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  #1  
Old 08-10-2001, 11:10 AM
DieselHead's Avatar
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Location: Manhattan; Shelter Island
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New stereo in a 300D......

I'm considering installing a new stereo in my 1983 300D because the Becker system in there now is awful. The headunit looks pretty difficult to remove so I guess out of laziness, I wouldn't mind keeping it. I definitely want to change out the four speakers though but don't know what the sizes are. Any recommendations? I want it to be a simple swap out, I don't want to have to modify the speaker holes. What speakers have you guys installed in your systems? Thanks so much!

Alex

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside
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  #2  
Old 08-10-2001, 12:30 PM
NIC
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Alex,

I changed my '85 300CD over last year. Front speakers were 4" and rear are 5.25". In the rear, I had to whittle a bit with a sharp knife but no real problem. Fit was very tight. In front, the problem I ran into was height of tweeter element. There is very little clearance under the grill so you have to get a speaker with a tweeter that doesn't stick up past the sides of the speaker (or at least doesn't stick up much). The ones I found for the front that fit (third set I tried) were Eclipse speakers. I used Infinity Kappas in rear. Bought Kappas on web from ZEB audio and had no complaints about their service/costs.

I had a large retail discount store (Best Buy) install a new sony sterio. Was no real problem for them.....took no more than 15 minutes. They had a plastic insert that perfectly filled the hole left by the awful Becker. You can spend what you want on a sterio unit but I opted for a fairly inexpensive one (45 watts).

Final comment. With the relatively small speakers you can fit into your car, be prepared for limited bass response. I fought back by buying a Subaru powered subwoofer that will fit (barely) under the passenger seat. Had a pro wire it up for $25. Subwoofer cost about $200 but I get much better bass sound. I think Blaupunkt also has a low profile subwoofer.

Good luck,

Nic
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  #3  
Old 08-11-2001, 06:15 PM
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Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Tampa, Florida, USA
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The head unit isn't really THAT hard to get out, IIRC. I replaced mine several years ago with a nice Panasonic CD player. I also pulled all new wiring and put in new speakers... basically, stripped out all the old and replace with all new. The only stock parts that remain are for the antenna so I can raise/lower the antenna independently. I'm quite happy with it, but it'd be near-impossible to return to "stock," not that I ever would want to.

The holes in the rear dash are very shallow. For my rear speakers, I got some Bose 6x9's. They don't fit the holes in the rear dash, but I constructed some mounts out of a 2x12 pine board to elevate the speakers above the dash surface. They give pretty good bass response, which is reflected toward the listener by the rear glass. I'm fairly happy with my setup, and I'm sure it's nicer than what I would have had with 5.25" speakers unless I added an extra sub as Nic mentioned. I can take some photos if you like...

Oh, fwiw, I did all the installation myself. It wasn't too difficult but I wasn't concerned with keeping the old stuff intact.

- Nathan
'83 240D, 255k miles
'00 New Beetle TDI, 25k miles
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  #4  
Old 08-13-2001, 10:13 AM
NIC
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Moraine,

I'll check to see if I kept the box the Eclipse speakers came in. I did buy them locally as I had already purchased a set of Infinities for the front over the web that did not fit (so had to return them). Shopped around to find ones that would fit and located the Eclipse model. From appearance only, the Infinity speakers looked much nicer....but they just didn't fit.

Yes, I'd say the enclosure is about 5" in back. The rear deck is fiberboard so cutting out a bit wasn't too traumatic. Used a utility knife with new blade. I cut just enought to squeeeeze the new ones in.

If I find the box, I'll email you with details. But, I think you could just go to a local sterio shop and look at the various models. Eyeball the tweeter to be sure it doesn't extend much over the sides of the speaker enclosure.

Nic
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  #5  
Old 08-13-2001, 12:26 PM
Panzer
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Check out Crutchfields, either their catalog or thei web site. You can get most of the information you want there. They have good directions for removal and installation, if you buy the equipment from them. It was a big help when I replaced the factory radio in the '85 Celica i had. Worth the slightly higher costs besides, the service was pretty good too.
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  #6  
Old 08-14-2001, 03:48 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Cary, NC
Posts: 551
I managed to get some 6" MB Quart (appropriate name, huh?) speakers for the rear with no problem. I also mounted some 4" drivers on the driver's side kick panel, and the pass side vertical panel near the floor. Additionally, I installed 3" drivers near the bottom of the pillars between the front and rear doors, right above the seatbelt rollup. What's cool about this is that I can hear sound coming not only from the speakers, but also from the seatbelt outlet on the upper portion of the pillars. So I have an 8-speaker system that rocks admirably, though the bass response STILL leaves something to be desired. The Quarts are powered by a PIP amp, and the little 3" speakers are driven by a 40-watt Alpine. Now if only I could cut down on the road noise...
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1995 E300 Diesel (Die Blau Frau)
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  #7  
Old 08-15-2001, 08:30 AM
NIC
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Moraine,

The Eclipse speakers I used in front are 4" coaxial, model number 8243.

Good luck.

Nic

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