97 Eddie Bauer subwoofer question

[Scottybones]

I've done some reading and managed to confuse myself more than anything else. I just want to swap out the blown one with a cheap replacement. What size do I need and do I really need to take off all those panels just to get to the speaker? I tried removing the smaller panel with the speaker grill and almost broke a couple of the tabs off. What's the trick to getting it off without breaking anything?

 

[DjDom]

The 97 uses a 6.5 Inch Sub. Technically, it's not a sub, just a driver in an enclosure.

To swap it, you have to remove the panel, because the only way to take the speaker grill off, is from the back.

You could probably get away with just removing the rear part of the panel, not the whole thing.

 

[4rd Xplora]

^ I'm not to sure about that. I've replaced my "sub" once I'm pretty sure the grille will come off seperately from the panel. Insert a small screwdriver around the outside of the grille and gently pry down. The grille is tougher than it looks. I think they maybe the same though mine is a 96'. If you need I'll take and post some pictures.

 

[Scottybones]

I'm getting confused a little. There's a small panel on the right side in the trunk that covers the speaker. There's a metal grill in the middle. I was able to get the plastic panel partially off before I started bending breaking the tabs that hold it in. I read somewhere that people were rekoving the whole left side of the trunk to remove the speaker. Why would someone do this if all you had to remove was the small plasric panel that covers the speaker?

 

[4rd Xplora]

Went out and took some pictures this am for ya'. It's been awhile since I did this But here goes.

What mine looks like.

Stick the screwdriver in any of the four sides between the grille and the housing and push in towards the center of the grille carefully.

After a little caressing it'll come off and this is what it looks like. Note: My speaker is not in. See last pic.

As you can see the grille has tabs on it. On this pic the grille is upside down but the big tab fits into....

....this slot. R&R the speaker and pop the grille back in, carefully.

After mine went out the second time, I went this route.

 

[SoNic67]

I just want to swap out the blown one with a cheap replacement.

Are you sure is blown? Or you have replaced the front head-end (radio) with the one without sub output?
The only radios that have sub output are the ones with RDS function.

 

[Scottybones]

Perfect. Thanks for the pictures. It's definitely blown. Did you hook up the new box to the stock amp?

 

[4rd Xplora]

Sure did. Cut the connector off (that's why it's not visible in the pictures)with enough wire to reconnect if needed (nah), added about 15" of wire and ran the it out from under the panel to the speaker box. Velcro on the bottom of the box holds it in place and with the quick connects on it, it takes about 10 seconds to move it out of the way. The reason I went to the box? Deeper bass and it cost me $25.00 and you know (or will find out) how much that 6 1/2" cost. It's amazing how the radio sounds like a 60's transistor radio with out the "sub".