speaker placement options question for fellow enthusiasts

[Whateverman]

Haha, I'm interested in this solution...

The way mine are setup is that I'm using the magnet in the speakers to attach it just above my fuel tank

It sounds a little tinny, but nothing adding some padding behind it can't fix.

...people call this ghetto...

BUT! I added about another 8 feet of speaker cable to each speaker so when I have tailgate, or when I'm hanging outside the truck, I just simply remove the speaker and attach it to the outside of the truck, or on the side! Then people think I'm a genius

i sometimes regret ditching my in-cab tank cuz now there's nowhere good to stick the speakers too

[sublimer]

Haha, I'm interested in this solution...

The way mine are setup is that I'm using the magnet in the speakers to attach it just above my fuel tank

It sounds a little tinny, but nothing adding some padding behind it can't fix.

...people call this ghetto...

BUT! I added about another 8 feet of speaker cable to each speaker so when I have tailgate, or when I'm hanging outside the truck, I just simply remove the speaker and attach it to the outside of the truck, or on the side! Then people think I'm a genius

i sometimes regret ditching my in-cab tank cuz now there's nowhere good to stick the speakers too

They're not on the tank, they're an inch or two above it, just below the rear window. I personally love them here, I think I may build a speaker box for them, and still have it so I can pop them out and place them wherever I want.

[Whateverman]

the top of gastank makes a good place for em come to rest on when the effects of gravity and rough roads overpower the magnets grip on the wall of the cab

[Earthling789]

Here's the options I've considered...

Without carving up the door panels, component speakers (separate tweeter and mid/bass) can be mounted in the dashboard. Crutchfield has some nice 6-1/2 component systems which have surface-mount tweeters, and the mid/bass will reflect nicely off the windshield angle (had them this way in my '73). My dash-pad has a couple of good cracks in it anyway, so it wouldn't pee me off to mod the panel to hold two speakers and surface-mount the tweeters, pointed towards shoulders of "imaginary center passenger" for best acoustics.

My '78 had 6-1/2 speakers in kick-panel mounts and 5x7" or 6x8" (can't remember) in the doors. They sounded okay, but I haven't been able to find those kick-panel mounts anywhere, so I've got to assume they were borrowed from some other vehicle or custom made. I'm sure someone could make ones like these if you can't find a pre-manufactured set: http://a248.e.akamai.net/pix.crutchfiel ... K2008.jpeg

I've seen several variations on the center-hump, but personally, I think they sound horrible. Same thing goes for ones mounted under the seat, pointed upwards/forward... they will sound very muffled and you won't be happy with them.

Mounting them in the headliner is a great idea! I do like that! And, by adding a bit of fiberglass resin to the back-side of the headliner (or use a heavier replacement board) would add some rigidity and cut down on vibration I would think....

A small amp will mount nicely under the seat in the center, and there are many 8" subs that will easily fit (boxed) under driver and passenger side. Again, your issue is where to put the main speakers....

Since I haven't fully decided what to do with mine (yet), I'll probably end up hacking the doors (going to paint in the spring anyway) and installing 6-1/2 components with tweeter recessed right below the vent window, angled towards driver/passenger, and main driver mounted where I have room (between the hinges in door panel or below panel). I may even toss in a couple of 8" subs below the seat along with a low-profile amp. If I go for 4-main-speaker set up (with or without subs), two smaller 4"-5-1/4" speakers will fit nicely in the factory speaker location (or could be added to the outer edges of the dash) with very minor modification. I just want a clean sound, not looking to "thump" or win any db contests

One thing to remember about mounting any speakers in the doors, if you use the foam baffles, the speakers will be more protected from moisture, and the sound is much "cleaner". http://www.crutchfield.com/p_237XT65/XT ... ml?tp=2809

[sargentrs]

I've been eyeing these for a while now ... http://vintagevibes.net/Speakers/under_cover.htm

[jthulan]

As for the main speakers, what about 4x10s in the rear cab corners? The area I'm referring to is to each side of the cab gas tank. This is what I have thought about as for location.

[70_F100]

My '78 had 6-1/2 speakers in kick-panel mounts and 5x7" or 6x8" (can't remember) in the doors. They sounded okay, but I haven't been able to find those kick-panel mounts anywhere, so I've got to assume they were borrowed from some other vehicle or custom made.

Back in the mid-70's, GM had surface-mount speakers in the kick panels of their light trucks. They used a 4" plastic cup stuck in a hole cut into the metal to provide room for the cone and magnet to stick through and to provide weatherproofing. I had a set of those in my '74 GMC Jimmy. IIRC, there were two styles, one for the "standard" trim and one for the "Sierra/Cheyenne" interiors. The standard trim models were just a rectangular "boxy" cover, and the nicer ones were molded to cover all of the exposed metal on the kick panel. A set of the "standard" ones would probably work, and may be what was in your '78.

[akforceten]

This is what I did two 6x9s an two 6 1/2 mini subs

[dolinick]

This is what I did two 6x9s an two 6 1/2 mini subs


[ Image ]

[ Image ]

I like it. How does it sound?

[sargentrs]

I built some boxes once that sat on that section of floor at the ends of the seat. Kinda looked like this from the side...
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I put a couple of sheet metal screws in the bottom panel and then wood screwed the front on them. Left about a 2-3" air space between them and the doors. I had Sony Xplod 6x9's in them and put similar boxes at the front bottom of the seat on both driver and passenger sides with some 5" rounds. Wasn't too bad sounding.

[akforceten]

I found one more pic of the speaker install. It does sound great !







enjoy everyone!

[sargentrs]

Is that a mini-tweet up there by the vent window? Cool.

[akforceten]

Thank you. Yes it is

[cdeal28078]

I have two 6x9's in the same spot on my doors. Bought two extra metal door panels to cut up. I do not have any amps or subs just a 40watt. Sony and mine sound great to me. It has good stereo separation and good enough bass for me. I don't need people to hear me miles down the road
clint

[hedz]

i did some eyeball measuring sitting on my pos

one problem of placing a box underneath my bench seat is that my steering column doesn't have tilt.... doh!! i think adding 5 inches of height would make me have to do the splits while driving. but the head room would be fine. but i'm not saying it can't be done yet. going to give it some more though and actual measuring very soon.