Speaker placement in a 66 Newport

[Derek Simpson]

Once again I have questions, I'm always thinking especially when I'm at work lol.

Anyways I have a 66 Newport 2 door and it's has that awesome am radio lol. I want to use my car as a daily driver. So all original is not what I'm going after, I want fun.

I was wondering where do I put my speakers. I know the back deck has the rear defroster (I'm thinking I might try and relocate it to the center) so that will free up that location for a speaker . But what about the fronts?

Any ideas will be greatly appreciated

Thank you!

 

[66Newyorker]

When I did the radio upgrade in our 66 New Yorker.
I put 2 6x9 speaker in the rear package tray. In the front I cut a piece of plexiglass to fit 2 4x4 speaker in the factory 6x9 space,took some trial and error. As far as the radio you can get it fitted with modern internals. Aurora Design - Converters for antique, vintage and obsolete automobiles and televisions.

 

[commando1]

Please, whatever route you choose, I beg you...
No cutting. Not even where it can't be seen. The next owner will thank you and not subject you to a thousand curses on your mother's grave.

 

[stubs300]

. I know the back deck has the rear defroster (I'm thinking I might try and relocate it to the center) so that will free up that location for a speaker . But what about the fronts?

Any ideas will be greatly appreciated

Thank you!

You obviously haven't looked in the trunk at the bottom of the package tray otherwise you'd have your answer there instead of asking the question. In the front, there's only one place to put a speaker and that's in the middle of the dash, and Don't you dare go cutting up your door panels for speakers!

 

[Derek Simpson]

Yeah I'm not much into cutting... Wait that doesn't sound right lol! My Newport interior is not in the best of shape, I have a looong road ahead of me.

But I have patience and time. I was hoping that the door would have enough room but they don't.. Just gotta look and maybe do some custom things

 

[rexus31]

You could source another set of kick panels and potentially fabricate them to accept 6.5" speakers. You'd lose your Fresh Air Vents though. Other than that, you're looking at the dash location and rear package tray.

I'd get your stock radio retrofitted with modern internals. They can even install Bluetooth technology now. That way, you're not cutting up the factory harness for an aftermarket radio.

 

[fury fan]

You obviously haven't looked in the trunk at the bottom of the package tray otherwise you'd have your answer there instead of asking the question. In the front, there's only one place to put a speaker and that's in the middle of the dash, and Don't you dare go cutting up your door panels for speakers!

I know the back deck has the rear defroster (I'm thinking I might try and relocate it to the center) so that will free up that location for a speaker .

I interpreted what he said that he did look, and realized could remove the defroster and that would free up the 2nd speaker location.

 

[fury fan]

And BTW, Derek, be prepared that large-magnet dash speakers sometimes simply won't fit, or cannot be wiggled into place (although a 65-6 Chrysler/Fury is probably one of the better ones). In a dash you might be better to use a cheapo replacement speaker rather than a big fancy hi-fi version.

 

[rexus31]

And BTW, Derek, be prepared that large-magnet dash speakers sometimes simply won't fit, or cannot be wiggled into place (although a 65-6 Chrysler/Fury is probably one of the better ones). In a dash you might be better to use a cheapo replacement speaker rather than a big fancy hi-fi version.

I fit a 6x9 in my '65 Chrysler dash (same as '66) with small modifications to the speaker brackets. I even fit one between the rear seat location (convertible).

 

[live4theking]

On the first 68 NYer I had I got an ugly set of kick panels to modify. It's been a long time, but I think I cut two rings of 3/4" wood screwed them together and then screwed them to the kick panels. I installed some 4" Infinity speakers. The floor vents still functioned fine.

 

[Derek Simpson]

Do you have a picture? My kick panels are not the best

 

[live4theking]

Unfortunately I have very few pictures of that car so I doubt it.

 

[OneEyed]

Here's what I did. No cutting at all.

 

[Derek Simpson]

That works! Nice idea!

 

[stubs300]

Here's what I did. No cutting at all.

No, you had to cut a fab a center control panel. Some people don't have that capability, time, and/or tools to do that!

 

[commando1]

I must confess of a very, very stupid thing I did in the total stupidity of my youth.
I wanted stereo speakers in my new acquisition.
Well, see that gorgeous center console?

I know right well some future owner cursed me up and down a thousand times over on the Studebaker Avanti forum.
And rightfully so.
That's why I know there's so many things you should not do... I did them.

 

[cantflip]

Here's what I did. No cutting at all.

No, you had to cut a fab a center control panel. Some people don't have that capability, time, and/or tools to do that!

Sorry stubs... I have seen plenty of expensive stereo shops build stuff like that... particle board, $20 sabre saw and a little patience to fit it and cover it (glue and staple gun)... I like it because it's not damaging and could be built in an hour by someone who had already made a cardboard and tape mock up.

It would be lots more effort to wire and install into door panels or the package shelf.

Acoustically this is all wrong, but isn't the point to get some music without hurting the car? nothing easier than dropping wires under the dash for it, OneEyed, you get a thumbs up from me.

 

[live4theking]

I've kind of stalled on it after Carlisle, but I'm in the process of making something along this line.

 

[OneEyed]

No, you had to cut a fab a center control panel. Some people don't have that capability, time, and/or tools to do that!

That is true! But if I didn't have the capability, tools or the time...then having this car is completely irrelevant.

Also, it IS acoustically incorrect. But, it DOES sound better than no speakers at all and I was able to fit a normal DIN stereo in it which was my primary goal, the speakers were more of a bonus. I have a matching set of 6x9's in the rear deck as well. Amps on all speakers. Adjust the fader a little and its really not that bad though. But then again, this car was never designed to be a rolling concert hall. That's what my other car is for. ;)

Plus I can pull the whole thing out and you'll never know it was there.