I have a '77 Maverick with what I awesome is the original AM/FM 8-Track in dash. The rear deck has an opening for two 6x9 speakers, and there's also a center speaker in the dash...problem is a couple of days ago the speaker blew out. I was wondering how difficult it would be to install a new head unit, a pair of 6x9 speakers on the rear deck, and replacing the center speaker. I'm not aiming for thousands of watts of musical bliss, just a decent system to keep me company on my daily drives. I mean, I had nothing but crappy FM reception and one lousy 10 watt speaker for a year so at this point anything will do. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.
These cars are simple to do on this kind of install. I would not mess with replacing the dash speaker. If you have done installs before then you will get this one done easily. If not,, maybe best to find someone to coach you along. Dan
Cool thanks for the help...I'm a complete newbie when it comes to car installs, so I'll get someone to help me along...thanks!
The hardest part is modding the dash for the new head unit. Requires a dremel tool. I set the back of my head unit against the metal plate and traced around it. Then I started out by cutting the hole slightly smaller then my trace marks, that way I could slowly inlarge the hole here and there as needed until I got the perfect fit. And I agree, just leave the dash speaker out. 6x6 speakers fit pretty good in the kick panels and sound great. Remember, measure about 5 times and then measure again before you cut anything. And take your time. The wireing should be pretty straight forward, just read the instructions that come with your head unit carefully. If you need to find a constant power source, I'm pulling power from the dome light circuit down at the fuse panel. My head unit is a 250 watt Pioneer and I haven't had a problem pulling power from there yet. The factory wire going to the radio should go to the switched power wire on the radio.
it will be a total redo all the speakers all the wires and the radio. the only wires that will stay are some of the ones behind the radio.
They make flexable foam enclosures to seal the back side of the speaker when it's put into a door. It's flexs so that the speaker cone moves it doesn't have to fight "dead air" that a small unported solid enclosure would provide. Think I paid around $5 apiece for mine from MCM Electronics.
this cars radio should have a central ground on it most did. the new radios dont thay only ground through the radio. you can try.
Custom Autosound specializes in modern stereo equipment for old cars, www.custom-autosound.com. They have replacement dash speakers, and conversions for mono to stereo, kick panel speakers, and even underseat speakers. I just ordered their Secret Audio system with CD Changer from The Direct Source, www.the-direct-source.com, but it hasn't been delivered yet. Roz
Maybe worth mentioning (if not for you, maybe someone else): "Phasing" the Speakers To get the optimum sound from your 'system', the speakers must all be phased - or made sure that all are wired properly (Positive OUT connected to Positive IN and not mixed). Most speakers come with their connector tabs clearly marked "+" or "-", some do not. For those that are not clearly marked, or are inside a box (where you can't see the terminals) and you want to test the speakers to make sure the Terminals are properly marked (red/postive, black/ground), you can do the following: To find out which speaker terminal is Positive (or Negative), use a small 9V battery and two alligator clip test leads. Connect, say, the Negative post of the battery to one tab (terminal) on the speaker. Connect the other test lead to the other post on the speaker. Quickly touch and release the end of the Positive test lead to the battery. If the speaker flexes outward, you now know that the Positive test lead is hooked to the positive side. If it flexes inward, swap the wires and test again to make sure which terminal on the speaker is Positive and which is Negative. You now know, for sure, which speaker terminal the "+" wire goes to. It really does help optimize your system's sound quality if it wasn't correct before (stereo separation appears much cleaner and there is less distorion at higher volumes). I have my own way of ensuring which speaker wire coming OUT of the Stereo unit itself is hot, but I'm not sure it's the best way so I'll shut up now. edited: 9V was 12V
I wouldn't use 12 volts, might blow the speaker. A single d cell usually will do it without a chance of ruining the speaker, a 9 volt at the most if the d cell doesn't work.....just my .
It's also possible to check if the speakers are phased correctly by listening. Simply put on a song with a good bass line, turn the bass up and adjust the balance control so that you only hear one speker, then turn the balance control to the center position. If the bass increases the speakers are correctly phased. Never connect a speaker directly to a car battery, you will damage the speakers , a small 9V battery may be used to check polarity.
I didn't mean a car battery! And I have to come right out and say I made a mistake. YES, USE A 9V BATTERY TO TEST THE POLARITY. I think I posted the above late at night after a hard day's work (riiiiight...). Sorry for the confusion, guys. I'll go edit the post to head off any major malfunctions.
