- Joined
- Jul 27, 2012
- Messages
- 3,094
- Reaction score
- 445
- Location
- Brisbane - Australia
- My Car
- 1973 Mustang Convertible
Hi to all,
INTRODUCTION:
Some members may recall me posting a thread in Feb this year regarding the installation of my new Autosound Slidebar Radio head and Polk Audio front speakers for my '73 Mach 1. Ref: http://www.7173mustangs.com/thread-austin-vert-reviews-custom-autosound-s-slidebar-radio
Everything went well, and i was happy with the outcome and sound. However, i couldn't help myself again, and HAD to install rear speakers to chase the big sound i like. The problem for me was that i didn't want to deface the original interior in any way, and so what was one to do. After much thinking for a solution, i came up with what i thought was a good working idea to setup two 6x9 three way rear speakers and not harm the interior at all. My Mach has the fold down seat with the trapdoor dropping into and onto the trunk floor. So in that sense, this installation only really applies to those with the same fold down seat setup as mine has.
I'm pleased to say that the whole thing turned out really well in my opinion. The new speakers sound fantastic with good extra bass response, mid and high frequencies too. The whole package sounds awesome, and i'm very happy with the finished sound. The pics below will tell the story, i went for Polk Auidio speakers again for sound quality and performance. Like the front speakers, these are marine rated as well for robustness, and long lasting. The speaker boxes were bought from a local auto outlet supply, but these items should be able to be purchased any where in America and online with Ebay etc. They are a common design, sealed and non ported and are sold with everything you need, and ready to install. The speakers cost $240.00 Aus and the boxes cost $40.00 Aus. The only drawback or compromise i felt i made, was having the speakers placed close together. I may miss out on a degree of stereo separation with the sound, but then again, the sound gets reflected and bounced around the cabin anyway, so no big deal there. Secondly, some might not like the appearance of what i've done here, but i feel, the overerall finished look is not too bad. The big plus is you can drop the trapdoor any time and do what you want to do. The rear speakers sound equally awesome when dropped into the trunk area, and face backwards.
THE PROJECT INSTALL.
The pics will show you that i ended up buying metal profile strips and right angle brackets from my local hard ware store to make up the mounting brackets.You could use pine timber mouldings, instead of the metal ones, but they are too thick for my liking. Firstly, you use an epoxy glue like 5 minute Araldite to attach the right angle pieces onto the straight strips. I then spray painted the metal brackets with 2 pack black satin paint for durability. The next step was to install the speakers into their boxes. Once done, i mounted the speakers onto the framing brackets with PK screws. The screws also clamp the right angle brackets as well, so you're not relying on glue alone to keep the mounting frame together.
All that needs to be done now, is to position the assembled speaker package on the trapdoor, and PK screw the right angled brackets to the sides of the trapdoor. Wire the speakers back to the head, and boom, you're ready to go. The beauty of my system is you can remove the whole thing very fast and easily if you want to down the track, and you have not defaced any of the interior at all. That works for me!
See my pics below.
Many thanks,
Greg.
INTRODUCTION:
Some members may recall me posting a thread in Feb this year regarding the installation of my new Autosound Slidebar Radio head and Polk Audio front speakers for my '73 Mach 1. Ref: http://www.7173mustangs.com/thread-austin-vert-reviews-custom-autosound-s-slidebar-radio
Everything went well, and i was happy with the outcome and sound. However, i couldn't help myself again, and HAD to install rear speakers to chase the big sound i like. The problem for me was that i didn't want to deface the original interior in any way, and so what was one to do. After much thinking for a solution, i came up with what i thought was a good working idea to setup two 6x9 three way rear speakers and not harm the interior at all. My Mach has the fold down seat with the trapdoor dropping into and onto the trunk floor. So in that sense, this installation only really applies to those with the same fold down seat setup as mine has.
I'm pleased to say that the whole thing turned out really well in my opinion. The new speakers sound fantastic with good extra bass response, mid and high frequencies too. The whole package sounds awesome, and i'm very happy with the finished sound. The pics below will tell the story, i went for Polk Auidio speakers again for sound quality and performance. Like the front speakers, these are marine rated as well for robustness, and long lasting. The speaker boxes were bought from a local auto outlet supply, but these items should be able to be purchased any where in America and online with Ebay etc. They are a common design, sealed and non ported and are sold with everything you need, and ready to install. The speakers cost $240.00 Aus and the boxes cost $40.00 Aus. The only drawback or compromise i felt i made, was having the speakers placed close together. I may miss out on a degree of stereo separation with the sound, but then again, the sound gets reflected and bounced around the cabin anyway, so no big deal there. Secondly, some might not like the appearance of what i've done here, but i feel, the overerall finished look is not too bad. The big plus is you can drop the trapdoor any time and do what you want to do. The rear speakers sound equally awesome when dropped into the trunk area, and face backwards.
THE PROJECT INSTALL.
The pics will show you that i ended up buying metal profile strips and right angle brackets from my local hard ware store to make up the mounting brackets.You could use pine timber mouldings, instead of the metal ones, but they are too thick for my liking. Firstly, you use an epoxy glue like 5 minute Araldite to attach the right angle pieces onto the straight strips. I then spray painted the metal brackets with 2 pack black satin paint for durability. The next step was to install the speakers into their boxes. Once done, i mounted the speakers onto the framing brackets with PK screws. The screws also clamp the right angle brackets as well, so you're not relying on glue alone to keep the mounting frame together.
All that needs to be done now, is to position the assembled speaker package on the trapdoor, and PK screw the right angled brackets to the sides of the trapdoor. Wire the speakers back to the head, and boom, you're ready to go. The beauty of my system is you can remove the whole thing very fast and easily if you want to down the track, and you have not defaced any of the interior at all. That works for me!
See my pics below.Many thanks,
Greg.
