Door Speakers

[1969_Mach1 333]

I am installing front speakers in my 1969 Mach 1. I am considering either in the kick panels, or doors panels in close to the factory location. I want to install with the least amount of modifications to the car, meaning cutting of existing sheet metal. I don't want to give up the fresh air vents so that option is out. So far either the kick panels or doors will require sheet metal cutting. And the kick panels may also require tweaking of the E-brake so it is still usable so I don't want to rule out installing in the doors yet.

 

My question is: if I go with door panel speakers, it looks like I need 4x6 speakers because the original flat grills are needed to clear the window cranks, but what depth will fit? If in the doors am I stuck with Retrosound speakers because they are shallow or has anybody been successful fitting other brands?

Edited November 17, 2014 by 1969_Mach1

[Jimjific 23]

I bought a pair of door speakers from Mustangs Unlimited and I am very disappointed with them. I have to run the radio volume at over 80 (0-100) to get sound out of them. After a couple of weeks, the right side has a buzz so bad that I have to have the fader setting set mostly to the back.

 

Jim

[manley 13]

Do you have a manual or auto tranny? If you have an auto, it seems like I have seen custom panels that integrate speaker mounts under the fresh air vents. They take up some leg room, though.

 

http://www.1969stang.com/mustang/forum/showthread.php?t=9474&page=3

 

http://www.mustangdepot.com/OnLineCatalog/Audio/kickpanels_w_speakers.htm

 

http://www.laurelmountainmustang.com/products/1969-1970-mustang-kick-panel-w-slash-speaker-pods-cpe-and-f-slash-b?gclid=CNrVt-ifgsICFaPyMgodSQkAaQ

[1969_Mach1 333]

I wonder what brand those are? The reviews I read for Retrosound range from sounds terribly, crackles all the time, to magnet fell off immediately after installed. The only thing I have read positive about Retrosound is they fit in small spaces. I want to use something else if I can.

[MikeStang 247]

Spend 100 bucks and buy some 4 way Rockfords.

Just go to local stereo shop and tell them you want something to fit the holes and they will hook you up.

Hell I have 2 pioneer 4" in my center dash vent and a pair of Cheap Pioneer 6x9s. in the rear deck on a pioneer radio and it will make your ears bleed lol

[1969_Mach1 333]

Do you have a manual or auto tranny? If you have an auto, it seems like I have seen custom panels that integrate speaker mounts under the fresh air vents. They take up some leg room, though.

 

http://www.1969stang.com/mustang/forum/showthread.php?t=9474&page=3

 

http://www.mustangdepot.com/OnLineCatalog/Audio/kickpanels_w_speakers.htm

 

http://www.laurelmountainmustang.com/products/1969-1970-mustang-kick-panel-w-slash-speaker-pods-cpe-and-f-slash-b?gclid=CNrVt-ifgsICFaPyMgodSQkAaQ

 

I have a manual transmission. So leg room is less. I currently have the kick panels with the smaller pod that fit a 4x6 speaker. They fit the car better and look better than the kick panels with the larger pods for 5.5 inch round speakers. I've tried both. Here are the issues even with the smaller speaker pod kick panels. First, the pod is very shallow, so the only speaker I have found shallow enough to fit without cutting sheet metal on the car body is by Retrosound. If you look closely there are structural steel members in the kick panel area. So selecting where to cut in that area might be critical. Second, even if I install Retrosound speakers, they have to be top mounted and the grill will interfere with emergency brake pedal. I can possibly heat and bend the emergency brake pedal to clear the speaker grill. So, before cutting and bending I wanted to explore door speakers in close to, or in the original location and was hoping others may have had success fitting speakers in that area. These kick panels with speaker pods are almost another case of an aftermarket part that simply doesn't work.

[miketyler 15]

My car had door speakers originally. I bought a set of Polk 4x6 speakers like these pictured and the clearance is VERY close on the window when it travels up and down. Also, not a lot of low end response from these but they serve the purpose and are probably an improvement over OEM

 

Edited November 17, 2014 by miketyler

[1969_Mach1 333]

Thanks miketyler. Based on what you installed, a 4X6 or smaller speaker with a top mount depth of 1.75" or less should clear the window mechanism and fit.