Folks, believe it or not, my original Becker in my 1983 300D still works, but I want to replace it with a new head unit and new speakers. After 25 years, it is time to give it a rest.
I have ordered my radio, but have a lot of questions. First of all, it looks as though I will need to run new cable from all the speakers to the radio. No problem, I can take out the back seat, and run the wire down the sides.
I removed the rear speaker grills, only to find itsy bitty 4" speakers, in what looks like some sort of plastic cup holder arrangement. I was wondering, should I purchase my new speakers, then see if I can cut the carpet and cardboard rear panel in order to fit the new ones in? I was thinking about some 6" speakers, will they fit that area?
The front speakers look pretty straightforward; there is one screw that holds in the speaker cover, then 3 screws holding in the small front speaker. I will solder wires to them, then run them down to the radio area.
My next question involves the power antenna. I have been told that the power to the antenna is run from the amplifier (which is supposed to be located under the passenger front seat?). In order for me to get that to work, do I need to fish that wire out and bring it up to the radio? Does anyone know what color wire or what it might look like?

Thanks so much for your help in advance!

Yes, you can go with larger in the rear. 5.25" fit well and 6.5" are a bit more work. You'll increase surface area by quite a bit for better midrange response.

There is no amplifier in the car, the Becker 612 powers it all.

The power antenna wire is behind the dash too. From my memory it's the blue with a white tracer. Pick up a DVOM to help test everything.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

what's a DVOM?

DVOM Digital Volt/Ohm meter

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92 300D 2.5L OM602 OBK #59

Was that a Europa in the '83?

From personal experience I would replace the head unit first and see how it sounds with the factory speakers. I have gone both directions before and find that I prefer the factory speakers to the modern replacement (minus external amplification and equilization of course).

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'87 SDL -240k - Previously "Herman" - Now "Roland" (Head issues)

'82 300D - 235k - "Gretchen"

I was thinking of replacing the original radio in my 79 Sd but Car Toys said that since the speakers in the car have a common ground, they would have to have new wiring run to the radio since using the existing wiring would damage new radios.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

With the help of this site and this thread, I just installed a new JVC HDR1 receiver and bypassed the fader. Total time was about 2 hours at a leisurely pace.

A few comments: The AA battery trick to test speaker wires was very helpful and worked great. Thanks!

I cut the speaker wires at the fader switch and pulled them back up to the radio area. 4 of these wires are the ones going to the four speakers. Polarity was obvious by wire color.

The radio went right in with no trouble at all.

BTW: This is my first post and my first upgrade on my new 1984 300SD bought in Austin, TX last week. Great car... I think we are going to get along well once I get the AC working.

Thomas
Houston, TX

84' 300SD 224,880+ miles