I did quite a bit of searching before posting this question. (Hey, maybe we need an "Audio" forum?)

Anyways, I'm planning on replacing my stock monoral AM radio. Nothing fancy, I just want to bump it up a notch to FM (I eBayed an old AM/FM 8-Track).

Since my 77 only has a single speaker in the center of the dash, I've got to do a little work. I read several posts about adding rear speakers to the upper B-pillars, but front speakers seems to be a little more complicated.

I'm not going to modify my dash pad to accept two speakers, so I was looking at maybe the kick panels? Several posts stated that speakers this low sound like crap, so then I was thinking maybe the doors. I didn't really want to cut my door panels, so I started looking for replacement panels that I could cut and paint to match. That's when I had the following brain fart.....

:idea: How about mounting both front and rear speakers in the door?

http://elcaminocentral.com/users/77ss/forumpics/speaker_layout.jpg

When the door is closed, the rear speaker would be behind the seat. The advantage to this set up is that I could run the rear speaker wires the same time I ran the fronts. Since I would be cutting into a replacement panel anyways, I wouldn't worry about damaging my stock panels.

What do you guys think?

How about 2 6x9 speakers in boxes behind the seat. You wouldn't have to cut anything then. It'd probably sound better too.

How about 2 6x9 speakers in boxes behind the seat. You wouldn't have to cut anything then. It'd probably sound better too.

Nice idea, but as you can see, I don't have the real estate available on the passenger side...

http://elcaminocentral.com/users/77ss/forumpics/passenger_side.jpg

:lol: I forgot all about the spare tire going there! :lol: It's been 12 years since my '77 elky went bye-bye, the memory isn't what it used to be :? I put the spare in the bedof my '77, and put two boxes with 8" speakers back there.

Hey Steve (77SS). That is a very fine 4th gen you have. I've been trying to figure out the same exact problem as far as the radio/speaker upgrade goes.

What I've found is that the 4th gen's never had a specific "stereo" dash with two separate dash mounts for the speakers. Shame on GM. I've found a factory stereo bracket that holds two small speakers in the center dash mount. Big deal, you still can't mount anything that will pump the sound.

Anyway, I looked at your diagram. I also had the idea about finding some replacement lower door panels to "cut". And putting speakers in close to the same location as you specified. On my '73, the manual window crank gets in the way, and I'm not to sure, but won't the window hit the speaker magnet when the window is down??

Just curious.

The most I've figured out is to relocate the spare to the bed. And then build a speaker / amp wall in back of the seats.

By the way, I really like the '77 seat belt set up compared to the lame '73 set up. If you ever get a chance and can take some pictures of your lap / shoulder belt set up, especially the parts in back of the seat, I'd really appreciate seeing it. My email jlevitan@holycross.edu

Thanks.

OK, heres a thought. How about getting some component speakers (Mid's, tweeters, and cross-over) for the location in the front of the door. Then, put one of those bass tubes behind the drivers seat or on the drive shaft hump behind the seat. That way your only cutting one hole in each panel (component tweeters usually surface mount), and you'll have a full sound range.

Hey Steve (77SS). That is a very fine 4th gen you have.

Thanks. I've only had it a couple weeks, and haven't done anything to it yet!

On my '73, the manual window crank gets in the way, and I'm not to sure, but won't the window hit the speaker magnet when the window is down??

I haven't taken the panel off yet to see. A friend of mine has a Chevelle, and he seemed to think I would have room.

If you ever get a chance and can take some pictures of your lap / shoulder belt set up, especially the parts in back of the seat, I'd really appreciate seeing it.

No problem. I'm going to have it painted this week, so I am in the process of removing trim, and painting the door jams, inside hood edges, etc. (I'm going from brown :x to black :D ) , so I'll take some pics before it goes to the shop.

OK, heres a thought. How about getting some component speakers (Mid's, tweeters, and cross-over) for the location in the front of the door. Then, put one of those bass tubes behind the drivers seat or on the drive shaft hump behind the seat. That way your only cutting one hole in each panel (component tweeters usually surface mount), and you'll have a full sound range.

You know, I think I like the idea of mounting something on the hump. I could design (I design stuff for a living) an enclosure to perfectly fit the hump. This would still give me storage room behind the seat, and also not block the smuggler's box.

Another idea would be to use something like this:

http://www.jcwhitney.com/wcsstore/jcwhitney/images/imagecache/I3504.gif;pv7477b005db741d76

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/CatalogOrderSearch?sku=sj380018y&storeId=10101&catalogId=10101&searchbtn.x=18&searchbtn.y=10

I could even paint it to match the interior. The only thing is, I don't know what it sounds like. The advantage is that this could be installed, without altering anything stock!

Now this may be extreme, but we have an ECC member named rwg42985 and his name is Russ.
Check out this post regarding his stereo set up (http://www.elcaminocentral.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=4033&highlight=)

I'd love to do something like that in the future.

So, going to paint the Elky black? Cool. As you can probally tell, I'm a big 4th gen fan and black 4th gen's just look plain fast even when they are standing still. 8) Best of luck.

what i would do if i was you, is go to your local car audio shop and talk to them and see what they can come up with. just a thought

peace
paul

What I've found is that the 4th gen's never had a specific "stereo" dash with two separate dash mounts for the speakers. Shame on GM. I've found a factory stereo bracket that holds two small speakers in the center dash mount. Big deal, you still can't mount anything that will pump the sound.

Okay, then how about this?....

Even if I had "stock" front left and right speakers, they would both be mounted in the center position in the dash, right? So, if I splice the front left and right leads together, I can send both channels to the same stock center speaker.

I could then mount a 4"x6" speaker in each B-pillar where there are already sound holes (perforations). I am assuming this is where they would have been, if mine came with the factory stereo.

This would get me pretty close to "stock" stereo set up (even though the front is mono.) At least I could switch over to FM, and not have visible signs of "pimping my ride".

Now this may be extreme, but we have an ECC member named rwg42985 and his name is Russ.
Check out this post regarding his stereo set up (http://www.elcaminocentral.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=4033&highlight=)


You're right, it's extreme. I'm not a big fan of customization, when you can see that it has obviously been customized. I would rather go with whatever premium factory or dealer option was available for a particular model or year. That's why I am going with AM/FM 8-track, rather than CD/DVD.

The more I think about it, the more I am leaning toward the 3-speaker, mono/stereo set up in my previous post. This way there won't be any visible signs of modifications.

O.K. Steve. I'm understand where your coming from. How about this bracket from a 77 Monte (http://www.elcaminocentral.com/modules.php?set_albumName=album57&id=speakerbrkt&op=modload&name=Gallery&file=index&include=view_photo.php)? I got this off eBay, but you could make one to hold a couple of small speakers. Then at least you will have stereo up front.

Opinion?

Steve, if you like that bracket, I can trace it out on paper and snail mail it to you. It holds two 4 1/2 X 4 1/2 speakers and is made out of metal. But you could probally make it out of wood. It goes under the dash, so you would never see it.

Steve, if you like that bracket, I can trace it out on paper and snail mail it to you. It holds two 4 1/2 X 4 1/2 speakers and is made out of metal. But you could probally make it out of wood. It goes under the dash, so you would never see it.

YES! I'll PM you with my address.

How hard is it to pull off the dash? So far, all I've done was remove the trim piece to replace a burnt out bulb.

By the way, I really like the '77 seat belt set up compared to the lame '73 set up. If you ever get a chance and can take some pictures of your lap / shoulder belt set up, especially the parts in back of the seat, I'd really appreciate seeing it.

I created an album for just seats:

Seats and "Behind" (http://elcaminocentral.com/modules.php?set_albumName=Seats&op=modload&name=Gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php)

Evening Steve. I posted some more pic's of the bracket (http://www.elcaminocentral.com/modules.php?set_albumName=album57&op=modload&name=Gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php&page=2). It does show it a little bit better.

I can't advise on taking apart the dash as I haven't done it yet. The elky barely fits in my garage. When I have to do work on it, I pull it out and work in the driveway. It is on my "2do" list to take apart the dash, as I have the speakers ready to mount on the bracket, plus I want to install the tach. So, that might have to wait a bit. The weather kinda determines how much and when I can work on the Elky.

I saw the pic's of the seatbelts. They are great and exactly what I needed to see. The '77 were much better designed than my '73. I'm pretty sure if I find a black set of seatbelts off a '77, that I can make it work and look factory. Thank you.

I never received your snail mail address. You can email me at jlevitan@holycross.edu or send it via ECC PM.

Thanks again.