Speaker replacement possible from surface?

[fnsmart]

Has anyone cut the factory speakers out from the interior door panel? Polk DB651s are surface mount, could I save a lot of hassle by cutting out the factory grills and the centers of the speakers, reaching in to undo the mounting screws and then bend and fold what is left of the speaker to get it out?

Wouldn't that be a lot quicker than replacing them by removing the door outer panels? I don't see trashing the factory speakers as a bad thing...

[NCC1701]

I had my stock speakers replaced with db651s recently. As per multiple DIY instructions found on this forum, the replacement was via removing the outer door panels. I chose to retain the stock speaker grills.

The whole job took the guy about an hour. Not only had he never worked on a smart before, but he had the shop to himself and was interrupted by customers a half dozen times. He did use as reference information from here and from the Evilution site.
Evilution - Smart Car Encyclopaedia

[Wdhitch]

Having made the switch already I don't think it's possible... the screws are set back about 1.5 inches. All you have to shave down to install the 651's are the tabs around the opening. Besides, taking off the doors wasn't that hard. Goodluck with what ever you do.

[Wdhitch]

Originally Posted by NCC1701

I had my stock speakers replaced with db651s recently. As per multiple DIY instructions found on this forum, the replacement was via removing the outer door panels. I chose to retain the stock speaker grills.

The Polks mount on the exterior of the door... how did you mount them on the inside?

[NCC1701]

Originally Posted by Wdhitch

The Polks mount on the exterior of the door... how did you mount them on the inside?

Sorry, I edited my post while you were responding. I don't know if the added information helps. The installer removed the outer door panels and simply replaced the OEM speakers. Crimped the wires and buttoned up. Not mounted from the inside.

[mvaldes]

If you mount the Polks on the provided plastic ring, one hole of that ring can screw into the factory mounts. You can use the clips they provide to go into the other 2 factory mounting holes and tuck the bottom of the "V" of the clip (the end opposite the screw holes) inbetween the speaker and the plastic ring. Just don't tighten down really hard when you mount the speaker on the ring or you can't get that "back end" of the clips between the plastic and the speaker. (If you really want to be extra secure, you can add a dab of epoxy to the clip/ plastic ring interface.) Mounted this way, mine have held up with nary a rattle for at least 2500 miles over bumpy roads. Wdhitch is right, it only sounds difficult to take off the door panels. It's really not that hard to do.

[fnsmart]

Hey thanks to you all for convincing me that the door panel removal is no big thing... an hour? Nice. May good things happen to each of you.

[oldbike]

No matter what method of mounting ( inside or out) and whatever brand of speaker you use, be sure you have no interference between the speaker and the window glass when it is rolled down.