Xr stereo and speakers

XR4Ti / Sierra / Sierra Cosworth Discussions - Questions, problem resolution, general talk, technical tips and modifications.
Post Reply
Merkur Club web site
my8950
Level 7
Level 7
Posts: 1650
Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2005 11:07 pm
Location: Detroit

Xr stereo and speakers

Post by my8950 »

So, the XR I picked up had the radio butchered out of it. I can't tell what, if any of the wiring is left in the dash.
While I get to that it also needs speakers installed. I know the speaker locations suck in these cars, so I'm curious what people have done to improve the sound? I don't want to cut up the rear deck cover, nor do I need some huge subwoofer in the back.
Just something that will be better then the original crumby setup.
boost_is_fun
Level 1
Level 1
Posts: 64
Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2015 5:44 am
Location: Provo, UT (In School) - Elizabeth CO (Home)

Re: Xr stereo and speakers

Post by boost_is_fun »

I've seen pics of a merkur with larger speakers in the door panel, using the little storage space in the doors on the bottom, and custom built mounts. You can mount slightly bigger speakers (I got 5 1/4) to fit in the rear deck location, just drilling out new mounting holes to get them to fit. he speakers won't mount perfectly flush, but it worked okay. I've also seen a merkur with an 8inch sub where the spare tire went, but I personally wouldn't do that, I just put a lower powered sub in the back. I didn't do anything with the front speaker location in my XR, but other than modifying the doors, I don't really know how you could make it better.
Connor
'89 XR 254000 miles. Stock (until spring, then poor college student mods begin)
'99 Audi B5 A4 2.8 v6 (Technically my dad's, but he doesn't drive it)
Since I'm a Noob, i'll put an apology for dumb questions down here. I'm 19 and completely self-taught
ITSMIKEY295
Level 2
Level 2
Posts: 104
Joined: Wed Oct 16, 2013 7:47 pm

Re: Xr stereo and speakers

Post by ITSMIKEY295 »

I actually cut the rear deck and put in some ovals back in the day when I had my `86. Just a little heavier on it. Worked fine..
1985 mono red 5 speed XR4TI "Duke of Bedford" replica look. IC, 3" down pipe w/straight pipe, Cossie wing
DAReese
Level 7
Level 7
Posts: 1391
Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2012 2:36 pm
Location: North Canton, Ohio

Re: Xr stereo and speakers

Post by DAReese »

Some Sierras had speakers in the front of the pockets. The pockets were a bit shorter.
David Reese

88 XR4Ti - mono white T5, someday to be bi wing
89 Scorpio - waiting on some parts before it hits the road again
88 XR4Ti - mono red C3, parts car
used to own 86 dark blue traded in on a min van, what was I thinking?
User avatar
merkurdriver
Level 8
Posts: 6366
Joined: Tue Jan 21, 2003 4:29 pm
Location: Northeast Ohio
Contact:

Re: Xr stereo and speakers

Post by merkurdriver »

If its an early car with the round speakers in the dash you can get brackets from a later car to put 5x7's in FYI
User avatar
Mike McCreight
Level 7
Level 7
Posts: 3987
Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2003 8:44 pm
Location: Ottawa! Well, Manotick, actually...

Re: Xr stereo and speakers

Post by Mike McCreight »

I have some of the 5x7 panels, if anyone's looking.
Also a set of the Sierra kick panel speaker pieces.
It's not a hobby, it's an obsession!
my8950
Level 7
Level 7
Posts: 1650
Joined: Wed Jan 19, 2005 11:07 pm
Location: Detroit

Re: Xr stereo and speakers

Post by my8950 »

Mike McCreight wrote:I have some of the 5x7 panels, if anyone's looking.
Also a set of the Sierra kick panel speaker pieces.
post photos....
nzwinrz
Level 5
Level 5
Posts: 526
Joined: Wed Feb 19, 2003 10:00 pm
Location: Richardson, Tx

Re: Xr stereo and speakers

Post by nzwinrz »

I had some in my doors, very important where you place them. The window bell crank comes down close to magnet. Plus you have to watch out not to remove to much and take out the front guide support, made that mistake, welded it back and didn't take out as much on the pass side. Live and learn.

These pics will help under stand better, I was using 5" Pioneer 3way in doors and 6" Pioneer 3way in back panels, tweeters in upper A pillars, 5x7's 3way in dash and 2x12" in hatch box

Image

Image

Here was the one I cut out to much..had to spot weld the guide support
Image

Passenger side corrected that mistake..
Image

Front door cards have been redone now to cover speaker holes as I'm not using the music box as much....YB instead.
You can see the reworked door cards on my thread. viewtopic.php?f=37&t=24193
James Wieler
Level 4
Level 4
Posts: 472
Joined: Sat Jun 19, 2010 8:42 am

Re: Xr stereo and speakers

Post by James Wieler »

Seriously nice Recaro's, where did you get them?
James
Cossy sway bar, Powerflex, Dynalites, Focus SVT rotors,Koni yellow sleeve over 8"x300lb/in springs,Scorch bumper cover, 17x7.5x40mm Binno wheels, 225/45-17 Kumho 712 tires
User avatar
In XS 7
Level 7
Level 7
Posts: 1545
Joined: Tue Feb 21, 2012 1:29 am
Location: Kewanee, IL

Re: Xr stereo and speakers

Post by In XS 7 »

James Wieler wrote:Seriously nice Recaro's, where did you get them?
James
(crickets sound)

:popcorn I will love to know that too. :cheers
Miguel.
89 XR4Ti Monique; Waking up a real "Night/Mare-Coor".
T5, NPR IC, PIMP ECU, Walbro 255, Dual piston BOV, Manual BC, 3" exhaust, One piece Aluminum drive-shaft, mc2 LSD, Boport 1.5 cam, Ported and polish head, big valves, 80# injectors, Bob's log, (soon HY35).
nzwinrz
Level 5
Level 5
Posts: 526
Joined: Wed Feb 19, 2003 10:00 pm
Location: Richardson, Tx

Re: Xr stereo and speakers

Post by nzwinrz »

OH..those Recaro's...god..been so long ago, the late "90s. Can't remember the forum, think DFW Stangs. But the guy had used them in a Porsche 911..think I paid $400 for the set.
User avatar
John Brennan
Level 8
Posts: 11630
Joined: Wed Jun 18, 2003 4:19 pm
Location: Scottsdale, AZ "Summer Is Coming"

Re: Xr stereo and speakers

Post by John Brennan »

Well, then, you got a helluva deal! :headbang
This is my car, and these are my people!
2015 Fiesta ST
2020 Edge 2.0 Ecoboost
Post Reply