1995 Firebird Rear Trunk Speaker Panels Hardware

1997-2002 Pontiac Firebird

Upgrading the stereo system in your Firebird
1997 • 1998 • 1999 • 2000 • 2001 • 2002

In brief: This Crutchfield Inquiry Garage commodity gives y'all an overview of your Firebird's stock stereo organization and your aftermarket upgrade options. Use our vehicle selector to find the gear that will fit your car.

Overview of the Pontiac Firebird

When the concluding 2002 Firebird rolled off the assembly line, no 1 thought it would be the terminal Firebird. The widely held belief that the legendary nameplate would somewhen render basically went "poof"  when the entire Pontiac brand went away. At least the Firebird went out on a high annotation. We'll never really know what the fifth-generation Firebird would've been, but we do know that the fourth-generation cars were arguably the all-time Firebirds ever.

Granted, the bones platform dated back to the days of 8-chip abode computers (look it upward on your telephone), merely there'due south something to exist said for continual refinement of a skilful pattern. By the end of its run, the Firebird was, in almost every fashion, the best it could possibly exist at doing the things ponycars do – accelerating chop-chop, handling well, and looking cool. If your Firebird is lacking in one of those areas, there are enough of aftermarket solutions available.

These Firebirds aren't new anymore, just they're still a nail to drive. You'll savour the experience even more when you lot supervene upon that weak, old factory stereo system with something equally stylish and powerful equally your car.

Detailed stereo and speaker removal instructions

With stride-past-step disassembly instructions and plenty of upwardly-close, detailed photos, our exclusive Crutchfield MasterSheet™ takes the guesswork out of removing the factory stereo and speakers. Information technology's free with your Crutchfield society, or y'all can purchase one separately for just $9.99.

Manufactory stereo system

The Firebirds of this era, from base models to Formulas to tricked-out Trans Ams, were equipped with either an AM/FM/cassette or an AM/FM/CD stereo system. The base of operations model offered 4 speakers, and an optional vi-speaker package was as well available. The top-shelf 500-watt Monsoon audio system, which debuted in 1997, was a pretty impressive prepare-up for the time, with eight or, finally, 10 speakers. That said, even the all-time Firebird organization is approaching driving age at this indicate, and car audio engineering has come up a long way over the years.

The good news is that there'due south a lot you can exercise to pump upwardly the performance of your car's audio system. Firebirds are reasonably easy to piece of work on and, thanks to the vast number of people who have installed aftermarket stereos in these cars over the years, in that location's plenty of collected wisdom out in that location to aid you make the right decisions. We have a fair amount of information technology right here, of course.

The Firebird'southward factory AM/FM/CD receiver (Crutchfield Research Photo)

Replacing your factory radio

Removing and replacing the Firebird's factory receiver is a relatively uncomplicated procedure, but there are some challenges. If you're reasonably adept with tools and bones automotive tasks, you lot'll be fine. If you don't have the tools or the know-how, there are enough of professional shops that can handle the installation piece of work for you lot.

First off, the factory opening is fine for the mill receiver, simply too shallow for pretty much anything else. You'll have to unbolt or cut out the factory stereo'due south rear support bracket to make room for your new single-DIN (2" tall) receiver. And fifty-fifty with that, the receiver mounting kit (deeply discounted with Crutchfield stereo purchases) includes an extension piece that you'll need to use.

When installed, the radio will protrude from the dash past 1/2". It's a deviation yous can run across, but information technology won't bear on your shifting and y'all'll become used to it in no fourth dimension.

You'll need to remove the support bracket in gild to install a new CD receiver (Crutchfield Research Photo)

To remove the factory stereo, you'll start by prying out the edges of the receiver trim console to release four metal retaining clips. Remove the trim panel; then remove the three 9/32" (7mm) screws securing the manufacturing plant radio. You'll need those screws again soon, then proceed an eye on them. Next, pull out the radio, disconnect the harnesses, and set up it aside. If it's the original head unit and there's a risk you might want to return the auto to stock 1 day, wrap it upwards and store it safely.

You'll want to be gentle when you're prying away panels hither -- and throughout the rest of the car, for that matter. The plastic is obviously old and brittle, and even if your Firebird is new to you lot, you're probably not the first person to go at information technology with a console tool. You could wind upwards breaking the console somebody else started breaking ten years ago. Be careful, piece of work slowly, and pay attention to what the panels are doing every bit you remove them.

A wiring adapter harness makes the connections betwixt your new stereo and the factory harness. Y'all'll likewise need an antenna adapter and a receiver mounting bracket. All are available at a deep discount with your stereo purchase.

You'll kickoff by securing the receiver to the mounting bracket post-obit the instructions that come with the kit. Connect the wiring adapter to the receiver wires following the instructions supplied with the adapter. If your automobile is equipped with a 10-speaker organisation, you lot'll need to connect the amplifier remote (labeled "power antenna" on some stereos) wire from the new receiver to the power antenna (blue) wire on the Crutchfield harness. This turns on the manufactory amplifier, and then all of your speakers will continue to work.

Concord the receiver assembly up shut to the dash opening and connect the Crutchfield adapter harness to the factory harness. Plug the antenna atomic number 82 into the rear of your new receiver. Once everything'due south hooked up, slide the entire assembly into the nuance opening and secure information technology to the dash with the screws you lot removed earlier. Exam the receiver, make sure it'southward working properly; then reinstall the receiver trim panel.

Tools needed: Console tool, socket wrench, extension, 7mm socket

Steering wheel audio controls

Information technology's relatively easy to retain the steering cycle audio controls when you install a new stereo in your Firebird. When you enter your vehicle data, our database will cull the adapter you lot demand to make your factory steering bike controls work with your new receiver.

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The base Firebird was equipped with full-range speakers in the doors (Crutchfield Research Photo)

Replacing your factory speakers

A new set of speakers will exist a massive improvement to your in-automobile audio quality.

The Monsoon system featured component speakers upwards front (Crutchfield Research Photo)

Front door speakers

Base of operations Firebirds are equipped with a standard 6-3/4" full-range speaker, while the Monsoon-equipped cars sport a neatly packaged component prepare with half dozen-three/4" woofers and carve up tweeters mounted in the same part of the door. Both speaker packages are easy to reach and replace.

The base speakers tin can be replaced past aforementioned-size models, or 6-1/two" or five-1/4" speakers. The same is true for the 2-ohm Monsoon woofers, simply a set of low-impedance component speakers (like Infinity or JBL) is the best choice here. A speaker adapter subclass is required for each woofer, and it's available at a disbelieve with your speaker purchase. To go full sound out of your new speakers, you'll need to bypass the factory amp by splicing its input and output wires together.

No matter what speakers you lot're replacing, you'll need to remove the door panels to practice the job. Equally noted above, it'due south important to work carefully when y'all're dealing with old plastic doors held in identify by old plastic clips.

This isn't difficult, but the procedure varies depending on whether your car has transmission or power windows and door locks. Ability-equipped cars are very straightforward, but if your auto is equipped with manual windows, you'll need to slide a store rag behind the window crank and apply a "shoeshine" motion to release the C-clip on the rear and remove the crank.

Whether you're installing a total-range speaker or component woofer in the larger opening, y'all'll demand to cutting out the back of the plastic cup or mounting bracket to adjust the new piece. Information technology's an like shooting fish in a barrel thing to practise, and it volition give yous the depth yous demand for a speaker with a larger magnet.

Tools needed: Panel tool, Phillips screwdriver, socket wrench, extension, 1/4" socket, 7mm socket, shop rag

The coupe'south rear side speakers are easy to reach (Crutchfield Inquiry Photo)

Rear side console speakers

Replacing the side panel speakers in your Firebird is a pretty bones procedure. The base stereo features a six-3/4" full-range speaker in this space, while the Monsoon-equipped coupe has a six-three/4" dual voice coil subwoofer in this location. To remove the speaker, pry out at the superlative of the grille, remove four 7mm screws, pull out the speaker, and disconnect the wiring harness.

Regardless of which factory speaker is installed, 6-three/4", 6-1/2", or five-1/iv" models will fit neatly into the space, but in that location's no wiring harness bachelor for the Monsoon arrangement. Yous'll either need to splice into the mill wiring or use a set of Posi-Products connectors to install the new speakers. Replacing the base of operations model speaker, on the other hand, is a thing of plugging in, testing out, and buttoning up the grille.

On Monsoon cars, the 6-iii/4" factory speaker looks like a full-range, merely it's actually a component organization with the signal crossed over. To get full-range sound from half dozen-3/iv", vi-1/2", or v-1/iv" aftermarket speakers, you'll need to bypass the factory amp and run wire directly from the receiver to the speakers.

Convertible: With base and Monsoon convertibles, you'll need to remove the rear seat side panels to access the speakers. What you lot find underneath depends on the stereo system you have.

The base speakers are 6-3/4" models, which tin be replaced past 6-1/2", 5-one/four", or same size models. There'south no wiring harness adapter, so you'll need to either splice or use Posi-Products connectors. The smaller models will require mounting brackets, which are available at a special toll when you buy your speakers.

Tools: Panel tool, socket wrench, extension, 7mm socket

The Firebird's rear component speakers (Crutchfield Research Photo)

Rear cargo expanse speakers

The speakers found under the grille in the cargo expanse of some Firebird coupes are a compact set of component speakers. There'southward a scrap of drilling involved, but other than that, these speakers aren't that hard to supersede. We conduct a salubrious number of 4" total-range speakers, in improver to some component sets that volition fit in this space. You'll also demand Posi-Products connectors for this job, because there'south no wiring harness adapter available for this location.

To access the speakers, use a panel tool to pry off the speaker grilles. Using a 1/eight" bit, drill out the rivets that secure the speaker. In one case the speaker is loose, you'll need to spin it a bit, lower it into the opening, then elevator it out. This isn't terribly complicated if you lot know how to use a drill, merely work carefully and be enlightened of wiring, windows, fuel lines, and other things. Make sure you cheque the drilling depth and location to avoid damaging your auto. And, of course, wear center protection.

To install the new speakers, place the "speed clips" that come with your aftermarket speakers flat side up over the holes in the mounting surface. Connect the speaker wiring of the replacement speaker to the car's speaker wires, then secure the speaker to the speed clips with the screws supplied with the package. Exist certain to test the speakers earlier reinstalling the speaker grille.

Tools needed: Panel tool, cordless drill, one/8" fleck, Phillips screwdriver, protective eyewear

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Bass in your Pontiac Firebird

If you like hearing a healthy rumble from your car'southward audio system to go on with the one coming from the exhaust pipes, in that location are plenty of ways to make that happen in your Firebird. The coupe's rear hatch area offers enough space to install something big and bold, and we've seen enough of both over the years. If you don't have t-tops to store, you have a 37" W 10 13" H x 7"/12" D space. If you exercise, information technology's 40" West x 8" H x viii"/17" D. Or you could just install a compact powered subwoofer.

The convertible is a different affair. The elevation has to go somewhere on sunny days, and that someplace happens to be about where y'all'd install a big enclosed subwoofer. The all-time bass option for the ragtop is a powered sub. These surprisingly powerful models volition give you the enhanced bass you want, and fit comfortably in the express (okay, tiny) amount of body space available. They're also a smart option for coupe owners who want better bass, simply need to retain some storage chapters.

Shop for vehicle-specific subwoofers for your Pontiac Firebird

Other options for your Firebird

Here are a couple of other upgrade possiblities for your Firebird:

Q-Forms Boot Panel Pod, in Ruddy

Q-Forms Kick Panel Pods

The custom speaker pods are especially good for convertibles. Available in a variety of colors to match your car's interior, Q-Forms concord a 6-1/2" component speaker system. This installation requires cutting the factory kick-plate to join with the Q-course, plus you'll demand to cut holes for the speakers. Instructions are included, but tools, skill, and experience are required. This could exist a job for a car audio professional, but if yous really like music, it's definitely a chore worth doing.

Dynamat

Those large, long doors can disengage a lot of the practiced piece of work washed by your new speakers. Installing Dynamat in the door frames while you're installing the speakers is a bully way to seal in sound and go the almost out of your new system. More than extensive utilize of this sound-deadening material throughout the rest of the machine tin assist dull the rattles and creaks that occur in cars of this age—peculiarly convertibles.

Antenna replacement

Replacing the old antenna on your Firebird is a skillful matter to do while y'all're doing everything else. Y'all should also give the spare tire a once-over earlier yous put information technology back, but to make sure it's in good shape.

Security

Installing a security organization in your Firebird isn't like shooting fish in a barrel (security systems rarely are), but it's definitely a good idea. Our Crutchfield Advisors tin assist figure out what y'all demand to become the chore done, but nosotros usually recommend taking your car and new gear to a professional installer.

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