68 Coupe Auxillary (rear) Speaker U80

[SS375HP]

Where can I find the details to correctly connect the rear speaker? I'd like to know how the actual wires were connected. I understand that the single blue wire routed from the radio fader control knob has to attach to one of the rear speaker connectors. I also understand that the other speaker connector must be grounded to complete the connection. My first question is where was the speaker ground attached to the body. The second question is how was the blue wire attached to the speaker connector. I've seen the rear speaker connector that Rick's sell (their part number AR-26). This easily slides onto the rear speaker connector. It comes with two short wire pig tails. I can make all of this work but would really like to duplicte the original factory configuration.

Any photos would  be helpful. The 68 Assembly manual only mentions that the rear speaker was installed by Fisher Body and does not detail the installation.

[1968RSZ28]

Where can I find the details to correctly connect the rear speaker? I'd like to know how the actual wires were connected. I understand that the single blue wire routed from the radio fader control knob has to attach to one of the rear speaker connectors. I also understand that the other speaker connector must be grounded to complete the connection. My first question is where was the speaker ground attached to the body.

The speaker ground doesn't attach to the body.  The ground wire that comes out of the speaker is routed through a hole in a "bracket like" part of the metal speaker base and is soldered in place at this point.  The metal speaker base is grounded to the body through the four screws that attach the speaker to the package tray.  The nuts to these four screws have encapsulated star washers on them to insure a good ground.

The second question is how was the blue wire attached to the speaker connector.

On the same "bracket like" part of the speaker base a "cardboard type" material (insulates the blue wire from ground) is riveted to the base with a single rivet.  Riveted (also with a single rivet) to this material on the other end is a connector for the blue wire terminal to slide onto.  The "power" wire from the speaker is routed through a hole in this connector and is soldered in place at this point.  The terminal on the blue wire is crimped in place and has a built-in detent in it to prevent it from sliding off the connector.     

Paul

[SS375HP]

Paul, thank you for the detailed explanation. From your description I'm now guessing that we do not have an original rear speaker. I'm attaching a photo of the one we have. Could you tell if it might be original and missing the "cardboard type" insulator board, or is it simply non original?

[1968RSZ28]

Paul, thank you for the detailed explanation. From your description I'm now guessing that we do not have an original rear speaker. I'm attaching a photo of the one we have. Could you tell if it might be original and missing the "cardboard type" insulator board, or is it simply non original?

Non-original based on the one in my car.     

Paul

[Pex68]

The part number for the speaker your looking for is 7300614.  Good luck finding one!!!  Took me 3 years to get 2 NOS ones for my car!!!  It only has 1 lead for the wire to attach as Paul described.  If you need a pic let me know and I'll go snap one from the car.

[1968RSZ28]

The part number for the speaker your looking for is 7300614.  Good luck finding one!!!  Took me 3 years to get 2 NOS ones for my car!!!  It only has 1 lead for the wire to attach as Paul described.  If you need a pic let me know and I'll go snap one from the car.

Chris is right.  7300614 is stamped on mine in purple ink.     

Paul

[SS375HP]

Hi there Pex68 (Chris),

A photo would be appreciated. I've never seen the "real deal". It would help me search for one.

Thanks,
   Ken

[z-villejw]

Their is a NOS install kit on EBAY right now. Everything you need except the speaker,. connectors & speaker cover. check it out

[Pex68]

Hi there Pex68 (Chris),
A photo would be appreciated. I've never seen the "real deal". It would help me search for one.
Thanks, Ken

Ken, Here you go!  Good luck with the search!!!



One note too, do NOT connect any speaker with less than 10 Ohms to a factory radio!  You will cook it in no time flat.

[1968RSZ28]

Great photo Chris!  That's the layout I was trying to described, but a "picture is worth a thousand words".  On my Camaro, there is also a metal bracket that clips into one of the speaker mounting holes (mine is located in the right upper hole in Chris' photo) that supports the speaker wire so it doesn't hang down and snag on something.  Also, my speaker wire is blue in color.     

Paul

[Pex68]

Thanks Paul.
Someone had mentioned those clips to me once at a show, can you post or send me a pic?  I do not think I had those clips you mentioned as my car has the multi-plex and wire is clipped to the rear seat back steel frame.  That shot is of the left speaker, hence the brown wire.  Believe the right speaker has the blue wire on my car but it's hard to get in there with the spare to see!

[SS375HP]

Chris and Paul,

Your photos are both great. Thanks for all of your help. I'll know what to look for if ever I come across one. I appreciate your help.

[SS375HP]

Chris and Paul,

Obviously I was half asleep last night when I replied. I still want to thank both of you for the information, but now I realize there was only one photo. It was late, and I'm old!

[crobjones2]

The 68 Assembly manual only mentions that the rear speaker was installed by Fisher Body and does not detail the installation.

The 69 AIM is the same way. Does anbody know what the correct part # for the 69 speaker was? The AIM list it as 7300614 Speaker ASM. Is this the same as your 68's?
Thanks
Chris

[1968RSZ28]

Does anbody know what the correct part # for the 69 speaker was? The AIM list it as 7300614 Speaker ASM. Is this the same as your 68's?

Chris -

Yes, '68s use the 7300614 speaker.  You can see the part number in Chris' photo below...

Paul