Yea... another stereo speaker size question

[pholliday1]

would like feedback on what size speakers will fit in my front dash. 1990 crewcab has a/c  and 3 speakers holes left right center. also specifically what brands that others have had good results from. There are currently no door or "kick panel" speakers just dash and behind rear seat locations there is not one piece of stereo equipment in the truck now, would like to fill cab with as much sound as possible using stock locations.go nuts lets hear your ideas on a build.

[78 Chevyrado]

Left and right are 3.5"  Center is 4x10.

[Da67goatman]

I made 4 1/2" fit in the corners of the dash, it requires some trimming of the metal structure. Also allowed me to cut out the cracked perforated part of the dashpad out and cover with the pretty black speaker grilles.

[Skunksmash]

If it were me I'd skip the factory sizes as they are outdated. I already went that route and I wasn't impressed. Just have 'em cut new holes when they install some modern speakers. Or if you do it yourself. I think you'll have much better sound quality that way, and I'd go with a component speaker system with the highs mounted as close as you can get them to the mids.

[pholliday1]

Thanks for the info! just trying to clarify what mounting locations do you suggest? also are those size speakers harder to come by because there out dated? also need to lay out what wires need to go under my floor covering because its a crew cab. not sure what wires to run to the back as i know little about stereos but plans do call for a amp din radio 2 corners speakers and small bass 10" or 12" depending on room available. have researched other threads on this but couldn't put my finger on the info i needed.

[Avidyn]

If running an amp, you'll need a few wires going back to it. You'll need the RCAs, switched power (typically a blue wire on most aftermarket stereos), a power wire, and a ground. That's just to the amp. From there it depends on which speakers you want to run off the amp. If it's just the sub, you'll only need wires from the amp to the sub. If you're planning on running the components, you'll need to run the wires from the amp to them. If you plan on running both... you may need two amps. At least I would suggest it. I've got a kenwood amp that runs both though.

If you're going to be running components and want the best sound possible. Try to get a set with crossovers. Running separates with a crossover wil give you great sound quality. If you can, try to index them or aim them towards the passengers. Good luck!

[Skunksmash]

Just trying to clarify what mounting locations do you suggest? Also are those size speakers harder to come by because there out dated?

Not sure about the back of the crew cab. I have a single cab. But that is a 4-door right? If so a mid and a high in each door would be what I would do. For a 4 door that would of course leave you with a total of 8 speakers. And I'd just set it up like a modern vehicle, with the speakers mounted at the bottom of each door, towards the front. But you're going to have to make some holes in the sheet metal and the door panel if they're not already there. Not really a big deal as they sell kits that come with a little cover that just snaps into the hole you make in the door panel. Paint it to match the color of the door panel, and it will look factory. As for the factory sizes, they're not hard to come by in my experience. But, they don't sell them that are very high quality because they're so outdated. You'd be hard pressed to find any that would be up to par in my opinion.

But if you're just looking for a decent upgrade over the stock stuff, it might be the way to go for you. They sell them on newegg (i think) and on crutchfield. You'll have to remove the dash pad (not hard) to make use of all the factory mounting locations. There sometimes is a 4x10 speaker hole right in the middle of the metal dash. Then two other smaller ones, on the outsides near the doors. Then some more behind the seat. I guess it would be the back seat in your truck if its a 4 door. Those are also 4x10 sized holes, but I think with a little cutting they might be made to fit a more modern size.

[78 Chevyrado]

Head unit


The 6x9's aren't pic'ed I can't find a pic of them.  all speakers are matched. 

Here's the AMP under my console.  A Sony SLimline 4 channel amp.
It powers the 6x9's in the doors and the 6.5s in the boxes behind the seats.


These are mounted behind my seats, upfiring, 6.5" 
http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t195/wes2880/78%20C20%20Rebuild%20Stuff/new%20parts/th_65speakersandboxes.jpg?t=1242023655

Here's the bracket I made for the center dash hole 4x10


Here it is installed (I made it in such a way i didn't have to modify the dash to hang it


I have 2 6x9's in the doors, 2 6.5s behind the seats, and 2 3.5's in the center of the dash.  the amp powers the 6x9's and 6.5's and the head unit powers the 3.5s.
I get complimented on my sub all the time and I don't have one....   The way I hooked it all up is...
The dash speakers and behind the seat speakers are front/back  the 6x9's are hooked up on the sub channel, and i raise or lower power to them depending on how much bass i want, since they decide how much bass you get, period.  So i set my front/back with the 6x9;s off for best staging, then turn up the 6x9s to match how much bass i want.

Works quite well.  good staging, sounds as good as the optional high end stereos in new cars.   HAs great bass.  not like a good 12, but def can be like a single 10"

I understand about people not wanting you to cut your doors, but hey patch panels work great and dont detract from the value if you dont half-ass it.

[pholliday1]

nice set up very clean! Thanks for the input haven't seen the custom 3.5 setup before