1975 eldorado front speakers

[macdaddylong]

Front left speaker is blown .. I understand it is a real mess to replace requiring taking apart the dash ?
Is this correct ?
If so can someone recommend a front speaker I could mount somewhere else . Like under dash ?

[chrisntam]

What better way to get to know your eldo than by taking it apart & putting it back together?  Get a factory service manual, it will walk you through the process.  Think of it more as an opportunity than a problem!  Ain't it fun to own an old car???

[macdaddylong]

So my next question would be ... I'm pretty good with a wrench , have as much ( maybe alittle more ) technical sense then the next guy ... Am pretty good with directions and such and am not afraid of a challenge ...
But how many hours would you estimate to replace front dash speakers ?

[chrisntam]

I'd call Crutchfield and get the speakers, they are prolly 4 inch rounds, but don't know, not sure how many ohms.  Start it on a Saturday morning, be done by early afternoon, working leisurely.

[jagbuxx #12944]

It's really not that bad of a job. At the same time consider getting your clock refurbished if it is not working.
The pad that contains the a/c vents is removed first then you can access the upper pad to remove it. Correct replacements are available, just google for vintage GM speakers. Can't remember the name of where I got mine for the '76 but they fit nicely and had a spacer block for correct fit and a they sound like the originals.

[76eldo]

The hardest part is getting the AC Vents out without snapping off the spring tabs that you have to pry inward to remove.

You should ask for tips on that before starting this job.

Get a shop manual too.  Cheap investment with high return.

Brian

[TJ Hopland]

I'm thinking the front speakers are 2 1/2".   Just some GM cars from that era used them so they were not the most common size.  When you do find them a big issue is the depth they require.   Most more modern speakers are much deeper than there is room for in these cars so that tends to really limit the options.

[bill06447]

Lacking the special GM tool, I made a tool out of a piece of coat hanger on which I hammered the ends flat and bent into a "C" shape to pull in the vent tabs. Removing the brittle plastic vents in one piece is the hardest part IMO. The shop manual shows exactly where the nuts and studs are to remove the dash pads. The top one is a tight friction fit with the bottom of the windshield and firmly pulls straight out slightly after the bolts are removed and before it can be lifted clear. The 76 Eldorado I took apart had a 1990's vintage 120 watt power booster and high power Panasonic speakers in the dash-I'll share a photo tomorrow of the speakers if it's warranted

Bill

[jagbuxx #12944]

Check out turnswitch.com, that's where I sourced speakers for my '76.

[76eldo]

If you google "classic auto speakers" there are three or four companies that come up.  They are offering all of the stock 8 and 10 ohm speakers in all of the GM sizes.

Brian

[macdaddylong]

I forgot to mention I have a retro classic radio installed in the car ...
Bill do you remember what size the front dash speakers were ?
3 1/2  inch ? Does that sound right ?

[bill06447]

I forgot to mention I have a retro classic radio installed in the car ...
Bill do you remember what size the front dash speakers were ?
3 1/2  inch ? Does that sound right ?

I'll get the dash Saturday and give you the specs

Bill

[Jeff Moffo]

Hi Wayne,
I own a 76 DeVille.  Same speakers.  When I called Turnswitch, the gentleman automatically knew what size speakers the car needed....along with the rear sizes and respective ohms as well.  He is a very knowledgeable man and honest.

Be careful when removing the top dash pad.  It is long and somewhat fragile. There is also a wiring harness that must be undone with a BOATLOAD of wires feeding into it!

Good Luck.
Jeff

[bill06447]

3 1/2". They are held in with a wire spring retainer.

Bill