have used it.

dave120

Great post! I need to do some speaker swapping myself in my S2..Actually I think I need to replace every speaker in the car..All of the ones in the doors are history too

mideastmafia

you can fit 6.5" speakers in the back of the 944 as well.

it will only be able to be secured with one bolt, but the panel will push it down hard enough for it not to move at all.

also, if the speaker has a tweeter on it, then the panel might portrude a little bit, but it isnt anything that unsightly.


SHAUN

Tremelune

More great info to <a href="http://www2.bc.edu/~benedicw/944stereo/home.htm" target="_blank">add to the page</a>...This is becoming less like voodoo every day.

Dave

[quote]Originally posted by Tabor Kelly:
<strong>this should go on <a href="http://www.tech-session.com" target="_blank">tech-session.com</a></strong><hr></blockquote>

I'll second that
<img src="graemlins/bigok.gif" border="0" alt="[thumbsup]" />

Gundo

Done, Skip is gonna post my speaker install to the Paragon Tech Session.

Thanks Skip!!!