Need some help 66 coupe

[suki243]

Hey guys, I just got a 66 coupe and I would like to upgrade the speaker system. Right know it has 3 6 x9s (i believe they call it that) behind the back seats, with a 400 watt firestorm amp in the trunk and an after market stereo system under the dash.
When I play music it sounds weird cause its all in the back. Is there any way to fix that? I was thinking some kick panel speakers but will that be enough? Also, I would like to replace the stereo system itself, by getting one that looks like the original and has a cd changer.

I would also like to get some subs in the back.

What do other steps do you guys believe I should take?

How strong of an amp do you guys think i'll need?

Will the wiring require someone advanced or do you guys think someone that has never wired a car before be able to do it?

 

[turbogt]

tough car for a do it yourselfer to do.. not saying YOU can't, but tough... I would see if someone sells kickpanel pods for that car.. odds are they do, otherwise you would end up fiberglassing your own... Adding a resto deck is really expensive and won't work or sound as good as using a standard aftermarket deck. Because the trunk is pretty well sealed off from the cabin, it will take alot more sub than you would expect, and on top of that, TONS OF sound dampening or you will have one Giant Rattlecan..For a basic system that you are seeking, my shop would start at about $2000 for equipment and labor...

 

[suki243]

Really?
I was thinking of this deck. http://www.mustangsplus.com/Merchan...MPFMP&Product_Code=06479&Category_Code=radios

And the subs I might be able to get from my cousin, he had a car and it ended up getting totaled but he saved the subs.

As for kick panels they sell this one with the speaker in it,
http://www.mustangsplus.com/Merchan...&Store_Code=MPFMP&Category_Code=kick_speakers
and this one without the speaker
http://www.mustangsplus.com/Merchan...=11426&Category_Code=stereo_kick_panel_cutout
Are those speakers worth the $$$?

As for sound dampening material, do you mean putting it only in the trunk or in the entire car?

Edit: how about these?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1964...ryZ80741QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[iskwezm]

You can do a basic but nice sounding set up for way less then 2 grand. Get some 6X9's for the rear,some abs kick panels and SHALLOW mount 6 1/2's, a 600-800 watt 4 ch amp and some Kicker 10's.Theres a lot of good quality no name amps out there. Just get a box and port it through the rear deck and the bass will be able to get to the interior.I have done many systems for people on a budget and they have been amazed when they were quoted 2 or 3 times as much.

 

[95CobraStang]

Off the top of my head, don't waste $$$ on the speakers. I believe you're better off getting your own. I bought the kick panels w/out the speakers, myself.

Wiring is simple... especially if you are just the littlest bit electrically inclined.

 

[suki243]

I mean, like I've never wired a car, but i have built computers and stuff, I dont think wiring it would be too hard, cause it is right next to dash so u can just go straight up and hide the wires and stuff.
What is a good wattage for a kick panel speaker? Any brands that are ranked over others? etc...
Again the sound dampening material question, Do you guys reccomend that I solely cover the trunk with the material or do you guys mean covering the entire cabin and doors with it?

 

[iskwezm]

I mean, like I've never wired a car, but i have built computers and stuff, I dont think wiring it would be too hard, cause it is right next to dash so u can just go straight up and hide the wires and stuff.
What is a good wattage for a kick panel speaker? Any brands that are ranked over others? etc...
Again the sound dampening material question, Do you guys reccomend that I solely cover the trunk with the material or do you guys mean covering the entire cabin and doors with it?

Do not get anything too high power because tyhey will have a bigger magnet and your gonna need a shallow speaker unless you want to use a spacer, which i did, and it doesnt look right.I used some MB Quart, about 100 watt and they fit fine.

 

[TazerRE]

FYI, on the kick panels, if you get the empty ones and want to be able to mount better (i.e. deeper) speakers, since even the aftermarket speaker kick panels don't give much backspacing...

Make spacer rings! My buddy did this on his 66 and it worked great. Make maybe 3/4in. spacers out of MDF and mount them to the kick panels, then mount the speakers into those. If you can actually angle the spacers you make, even better. Don't make them TOO thick, or you'll end up putting your foot into them all the time.

For the rears... meh.

And for subs? Yeah, you need sound deadening like MAD in those cars. Also, you'd be amazed what giving the whole car the "once through" and tightening up EVERY fastener you can find will do. Even a little lock-tite never hurt anybody. From there, you've got a pretty big trunk to work with, so don't be afraid of eating a little space with a nice box.

Wish I had a picture... my buddy (same guy) built himself a sub box fitted to the trunk of his stang, and instead of carpeting the outside of the box, he covered it in aftermarket stang trunk liner, ya know, the plaid stuff?

EDIT to add: referring to what the poster right above me said, I have to somewhat disagree on the spacers not looking right. I think they turned out rather well when we did them. If you want to make them even better, do a bit of fiberglassing.

 

[suki243]

Thx, TazerRe If you could, can you get some pictures of it? It'd help immensly.
As for the rest, I looked at the three speakers that it has right now and they are 2 Pioneers each 250 watts, and the other one is a random 80 watt speaker.
They aren't mounted very well, the middle one is hanging down off 2 bolts coming down, and the other side just dangles, the problem is that the nuts are gone and the bolt is too short.
The wiring for them is one of the worst I have ever seen, so i'm probably gonna have to do it again.
As for the sound deadining material, I'm guessing that you place it all over the trunk, back of the seats, in the door panels, and take off the side panels of the car and place it there too?

Edit:
Geez, how thin are those speakers?! I just pulled out my kick panel to check it and there no room behind it its flat.

 

[iskwezm]

EDIT to add: referring to what the poster right above me said, I have to somewhat disagree on the spacers not looking right. I think they turned out rather well when we did them. If you want to make them even better, do a bit of fiberglassing.

well, let me add that there are different makes of the kickpanels out there. I used the generic 1/2 sapcers and the daimeter was biger then kick panel surface, so it didnt look right.

I plan to fiberglass them when i get a chance.

 

[suki243]

Ok, this is what I'm planning
I'm planning on buying this combo for the console.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/64-1...emQQcategoryZ80741QQihZ009QQitemZ190063526507

Maybe these kick panels,
http://www.mustangsplus.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=MPFMP&Product_Code=11426

If speakers are expensive then i'm planning on making my own out of the ones I already have.

I'm planning on getting another pioneer 250 watt to replace the odd 80 watt one in the back. (in the end there will be three 250 watt pioneers in the back)

Now I would greatly appreciate if you guys could reccommend some subs, kick panel speakers, and an amplifier. Also any suggestions on sound dampeners and anything else I would possibly need to finish this project.

I'm not going to install the system like this weekend or anything, I'm still waiting for my tank armor to come in. When it does, I'll take out the carpeting in the trunk, install the dampener mats, subs, get it all carpeted, get a harness bar installed in the main cabin (which probably means they have to take out the headliner) and at that time i'll install sound dampener on the roof, and at that time as well, take out the floor carpet and seats, add sound dampener to that as well and then put it all back together.
Do you guys know if I could re use the carpeting? I'd like to keep the same carpeting becuase it is the original 66 carpeting and it still looks great.
(should i put sound dampener on the firewall as well?)
Edit: Would this sound dampener work?
http://www.mustangsplus.com/Merchan...oduct_Code=11817&Category_Code=sound_deadener

Thanks again for all your help!

 

[iskwezm]

Ok, this is what I'm planning
I'm planning on buying this combo for the console.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/64-1...emQQcategoryZ80741QQihZ009QQitemZ190063526507

Maybe these kick panels,
http://www.mustangsplus.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=MPFMP&Product_Code=11426

If speakers are expensive then i'm planning on making my own out of the ones I already have.

I'm planning on getting another pioneer 250 watt to replace the odd 80 watt one in the back. (in the end there will be three 250 watt pioneers in the back)

Now I would greatly appreciate if you guys could reccommend some subs, kick panel speakers, and an amplifier. Also any suggestions on sound dampeners and anything else I would possibly need to finish this project.

I'm not going to install the system like this weekend or anything, I'm still waiting for my tank armor to come in. When it does, I'll take out the carpeting in the trunk, install the dampener mats, subs, get it all carpeted, get a harness bar installed in the main cabin (which probably means they have to take out the headliner) and at that time i'll install sound dampener on the roof, and at that time as well, take out the floor carpet and seats, add sound dampener to that as well and then put it all back together.
Do you guys know if I could re use the carpeting? I'd like to keep the same carpeting becuase it is the original 66 carpeting and it still looks great.
(should i put sound dampener on the firewall as well?)
Edit: Would this sound dampener work?
http://www.mustangsplus.com/Merchan...oduct_Code=11817&Category_Code=sound_deadener

Thanks again for all your help!

DO NOT BUY THAT RADIO!!!!!!!!!!!

save some buy, buy a name brand and mount it in the glovebox,it will have better sound,more features.

 

[ChingonStang]

Auto Reverse Cassette, now that's classy!

 

[iskwezm]

also:

DO NOT BUY THAT RADIO!!!!!!!!!!!

for ease of installation, get a 5 channel amp(unless you want 2 amps) and some MB Quart shallow mount speakers,6X9's and some decent 10's in a box.

I did my buddies coupe with Pioneer 4 way 6X9's,MB Quarts and JL 10's with 2 amps. I think i charged about $950 for everything installed minus the cheezy radio like the one you posted.

 

[suki243]

Nice point, I was thinking, if i'm gonna mount it in the glove box might as well get one that has a remote. And since I mostly listen to the radio, I might as well get one that has hd radio right? This is one that I found that has a bunch of stuff in it.
http://mobile.jvc.com/product.jsp?modelId=MODL027691&pathId=54&page=2
329.95 dont know where to buy it.

These 6 x 9's?
http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v3/pg/product/details/0,,2076_310069906_189562741,00.html
130 but i dont know where to buy them

These shallow mounts?
http://cgi.ebay.com/MB-QUART-RUA210...T-RVF-NEW_W0QQitemZ250068464153QQcmdZViewItem
184

This amp?
http://cgi.ebay.com/PHOENIX-GOLD-OC...ryZ79824QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
220

Subs?

2 of these
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Pion...43681/catOid/-13093/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do
69.99 each
Ends up being 972.98

edit: Just found the radio at crutchfield for 120 bucks less
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-vqBUZrXBiH4/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?g=300&I=257KDHDR1

I might be able to go around some of the shipping costs cause the auctions are in los angels, and valencia, i rather go and pick them up. saving about 50ish
The amp is expensive, would it be cheaper to go with 2?
Any suggestions, its kinda steep IMO

 

[iskwezm]

I might be able to go around some of the shipping costs cause the auctions are in los angels, and valencia, i rather go and pick them up. saving about 50ish
The amp is expensive, would it be cheaper to go with 2?
Any suggestions, its kinda steep IMO

Where do you live at??? I'm able to buy through local distributors and might be able to save you some money.

 

[suki243]

What are your takes on buying speakers from ebay?
I found the 6x9's for like 69
http://cgi.ebay.com/PIONEER-TS-A941...ryZ58031QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Also please critique the system, Do you guys think i'll need to change teh alternator to a more powerful one?

 

[iskwezm]

What are your takes on buying speakers from ebay?
I found the 6x9's for like 69
http://cgi.ebay.com/PIONEER-TS-A941...ryZ58031QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Also please critique the system, Do you guys think i'll need to change teh alternator to a more powerful one?

like i tell everybody that buys on Ebay, you might save a few bucks, but good luck on the warrenty and whatever bs goes along with it(not shipping,wrong item,damaged etc.) Ive been burned a few times, mainly from getting things shipped for 40 bucks and it being 10 miles from my house or sending me a part they didnt describe.

 

[ChingonStang]

+1 Buying speakers on ebay is like using that condom that's been in your wallet for a year. You really don't know if its going to work or not.

 

[suki243]

Do you guys think the current alternator will do?