Crumpler

Looking to replace the 4 inch speakers in the rear interior quarter panels.
Originals are pretty sad now, with cones that are crumbling.
I have looked on Crutchfield and other sites and there seem to be a lot of options, but most of them look to have too high of a profile to fit under the original speaker grills/covers.
Has anyone done this recently that can give me ideas on a plug and play option.
Thanks ahead of time.

joejoe

I hate to admit it but I use replacement speakers from autozone/oriellys' . My stereo is not very powerful so they work o.k..

Kevin in Atlanta

The paper cones can be replaced - did this years ago on my 86.5.

Jetdriver69

Here is my solution, but far from stock. Kenwood Excelon speakers.

Yes I had to cut the sheet metal in the door to get the speakers to fit and yes there is no backseat.

But it sounds like a concert hall inside and my 17 year old son can't carry 3 passengers anymore.

dr bob

The original speakers can be re-coned, and if it's just the suspension that's damaged there ar places where you can buy just that part. I've re-suspended some vintage speaker elements before and it's not that tough.

Otherwise, find speakers that fit in the holes without needing extra sheetmetal clearance, and that don't stick out too far. Then do a little creative work to graft the outer rings onto your new speaker frames so you can keep the original covers. I like the original unmolested look, and to me it's worth the time and effort to maintain that.

bureau13

Do you find that those little hatch speakers (I assume those are the 4-inchers to which you're referring) actually help the sound? I would expect the higher freqs coming from way back there would wreak havoc on your imaging...I kept the stock look and left the speakers there, but they're not hooked to anything.

MjRocket

I suggest you contact are resident audio guru Han's He has everything you need.

Tom in Austin

Yes, Hans has custom-made speakers that fit perfectly and sound fantastic

prescott

+1 on Hans!

TheoJ

repairing the speakers is pretty easy, just takes patience. Same goes for the 2-ohms bass speakers at the rear seats. They have a rubber surround that completely crumbles after 20 years of service.
The cones are mostly ok, but even those can be replaced. Just make sure you align properly Repairing is just a few dollars (or euros) Some info on my website about the bass speaker repair:
http://jenniskens.livedsl.nl/Technical/Tips/B/MyTip1124.htm
regards
Theo

danglerb

Don't toss the crumbled surround speakers, somebody can fix them and they will last for decades more.

Imaging is one of those "audiophile" things I don't let bother me in the car where loud seems to work fine for enjoyment.

dabiz7

I am in the middle of a complete system over haul myself in my '86 US
I went with Infinity REF-4002CFX 4" 2-way in the way back...there is enough clearance behind the speakerin the hole, the screw holes line up perfect, but the grill won't fit over the tweeter cone. I am fabricating some 3/8' thick black ABS spacers to set on top of the mounting flange and then re-use the stock grills

Crumpler

You guys thanks for the replies.

JoeJoe: You are right, I believe there is no shame dropping in a set of speakers from a retail store, I used to be an acoustic snob, but now I just don't need high end sound.

I think repairing them would will a cool project, but I just don't have it in me right now, and I'm guessing Hans would want to be paid for his craftsmanship, so that's off the board right now. LOl.

Bureau, that's a good point.

JetDriver, most awesome fabrication.

Dabiz, very good idea, I had looked at those as well, I didn't think to fabricate a spacer.

Bmw635

I just installed a pair of 4" Pioneer TS-434M with 20w rms from Walmart for $30. Definitely helps the back sound and perfect fits with grill.

bureau13

Well hell then, just go mono, and loud!