[Good2Go]

Currently considering updating the absolutely exhausted 6x9 speakers in my 70 Grand Prix this spring as well as possibly updating the radio unit to a modern one capable of bluetooth and/or AUX. Has anyone undertaken this process before, and if so what speakers / radio did you go with? And how difficult were the processes of changing the 6x9 speakers as well as the radio unit? I'm curious to see what radios, if any, fit. I don't mind if it doesnt look "period accurate" as I value the radio's functionality over its appearance, however I'd want it to at least fit in the dash

[Dragncar]

MB Quart, made in Germany.
Going to to need a amp to drive them properly.
Myself, I buy classic USA made amps on E Bay. Even the "good" ones are made in China these days.
Think:
PPI
Soundstream
Rockford Fosgate
Lanzar
You can go with classic Kenwood, Alpine ect, but they are made in Japan and have a different sound.
Merica baby !

[Half-Inch Stud]

6x9 Speakers and teunk wire connectors from the 90's lincoln towncars work very well and are efficient.

Grills on top of the package tray are the tough issue. Good luck finding nice grills.

[242177P]

Consider getting creative with speakers? You can easily put
a pair of 4", or even a pair of 5", inside the 6x9's hole.

As far as radios go, I doubt there are any *quality* two knob
units to be had. Leave the old one alone, or send it out for a
bluetooth upgrade. Last time I looked, it wasn't hard to find
nice head units with remotes, hidden is good.

[JLMounce]

I have Focal speakers in my bird and I like them. Clear mids and high's and enough punch that I haven't pined for a subwoofer.

If your factory radio is in good working order, I'd consider using a bluetooth receiver from Out of Sight Audio. https://outofsightaudio.com/

The cool thing about this setup is you can still use your factory radio with it. You run your factory speaker outs to the input on the out of sight receiver, which gains you nice modern MOFSETS with good power for almost any modern component speaker.

When you want to listen to something other than the radio, your phone and bluetooth take over at the receiver. The only thing it doesn't have is any type of EQ. You may wish to add an EQ to the system when going this route.

[kingbuzzo]

If it is anything like a t/a trunk you definitely don't want to replace them again so get good 6x9s.

I had to talk junior into replacing my sh*tty Pyle units with Alpines and it was a solid upgrade. I don't fit in there anymore lol

I have a "floating" single din unit as my dash was cut already, two amps, and a single sub out back.

So many options available....good luck!

[rildon]

I had the OEM radio in my 72 Grand Prix converted. Full repairs and conversions run minimum $400-$500. Hardest part was removing it, lol. As far as speakers go I have 6x9 Kenwood 5 ways that fit right in the original spot. Here is a link with several repair people that do the conversions
https://www.tech-retro.com/aurora-de...o-dealers.html

[Good2Go]

Originally Posted by rildon

I had the OEM radio in my 72 Grand Prix converted. Full repairs and conversions run minimum $400-$500. Hardest part was removing it, lol. As far as speakers go I have 6x9 Kenwood 5 ways that fit right in the original spot. Here is a link with several repair people that do the conversions
https://www.tech-retro.com/aurora-de...o-dealers.html

Thank you so much man. I live not too far from one of these guys so I can probably drop it off to them myself one day after work. I'll probably end up copying your setup with the Kenwood 5 ways. Is there anything specific you need to do other than just going to them through the trunk and replacing them?

[LKLusza]

Originally Posted by rildon

I had the OEM radio in my 72 Grand Prix converted. Full repairs and conversions run minimum $400-$500. Hardest part was removing it, lol. As far as speakers go I have 6x9 Kenwood 5 ways that fit right in the original spot. Here is a link with several repair people that do the conversions
https://www.tech-retro.com/aurora-de...o-dealers.html

Agreed. I had my conversion done by Retro Radio Restoration in Elizabethtown, PA. It took quite a while as he has a significant backlog, but it was worth the wait. With bluetooth in the radio and the Sirius XM app on my phone, I now have satellite radio without the receiver!

[rildon]

Nothing special at all, just some new 18 gauge wire. The new Kenwood's (KFC-6996PS) are low profile and recessed so they are flush mount. The only difference is the magnets are larger so the old speaker enclosure doesn't fit. The hardest for me is still trying to remove and replace the old front dash 4X10 speaker.

Originally Posted by Good2Go

Thank you so much man. I live not too far from one of these guys so I can probably drop it off to them myself one day after work. I'll probably end up copying your setup with the Kenwood 5 ways. Is there anything specific you need to do other than just going to them through the trunk and replacing them?

[locomotivebreath]

I used some kicker 4 way 6x9s that mount flush under the package tray in my GTO , kicker dash speaker that I had to trim up the bracket a bit to mount but sounds great . Original am radio was converted to am/fmHD and blue tooth with an aurora unit . It has an app to down load that you can adjust your Eq with ! 45w/channel . I think it sounds great . Plenty loud and clear & the blue tooth paired with my iPhone convenient .

[Dragncar]

Oh come on, we all know the only real way to go is Jensen Triaxles and a Kraco amp.
That way you can blow them up together like we all did in the 80s !

[Trailercamp]

Over the holiday, I installed a system in my '67 bird
I installed a floating LCD screen radio.
I wanted modern car features like Carplay, Navi, Calling, B/U Cam, etc.
I was able to install it in the dash without cutting the metal.
I installed (2) 1/4-20 hex bolts in the radio faceplate and used handknobs to retain it in the dash.
It looks great, works great and sounds great. I love it.
system
head unit: Boss Audio BE9ACP (surprisingly good given their reputation)
amp: Kicker Key amp 200 (fit under the dash)
speakers: 6x9 Sony RR package, 6 1/2" kickers in kick panels, 3/12" kickers in dash
powered Sub in trunk: Pioneer 10"
My way of thinking is that I will use the radio system every time I drive so make it nice.
Good luck with your GP and let us know what direction you went.

[jerry455]

I bought a Retro Sound for my 1976 Firebird. They sold a 4X10 speaker frame with 2 4" speakers for the front and I put 2 6x9s in the rear. It only came with 1 but I put in the second one. It sounds good. It looks like a factory radio, a front cover when sitting, but a digital face when driving.

[Half-Inch Stud]

Originally Posted by Dragncar

Oh come on, we all know the only real way to go is Jensen Triaxles and a Kraco amp.
That way you can blow them up together like we all did in the 80s !

Yes. Jensen Tri-Ax and the Jensen GRILLS. Driven by the Realistic Power Amp with the Equalizer built in. That was good sound.

[Squidward]

Originally Posted by Trailercamp

Over the holiday, I installed a system in my '67 bird
I installed a floating LCD screen radio.
I wanted modern car features like Carplay, Navi, Calling, B/U Cam, etc.
I was able to install it in the dash without cutting the metal.
I installed (2) 1/4-20 hex bolts in the radio faceplate and used handknobs to retain it in the dash.
It looks great, works great and sounds great. I love it.
system
head unit: Boss Audio BE9ACP (surprisingly good given their reputation)
amp: Kicker Key amp 200 (fit under the dash)
speakers: 6x9 Sony RR package, 6 1/2" kickers in kick panels, 3/12" kickers in dash
powered Sub in trunk: Pioneer 10"
My way of thinking is that I will use the radio system every time I drive so make it nice.
Good luck with your GP and let us know what direction you went.

Thanks to Kingbuzzo, I am also a big fan of the BOSS single din floating display. I have the 8" version, tho. My install had some challenges due to previously existing mods. But the way you did that with the knobs is pretty sweet.

I NEED my touchscreen, bluetooth, streaming, and navigation. Wireless Carplay/Android Auto is da bomb!

I went with 6" Pioneers up front in the kick panels, and 3 way 6x9's out back. Very simple and basic. I have plans for a single 8" powered sub in the future. The Boss unit does pretty well, 85w/channel.

I have been enjoying using the Newpipe app to put together several nice classic playlists.

[Good2Go]

Originally Posted by rildon

Nothing special at all, just some new 18 gauge wire. The new Kenwood's (KFC-6996PS) are low profile and recessed so they are flush mount. The only difference is the magnets are larger so the old speaker enclosure doesn't fit. The hardest for me is still trying to remove and replace the old front dash 4X10 speaker.

To get to the 6x9's, did you have to go in through the top via the panel over the rear seats, or through the trunk?

[rildon]

Went through the trunk.

Originally Posted by Good2Go

To get to the 6x9's, did you have to go in through the top via the panel over the rear seats, or through the trunk?

[Good2Go]

Originally Posted by rildon

Went through the trunk.

Last question, what was the removal process like for the radio from the dash? There doesn't seem to be any guides on it online. I have a service manual lying around somewhere but I wouldn't mind just hearing it from someone who's actually done it. I have an AC car if it makes a difference on the GP.

[rildon]

Not horrible. I removed the a/c heater duct work under the dash. Couple screws on each side and then it comes out in one piece. Easier to reach up under the dash from the passenger side of the vehicle. Antenna wire, wire harness and one support clamp from what I recall. Happy to help further if you need it. I have a question as well I don't get an email notification here when you reply. Is that something that you receive on your end when I reply?

Originally Posted by Good2Go

Last question, what was the removal process like for the radio from the dash? There doesn't seem to be any guides on it online. I have a service manual lying around somewhere but I wouldn't mind just hearing it from someone who's actually done it. I have an AC car if it makes a difference on the GP.