hey all I just added an 87 Thunderbird to my T-Bird collection and I am planning on replacing the stock stereo. I cannot seem to find out how to replace the dash speakers though. Any help please?
Pry up on the speaker covers GENTLY as to not crack the dash,then,you'll see the two screws that hold them down.I have a short (about an inch and a half) screwdriver I use.
Can't you pinch the clips from the bottom? I know you can on the drivers side, but my passenger side one is already busted so I haven't tried reaching up from the glovebox. On the drivers side, I think you have to remove both the bezel AND the instrument cluster to have enough room for your hands.
It's a nightmarish job if they are stuck in there as tight as mine were. I did make a small crack in my dash near the speaker grill - good thing it's not that noticable as these 20th colored dash's are not a dime a dozen :( I would make an effort to get in there from behind and push in on the clips!
Ok thanks, next thing is the deck. I want to know what to do to install the new stereo. I don't want to break the dash. I have installed stereos in my other birds no problem. But the dash is a little different in this. How do I get the stock cassette deck out?
Umm, just start unbolting/unscrewing? If you have a floor shift, you need to remove the bezel around it first. There are two screws, one on either side. Then, there's two screws at the bottom and two screws at the top (you can see them if you get down and look/feel for the holes). This takes the radio bezel off. Four screws attached to the stereo itself and it pulls out with a tug (its clipped onto a bar from the underside, to you have to give it a good pull). Then, if you don't want to hack up your wiring, just get the wiring harness from walmart and wire the new one up, plug it in, and you're good to go.
If you have Premium sound, do a search on it. There's usually wires , that run straight to the speakers, taped up inside the dash. Otherwise, it all goes to the EQ and to the factory amp.
A 7mm box wrench will help with the dash speaker screws.
I never had trouble with just popping the grills out with a screwdriver. Never had to disassemble my dash or anything to get the speakers out.
Well, weren't you lucky - mine wouldn't budge and my dash got a crack in it. :flame:
Hey you too. I'm not the only one :hick:
Mine popped right out, and I disconnected the speakers...
Door and rear deck are plenty for me...
When I did mine I made a small hook tool and fished it in between the grill slots/slats and pulled straight up, then I replaced the clips with little Velcro pads so anytime I want to access the area I won't crack my CRACK-FREE dash.
Rick
Well my dash is already cracked so that don't bother me. I am planning on getting a dash mat for it.
Same here my speakers grills clips where allready broke and than my dash has cracks all over it so i got a dash mat to cover up my ugly dash.
I got my dash Speakers out no problem by just poping it out from the top and man was a I careful :P, my next problem was that the speaker shop had no speaker to fit in it tho LOL...
No 3 1/2" speakers?