4" Dash Speakers

[GoatBeard]

I've read on a couple of threads where people have replaced their 2 factory 3" dash speakers with 4" speakers.  I know that a 3.5" speaker will fit, but figured if a 4" would fit in there, that'd be the best thing to go with (bigger is better theory). 

I'm getting ready to take my dash out and was going to replace what's left of the 2 factory speakers while I'm in there.  I just wanted to make sure the 4" speaker would fit before I ordered one.

Can anyone confirm this?  Also, is there any height restriction?  The ones I'm looking at are 3-way speakers that have a little extra height of the added plastic 3-way thing on top of the woofer.

Thanks in advance,

GoatBeard

[Captkaos]

I haven't heard of using 4" but I am sure if you use a custom bracket you can fit something in there, but the hole size would have to be modified.  As for height, if it is any taller it will prevent the dash cover from sitting down properly.

[GoatBeard]

Here's the 3.5" version (4" one is the same design) -- http://www.millionbuy.com/bosch3220.html  It says the mounting depth is 1 3/8".  No matter which size I use, I'm now kinda concerned about that "chrome" plastic piece on top of the woofer.

BTW, as far as electronics go -- millionbuy.com is hard to beat on their prices.  That same little set of $9 speakers at other places (like pricegrabber) is $17 - $28.

[Captkaos]

That does look fairly tall, you may can recess mount it.....

[okuma]

IF YOU DONT MIND CUTTING........... I REPLACED MINE WITH A PAIR of 3 way  4x6"  ( sound awsome )

[78 Chevyrado]

I had some little kicker 3.5's in my 87 in the corners and they had a similar piece as the boss speakers, it touched the back of the dash pad, but It didn't affect the sound as far as I could tell.

[GoatBeard]

Cool, thanks for the replies fellers.  I'm gonna pick up a set of bass blockers and try that Boss speaker out.  Like you suggest, I can always make a bracket.  I guess I'll just have to mount in it the rear panel or console if it won't fit anywhere else.   

For $10, I guess I shouldn't worry about it too much, huh?   

[78 Chevyrado]

For $10 bucks I'd try it.  If it doesnt work out you could mount them in the center hole.  if you can keep them in the dash somewhere it will help the sound staging a lot.  if you want to make a bracket I have pics of mine about halfway down this page:
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=9090.150  those are 3.5's  but 4's would have fit too since I bottom mounted them.  If you don't like the center mount, maybe you could do something similar to the outer speaker holes....  I think the center mount gives a bit better staging because when I had mine in my '87 mounted in the corners, one speaker was right in your face and you couldn't hear the other one.  I like the center mount a lot better IMO.  good luck with your new toys!

[werewolfx13]

I've run 3.5" blaupunkt cheapo speakers in both trucks I've had, both sound alright, 4" wouldn't provide a noticeable difference over 3.5"..You would see a slight improvement with a 4x6, but drivers that aren't round don't sound quite right to me. 5 1/4" would be a much more noticeable improvement, but both the metal dash and the dashpad would have to be modified, and if you're going to go to that trouble, nothing will improve your soundstage more than a set of kick panel speakers, which would be the same amount of work.. Ideally, a 6.5" midrange and a tweet in the kicks, and a 7" or 8" midbass in the doors will give you the optimal imaging. Aim your tweets toward the opposite side head, IE, aim the passenger tweet at the drivers head, drivers tweet at the passengers head.