[Lisa]

Need all parts and guidance to turn philco into stereo.

As far as hard-to-find parts:

door panels with cutouts
speaker grilles

Other stuff, some of which I've seen at AutoKrafters:

speakers
wiring
tape deck/CD changer?
dash speaker?
need amp/subwoofer to overcome convertible noise?

Any and all advice/recommendations welcomed!

South SF bay area.

Lisa

 

[modifiedmark]

If you have good door panels you can make the cutouts in them yourself. Original speaker grills are available to cover the cutouts.

The original door speakers are 4"x8" and are hard to find in that size. Most places try to sell 4"x 6" for replacements. If you have no holes cut in the doors you have no problems (just use a jig saw to cut them) using the 4"x6" speakers.

Be carefull of speakers with large magnents as they will hit the window when its rolled all the way down. I cheated mine out with some spacers under the mounting plates. If you have to cut in your own holes in the doors, you can cheat the holes a little to the front of the doors to help the magnents clear with the 4"x6" speakers.

Auto Krafters can get you everything you need as thats where I got my door speakers from. They also have some nice aftermarket stereos to fit your dash and I think some can be obtained with Cougar logos on them. I think you will have to go with a trunk mounted CD changer as the dash opening is too small for a in dash CD, but I might be mistaken on that.

Welcome to the board also. mm

 

[cmpcpro]

On my 69 the dash opening is just enough for the indash cd player, and behind the opening is enough room for about 3.

Chris

 

[wvcat]

I put the 4x6 speakers in the doors at the stock location and MM is right, you have to watch the depth. I mounted mine as far forward as possible and didn't need a spacer. For a radio I bought a unit from radio shack that has a cd input jack on the face so I can just plug in a portable cd plarer and lay it on the console when in use. I ussually just listen to the radio though. The next step is to get a set of big speakers to set on the trunk to play music in the parades I'm in for my kids. They are daisiettes, (baton twirlers) and last year I just sat some house speakers on the trunk with the rear speaker feeds temperarily running them but the sound quality wasn't that good. Any suggestions? I'm not a stereo guy, so I really don't know what I need. I figured an amp and a box with woofers tweeters & midrange speakers.
John

 

[modifiedmark]

John I'm no stereo guy either but watch the replys you get from some of the youngsters here. They will have you putting 36" woofers in the trunk and all you will here is the bump de bumb!!! No lyrics or music, just bump de bump. And you will need a toolbox with you to keep tightening up all the nuts and bolts on the car you will viberate loose.

O yeah you will need a 5000 watt generator in the back seat to run the amp too!!! And air shocks in the rear to hold up the weight of all the speakers!!!

Sorry youngsters!!!!!! Just trying to have a little fun here.

I know, I know, if its too loud than I'm too old!! mm

 

[Lisa]

Thanks guys!

But... more questions:

1. Looks like I need to find someone with a jigsaw to cut my penels, which I'm very frightenend to do! Do I just need to buy speakers and guess at how/where they might fit to determine how to cut the holes? Or can anyone offer measurements?

2. John, what brand speakers worked for you (how deep were they)?

3.Who has the original speaker grilles and how much should they cost?

4. Has anyone tried to install a CD changer in the dash behind the AC opening (no AC)? That could be handy if it's cool enough back there. Possibly change the magazine through the opening?

5. Am I going to need an amp or subwoofer to hear the stereo in my convertible? I don't need mega boom-da-boom, but I do like volume and bass.

6. Does anyone know of a professional in the SF bay area who can help me with this job? As you can see my confidence level is low and I've been struggling this since I bought this car 8 years ago.

Much obliged,
Lisa

 

[modifiedmark]

Lisa, I just happened to have my new Mustangs Unlimited catalog laying here and they have the grills listed for $39.95. Thay have 30 wat door speakers for $39.95. They also have the original style door harness for $50. If I get the chance I will try to get some measurements for you posted before the weekends done. mm

 

[dark7068]

Hi Lisa, how's it going. I put a cd player from a 95 Escort (had the Ford logo on it) with external amp in my 70 Cougar where the A/C vent should be (non A/C car too), and where the lights go, I put a cheap EQ there. My cars all apart but I will mock up the dash again this weekend for ya and take some pix of it. Looks factory. I also have the original deck in the original spot and I'm making a cover plate to cover the cd player and eq so it's not seen.

Rick

 

[modifiedmark]

A picture is worth a thousand words? The tape is measureing from the front edge of the door panel. mm

 

[dark7068]

Here's a crappy picture of the dash with the cd and eq.

 

[dark7068]

other angle.

 

[dark7068]

Close up view.