Well I am finishing up the dash and got the front dash speaker in, the a/c ducting and the a/c controller all in this weekend and getting ready to put the stereo in next. I ordered one of the newer "radio for old car" radios. Hopefully it is an easy install.

Anyway I have a question about the rear speakers (6 x 9). I would like to put them in and from what I have read here, they are kind of hard to hear with the top down:(. I have seen the "brackets" for sale in NPD and Ricks for around $40.00. Has anyone used those or rather how did you mount your rear speakers in you have a convertible. I checked the AIM and don't see any rear speaker diagrams, probably because they weren't even thought of at the time.:D:D:D Even though the catalogs say they are "original"


Ideas and pics would be appreciated.

thanks
brandan-

Yes there are "factory" rear speaker mounts, but like you heard once the top is down, forget about hearing anything but muffled sounds.

Your best bet is to add kick panel speakers, you can search this site for ideas from store bought to custom. And if you really want a sound system, you need to build out something in your trunk (you can click my link and see what I did).

Rear speakers in a '69 convertible were mounted in a cardboard like enclosure onto the seat back in such a position that the grills could be mounted in the top well material.

Or just put a sub in the back to give the fronts more punch...I did this as others have...it's a comprimise.

capt

Just went through the same issue. After reading all the posts and comments, this is the route I went so as not to compromise sound nor chop up my car.

Used radio to power kickpanel speakers.
Alpine 6X9's in front of rear seat in custom boxes. $120
Alpine amp for them in the trunk. $75 ebay
Infinity basslink powered sub in the trunk with bass control under dash. $240

Its a pretty inexpensive set up. If I had to do it over again, I would go with the higher end head unit like you did.

I posted pics on my link. It sounds pretty good and the bass is still there with the top down, although quieter. The Alpine speakers can be easily removed if need be and the magents in them actually hold them in place to the metal in the seat/floor. And you actually still have rear passenger leg room.

I hope this helps.

I have boxes on the floor in front of the rear seat - but they are pretty faint with the top down too.

I gave up on trying to find a logical solution that sounded good. Also, wanted to keep the car fairly stick. I replaced the single in dash speaker with two speakers. 5" if I recall right. For the rears, like some others, I have 6x9's mounted in speaker housings and they sit on the passenger side floor. They're powered by a pretty decent amp under the passenger seat. They are on quick disconnects and when I show the car, I just pull them out and stuff the wires under the back seat. Not a perfect solution but it works for me. The trunk option works fine if you're not too concerned about originality.

As I recall there was a pretty detailed post about this subject in the convertibles forum awhile back. Try a search on it...

Picture this; I built a camel hump over my drive shaft tunnel and mounted my speakers in it. If you will shoot me your email address, I will send you a picture of it. Take a 1 x 8 for round speakers or a 1 X 10 for 6x9 speakers and cut the top piece about a foot long or so (making sure this will provide enough back space clearance when the speakers are installed). Then cut 2 end pieces long enough to clear the hump when attached to the top board at about a 30 degree angle on each end and it will look something like this /----\ only the dotted line should be at the very top in the diagram. Then cut the holes for your speakers and test fit everything. I attached all of the pieces together using predrilled straps. For a front, I used a piece of cardboard as a pattern and cut it to fit inside the box and over the tunnel. You can cover all of it in carpet (as I did) or you can use vinyl. Mount your speakers on the angled sides wire them up and you are ready to ride. This prevented me from destroying my door panels and they do not impede the floor space in the rear. You can also hear them without blasting the neighbors and they are easily removed.

Thanks D, I got your email and the picture.....

Brandan-

Here is a pic of a set of 4" speakers I installed in the rear. I supplement them with an infinity basslink in the truck. Do a search for other posts from me to see more pictures.

http://home.comcast.net/~brian.stanley/wsb/rearsp.jpg

thanks Brian

I did something similar to Brians, but with 5" infinity's with separate tweeters. The speakers go rear and low, only about half is above the seat cushion. Put the tweet facing forward, higher up on the well covers.
Also used a sub, a kenwood self powered in the trunk.
Sounds pretty good.

Just went through the same issue. After reading all the posts and comments, this is the route I went so as not to compromise sound nor chop up my car.

Used radio to power kickpanel speakers.
Alpine 6X9's in front of rear seat in custom boxes. $120
Alpine amp for them in the trunk. $75 ebay
Infinity basslink powered sub in the trunk with bass control under dash. $240

Its a pretty inexpensive set up. If I had to do it over again, I would go with the higher end head unit like you did.

I posted pics on my link. It sounds pretty good and the bass is still there with the top down, although quieter. The Alpine speakers can be easily removed if need be and the magents in them actually hold them in place to the metal in the seat/floor. And you actually still have rear passenger leg room.

I hope this helps.
Where did you get those boxes and what speakers did you use? They look PERFECT for my application as well! :D