Hi all,

I am trying to get a new set of rear speakers installed in my 1977 Cutlass Supreme. I want to leave the rear dash/deck intact (i.e. not cut holes in it), so I have to remove it.

I think I have to take the rear seat out to make it easy. I've figured out how the bottom rear cushion comes out, but it's not clear to me how the back rest comes out. Does anyone have any advice for me? Does it have hooks or bolts holding it in?

Thanks,
Nick

 

I'm not following you here. The 6x9 speakers are designed to be mounted from underside using t-bolts; no need to cut the package tray at all. You should be able to install 6" rounds under there easy enough with a little creative sheetmetal fabrication to adapt the round speaker to the oval hole. Larger than that, well, that requires major surgery to the filler panel.

The backrest is secured at the bottom by the same large Torx bolts that hold the seat belt retractors in. Remove those, then lift the backrest UP to clear the retaining lugs at the top. You may have to remove the interior sail panel trim to get the package tray out, since as I recall they were using moulded plastic pieces on the formal-roof cars by that time, and all those I've ever seen had speaker slots.

 

You can go to an audio store and get plastic panels to fit smaller speakers to a larger hole. I believe most GM cars have 6"x9" speakers in the package tray.

You shouldn't have to do any disassembly. Like Rocketraider said it only requires that you get to the speakers through the trunk to loosen the nuts on the T-bolts. Then the speakers drop down into the trunk.

 

Thanks for the replies. Rocketraider, you are understanding correctly. I'm trying to mount a new pair of 6x9 speakers. I guess I don't know what a T-bolt is - looking it up next! All I had tried to do so far was drop a sheet metal screw down from the top. It was difficult to do since there's little room for my fingers and then when it came time to tighten a bolt on from below it was difficult to keep the screw from turning. Anyway, I'm no expert in this stuff so looking into the t-bolt thing now.

 

A T bolt is just a bolt that looks like a T. The head on it is flat and fits into a slot near the speaker hole. Really it is a machine screw not a bolt.

 

The screw hole should have a slot to one side of it that retains the t-bolt (it has a shoulder like a carriage bolt). You may be able to find a small carriage bolt that will work, but the t-bolt may be a junkyard item.

Another tack might be to install a suitable length machine screw from top by putting it into the aforementioned slot, thread a small jam nut onto it to hold it secure against the metal panel, then mount the speaker and put another nut on to hold the speaker in place.

There's ways to get 'em in there!