71 Radio Speakers (AM/FM)

[Scott S.]

Re: 71 Radio Speakers (AM/FM)

I bought a pair of 10ohm speakers from this vendor 2 years ago when I reinstalled the original radio in my '72. As far as sound-quality goes...well, I guess I'd say they sound 'authentic' They're not great by today's standards, but I bet the originals didn't sound any better.

I should point out that the holes in these speakers didn't exactly line up with the speaker mounting plates (not sure what they're called) so I had to drill a few holes so they'd fit. Not a big deal. The other thing is at that time the vendor had a minimum spend of something like $20 for shipped orders so I had to spend $13 on other stuff to get my $7 pair of speakers.

[Norman S.]

Re: 71 Radio Speakers (AM/FM)

Thanks for the info, Scott. I was just getting ready to contact them.
Do you have any comment on the difficulty rating of replacing your speakers? How well did it go?

[Jack H.]

Re: 71 Radio Speakers (AM/FM)

The 'hidden' screw is toward the front of the dash pad, off center to the RH side. You'll see it when you drop the RH lower dash pad and look back underneath. The dash pad R&R instructions are given in your copy of the Chassis Service Manual.

There are TWO precautions on this job:

(1) With the windshield in place, you'll have to juggle and slightly bend the dash pad to get it free of the windshield surround. That's where quite a few manage to rip/break their sunlight embrittled factory original dash pads!

(2) You need to read the CAUTION note in the CSM regarding freeing the dash pad from the center cluster. The center cluster has designed-in weak points (just below the upper center A/C outlet or 'Corvette' blank plate on non A/C equipped cars) intended to be sacrificial in a head-on collision. Grabbing a pulling improperly to get either the center cluster or the upper dash out can result in breaking the center cluster's bezel that has LONG been GM discontinued!!!

[Scott S.]

Re: 71 Radio Speakers (AM/FM)

The right one is a piece of cake. I had removed the right pad in order to swap the radio and the speaker was easily accessible. There's a cast-metal bracket that's attached to the dash pad and the speaker attaches to that bracket. I removed the bracket from the dash pad, swapped the speakers and reinstalled. Maybe an hour to do this side, probably less.

I put off installing the left one because I wanted to get a new speedo cable and install it while I had the left-side of the dash apart. While I was waiting for the cable to arrive I lost a cam lobe which pretty-much negated the need for a speedo much less a left speaker!

Time and money have kept the old girl sidelined for over a year but we finished the engine rebuild (and the various might-as-well's) this past weekend and the speaker/speedo project is back on the top of the to-do list. I think I'll print Terry and Jack's instructions.

Best of luck.

[Paul L.]

Re: 71 Radio Speakers (AM/FM)

Norman,
It is one piece, like this.



I opted for a modern set-up with four Pioneer speakers linked to a KHE-300 (50W x 4) head unit with IPod jack.

[Gordon H.]

Re: 71 Radio Speakers (AM/FM)

Remove sunvisors , 2 screws in each end of header molding , pillar post moldings ,6 screws in inst. pad , 1 screw in wiper control switch 4 screws in rh dash pad .then you will find the hidden screw under the dash pad about 12 inches from center of car . remove screw. Then the pad is pushed back on left , pick up on right and bend but don't brake ,it does come out with a litttle effort . My car was built before yours and I had no problems .There are parts books that can show you what you want

[Michael G.]

Re: 71 Radio Speakers (AM/FM)

No Norman,
The upper dash pad is one peice. The two pillar posts (interior moldings of the left and right windshield frame) must be removed in order to elevate the upper dash pad. They may be referring to the two lower dash pads (speedo & tach console pad/ and glove pocket dash pad)
Removing the pass. side lower (pocket dash pad) alone will allow for the removal and installation of that speaker. The driver side will need for the upper (one peice) dash to be at least elevated, if not removed as the dr. side speaker sits directly above the speedo/ tach making it impossible to access the mounting screws. Good luck, go slow, don't force ANYTHING.
Mike.

[James C.]

Re: 71 Radio Speakers (AM/FM)

I recently replaced the speakers in my 1971 and it is not a piece of cake. You have to take the right side panel loose to get to the " hidden screw", although not it is quite visible once the panel is off. Once loose, I found that I could lift the left side of the dash cover high enough to get at the speaker. My new speakers Delco replacements had to have the new mounting holes drilled in them to fit the studs. Took the better part of two hours to do, but I was very careful not to stress the original dash pad. I could do it again in an hour now that I know the"how to".

Someone mentioned to keep up with where the screws come out of and I can not emphasize how important that step is. It sure makes putting it back together much easier..Good Luck!

[Paul M.]

Re: 71 Radio Speakers (AM/FM)

It is a one piece dash pad. The "hidden" screw is just to the right of center, behind the right side dash panel with the map pockets. It is vertically oriented and all you need is a phillips screwdriver pointed up to get to it. It is forward toward the firewall.

Start this task by removing the sun visors and upper windshield pads which you will need to do to release the A pillar pads to get the clearance you need to pull the dash pad. I have had my '71 dash pad out twice and the first time was to do the speakers. Very easy job and I think the #2 phillips is the only tool you will need. I bought a pair of 10 ohm replacement speakers fropm Corvette central (don't recall the cost) and they work fine. The radio is junk anyways so hi fidelity is not the goal here anyway. It just needs to sound like it did new, which was marginal!

[Joe L.]

Re: 71 Radio Speakers (AM/FM)

I recently replaced the speakers in my 1971 and it is not a piece of cake. You have to take the right side panel loose to get to the " hidden screw", although not it is quite visible once the panel is off. Once loose, I found that I could lift the left side of the dash cover high enough to get at the speaker. My new speakers Delco replacements had to have the new mounting holes drilled in them to fit the studs. Took the better part of two hours to do, but I was very careful not to stress the original dash pad. I could do it again in an hour now that I know the"how to".

Someone mentioned to keep up with where the screws come out of and I can not emphasize how important that step is. It sure makes putting it back together much easier..Good Luck!

James, et al------


I've never replaced these speakers on a 70-76. However, I do not see why it's even necessary to remove the upper dash pad to do the job. Based on general familiarity with the behind-the-dash area on a C3, it would seem like only the LOWER dash pads would need to be removed for access to remove and replace the speakers. The right side lower dash pad is very easy to remove; the left side is more difficult but still easier and less risky than removing the upper dash pad. What am I missing here?

[Joe L.]

Re: 71 Radio Speakers (AM/FM)

I bought a pair of 10ohm speakers from this vendor 2 years ago when I reinstalled the original radio in my '72. As far as sound-quality goes...well, I guess I'd say they sound 'authentic' They're not great by today's standards, but I bet the originals didn't sound any better.

I should point out that the holes in these speakers didn't exactly line up with the speaker mounting plates (not sure what they're called) so I had to drill a few holes so they'd fit. Not a big deal. The other thing is at that time the vendor had a minimum spend of something like $20 for shipped orders so I had to spend $13 on other stuff to get my $7 pair of speakers.

Scott-----


There is absolutely no doubt that modern speakers will sound a lot better than the original-type speakers, either re-coned originals or these replacements we've been discussing. So, if one is after the best sound possible, modern replacements are the only way to go. However, if one is using an original radio, one is left with the "10 OHM impedance requirement". That's what makes upgrading the speakers difficult since I know of no high quality, currently available automotive speakers with 10 OHM impedance.

There are speakers available with 8 OHM impedance. I think that those could be used without creating a problem. Still, there's a risk some might not want to take.

[Terry M.]

Re: 71 Radio Speakers (AM/FM)

Sounds easy enough, Gord-- if I'm careful!!!
The "hidden screw"--- how is that accessed? When the 6 front screws are removed, do you pull the dash cover towards you or is it tilted up--from the back side or the front side? Or what?
Both you and Joe have referenced what seems to be a two part pad-- right side/left side. What I see is a one-piece pad. Do I have a replacement pad?

[Terry M.]

Re: 71 Radio Speakers (AM/FM)

For the right side -- you are correct, Joe, but I think it would be easier to remove the upper dash pad than the pad with the speedometer and tachometer -- but then I have removed the upper dash pad more than once but never the driver's side pad. I managed to change the headlamp switch a couple of times without removing the driver's side pad. One look at all those wires and vacuum lines and I'm just not going there. The top of the left side pad will easily pull out quite a ways, and one MIGHT be able to get the left hand speaker out that way. I too have never changed the speakers. I don't recall them attaching to the upper pad on my 1970, but it has been a while since I have been in there.

[Scott S.]

Re: 71 Radio Speakers (AM/FM)

Scott-----


There is absolutely no doubt that modern speakers will sound a lot better than the original-type speakers, either re-coned originals or these replacements we've been discussing. So, if one is after the best sound possible, modern replacements are the only way to go. However, if one is using an original radio, one is left with the "10 OHM impedance requirement". That's what makes upgrading the speakers difficult since I know of no high quality, currently available automotive speakers with 10 OHM impedance.

There are speakers available with 8 OHM impedance. I think that those could be used without creating a problem. Still, there's a risk some might not want to take.

IMHO...I think you can spend all sorts of money on speakers but improvements in sound quality will be marginal unless you 'upgrade' to an aftermarket head unit.

[Roberto L.]

Re: 71 Radio Speakers (AM/FM)

Hello, regarding the driver dash pad, although its rather difficult, it can be move backward a little plus moving upward the top pad to remove/loose bolts and probably the speaker itself, if necessary.

Not very confortable job...

Saludos a todos!!