Clearance issue - installing 2 4" dash speakers

[Fitz73Chrgr]

I'm trying to install these speakers in my '70 Charger:

https://www.classicindustries.com/product/1969/plymouth/roadrunner/parts/mb2099.html

The issue I'm having is that the heater control bracket, where the top cable mounts, is hitting the left speaker magnet. I don't see a solution other than cutting the heater control bracket, which I don't want to do. Has anyone ran into this before?

 

[Ironbuilt]

Your car obviously wasn't designed to accept those speakers. Stick with door and rear shelf speakers.

 

[Fitz73Chrgr]

Thanks for the advice, but the point of this post is that this part is in fact, made for a similar car and should fit, but it doesn't. '70 Chargers did not come from the factory with door speakers, since you suggested it.

 

[hunt2elk]

I make a new mounting bracket out of 1/4" plexiglass or aluminum that is offset a bit to clear the heater control. I have used 4" speakers before, they are tight but will fit. I now use 3.5" for the extra space.

 

[Fitz73Chrgr]

That's a nice bracket, you do make those or you just made one?

 

[kiwigtx]

I make a new mounting bracket out of 1/4" plexiglass or aluminum that is offset a bit to clear the heater control. I have used 4" speakers before, they are tight but will fit. I now use 3.5" for the extra space.

View attachment 804803

Sadly I do not have any pictures, but as @hunt2elk did .....I also used 2 x 3-1/2" speakers packed tight together on the original bracket sizing. Had just enough clearance - 4" speakers will not fit.

The idiots at Classic obviously test fit on a dummy dash with no other components installed....as there is no way a pair of 4" speakers will fit any of those 68-70 model B-Body dashes without clashing with the heater controls. It makes my blood boil when I see crap like that advertised for unsuspecting car owners.

 

[hunt2elk]

That's a nice bracket, you do make those or you just made one?

I just make one as needed.

 

[hunt2elk]

Sadly I do not have any pictures, but as @hunt2elk did .....I also used 2 x 3-1/2" speakers packed tight together on the original bracket sizing. Had just enough clearance - 4" speakers will not fit.

I agree that 4" speakers will not clear the heater control with the 2 mounting holes in the stock location. But with offset mounting holes like I showed on my mount, they will fit. VERY tight, and have to be positioned just right. 3.5's are so much easier to work with and make the 4's not worth the hassle imo.

 

[Fitz73Chrgr]

hunt2elk, is that particular speaker mount made of plexiglass or aluminum? Where did you buy it and what did you cut it with?

 

[coloradodave]

There was a guy on this site who made custom adapters for 2 -4" speakers for a lot of different cars. I tried a search but couldn't find him. As hunt2elk showed above, it's easy to make an adapter out of 5051 1/8" aluminum and just offset the speaker so it doesn't interfere. Here's mine on my 63 Fury:

 

[Fitz73Chrgr]

Coloradodave, that turned out nice. I'm thinking I can probably make a usable one with a drill, dremel and jigsaw.

 

[hunt2elk]

hunt2elk, is that particular speaker mount made of plexiglass or aluminum? Where did you buy it and what did you cut it with?

I bought one from the guy coloradodave mentioned about 10 years ago and made a pattern from it. I don't think he is around anymore though. I've been making them myself out of aluminum or plexiglass with the offset holes for better clearance. Very easily to do. Jig saw, hole saw, and file to get a perfect fit to the speaker of your choice, then paint black. When looking at speakers you need to find some that dont stick up much past the mount, look at the pic I posted above.

 

[kiwigtx]

I agree that 4" speakers will not clear the heater control with the 2 mounting holes in the stock location. But with offset mounting holes like I showed on my mount, they will fit. VERY tight, and have to be positioned just right. 3.5's are so much easier to work with and make the 4's not worth the hassle imo.

Maybe the magnets & cones were a little bigger on the 4" speakers I was able to source.....it is very tight. The 3-1/2" makes the job easier.

 

[coloradodave]

Coloradodave, that turned out nice. I'm thinking I can probably make a usable one with a drill, dremel and jigsaw.

There you go. Much better when you do it yourself... A little wrinkle paint and it looks professional...lol.

 

[Fitz73Chrgr]

Hunt2elk, did you have any issue using the factory carriage bolts that mount the original speaker bracket to the dash frame?

 

[hunt2elk]

Hunt2elk, did you have any issue using the factory carriage bolts that mount the original speaker bracket to the dash frame?

No problems using the factory stud and nuts.

 

[TN Mopar]

I know you already have your speakers but I want to post this in case others are looking
I used the Retro Sound R410 ultra thin dash speaker
Stereo sound with 2 drivers in one speaker
It fit my 66 Charger very well with the only issue being I couldn't reuse the factory speed nuts (to deep to catch threads)
I have been EXTREMELY impressed with the sound
Great volume and the sound quality is awesome

 

[hunt2elk]

I know you already have your speakers but I want to post this in case others are looking
I used the Retro Sound R410 ultra thin dash speaker
Stereo sound with 2 drivers in one speaker
It fit my 66 Charger very well with the only issue being I couldn't reuse the factory speed nuts (to deep to catch threads)
I have been EXTREMELY impressed with the sound
Great volume and the sound quality is awesome

View attachment 806294 View attachment 806295 View attachment 806296

That is the exact speaker that caused me to start putting dials in the front of all my cars. Tried one about ten years ago and ended up throwing it in the trash after about a month. Worst sounding speaker I had ever heard. Sounds like they are lot better now.

 

[Fitz73Chrgr]

Thanks for the help, guys. I made a bracket from 1/8" aluminum, 1" offset from the junk Classic sold me. Fits perfect.

 

[Lucky Lar]

Thanks for the help, guys. I made a bracket from 1/8" aluminum, 1" offset from the junk Classic sold me. Fits perfect.

View attachment 813616