Re: T3 stereo

[Toby Erkson <Toby_Erkson@ccm2.hf.intel.com>]

Unfortunately there are not a lot of spots to put speakers in a T3 -- we 
don't have a rear deck like many cars in which to mount speakers (like the 
Bug).  If you want to retain a stock car (i.e. cut no holes) then use 
speaker boxes.

I mounted 4" speakers in the door panels below the window cranks (remove 
the panel and you'll see a hole where the speaker can fit).  My friends 
have learned to watch their knuckles when working the window crank.  The 
speaker grills eat knuckle flesh!  If you mount to this location try using 
flush-mounted speakers (they don't stick out as far).  I know Innovations 
(sorry, don't have their address, but can get it) makes kick panel speaker 
enclosures so they are a possibility.  I don't know how much foot space 
they occupy and I figure the lower half of the enclosure would probably get 
scuffed-up (?)  I also have a pair of 6"x9" separated in their own speaker 
box that I bought from JC Whitney and am very happy with the setup.  I use 
the seat belts to hold the boxes to the seat.  As for a stereo in the glove 
box:  It's a good idea theft-wise as long as you don't mind giving up the 
space in the glove box.  Check out the V-Dub mags as the Bug crowd likes to 
do this.

My stereo is in the center console and is covered by a panel so it cannot 
be seen when the panel is down.  I have my rear speakers on long cords so I 
can move the boxes to the rear of the car should the need arise (like when 
I was in college and went partying at the lake :)   The stock speaker 
location now covers my car alarm module but would be a good spot for a 
small subwoofer.

Something I found out about theft insurance (comprehensive) and cars is 
that many insurance companies will *not* cover the loss of equipment if the 
equipment wasn't mounted in the same location as stock.  In other words, my 
REAR speaker boxes are not covered; my DOOR PANEL speakers are not covered; 
my expensive stereo is not covered since it is not attached to the same 
location as was the stock stereo.  If I were to bolt my stereo to the dash 
like a stock radio, then only the stereo would be covered.  Check with your 
agent and ask a lot of questions, you may be surprised...
     Toby Erkson
     air_cooled_nut@pobox.com
     modified '72 VW Squareback 2.0L
     stock '75 Porsche 914 1.8L


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: T3 stereo
Author:  type-3-errors@umich.edu at SMTPGATE
Date:    11/25/96 4:15 PM


Hi all:

I was just some heavy hints with my wife about how I wanted to get a
stereo set up in my squareback. Anyone care to share their experiences
with this?

I've got holes already for a dash-mounted one, but I was curious if anyone
has attempted a glovebox mount.  (I've got a spare insert from the
junkyard).

Also, I was wondering about speaker mounting in the footwell area.  Mine
came with speakers (non-working) in the doors, which looked like a bad
spot because they projected directly into the backrest of the seat (and
they ruined the door panels!).  I remember a person posting to the
vintagvw list about a system where they mounted plywood with holes for the
speakers in the footwell area.

Anybody tackled this?

Thanks,

Doug H.
'71 Squareback