Hey all. I have a 73 Impala Station wagon that came originally with the AM radio. (now replaced of course) The only provision for a speaker was one 6x9 in the center of the dash. I've exhausted several options; not that they're impossible, just that they would involve great levels of work.
The kick panels aren't really an option. The passenger side I could build out with fiberglass, but the driver's side would be almost impossible since it houses the brake release and some more junk. Its hard to describe, but take my word for it.
The doors aren't much of an option since the bottom of the panels is very odd in its construction. It has some decorative ribs and a transition from plastic to vinyl that would make it almost impossible for an amateur like me to add a grille to the doors. Also factor in that the doors and door jambs have no holes for door wiring, I'd have to take the doors off to drill in such a tight spot.
I looked at maybe cutting the dash on either side, but the A/C box and steering wheel support make that not feasible on either side.
Am I overlooking an option here? I did have some 5-1/4" hanging under the dash just to get tunes, but the lack of rigidity made sound reproduction a joke. Suggestions?
Replies (4)
uochronos on 02/25/2005 20:57:08
yep thats a 73 impala alright lol my buddy has a 72 impala and had the same problem... he cut holes for 5.25 in the uper door if i remember right.... but other then that there arnt alot of options in the car...
Chronos
curtis73 on 02/26/2005 01:39:17
Thanks for the reply. Its been a while since I had the door panel off, but if I remember correctly I had many options with a jigsaw as far as clearance is concerned. If you feel adventurous, check this picture...
http://www.curtisandkim.com/wagon3.jpg
If you look across to the passenger door, you can see the lower panel that pretty much bisects the usable space I have in the door as far as cutting for a grille. That lower molded panel is heavily contoured and without heavy customization I can't just cut a 6.5" hole. Do you think if I cut out a rectangle in that lower most panel for "sound clearance" could I hide a 6.5" behind it? That lower reveal is about 3.5" tall and I could cut about a 7" long rectangle. That would be easy to cover and conceal with a fabric grille, but will the 3.5" x 7" opening provide a decent sound option for the car?
Thanks.. I know I've opened a can of worms and thanks for biting :)
uochronos on 02/26/2005 02:40:08
if you postition it right and maybe fabricat something to tilet the speaker up wards justa bit towards your head. its not going to sound as good as a car with better speaker spots but it well sound better then more stock car systems probaly.
if you have a couple days i well see if i can get ahold of my friend with the impala and see what he finaly did..
Chronos
curtis73 on 02/27/2005 16:59:32
I have all the time in the world. Thanks so much for your help.
The kick panels aren't really an option. The passenger side I could build out with fiberglass, but the driver's side would be almost impossible since it houses the brake release and some more junk. Its hard to describe, but take my word for it.
The doors aren't much of an option since the bottom of the panels is very odd in its construction. It has some decorative ribs and a transition from plastic to vinyl that would make it almost impossible for an amateur like me to add a grille to the doors. Also factor in that the doors and door jambs have no holes for door wiring, I'd have to take the doors off to drill in such a tight spot.
I looked at maybe cutting the dash on either side, but the A/C box and steering wheel support make that not feasible on either side.
Am I overlooking an option here? I did have some 5-1/4" hanging under the dash just to get tunes, but the lack of rigidity made sound reproduction a joke. Suggestions?
Replies (4)
uochronos on 02/25/2005 20:57:08
yep thats a 73 impala alright lol my buddy has a 72 impala and had the same problem... he cut holes for 5.25 in the uper door if i remember right.... but other then that there arnt alot of options in the car...
Chronos
curtis73 on 02/26/2005 01:39:17
Thanks for the reply. Its been a while since I had the door panel off, but if I remember correctly I had many options with a jigsaw as far as clearance is concerned. If you feel adventurous, check this picture...
http://www.curtisandkim.com/wagon3.jpg
If you look across to the passenger door, you can see the lower panel that pretty much bisects the usable space I have in the door as far as cutting for a grille. That lower molded panel is heavily contoured and without heavy customization I can't just cut a 6.5" hole. Do you think if I cut out a rectangle in that lower most panel for "sound clearance" could I hide a 6.5" behind it? That lower reveal is about 3.5" tall and I could cut about a 7" long rectangle. That would be easy to cover and conceal with a fabric grille, but will the 3.5" x 7" opening provide a decent sound option for the car?
Thanks.. I know I've opened a can of worms and thanks for biting :)
uochronos on 02/26/2005 02:40:08
if you postition it right and maybe fabricat something to tilet the speaker up wards justa bit towards your head. its not going to sound as good as a car with better speaker spots but it well sound better then more stock car systems probaly.
if you have a couple days i well see if i can get ahold of my friend with the impala and see what he finaly did..
Chronos
curtis73 on 02/27/2005 16:59:32
I have all the time in the world. Thanks so much for your help.
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