Center speaker for 1973 road runner

['74 Sport]

Does anyone reading this know how to go about replacing the original single in-dash speaker with a bracket like this, fitted with a couple of 3.5" speakers?

Can the speaker be removed and swapped over without removing the dash?

Rob,
I won't pretend to know much about the B-bodies, especially the later year models. Most of my experience is related to A-bodies. However, over the past several years, I have sold these dual-speaker adapter brackets to approximately 30 folks here on FBBO and elsewhere with the larger B-bodies and similar E-bodies, and many more to A-body and early B-body owners. I CAN promise you the dash does NOT have to be removed.

The removal of the old speaker and the installation of the new assembly is certainly dependent upon make, model, and features of a given car, but it is not an extremely difficult task for most anyone wrenching on these old cars. The bracket is held by the two original mounting screws in the exact same location as the old speaker. Getting to the speaker is the only variable. For some, you may have to remove the glove box liner or maybe a defrost vent hose. On the '71-'74 B and E-bodies, you access it from the top by removing the speaker grille on top of the dash - can't get any easier than that.

Depending upon the speakers you choose, you most likely will have no trouble with any conflicts or interferences with other components under the dash, like heater-A/C controls or radios because, for the most part, the new speakers take up no more room than the old speaker. I have kept a list that I can provide you with of many of the speaker brands and model numbers that have been successfully used, both 3.5" and 4".

I would really like for some of you who are using these brackets to chime in and give a brief run-down on your installation. We haven't heard anything more from Ralph who started this thread back in January, so I hope you got it worked out for yourself, Ralph. I apologize if it appears I tried to hi-jack the thread. I was just wanting him to know there is another alternative to replacing the single speaker, if the whole sound system is being upgraded anyway.

While I'm at it, Randy73 brought up a good point, and I did not take it as an attempt to rain on my parade. Go to your nearest street corner with a stop sign and notice how thick the material is (same thickness I use.) Now, imagine cutting off a piece that is only about 4"x11" and picture yourself trying to flex or bend it. Even with a pair of 3" holes cut out, the bracket is extremely rigid. The two speakers you mount with 2-4 screws each provide a "bridging" effect, giving more support. If the assembly is then mounted tightly to the dash, you should have absolutely no trouble with vibration. The only thing I will caution you about is selecting a speaker that has a center tweeter cone that doesn't protrude excessively above the bracket. It could come in contact with the dash grille, although, spacers can be used to create more separation if necessary.

Jerry

 

[CtownChris]

I got my bracket from Jerry a few weeks ago.
Also got the same Polk 3.5 in DB 351.
Painted bracket flat black. Mounted speakers just like shown in earlier post.
Whole thing drops right in and fits like a glove.
No issues.
I connected wires to both speakers and labeled the ends hanging down under the dash.
L/R and +/- to connect at a later time to vintage Craig Power Play Cassette and Power Play booster.

 

[uk-maxie]

Thanks for that Jerry,

I havent completely discounted the idea of fitting some 3.5" speakers flush with the underside of the dash, but if I cant for some reason, I'll be looking closer at using this method.
I'll have a look in the factory service manual to see if it shows how to remove the speaker, but I did see some nuts on on studs when I looked up from under the dash, so until I check the manual, I'll assume that whilst the speaker & grill may be physically removed from above, I'll have to at least access the underside to undo the fasteners, which i can see being the only awkward part.

Chris, what car did you fit yours into?

 

[T2R9]

I got my bracket from Jerry a few weeks ago.
Also got the same Polk 3.5 in DB 351.
Painted bracket flat black. Mounted speakers just like shown in earlier post.
Whole thing drops right in and fits like a glove.
No issues.
I connected wires to both speakers and labeled the ends hanging down under the dash.
L/R and +/- to connect at a later time to vintage Craig Power Play Cassette and Power Play booster.

How do you like those Polk's? Love mine! I also got the 6x9 DB651's for the rear and the Retro-Sound system. Whats nice about it you can move the brackets to fit allot of applications! The system sounds great and NO vibrations at all from Jerry's bracket. And I have to crank it to over ride the Flow Master Drone...

 

[Hotrod Hangar]

1972 Roadrunner

Hi Jerry,

I turned into Your chat by chance, looking for a speaker-solution for my 1972 Roadrunner/GTX. Would You have such a bracket for two speakers as You describe and show it for that car and how much would You charbe me if You send it to Vienna/Austria/Europe? Will the original black cover of the dashboard still cover this construction?

thanks and greetings from a MOPAR enthusiast from Austria

Christian

Ralph,
This doesn't answer your question about where to get a replacement speaker, but would you consider swapping the single dash speaker for two smaller ones? For several years, I have been making and selling these aluminum brackets which allow you to install two 3.5" speakers for more of a "stereo" sound. I have been a member of the sister site Forabodiesonly.com quite some time, and my brackets have been a hit with that crowd. Below is an example of a typical A-body installation.

I also make brackets for early B-bodies that mount under the dash like you see here, and I have the "football" shaped bracket for the top-mounted center of dash speaker like you are seeking in later B/E-bodies. Oddly enough, I recently posted a thread here about this very thing. My brackets are only $26, and you can find a multitude of 3.5" speakers in a wide price range. If you are interested, please send me a PM and we can discuss it further.

Jerry

 

[idrivemopar]

Just in case anyone is still looking for a dask speaker, 4x10, classic industries has a modern replacement that suppose to fit 70-74 B and E Body for 55 bucks, Part Number: # MD7123. My front speaker was good until i put a finger through the paper cone!!! its warn out anyway. Another place that sells classic car speakers is S&M Electro-Tech, Inc in Minnesota. Here is the direct link to their speaker page, http://www.turnswitch.com/speakers.htm.

 

[mrsnicks]

I'm also going to post in the resurrected thread and ask for more info from T2R9 on the install of that aftermarket radio.

Patrick

 

[themechanic]

Just in case anyone is still looking for a dask speaker, 4x10, classic industries has a modern replacement that suppose to fit 70-74 B and E Body for 55 bucks, Part Number: # MD7123. My front speaker was good until i put a finger through the paper cone!!! its warn out anyway. Another place that sells classic car speakers is S&M Electro-Tech, Inc in Minnesota. Here is the direct link to their speaker page, http://www.turnswitch.com/speakers.htm.

I bought a 4 ohm replacement for my 1969 Coronet from Electro-Tech. I couldn't be happier. Fits with heater controls and AC ducts. The original radios are 4 ohm. Check your specs before you buy.

 

[idrivemopar]

I sent my center dash speaker to The Speaker Exchange, they put in new cone, new voice coil, new gasket on the underside, new dust screen on top, all for 70 bucks. I am keeping the original AM/FM radio, so this worked for me.

 

[themechanic]

Sweet! Looks like they did a good job.

 

[soundhd]

You should do a search on the internet for aftermarket stereo dash speakers. There are a few companies out there making stereo speakers that will fit in your factory dash location. They are single speakers with two seperate voice coils so you can run a stereo signal into a single speaker location in the dash.

 

[idrivemopar]

Hey Mechanic, yes, they did do a good job. Soundhd, not going with a stereo speaker in the front because I am using the original AM/FM radio and its not the stereo version, just one front and one rear. This speaker was re-done for a very reasonable price.

 

['74 Sport]

Christian,
My apologies for not getting back to you sooner. For some unknown reason, this forum did not notify me that you had replied to my post - it usually does. Over the past several years, I have sold several of my dual-speaker brackets to folks here on FBBO, and probably 10-15 of them have been for '71-'74 Road Runners, Satellites, or GTXs. I don't recall any of them ever saying anything about a problem with the brackets working in their dashes with the speakers they chose. I'm guessing most, if not all, used 3.5" speakers because there isn't much room to stuff a 4" pair in there in such a tight space.

If you would like to order a bracket, please GO HERE to my online order form and provide the vehicle, shipping, and payment preference information. Once I receive it, I'll get back to you as soon as possible with a total cost, including shipping.

Thanks for your interest,
Jerry

 

[newbaufish]

2 3x5's works like a dream

I did get the speaker mounts as advertised by Jerryand finally was able to install them. They look great, fit was as expected and I'm very happy. Wanted to share a couple of pics showing my install.

 

['74 Sport]

Excellent photos, thanks for taking the time to share them. Those Kenwoods fit like a glove, how do they sound?

 

[newbaufish]

I think they're better than a single 4X10 but haven't tuned the system much as my head unit is having issues. Pretty powerful, pretty tinny, but that's a woofer size thing more than anything else.