Installing radio/speakers in a '96

[monkey123]

The cassette section of the radio/cassette OEM unit in my girlfriend's 2dr Tracker has crapped out, and one of the dashboard speakers sound hosed. I picked a nice, cheap, working relacement (same unit, works, has the anti-theft disabled, not hot!) and plan to get speakers at the Best Buy down the road. I have no need for anything more expensive or higher power, but do need some info.

1) I saw in another thread here that the speakers in a '95 are 5x7's in the rear and the dash has 4's. As I recall, the '95 and '96 are identical, so that should hold here, yes?

2) It looks the trim panels that hide the rears are just held on with clips. Can someone tell me if they are particularily fragile? (I don't know my own strength!)

3) Does the whole dash have to be yanked to get to the front speakers and radio, or can just the speaker grills and radio console bezel be removed?

) I haven't found any pix on the 'net yet showing where clips/screws/bolts are that hold these on. Could someone either give me URL for this, or perhaps just the info here?

Many thanks, and much good karma for you, in advance.

[pdreher]

the front speakers are held in just with the speaker covers and two screws, but be careful when you take the covers off. you can use a flat head screw driver. the rear ones are those clips, but careful also they are fragile. and the housing over the radio is a pain in the butt to get off. also the fronts are 3 1/2 inch. i thought.

[monkey123]

Thanks.

Taking off the console bezel looks like it would be a bitch to get off, but what I'm asking about is the actual procedure to remove it. I'd like to avoid damaging it by not getting a good idea how to remove it safely. From what you said, sounds like I can slide a flathead screw driver under the edge of the grills in front?

About the speakers sizes: I'm a little more confused now. You said 3.5"s in front and, as I said, I saw 4" in another post here, so that sounds close enough for government work. The same post said 5"x7" in the back, but Crutchfield (I should have thought of them earlier says:

Regular Speakers
LOCATION/WHAT FITS
Dash 4"
Back Panel 6-1/2" 5-1/4" 4"

Component Speakers
LOCATION/WHAT FITS
Back Panel 6 1/2" 5 1/4"

I hope someone who's done 1 or more of these in a '96 Tracker/Sidekick (or other year with identical openings/trim panels) can tell me what they used and how it went. Otherwise, I'll just trust Crutchfield when they say "If you need special adapter brackets to install your new speakers, Crutchfield provides them FREE with your speaker purchase.

[pdreher]

ok the ones in the front are 3 1/2! And you can use a screwdriver to get the cover off. now the bezel over the radio is a little tricky. the part that has the heater controls on it has to come off 1st i took mine off with a flathead you can pry to off. there is probably an easier way to do it but that is what i did, then you have 4 screws to take off, 2 in the top and 2 in the bottom of it. the rear speakers dont know what size they are i would guess 5 1/2 but not sure. well that is what is in my 96 Tracker.

[monkey123]

Thanks! I was hoping it would be that simple, but it's nice to know for sure.

[daveygunn]

I dunno about that 3.5" speakers in the front--I looked it up in crutchfield and it called for 4".

I just installed my new Infinity 4" last night and they fit like a glove and sound amazing compared to stock. This was in my 1996 4x4 2 DR soft top.

Just thought I'd clear that up about the front size as I actually did it and can provide detailed photos on request.

DG

[Shadowsk8er08]

k here is the awnser...the front 2 speakers are held in by speaker covers and screws...easy to get off...same as the speakers in the real wall. in order to remove the center piece where the stereo is located take off the knobs on the vent controls simply by pulling them off. then the panel will come off by pulling out the clips with a flat head screwdriver or thin blade located at the top section...the middle...and the bottom. this exposes the screws.

the rest is easy from there...remove the wiring harness simply by wedging it outof the connector piece. dont be a dumbass like me and cut it. im going to post a thread about that here in a minute.