1st Gen - (Front) Stereo Speakers

[illzoni]

When I bought my '87 T4R SR5 in 2010, it had a lousy stereo and the only functioning speakers were in the rear seat next to the passergers' knees in the outer wall. Soon after purchase I had a local shop install a new stereo, but left the working speakers alone. I'd like to have some sound up front so I don't have to overwhelm rear passengers so I can hear up front (fade capability).

So I went to the same stereo shop and asked about getting speakers put in the doors. To my surprise, he pointed to grill-looking spots in the lower, outer corners of the dash which should contain front speakers.

How do I get access to that location to replace the front speakers?
What size do I need?
Brand/model suggestions?
(I'm not looking for anything great, just functional.)

Of course, while I'm at it I suppose I should replace the speakers in the rear. They have no covers/grills and I'd like them to at least have that. I think they're 6x9s. Suggestions?

TIA,
Jon

 

[josh.bunch]

Take off the dash and pull the speakers. Then match them on amazon or eBay. I'm a strong believer in Infinity speakers. I had some 6x9 in the rear dash of my 65 Mustang and people thought I had a sub in the trunk if I cranked them up. You will pay slightly more but the quality is superior IMO. They make all kinds of speakers, amps, subs, CD players, etc.
I would change them all out at once. Just make sure the new CD player can accept the wattages. It should be fine.

 

[Nervo19]

In a first gen you don't have to pull the dash. Take a close look at the dash. On the driver's side it's about 5 screws including the trim under the steering wheel. The right side is a couple of screws. I've heard good things about 4" Infinity Kappa speakers for the 1st gen. Try google "86 4Runner front speaker" There are lots of photos out there, not necessarily on this site.

 

[Hyde802]

I have a set of component polk speakers in there. They sound great.

 

[illzoni]

I have a set of component polk speakers in there. They sound great.

I read elsewhere the stock location and angle isn't great. I'm no audiophile. Is it okay there?

 

[Thurlo76]

stick'em in the doors silly!!!

 

[illzoni]

stick'em in the doors silly!!!

From what I've read, they really don't go 'in' the door so much as the need to be custom mounted 'to' the door. And with that carefully so as not to interfere with window crank operation. Right?

Again, I'm not an audio snob. Just a guy that likes to listen to classic rock and pretend I was cool once long ago.

 

[Hyde802]

I read elsewhere the stock location and angle isn't great. I'm no audiophile. Is it okay there?

They sound fine to me at 75 mph with the windows down....

I just have a set of sony 6x9 hooked to a 100 watt amp for the rear speakers, turned down a little bit so they dont overwhelm the fronts. They sound good to me.

 

[the_dingman]

I have a 5 1/4 component set with the woofers in the door and the tweeters mounted in the dash where the factory 4" should go. They sound good paired with 6x9s in the back.

 

[Thurlo76]

putting the speakers in the doors is a snap! not a probelem at all! i have 6.5 inch speakers in mine. 2nd set of doors ive had speakers in. i also have a tweeter in the stock speaker location in the dash. if the speakers are in the doors i thing you get better sound, theres nothing in the way. just sounded way better when i put them in the doors.

 

[Iroke17]

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[Thurlo76]

hahaha i was like.... o those are cute speakers in front..... o those are kinda cute in the middle.... DAMN! baby got back!!! lol

 

[Iroke17]

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[Thurlo76]

ya i saw some of your build thread with those! if they turn out good i might have to make somthing like that for myself. for now i have my 6x9's underneith the panel. and a big box for my 12" sub with a 600 watt amp... tee hee.

at one point last summer i had 1500 watts of sub, and a 800 watt bass tube behind the front seat. i could bounce a silver dollar off the roof of it hahahaha i thought i was the coolest guy!! haha didnt last to long.... lol

 

[Iroke17]

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