924Board.org

[-nick]

i hate to hash this out again, but after looking through the archives i can't tell what speakers actually work back there without cutting the panels up. anyone know? if i'm going to go through the trouble of pulling the side glass out then i want the best d*mn speaker i can get back there. i'd like to use a pair of infinity plate speakers, anyone try it? i'm open to suggestions, but like i said, i don't want to cut the panel and put a speaker grill over the hole.

-nick

[Stu2j]

GENERALLY,

You simply need a 4X6 speaker with an installation clearance of 2" or less. Obviously, these speakers need to have a flush face to fit against the panel so any speaker with with a cone/dome type tweeter will not work.

Pioneer, Alpine, and yes even Blaupunkt all make suitable replacement speakers. I certainly can't say which is best.

(I took a quick look at the Infinity 4x6 plate and it appears they have a "dome" type tweeter. This is a problem unless you are going to cut the panel and use the speaker cover).

BTW, I did not remove my rear glass to replace my speakers. If you try to do it without removing the glass, you must exercise great care so that you don't tear the panel as you work it free from around the window. I also did not reglue the panel when I put it back together.
_________________
-Stu
924 owner since 1988
924S owner since 2002
Click here to view them:

[-nick]

thanks Stu,
that's just the sort of info i was looking for. i've got new quarter window seals and i wanted to do it all at once. now i know what to look for with the speakers.

-nick

[924mang]

about removing the rear panel. where do you start? ive noticed there is a philly-head screw that faces the front seats. im assuming take that out, then what?
people have said to take the window out to remove it. is there anyway around that? does it just pull off or somthing?
when i read about people removing it, all they say is "remove the panel, then take the window out"
i guess my hang up is the panel removal.
help would be greatly appreciated. thanks!

[Porschephile]

it's not too hard to remove the back window. I've done it plenty o times. it's easy. if anyone in Colorado wants it done, take a trip to Regis University, and I'll replace your speakers for cheap.
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werd B.

[Stu2j]

""people have said to take the window out to remove it. is there anyway around that?""

I removed the panel and replaced my speakers without removing the window. If you choose to do this, you must be careful.

1) Start by taking out the obvious screws that you can see.

2) In my 924NA there is a header panel with three screws. This also had to be removed.

3) Remove the black trim peice from the door sill

4) Starting at the bottom of the door opening, carefully start pulling the panel away from the frame to the top (the panel is glued and this takes some patience). If the panel piece you are removing is glued to a top piece, you will need to carefully separate them.

5) At this point, you will need to dislodge the hidden fastener in the panel. Carefully reach into the panel and pop this loose.

6) Now comes the hard part. The panel must be worked loose from the window. Lift the rubber seal and carefully (and I mean carefully) work the panel away from the window frame. This is difficult in the corners and takes patience. If all else fails, you can cut the panel free at the window frame since there will be enough material to tuck it back under the rubber seal and reglue it.

Once the panel is removed you will need to work around it since the seat belt will prevent it from being set aside.

I probably made this sound more complicated than it is and thanks to the spacious Porsche back seats is isn't an easy area to work but it can be done.

There is less danger is tearing the material if the rear window is removed and the panel can be reglued properly and that is why it is recommended. Someone else will have to guide you on the window removal if you choose to go that route.

Good luck.
_________________
-Stu
924 owner since 1988
924S owner since 2002
Click here to view them:

[-nick]

924mang-
i think the window removing method has been posted in this section in the past. it might also be in the faq or tech section on this site. it is around though. i've heard of more than one person cracking the trim backing. it makes me nervous to do it without taking out the window. i'll guess i'll find out when i do it...

-nick

[Stu2j]

[924mang]

this is only a thought, and i will most likely not act upon it. but i have a rotozip mini saw, couldnt you just cut a hole the size of the speaker(like around the circumference of the little holes yes, i know), and take the speaker out that way?
and just take the speaker out like that and then after glue/screw, whatever must be done, put on a 4x6 speaker grill cover?

how far back does the speaker sit when the panel is off? if that were to be done, would it look like a rediculous grill with a set back speaker in it?

just a thought of mine, i may consider it, and i may not. because it would be very drastic.

[Stu2j]

>>how far back does the speaker sit when the panel is off? if that were to be done, would it look like a rediculous grill with a set back speaker in it?

What you are talking about has been done. I read a post somewhere where someone did it. I wouldn't have the guts to attempt it unless I had some spare panels standing by.

I personally think it would like fine if done right (certainly no worse than the door speakers found in the 924S/944) if you used a similar (flat) speaker cover with a matching or accent color.

The rear speaker is flush with the car frame and sits directly up against the panel. Cutting away the panel without damaging the speaker could be tricky.
_________________
-Stu
924 owner since 1988
924S owner since 2002
Click here to view them:

[-nick]

"...cracking the trim backing..."

i'm probably just misquoting someone here. i thought this was what the danger was, apparently not.

thanks for the explanations here. i've got a good idea what to expect now.

-nick

[Porschephile]

-nick is right...the back of the trim is particle board, it's pretty fragile, and will break if bent far enough (which isn't too far). it is truely easier to remove the window.

just get yourself a screwdriver, and a fairly thick rope, and a good friend, and it'll be off and back on in less than an hour. what you want to do, is stick the screwdriver between the seal and the body of the car (I prefer the top of the window) and pry the window towards the outside of the car, and have your friend catch it.

I have also heard (but NEVER tried) that you can sit across the back seat and give the window a good, swift boot to the glass, and it'll pop off and not break. I wouldn't reccomend tryin it though.

then undo the screws, pull of the trim, replace the speaker, put the trim back, screw it in, then get the rope.

here is where your friend comes in handy. Put the rope in the groove where the seal goes over the body (It's the big groove. can't miss it.) put one edge of the window seal over the body of the car, and have the 2 ends of the rope in the car with you.

have your friend press HARD on the window, pushing it into the car, while you pull the rope around the window, thus pulling the seal over the body work and holding the window in place. I have had to do this lovely trick 3 times and am about to do it again. I think this 3'rd time, I'll just go ahead and take pictures. it'll be a while...cuz the car is still in topeka
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werd B.

[Stu2j]

""-nick is right...the back of the trim is particle board, it's pretty fragile, and will break if bent far enough (which isn't too far). it is truely easier to remove the window.""

I am certainly not going to argue against removing the window. (Quite frankly, removing the back seat top will make the job easier and isn't a bad idea).

Someone asked if there was a way to do it without removing the window and since I have done this twice in just such a way I gave them the instructions.

They have to make the choice.
_________________
-Stu
924 owner since 1988
924S owner since 2002
Click here to view them:

[-nick]

"I have also heard (but NEVER tried) that you can sit across the back seat and give the window a good, swift boot to the glass, and it'll pop off and not break..."

good god! you could probably catch the interior on fire and wait for the trim to burn off too
-nick