I have a 69 Camaro Convertible. I need some advise concerning speaker placement. I would like to install two sets of 5 1/4" components with tweeters. I have decided to order replacement panels behind/above the rear arm rests where I can cut wholes and mount the rear components and save the original panels. I would like some recommendation for the installation of the front components?

Has anyone done this?
Where did you mount them?
I would prefer not to cut wholes in the kick panels or the door.
Thanks,
John 69 RS Convertible Camaro. http://www.camaros.net/cgi-bin/xchange/xchange.cgi?search_and_display_db_button=on&db_id=302&exact_match=on&photo_size=full

I'm not completly sure about a 69, but 68 ragtop you can put 4 X 8 in the kick panels, and 6 X 9 in the convertible well. To install the 6 X 9's in the well you have to get the mounts. I didn't install 4 X 8's in the kick panels, instead I put 6" rounds in the kick pnaels. I had to trim the metal behind the kick panel some, but they fit okay. I have the mounts for the rear but haven't installed them yet.

I am planning on purchasing aftermarket side well panels (just above the arm rest in the back with the astray) and surface mount 5 1/4" components. As for the front I am torn between the kick panels or the doors. I would prefer to put the speakers in or over the kick panels and mount the tweeters in on the surface of the dash. The wind shield should reflect an upward facing tweeter very well. I just can't bring myself to cut wholes in the kick panel.
I am going to fabricat my own kick panel speaker housings. Something that would slip over the kick panel without damaging it or interrupting the vent. I am going to give it a go this week and let you know how it turns out.
Thanks,
John

I would put the speakers in the kick panels.

You could get factory kick panel speakers that are 4x6. I got my speakers and covers from Classic. Good sound and it saves the doors!

so funny...i just got finished with my speakers/amp installation in my 68 convertible...here's what i did and it looks sweet. I was able to fit 5 1/4" Sony Xplods in the kick panels, but had to trim just a little bit of the metal frame behind the kick panels...look and work great. As for putting speakers in the panels above/behind rear arm rests....DONT!!!!!!...this is where the frame folds down...if you put speakers in here they'll be chopped to bits. I fit 6x9 Sony Xplods in the actual rear arm rests with no clearance problems at all. The bottom of the speaker touches the bench seat, but it still looks/ sounds awesome! Hope this helps!

PS...i put the 280 watt Kenwood 4 channel amp underneath the passenger seat...fits great!

Garrett M.
68 Convertible

Thanks for the great information. Now that I think about it I am going to try and put a pair of 6X9's in the rear arm rest.
My current kick panels only have the vent whole in them. Do the aftermarket ones come with kick panel speaker wholes as well as the vent or do I just delete the vent for a speaker?

How about SUB's?????
I really don't want to remove my spare tire from the trunk. So I am left with a small box in the trunk or I came up with a custom idea last night.
I was thinking of removing the rear seat back rest and fabricating a sub box with a rear seat cover and some light foam over it?
After all who cares about the comfort in the back of the car. Has anyone seen this?
I could even make the seat cover snap on and off so I could expose the hidden box for shows.
I have seen similar systems in 80"s Camaro's but wonder how a box with 4" of depth and 4'X 2.5'will sound.

I think I may also go with the under the seat idea for the amps. I have two nice Sony 4040's. One for the subs and one for the front and rear. Major watts after I bridge them. http://www.camaros.net/forum/smile.gif

Anyone use the stock center dash speaker area as a center channel? What size speaker fits this area? 4X10?

Don't know if you want to install amps under the rear seats. The heat coming off my transmission tunnel and rear floor area is incredible. I would guess that the temperature exceeds 120 degrees under the seat on warm days at highway speed. Don't know how long electronics would work in this environment.

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Mark Canning
1969 Indy Pace Car
350/300HP RPO Z11

I guess the trunk just behind the back of the rear seats on a custom board is a better option because of heat concerns.
Another option I have been considering is one on the left and one on the right of the trunk sides. I just need to customer fit them on a board with fabric or carpet on it so they look clean.
I got a chance to see Dale Earnhart JR's 69 Camaro on Speed Vision last week. He had a very nice system with the amps mounted through out the trunk on fabric covered boards. Very clean!

Does anyone know exactly where the kick pannel speakers mount? Do I delete the vent and mount the speakers behind the vent or is it next to the vent?

Its, next to the vents, between the vent and the edge of the door. There is an opening in the steel structure behind the kick panel that is about 4.5" wide by 6.5" tall, so you need to be very accurate when cutting the kickpanel for installion of oval speakers. won't get anything bigger than 4 by 6 in there, and you can't have a huge magnet on the back.

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Mark Canning
1969 Indy Pace Car
350/300HP RPO Z11

hey john:

i have aftermarket kenwood speakers in the factory center dash position they are two speakers about 2 1/2 to 3" each and they install just like the factory did. you could not believe the highs these things will kick out...they'll hurt your ears. sounds great. I wouldn't buy the aftermarket kick panels because they come with just 4" speaker holes and they cost 100+ bucks. If you're really worried about ruining your stock kick panels, just buy some repros. then check out the area behind the kick panel: there is a 4 1/2" open square between the vent hole and the door jamb. this is the perfect place to mount some 5 1/4" speakers. you'll just have to trim some metal (use the speaker cutout template to see where to cut). about the sub...have you considered a bazooka bass tube? they don't take up much room and sound pretty decent. i just got finished installing my system so if you need any more help, just email me or something.

Garrett M.
68 Convertible

i just found another option for subs in the Classic Industries catalog: a subwoofer that fits INSIDE the spare tire. Classic Industries phone #: 1-800-854-1280

Garrett M.
68 Convertible