I would like to change the factory speakers in the top of the dash I bought some better quality speakers from ecklers.I have heard that if you have A/C its more difficult and that the posts can break in the 4 corners of the speakers also is the wire connection easy to match...I have a bulb that is out on the dash its the one that lights up headlamps will I be able to get to this bulb when I have the top off... If anyone has any tips on doing this please help..Thanks in advance
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Re: C-3 1970 coupe speakers
It's a tricky mission you're on... There's two basic approaches: one is to pull the passenger side lower dash panel and then pull the driver's side instrument cluster (really requires the steering column be dropped and/or removed altogether) and change the speakers from below leaving the upper dash in place.
The other approach is to pull the upper dash panel and do the change-out off-car. While the second approach sounds fast/easy, it's fraught with risk...
First, you have to know where ALL of the clips and screws are that hold the upper dash in and un-do/release them properly. Second, you have to get the upper dash up/above the center cluster bezel and the center cluster bezel was intentionally designed with weak points intended to fracture in the event of a head-on collision. So, there's a distinct possibility you'll break the center cluster bezel in the process IF you're not skilled and careful.
Last, once the upper dash is free to move, you'll find it doesn't want to 'let go' and come out of the windshield upright pillar posts. It's a lot easier to get the dash pad out if the windshield glass is removed, but that's a REAL hassle! Trying to extract the dash pad with the windshield installed is pretty tricky and most find they have to execute a minor U-shaped bend to the dash pad to get it to clear the pillar posts.
If it's a factory original dash pad, you can bet it's aged and brittle and you've got another good chance of cracking it either during removal or re-installation. So, those are your choices; you're kinda between a rock and a hard place as there is no EASY answer/approach....
On the speaker wires, simply de-solder the pig tail on your existing speakers and move them over to the replacement speakers. They have in-line connectors intended to pop apart for service/replacement.
On replacing instrument cluster lamps, yep, they're easy to get to with the upper dash removed. But, getting upper dash out tain't an easy task! Most Corvette shops go about replacing instrument cluster lamps by either having a skilled mechanic with a slender hand/arm and/or beginning the removal of the instrument cluster to gain enough access space to reach the offending lamp(s). -
Re: C-3 1970 coupe speakers
Jack thank you for the all the information I think I will return the speakers ! Or is it easier to put speakers in the kick panels and wire them to the stero ..Is it hard to get to the back of the stero ?Comment
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Re: C-3 1970 coupe speakers
You can get slighly larger speakers into the kick panels, but make SURE the terminal posts clear the surrounding metal so as not to short out! If your car has a factory original stereo radio, then you can get to the RH (passenger side) speaker wire pretty easily by dropping the LH lower dash pad and finding the stereo adaptor where the in-line speaker wire connector is. Getting to the LH (driver's side) speaker wire is a LOT more work because the in-line connector is clipped to the windshield's lower bird cage rail and that's smack dab between the center console & main instrument cluster WAY up top & over the heater box...Comment
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Re: C-3 1970 coupe speakers
Thanks sounds a little easier but still a lot of work.I thank you fo your responseComment
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