High praise for the Pioneer speaker replacement behind stock grille!

[PDoyle]

I did this install (both ft @ rr) about 1 1/2 years ago. Also, I disconnected the 2 lower dash spks.
I found the wires came off the pass. side
ft speaker. I think the window frame caught it one time while it was moving up or down. Just FYI.
I am looking at EBAY now you can get the rears now for around $15. or so shipped...

The sound is good, but what would you guys do next to make it even better ?
A new Bass? New rear speakers?

 

[galandcruiser97]

I got pioneers installed like 2 weeks ago. they fit perfect behind the factory grill. Of course the rear door mounts were modded but i didnt care. Im satisfied with the sound.

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

Sorry to bring up such and old thread, but I had a couple of questions


1) For those with 97's using the Pioneer supplied grilles, are you having any clearance issues between the grille and the dash?

On my 97 TLC, there's barely gap between the factory grilles and the dash pad

I can only assume the Pioneer grilles rub?



2) Would it be possible to mount matching 6.5's in the rear doors (again, using the Pioneer grilles)?

 

[Garth66]

For those with 97's using the Pioneer supplied grilles, are you having any clearance issues between the grille and the dash?

The grill in the door and the edge of the dash? Can't comment as I'm not using the Pioneer grills. I used the stock grills in the door pads, which seem to sit off the speakers a bit.

On my 97 TLC, there's barely gap between the factory grilles and the dash pad

The factory speaker grills in the front doors are set off from the door frame due to some foam padding and the speakers behind the door panels. I think the grills do come pretty close to the sides of the dash.

I can only assume the Pioneer grilles rub?

Given the 1/2" - 3/4" the door panel sits off the door frame, I would expect the Pioneer grills to rub.

Would it be possible to mount matching 6.5's in the rear doors (again, using the Pioneer grilles)?

I expect it's possible, just takes some more fabrication. I don't know if the existing hole in the door frame is sufficient to accomodate the 6.5" speaker. Remover your door panel and investigate. Also, make sure there's no interference with the window mechanism.

 

[Devil's Slide Doug]

I installed pioneer 6.5" speakers in front and rear doors and used the pioneer grills. They dont hit/rub the dash or interfere with windows. I did need to trim the rear door panel's opening a tad bit to fit the speakers. To say it sounds better would be an understatement. There is no comparison to the old rotten torn worn out oem speakers.

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

I installed pioneer 6.5" speakers in front and rear doors and used the pioneer grills. They dont hit/rub the dash or interfere with windows. I did need to trim the rear door panel's opening a tad bit to fit the speakers. To say it sounds better would be an understatement. There is no comparison to the old rotten torn worn out oem speakers.

Have any photos?


From what I've gathered in this thread, the 97's have fitment issues with the stock grilles, but I'm willing to use the Pioneer grilles since they don't look giant tarantulas (sumthin I just can't stand about other speaker brands)

However, if I'm gunna use the Pioneer grilles on the front, I want the rears to match as well (yeah, I'm OCD like that)

The 4" speakers don't come with matching grilles, so I'll probably get th 6.5's all around

I don't mind cutting a larger mounting hole as long as there's proper clearance inside

 

[Devil's Slide Doug]

No pictures. I have a 93, the clearance of the grill to the dash is tight. The grills stick out not much more than the stock grills (if I had mounted the speaker behind the stock grill with the required spacer that would have pushed out the grill a bit more).

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

Did you mount them (speakers) directly on the door frame or on the outside of the door panel?

There's an audio shop around the block from my shop and they let me try a few different speakers they had in stock as I had already removed the front door panel

None of them were shallow mount, but one of the guys suggested mounting on the outside of the door panel to clear the glass run channel

Then I closed the door and showed him the clearance between the dash and he just stood there scratching his head for a few minutes before pointing at custom speaker pods on his shelf

 

[Devil's Slide Doug]

Mounted them on the vinyl covered door panel.

 

[str8nm]

rear speakers

Hello all -

anyone have the rear door speakers...specifically the mounting bracket for them. I want to do some testing with them for mounting new speakers. I would gladly pay for shipping in a USPS flat rate box.

Thanks in advance

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

OK, I think I'll pick up a pair tomorrow and do some trial fitting before getting a 2nd pair


Are you guys disconnecting the dash tweets or are you running them too

 

[PDoyle]

I pulled the wires on the little dash speakers. No biggie. I had an issue with the wiring getting caught on the window motor and disconnecting...FYI... The front speakers fit real good using the oem covers. The speakers fit in the holes good and you will find screws pretty easy to install them. Just don't poke a hole in the speaker like I did my first set...

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

OK, I picked up a pair of TS-G1643R's earlier today and did some trial fitting

Mounted one on the outside of the LF door panel and was able to use the original retaining clips with longer screws

Surprisingly, the new grille fit with room to spare between the mesh and the dash

Decided to pull the LR panel and see what kinda space I had to work with

After yanking the OEM 4" speaker, I replaced the panel and the other 6.5 fit in the hole perfectly

Had to drill 3 small mounting holes, but it went together easier than the front panel cause I didn't have to line up the holes with any retaining clips

The TS-G1043R 4" speakers that Pioneer's fit guide suggests were only a few bucks less, so I just picked up another pair of TS-G1643R's and installed them on the right side

 

[robertaleon]

TS-G1643R's installed with stock grills. I picked them up at Walmart for $40. Popped out the old white plastic clips, pinched the small metal tabs that came with the speakers and clipped them into place where the stock white plastic tabs were. Used screws that came with new speakers. These speakers have mounting tabs that I ended up clipping off so they sat in the recesses of the door frame. They rubbed the window channel, so insulated accordingly with foam but did not interrupt window performance. OEM panels and grills fit no problem.

FYI - at least in my case the blue wire is (+) and white is (-). Took me a half hour to read this off the OEM speakers since they were so old and worn. Wire accordingly to stay in phase.

 

[profro]

I just installed these (TS-G1643R's) as well and there was no way I was going to have my speaker magnet rubbing/vibrating against the window channel. So, I mounted them on the outside of the door panel by using longer screws and fuel hose as washers to offset the inside distance from the door frame and door panel. It provided a nice solid mount and required the speaker to use its own grill. I have no problem with that.

 

[JERSEY80]

FYI, Rockford Fosgate Fanatic P FNP2614U are 6.5" speakers that fit very well in the front doors. I only had to put small rubber grommets as spacers to gain enough clearance in my 93 and the factory grilles fit great over them.

 

[CycloSteve]

Recently tracking-down leaks in my rig, and found that the window is leaking onto my front speakers.

My solution, at least for this time is to add some baffles/protection around the speakers. Found these on Crutchfield, and will also add some to the rear speakers for good measure. At $8 a set, not a big investment, and will also give some outward offset similar to those using weather-stripping.

XTC 6-1/2" Speaker Baffles (Slim-line: 2-3/8" depth) Protect your speakers at Crutchfield.com

XTC 4" Speaker Baffles (Slim-line: 2-5/8" depth) Protect your speakers at Crutchfield.com

Will post some pictures once I get them and toss-em in the truck.



Steve

 

[CycloSteve]

Installed the Baffles

The fronts were a simple trim leaving 1/2" of materials on the edge. I also used 1/2" nylon spacers so that they would not hit the inner door frame.

The rears I modified more extensively to be part of the OEM plastic cage. The Rear Door Speaker Frame Modification:

1. Grind with dremel so that you have a smooth cylinder for the speaker and baffle.
2. Cut the baffle to approximately 2" in depth
3. Hot-glue the baffle to the frame
4. Poke hole in the base of the baffle for speaker wire
5. Cut off two of the mount tabs from speaker
6. Bend two mount tabs 90 degrees towards the rear of the speaker
7. Drill two holes in the plastic frame
8. Screw two screws to mount the speaker to the grill

The end-product looks like this...a sealed unit.



Steve

 

[thedoughboy]

I just repeated the speaker swap with the Pioneer 6.5" TS-G16431R, $39. The fit is snug, but workable. The great thing is there is no cutting required on the door panels. I had to make some spacers out of vacuum hose but was able to use the stock screw mounts. I drilled a pilot hole in each plastic insert (don't want to crack 16 yr old plastic), lined up the pre-drilled speaker holes, and mounted them with some dry wall screws. I did not jam them into the window track. Both speakers seem to have about a 1/32" space. Not much room to spare.

I also replaced the front dash speakers with some polkaudio DXi 350s. These are 3.5" with a 1.5" depth requirement. I needed to loosen the stock amp screw to allow for the PS speaker. I must say that these little speakers weigh almost as much as the (much bigger) 6.5"s. I got them because Best Buys has them on sale for $29 (reg $59).

WOW, that is about all I can say. It seems like double the volume and clarity. Gonna get a new head unit (is that OK to say) when the funds permit. Probably replace the rear door speakers at that time.

 

[yardbird88]

wrapping all 6 speakers of 97 LX450

I just ordered these from Amazon.com

1. For the dash, Infinity Reference 3032cf 3.5-Inch, 20watt ...$43 , mount depth. My OEM dash speaker comes in one piece with the mounting plate that has a hole to hole dimension of 4.75" and may only clear 1" to 1.25" to the OEM's amplifier so I need to put some spacer to add another 1/4" or so. I think there is space to do it and I have to cut the OEM plate from the OEM speaker to do that.

2. Pioneer TS-G1043R 4 In. 2-way speakers for the rear door.....$35

3. Pioneer TS-G1643R 6.5-Inch 2-Way Speakers for the front
door ...$35

4. Some dynamite extreme & door remover tool & plenty of screws , spacer nuts, washers from my garage.

Amazon change prices every week. I got the door speakers last week now they are $10 more. The speakers are on their way next week. The door speakers are well documented and should be okay once I got the door panel out. I intend to keep all OEM stock grills for the OEM look. The dash speakers may be challenging due to space limitation at the passenger side. My 97 LX450 has 172,000 miles on it so it's time to upgrade those cheesy speakers. I gave the car to my daughter in college so she would like the sound better, I hope.

I will keep you guys posted if it works especially the dash speakers since there were not much options available.