Front Speakers NOT 3 1/2" - What are they?

[CraigK]

I posted a week or so ago regarding replacing the crackling 20 year old speakers in the dash of my '87 BroncoII. After not finding anything suitable at WALMART, I bit the proverbial bullet, checked the sizing chart in the TRS Tech Section, and ordered a pair of Pioneer 3 1/2" TS-A878 speakers (I wanted to have speakers in hand - $46/pr. delivered).

Imagine my surprise when I discovered that the speakers in the dash (factory) are NOT 3 1/2" as listed in the Tech section. They appear to be something closer to 5" (they do not appear to be 5 1/4"), and have three (not two, not four) mounting holes. So . . .

Has anybody replaced their front in-dash '87-ish speakers with after-market units? If so, what make and model and source? I would prefer a set of low-end Pioneer's, but cannot find anything in 5", or with a three hole pattern.

As usual, any help appreciated. Thanks.

CraigK

 

[kunar]

when i did mine, i had what i think were 3" speakers that i put in. i took the old speakers and cut the steel ring from the top. its the piece that mounts to the dash. then i cut and ground as needed to make the smaller speakers sit inside of that ring. i attached them to each other with some pop rivets, then put the speaker back in the dash. basically i used the original (junk) speakers to make an adapter for the other speakers to fit into.

 

[Dusty_Ranger]

i used a set of clarion 3.5 inch and made an adapter mounting bracket using the original speakers as a template the cute a hole in the template for the clarion and it fits perfect it was made out of sheet metal and sounds often

 

[CraigK]

Thanks guys.

I thought about doing that also. But going from 5" speakers to 3 1/2" is not what I want to do - sound quality wise. I found the Pioneer audio site which has a feature to identify speakers that match specific vehicles. What this shows is several 5 1/4" models for the front, and 6" x 8" models for the rear. I'm going to give a 5 1/4" set a try (Model TS-G1341R - WALMART has 'em for $38). I think that instead of using the four mounting tabs that stick out from round part of the 5 1/4" speakers, I'll have to drill the three hole BroncoII pattern in the outer periphery of the speakers themselves.

If this works I'll post details.

CraigK

Oh Yeah . . . I have a very nice set of A Series Pioneer 3 1/2" speakers NIB for sale!
(Can't be returned.)

 

[exbass94]

The original speakers in your truck are 4", not 5". It's a very common size.

 

[RobbieD]

Back in the day we called these speakers "Ford 5" 3-hole".

It is a Ford-only size and mounting. I doubt that you're going going to find a "name-brand" direct replacement, but decent-sounding replacements should be available. Call around the specialty stereo shops in your area, and tell them that you're looking for an OEM-replacement speaker, and ask if they stock or can get them. Be careful that the shop doesn't assume that you'll take 3", 3 1/2" or 4" speakers rigged into the 3-holer mounting; you're looking for the correct "OEM direct replacement" size.

Companies that probably still make this speaker are Audiovox or Omega, although I'm sure there's other brands. I put the Omega Ford 5" in my '84 when I put the stock radio back in, and it sounds just fine.

Or, you might try altering some standard 5 1/4" speakers. Besides as you say the speaker basket will need to drilled, I'm just not sure if there's enough diameter space in the stock holes, and I know the driver's side is pretty tight on the cluster and vent regarding the magnet. Whichever route you go, good luck!

 

[Destroyer000]

we just put new speakers in my buddies 86 last nite.. bought some 5.25 an put them in.. caught one screw hole an it was good to go.

 

[CraigK]

Got them in, with only minor modifications (Pioneer 5 1/4" TS-G1342R speakers - $38/pair at Walmart). I removed three of the four mounting tabs (they just bend and snap off), and ground two slight grooves for the other two mounting screws using the old speakers to mark the hole locations. The new speakers sound very nice.

It might be helpful to others trying to replace their factory speakers if the Tech Section was revised to indicate 5" (couldn't find any 5" available now) or 5 1/4" speakers rather than the 3 1/2" size shown.

CraigK

 

[RobbieD]

Good deal! Glad to hear that you got it done, and thanks for posting what you did to make it work.

 

[RangerMan64]

Can you post a picture of what you did to the speaker? I am going to buy some new speakers for the dash and am having a hard time following what you wrote. Thanks

 

[JoshT]

That's what you need. If you call Crutchfield and order speakers through them for the dash location they should (or used to) include the brackets for free.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Way back shortly after I got my truck in '00 I put 4" Polk speakers in. As I remember they were too deep and interfered with the heat ducts if I tried to mount them like Ford did, so I took the grilles out of my parts truck and cut holes for the speakers to stick thru, and drilled four mounting holes for the bolts to hold the speakers. I used nuts to shim up the mounting surface since the dask has a curve to it. The windshield trim blocks the majority of the gap, what you can see from the side is minor. They still sound really nice and I don't think they look too bad either, it is kind of neat to watch the cones jump up and down thru the grilles on a bassy song too.