Nuff

Yeah, the opening is too big for 5.25" speakers. The 6.5" Polks dropped right in.

Nice job.

e9stibi

Good job. I just ordered one of the last MB Quart 3 component systems that are "Made in Germany" for less than 200 USD total and will do the install simetimes the next couple of months. I will update you on the results and the postings will help me a lot.

Rennlist is great!

cy7878

Now that I have lived with the new speakers for a few days, one thing is obvious, the stock head unit is way under powered to drive the new components. I did buy a new 4 channel amp and a new head unit, which I will be installing in sequence. I just wanted to give the stock head unit a chance to see how "stock" I can keep things looking before ruining the look.

So far the stuff I got are:

JL Audio XR 525 Csi : from Woofersetc.com
Eclipse 4x6 (euro fit): from Woofersetc.com
Alpine PDX 4.100: local stereo shop
Blaupunkt Memphis MP68: Crutchfields.com

Next step is to get the Alpine fitted in the trunk (any advice on how to secure the amp under the carpet is greatly appreciated!!) and route the wires back to the dash, using a adaptor to fit the original stereo speaker wires so I don't have to cut anything. I will see how, if any, improvements I will hear from having the amp before deciding to go ahead and install the Blaupunkt.

Nuff

Sounds like a plan! For me, an upgraded HU was necessary so I could use my iPhone/iPod.

henrymug

how's the sound improvement after all the works?

cy7878

So far with just the speaker change, the sound improvement is just okay. The old speakers were literally tearing at the rim casuing a cracking noise, which the new speakers eliminated. The new rears actually were dramatic improvements over the old speakers. The stock head unit is probably too weak to drive the new component sets. So now I have the top dash out and planning to route the wires for an amp to be installed in the trunk.

I think I figured out how to fabricate a bracket out of fiberglass, which as soon as I have enough time off from work I will install. I also need to find a big enough grommet to plug the hole that the wires will run thru in the firewall. The stock headunit uses almost the same connector sets as the new Blaupunkt unit I got, so if I didn't like the sound it will be easily changed over.


As you can see, there is a hidden bolt in the dash that I wasn't aware of and was ripping the foam trying to force the dash out. In retrospect, it may not be necessary to get the top dash out, but I think I have a clearer view (I can see the trunk light now from the dash) which probably justifies the expense of replacing the parts I'm breaking.

I hope to have new pics uploaded in the next week to share my progress.

Coleman

Now just put a mellow black speaker grill on it, and yer set!

C.

CaptainGSR

Here is an easy alternate mounting option for most Polk Audio Tweeters (DB and MM).

It should really please the many purists out there!

WARNING: Please do not attempt unless you can really use a Dremel!!! You could mess things up if you do not have a steady hand.

If you get it right, the Polk tweeters will snap right into the stock mounts with no epoxy required.

NOTE: the stock mounts do not need to be modified at all, just "pop out" the nokia tweeters.

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Here is a link where you'll find the remaining photos of the installation of smaller Polk Audios 5.25 components.

CaptainGSR

And the last one:

e9stibi

That's it! Good job.

M. Schneider

subscribe.....

Elegant LF driver enclosure pictures...
Located on #21,,,, Luv the rear seat low frequency enclosure install. A nice, understated enclosure solution. Elegantly simple.
I'll copy this design and post the build detail.

jberilla

Great post and great pics too. Well done.

coreseller

An FYI for those who have the Polk Component set Nuff installed,; you can pull off a near stock grill look buy buying a decent quality grill (especially for the price) from Parts Express:

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/show...number=260-418

It fits snugly over the existing Polk 6 1/2" component driver, you don't even need the backing plate. I had bought the Polk units and nearly sold them when I found out reusing the stock grill wasn't an option, for $10 I got the look pretty close.

Axl911 actually was the one who pointed this out in another post, figured I ad it to this one.

JPS

Correct me if I'm wrong, but on the tweeter install pic here, the tweeter would actually be mounted essentially on the same plane as the door, instead of angled slightly as per the housing?
Edit: Well, that quote didn't work. Post #38 is what I'm asking about.

H.H.Chinn

The second picture of post #38 shows the portion of the two sides of the new tweeter bezel that needs to be dremeled (removed) so that the new tweeter can slide into the factory angled tweeter enclosure. Once slid in and the tweeter bezel snapped back into place, it will have the same angle back toward the driver/passenger as factory.