Over xmas, I replaced my BOSE system. I wasn't quite bad yet, but it was starting to go. I had a Pioneer DEH-445 CD/radio from my 89 Max that was in my closet. It is only single DIN and my BOSE was double din tape and CD. I put that in and had the bin that goes under that from another early 3rd gen max so I don't have cup holders there like a normal VE would. I had trouble getting the brackets off the sides of the radio so I ended up making my own out of some scrap metal and it works great. I just measured, cut, drilled, bent it and it worked. I had to do a little bit of rewiring to bypass the BOSE amps, but it was simple. In the back , I have Pioneer 3way 6x9 (TS-A6975 I think). Those just screwed right in place. In the front, I put Pioneer 4x6 2way speakers (TS-A4615). I had to take out the old BOSE pods up front and make my own holders for the new speakers out of wood ala Matt93GXE. I made those and they work too. The system sounds really good. No subs or amps or anything, but its still good stuff. Here are my pictures.
<img src="http://www.geocities.com/bracecraig/maxima/stereo/leftdoor.jpg">
<img src="http://www.geocities.com/bracecraig/maxima/stereo/compare.jpg">

the rest of the pics are <a href="http://www.geocities.com/bracecraig/maxima/stereo">wwww.geocities.com/bracecraig/maxima/stereo</a>

 

1)Doesn't the OEM front speaker pods enclose the speaker from the elements incase water falls between your window seals.
2)Wouldn't the OEM speaker pods give a better sound quality if replaced with a aftermarket speaker due to it's design, kinda like a ported mini box.
The reason I'm asking because I'm trying to justify my decission when I replaced my Bose system. I was stuck with the same delima like most Bose owners, should I remove OEM pods or keep it and install the same size aftermarket speaker. As I'm sure you can figure which route I took, later

 

please send me the dimensions of that (sketch) mount you made. what depth will it hold, and what can i do to put 6.5"s in it?

 

Thanks for posting the photos.

Do you think that you might have been able to fit 5x7 speakers inside the custom mount you made using plywood.
I know that 6x9 will not fit. But what about 5x7 speakers.

Also, do you think it is worthwile to enlarge the OEM pods
to make way for a 4x6 or 5x7 speaker.

I just don't think it would seal tight, due to the odd shape of that Bose pod.

I took out my front door Bose pods today, I am trying to decide whether to enlarge the Bose or build a custom one.

I hope you used some waterproof baffles before installing your Pioneer 4x6 in the front.

 

Candiman-1)yes, it does protect the speaker back 2)I'm not sure

Sleeper-I didn't take measurements, I just took out the BOSE pods and took it apart so I could lay it on some plywood. Then I marked where the 4 screw holes where and just left about 1 inch around each hole and just connected the lines

Superdesi-you might be able to fit 5x7, but it would be very close; I was first thinking of modifying the bose pods, but it looked like too much of a pain and wouldn't work out very well

 

Why not just go to the local junkyard and pick up the speaker brackets from a 3rd gen GXE? They fit perfectly because the GXE's dont have the BOSE speaker with built in amps. That is what I did and I put a pair of Infinity Reference speaks with a perfect fit. Try that out.
clark

 

The Non-Bose speaker brackets from a 3rd Generation are what size.

Can I fit a 5x7 speaker in there? What size of Infinity Reference speakers did u put in there?

Also, how much this that hood mask cost you? Where can I buy one.

Thanks, Desi.

 

why not get one from a GXE from a junkyard:
-there aren't any junkyards around with 3rd gens that I know of
-it would cost some money/my wood was free
-it was Sunday and everybody was closed
-I had time to do it with the wood and wanted to get it done that day since I was off work

also, GXEs have the option of having BOSE systems in them, so not all GXEs necessarily have non-BOSE

 

The non-BOSE Brackets fit a 4x6 speaker. I fit an infinty Reference 4x6 2 way in there (last years model). But I liked the new White reference plate speakers instead, so I kinda had to squeeze those in there because they didnt fit very well, but I pulled it off.

The Hood Deflector is made by Covercraft. I dont remember exactly how much I paid for it, but it was between $35-$40. You can probably find where you can get one from Covercraft. Good luck.

Craig, you did a great job with those speakers. I just dont have access to any tools or wood, so I did it the lazy way. I think that yours might sound better anyways because your speakers wont be vibrating on plastic. The wood would absorb the excess vibration.

 

i installed kenwood component speakers in the oem ports. i can't remember the size of the sub, but i fot them from crutchfield. i stayed with the oem ports because they are designed well and give a good vent for the sub, plus i didn't have to design a whole new bracket either. then i just drilled a whole in each door panel for the tweeters. i think they subs might be 4.5", but they give good bass for their small size!

 

i found this thread while looking through some old ones.. i dont even know if it is relevant anymore but yes you can fit 5x7s in the front i did it... the door cover doesnt quite fit right afterwards but im sure if you used 1/2" or 1/4" wood it would fit i used 3/4" and it doesnt quite lock back in place i will post pic as soon as i get them loaded and if anybody cares

 

This post scares me. Why? Because I see Bucktown and CandiMan (whom I rarely see post on here anymore...) in the replies. Thought I was having one of those crack-induced flashbacks!

Plus, there are a LOT of combos you can fit up front nowadays. I personally have 6 1/2 Boston Acoustics ProSeries that I ever-so-slightly modified the Bose pods to accomodate. And if I'm not mistaken, there's someone else here on the .orgy that put 8" in there. But I've seen anywhere from 5x7's to 6x9s put up front.

But WTF do I know??

 

yea i started looking from the begining i think i found this on page 380 of 409 or something like that it was just incase anybody cared