Replace Dash speaker drivers

[Beatman]

Note: The way I have set this up is for the tweeters in each pod to be part of and wired to the component speakers fitted in the doors. The 2 full range drivers left in each pod are the only ones now being driven off the front channels.


Now, old vs new.

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/1339/dashspeakers002.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/171/dashspeakers002.jpg/)

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http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/2600/dashspeakers003.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/718/dashspeakers003.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

Note the difference in depth, means we are going to need to do a touch of dash cutting but we can still use the original mounting bracket.

Take your four drivers and a craft knife and cut the foam on the front like so. This will now allow each driver to sit snugly into each recess and basically looks factory fitted from the front. It also gives us as much space as possible plus helps seal any gaps between the front and rear of the speaker.

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/8124/dashspeakers004.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/198/dashspeakers004.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

[Beatman]

Alright, now the middle driver on each pod now needs to be snipped with a pair of side cutters to fit, like so...

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/2131/dashspeakers007.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/337/dashspeakers007.jpg/)

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You should now have something like this.

http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/8416/dashspeakers009.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/854/dashspeakers009.jpg/)

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Now refit the orininal mounting bracket but with oversize 25mm screws, ( 30mm will go through to the other side).

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/8581/dashspeakers017.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/685/dashspeakers017.jpg/)

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[Beatman]

The separate component tweeters need a spacer to bring them back in contact with the front baffle.
I was fortunate enough to have some old Tamiya mini 4WD parts in my posession which worked out perfectly!
You know your cars small when you can use model car parts on it!

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/8097/dashspeakers015.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/440/dashspeakers015.jpg/)

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A thin strip of foam between the tweeter and the front ( not yet fitted when picture taken) finishes the tweeter installation.

The drivers side of the dash needs to be cut something like this.

http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/2549/dashspeakers016.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/16/dashspeakers016.jpg/)

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Near finished should look like this.

http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/9822/dashspeakers013.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/710/dashspeakers013.jpg/)

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Now you may or may not know that each pod is supposed to have a rubber seal that runs around the edge so that when its screwed down to the dash there is a nice air tight seal. Any sound that is allowed to leak out will destroy the sound quality. Fortunately you can buy this generic rubber seal by the metre down at your local rubber/plastics shop.
Those holes cut in the dash will be covered from underneath with a sheet of self adhesive noise deadening bitumen.

So thats the most of it, I may post another pic or two of the passenger side dash cut, etc. Otherwise enjoy!

[Beatman]

My bad, the dash needs a bit more cutting for correct mounting.

Drivers side.

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/485/001ang.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/195/001ang.jpg/)

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and passenger.

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/9725/002vw.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/23/002vw.jpg/)

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[Beatman]

Passenger side...


http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/5774/003ghlc.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/692/003ghlc.jpg/)

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and covered....

http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/6985/006vmw.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/690/006vmw.jpg/)

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[Obsessive]

Good work :D

[Beatman]

Thanks, I'm glad it all worked out.
I basically have the mid and upper range on tap via the fader.
I have them faded out a fair bit to maintain a balanced frequency overall, plus it keeps them in a safe power range even when the volumes cranked.

[bigB]

Nice! .