Front speakers have 3 screws?

[Joker_927]

Every single audio place I go to tells me my '97 Tercel has 4" speakers in the front. This is my first attempt EVER at putting in a stereo system. The previous owner did a crap-job of putting a system in, but all he did was buy a '98 deck, and put some 10W speakers in the back that didn't even fit, so he drilled holes.

Anyway, I go out and buy some 4" speakers for the front door panels, and when I get home, they don't fit. The new speakers have 4 holes, I got 3. Plus, the ones in my door are bigger. They measure about 5 - 5.25 inches. Come to find out they sell both 5" and 5 1/4" speakers. So now, not only do I not know which size I need to put in, but I have NO CLUE how to even get a speaker with 3 screw-holes.

<- How I feel

[Stealth]

A lot of speakers will have 7 holes so they work for either 3 or 4 hole installs. Just return what you got and try to find the appropriate size.

[Joker_927]

To be honest, I have never seen speakers with 3 or 7 holes. BestBuy sure doesn't have them, and I cant find any at www.etronics.com either.

[NOTSOFAST]

Well U could drill Ur own holes !!!! That's what I did on mine !!!!!
But be careful not to damage the cone, try to get the metal ring !

[Fever]

Now I've not seen the '97 Tercel front speakers, but usually speakers are mounted on some sort of plastic baffle which in turn is mounted on the door panel.
I like to leave the baffle with the stock speaker so it can be put back easily when i go to sell the car.

So then you can:

1. Fit an aftermarket speaker in the hole left by removing the original speak and baffle, mark and drill holes in the panel that conform to the new speaker, and use short metal screw to mount. Check for window clearance as new speakers usually have larger magnets than stock. If you have sound dampner its a good idea to apply a layer over the panel area before the speaker is mounted.

2. Make a new baffle out of mdf. Use the plastic one as a template for the outside dimensions, and the new speaker for the hole size. Mount the new baffle using the existing holes that the plastic baffle used. Just be sure about your clearance to the inside door panel if the mdf brings it out more than the stock baffle.

Replacing stock speakers is usually more difficult than just popping out the old ones and dropping in the new.

Good Luck

Gene