72 pass. side speaker

[Tony 38901]

I recently purchased a replacement pass. side speaker for my '72. I got one that supposedly fits 70-82 Corvettes. The problem is, it will not fit onto the speaker mounting bracket thats in the dash. I'm not sure if the bracket is factory or if the speaker is a bad repro. I called Ecklers and they said they sold over 200 last year and had no complaints...For those of you who want to see what I'm talking about...

http://users.adelphia.net/~tonyk72

Thanks!

[Dale P.]

Re: 72 pass. side speaker

tony,

I too had an issue with one for my 71 LS5 (pass side also)... could not find an exact replacement so I had to drill 4 new holes ... however mine did not look to be as far off as yours ... I think I bought mine from corvette central .... good luck .....

[Lee McGlamery]

Re: 72 pass. side speaker

Hi Tony. I experienced the same exact problem on my 70. I purchased speakers from both Corvette Central and Ecklers and neither fit. I had no choice but drill new holes and I used the speakers from Ecklers because they were a closer fit than those from Corvette Central. I found rebuilt speakers in Hemmings but they were cost prohibitive for something that will never be seen. I have not hooked the speakers to the radio yet so I do not know how the Eckler's speakers sound.

Thanks

Lee

[David D.]

Re: 72 pass. side speaker

Tony,

Most of the replacement speakers are not drilled correctly, the holes are to far out, new holes have to be drilled. On the original speakers (driver and passenger side), the holes are about 1/2" further in toward the speaker cone and about 1/8" more toward the outer edge of the speaker, the same spacing as the speaker brackets. Looks like you have the correct original speaker bracket,
from the your photo. Hope this helps. Dave

[Joe L.]

Re: 72 pass. side speaker

Dale-----

The 1970 to 77 Corvette front speaker is still available from GM. However, this part has undergone at least 5 supercessive part number changes and I would not be surprised, at all, if the currently available part is configured significantly different than the original part. By now, I would expect this to be a "make do" type of part rather than an exact replacement. This is what GMSPO usually describes as "rework as necessary".

In any event, the currently available part is GM #16048225. I would expect that's the part being sold by Corvette vendors. Check for that number ink-printed anywhere on the part or box that it came in. The 16048225 GM lists for $24.48.

[Dave S.]

Re: 72 pass. side speaker

If you have a non functioning original speaker have it reconed. There a vendors out there that will make it like new for $30. You will have the exact speaker you need and it will function as good as new.

[Tony 38901]

Re: 72 pass. side speaker

Thank you everybody for your help! I can't believe that after selling all those replacements that nobody called Ecklers to complain...I found an original at a salvage yard and will probably go with that one...

Tony

[Roberto L.]

Re: 72 pass. side speaker

Hello, I agree with Dave, a good solution is reconing of the original set. It looks as new and sounds much better, not pretending a great sound, just normal...

Roberto, NCRS #30019, RMC

http://www.geocities.com/bobluis

[Patrick H.]

Reconing

So who does the reconing? And is anyone better or faster than anyone else?

I was just about to order the Delcos, but if they don't fit easily anyway, there isn't much point in it.

Patrick

[John H.]

Re: Reconing

Patrick -

I can't find the reference, but there is/was an outfit in Jackson, Michigan that specialized in re-coning speakers (did some for me years ago); maybe someone else has contact info for them.