Another '97 Front Speaker Install (Pioneer TS-G1644R) (1 Viewer)

[dranven]

I wanted to enjoy my stereo. Unfortunately, the speakers were defective or at the end of their lifespan such that turning the volume to any enjoyable level resulted in some strange pulsating high pitched sound as the sound cut in and out. For a long time, I figured they were the factory speakers, but nope - the previous owner had replaced them with 4" pioneers in the front.

Like many others, I searched and searched on Mud and found some solutions that worked for some, so I purchased the Pioneer TS-G1644R on Amazon for ~$30 for the pair.

These are listed as 6.5", but as someone in another thread pointed out, they are actually 5.25" with extra mounting tabs that will fit a 6.5" speaker hole.
Here's what I did for the installation. This took me about an hour and was a 0.25 job.

View of the driver door panel:

Begin by removing the armrest by lifting it up to reveal two screws that need to be removed with a large phillips head screwdriver:

Remove the window master switch and door lock panel by lifting it up:

Disconnect it here:

There's another large screw (same size as the two under the armrest here:

Remove the interior door handle bezel with a medium phillips screwdriver:

Pry it off from the side closest to the handle:

Next, use a door panel pry tool (or a flat head screwdriver if you don't have one) and gently pry around various points of the door panel to free it up:

Once free, disconnect the light near the bottom edge:

Once disconnected, you can lift the door panel up and off the door.

Here's what I was dealing with. Aftermarket Pioneer 4" speakers from the previous owner with some Dynamat behind them.

I removed the speaker using a medium phillips screwdriver and wanted to also remove the Dynamat because I could tell the speaker holes were drilled and not in the stock location. I just wanted to return it to factory state and see what was going on there.

Using a heat gun, plastic scraper and Goo Gone, I removed the Dynamat. Apparently I forgot to take a picture of it all clean prior to the new speaker installation.

Here are the speakers (old and new) for comparison:

 

[dranven]

Now I needed to figure how to fit these in. The speakers clearly would NOT fit without modification. They were a bit too deep and would hit the window rail behind the speaker opening.

I purchased these spacers from Amazon, but unfortunately, they did not fit. The diameter was too big to fit in the recess in the door panel.

I had some of these Boom Mat Speaker Baffles lying around, so I cut out the backs to form a ring around the speaker to serve as a spacer. I would have preferred some true spacers that fit, but again, I had these on hand just sitting around, so I used them. I've read comments from others who have used weatherstripping, etc.

Even with the baffles, the speaker tabs were too wide for the speaker opening, so I simply bent the tabs using a pair of pliers.

The old speakers had some questionable wiring, so I wanted to use new connectors.

I purchased THESE connectors from Crutchfield.

Here's the speaker installed with the baffle ring behind it. I only used two of the speaker screw holes rather than four. You may be able to rotate the speaker to get all four holes aligned. I didn't bother to attempt this as the two screws hold it fine and I'll be revisiting the speaker setup in the next year. I just wanted to be able to enjoy some music for the time being so I can move on to other mods.

Installation of the door panel is the reverse of removal. Here it is all buttoned up.

Overall review: Pretty good for the price! I'm not winning any car audio competitions, but I can turn these as loud as they'll possibly go and they don't cut out. Sound quality is pretty decent if you're not too picky and just trying to jam with some loud music. I do want to upgrade the system further in the next year or two, but these are a great simple cost effective solution for those looking to replace some old crappy speakers.

Immediately on my list is a headunit with bluetooth so I can connect my phone (Pixel 2 doesn't have an aux port) and I may try one of those Pioneer open air subs in the stock location just to get some low end.

Hope this helps anyone else on the cheap and easy speaker hunt.

 

[Will Van]

Nice work! That cloth interior is amazing.

 

[Cruzerman]

I've had bad luck removing the panels using a screw driver, especially the "cardboard" type. I got a cheap pair of panel pliers from Harbor Freight. Much better IMHO.

Panel Clip Pliers

 

[dranven]

Nice work! That cloth interior is amazing.

Thanks!

I've had bad luck removing the panels using a screw driver, especially the "cardboard" type. I got a cheap pair of panel pliers from Harbor Freight. Much better IMHO.

Panel Clip Pliers

Those look good. Haven't seen them before. HERE is the tool I have. Currently on Amazon for $5. I believe I bought mine at the local auto store for around $9. Sure comes in handy to remove the door panels, which I've had to do many times to replace the rear window motors and set one of the windows back on its track.