Front speakers under the stock grilles (more)

[sailor]

My stock stereo sucked the big one and since I drive the 81 so much I had to do something. I didnt want to have a big ugly aftermarket grille shouting 'Hey come steal me', so I hunted around a bit and came up with a set of 6 1/4 inch Kenwood Excelon XR-S17P separates which fit right in the door behind the stock grille with no mods. Even the screw holes lined up which is good since I am a bit of a butcher with anything cosmetic. Here goes. The door panel came off easy and it looks like she has never been molested. Me likee.

1) The totally screwed up old speaker. Me no likee
2) The old speaker on edge next to the new Mid. Smooooth!

 

[sailor]

1) The new speaker is behind the stock grille- No spacers, prayer or snake oil required! I had to clip off the round loops that stuck out around the mounting holes. Used #8 X 3/4 pan ss screws to mount in the stock nutsert thingies.

2) The Excelon passive crossovers go where the old dash speakers were located. There is a slider switch that controlls how 'bright' the tweets are.

I mounted the tweeters on the dash in the corners by the a pillar, they are hardly noticeable.

I finished her off with a new Kenwood Excelon KDC-X993 head unit with the bluetooth cell phone option. Works awesome! And the sound is pretty fine if I do say so myself! Now for the sub in the stock rear location. Thinkin' I'm a gonna build a box that conforms to the side of the quarter panel and fits behind the stock grille in the cargo area. Stay tuned!

 

[9180ltd]

Wow i think that is the cleanest looking setup i have seen yet for these rigs! Good job. Someone should start a hdj/jdm cruiser monthly meet so we all can swap mod ideas and see each others rigs first hand.

 

[sailor]

Hey-Almost two years later this setup is still awesome and trouble free. I never got around to putting in speakers in the rear or a sub because it sounded so good the way it was and I got lazy.. oh well. I must say this Kenwood Excelon stuff has performed very well. I paid way too much for it, from a local guy (usually my preference rather than online) but no issues so I guess thats a wash...


Fast forward 2 years, I just got a killer deal on one of these - (online)

Kenwood KSC-SW10 150W Compact Powered Subwoofer

My hope is to jam it in behind the right side (drivers side!) rear cargo area panel where the sub is now but it will be tight, I'll report back...

 

[sailor]

And yes the little powered sub box fit perfectly behind the tin bracket for the factory sub, no need to modify the panel or cut the little pocket. Sounds pretty damn smooooth if I do say so myself. Looks totally stock as well, which is my preference. This isn't going to win any ridiculous bass competition or impress the ho's down the block, but teamed with the nice mids and tweets, the sound is totally awesome and very punchy. I can adjust the subwoofer level through the deck to suit various listening styles. This is a 1 banana install as well.

 

[canman]

I recently replaced the speaker in my centre console with the Tang unit. It's great, but now my drivers speaker is blown and so is the tweeter under the steering wheel. I have been looking for something that will fit in the stock door location. Looks like I'll be ordering some.

 

[duggy]

And yes the little powered sub box fit perfectly behind the tin bracket for the factory sub, no need to modify the panel or cut the little pocket. Sounds pretty **** smooooth if I do say so myself. Looks totally stock as well, which is my preference. This isn't going to win any ridiculous bass competition or impress the ho's down the block, but teamed with the nice mids and tweets, the sound is totally awesome and very punchy. I can adjust the subwoofer level through the deck to suit various listening styles. This is a 1 banana install as well.

can you provide pics of your install?

i installed 6.5"s in my rear doors yesterday and my 5.25 fonts should be coming today. There is actually no sound at all coming from my front two door speakers, which is why my system sounds so TERRIBLE.

 

[sailor]

remember, my truck has the old (better) style dash...

 

[sailor]

and here we are all these years later and I finally got around to installing the same Excelon XRS17P speakers in the rear doors. System has not missed a beat. (groan) I struggle with replacing the now ancient head unit with a double din with map etc. but im a lot older and lazier than yesteryear! Also this rig sits in the garage collecting dust 8 months of the year so im adverse to spending too much, again, signs of old age...