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upgrading audio in 1993 245, not sure about if store giving me runaround 200

I've got a 1993 245 wagon that I bought used. It has a factory cassette player (upper dash), 4 inch speakers and integrated tweeters in the front doors (right side is blown), and the rear doors have 4 inch speakers and tweeters that are mounted seperately. Is this a "premium" factory sound system for these cars ?

I have a used Alpine CD changer that I would liketo mount in the glove box, so I am looking for Alpine head units (preferably cassette, but CD will do). I looked at Crutchfield since I heard they have good install kits, but they are out of stock of all the under $350 heads. So I looked at Circuit City ...

Circuit City has reasonably priced heads and I have a few days during which I can get it with free install. But then they tell me since I have a Volvo, I need a "custom" install that is $60 extra to rewire it to remove the Volvo amp from the circuit. Is this BS ?

As for the speakers, the install isn't free and they say that they don't use the factory grills. I am doubtful about not using the factory grills. The front ones match the contours of the door panel and I don't see how a standard grill that comes with the speakers can fit that contour. The back speakers have a rectangular grill even though they are circular woofers, and I don't see how they can use the aftermarket grills here also. I am hesitant to have them do the speakers without knowing how it will look. I am not picky about the stock look - I would prefer it, but in the end just don't want it to look cheesy.

Anyone know the real scoop on the amp wiring and speaker grills ?

If I do it myself, should I look at component speakers for the rear doors ? Will the component tweeters fit where the old ones were without cutting metal or door panel ?








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    upgrading audio in 1993 245, not sure about if store giving me runaround 200

    On my 1990 240 DL I purchased sony 4 inch speakers as per cruthfields recomendation as to size. No I got the speaker elsewhere not from crutchfield. I did noticed afterwards that the doors will take a 5.25 inch speaker. I was however able to use the Volvo grills on the fronts. The rear doors got the sony grills but they sit low on the door.DOUBLE CHECK THE SIZE OF THE FRONT DOOR SPEAKERS! I think the earlier cars used 4 inch but the volvos with the six sided grills are bigger.








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      speaker upgrade 200

      Yes--the cars with the sort-of hex front speaker enclosures take 5 1/2" speakers (at least my 1992 does). For a mild + cheap upgrade, you can put in speakers from a 700 series. They (at least the 1989 does) have the same stupid almost-but-not-quite square mounting pattern as the factory speakers on the 200, so they screw right in. The spade connectors are positioned differently so you'll have to jack with them but you can figure it out (I coped out the door panel opening a bit). They are the same depth to the rear of the mounts as the originals were. The tweeter cone projects so you have to be sure the grille is not pushed in even a little bit or it will interfere.

      Hmmmm. Maybe speakers from a 900 series would also be a drop-in fit, and be better?

      Good luck.

      Doug Harvey








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    upgrading audio in 1993 245, not sure about if store giving me runaround 200

    Dave,
    I did an install on my daughters 92 244 a couple of months ago. I purchased all the stuff from Crutchfield. The wiring harness they give you will bypass the amp; I left it in the car. It's a pretty easy install. Make sure that you unplug the connector (rectangle plug) at the amp. I unplugged the one by the drivers right knee behind the panel and it took me a couple of hours to figure out the one on the amp itself was the one I wanted. The speakers must be 4" and of the correct depth (3 7/8"?) or the grills won't fit properly. I had to use some spacers on the fronts to get a good, tight fit but it was no big deal. If I remember correctly the back grills fit without a problem. I put some component speakers (with the seperate tweeters)in the front and regular two-ways in the back. Again an easy install for the seperate tweeters because they give you some different mounting hardware pieces; just had to drill a couple of holes into the door panel after it was removed. When the job was completed the system sounded pretty good but had zero bass. I bit the bullet and bought a JL 10" subwoofer in a custom box, to fit on the trunk shelf, a 350 watt amplifier to drive it and viola, $550 bucks later I've got bass. I did let Sound Advice do the subwoofer install and they did a great job. Anyway, with some patience, the helpful people at crutchfield and some beer you can do it yourself in a few hours.
    good luck!
    eric








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    upgrading audio in 1993 245, not sure about if store giving me runaround 200

    like the other post, removing the amp and using the wires connector is no bigge. A tip on speakers, I installed 6x9 on the rear self with a little work, but it was worth it. I would recommed it, you some cutting and wood plank.








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    upgrading audio in 1993 245, not sure about if store giving me runaround 200

    I installed my Kenwood myself in my 82 with the kit from crutchfield. There is no need to remove the amp, you just need to bypass it. If you are somewhat handy, I highly recommend checking out crutchfield. The wiring harnesses and install kits make things pretty simple. And... When I had a problem with my 10 disk changer they shipped me two complete units and told me to use either one until it works and then send back all the other stuff. Great customer service, I will never purchase audio gear froma big-box store again.


    I just found an email from the guy who helped me at Crutchfield. He happened to have a 240 as well and was very helpful.
    His name was Chris - extension 5521

    --
    '82 DL - 153k, '93 945 - 101k








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      upgrading audio in 1993 245, not sure about if store giving me runaround 200

      Does the install kit harness take the amp into account ? Did your instructions from Crutchfield say how to do the bypass ?








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        upgrading audio in 1993 245, not sure about if store giving me runaround 200

        yes, I cant for sure remember if they provided a special harness, but I know that the installation kit addressed bypassing the existing factory amp.

        Matt

        --
        '82 DL - 153k, '93 945 - 101k








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          upgrading audio in 1993 245, not sure about if store giving me runaround 200

          YES, the Crutchfield kit by-passes the Volvo factory amp. To be sure, just call Crutchfield and ask about your specific model car.

          Two summers ago, I replaced the radio/cassette unit in my 240. I purchased a replacement radio/CD locally, but I contacted Crutchfield for the wiring harness. Their support line was EXTREMELY helpful, and the Crutchfield package had GREAT step-by-step details. It took me 2-3 hours, going slowly, to install the new radio and remove the old amp.

          The local radio/speaker installers charge $60-$75 extra, because they usually do not have a custom-fit wiring harness for older Volvos. So for the extra fee, you end up with completely new wiring for all your new equipment. This may be a good idea, especially if the existing wiring is already faulty.

          [[ southern fried volvo '91 240 125k mi ]]








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    upgrading audio in 1993 245, not sure about if store giving me runaround 200

    I can't speak for the amp wiring, i've never come accross it. On that note though, i have no idea how it can cost $60 to remove an amp. Definately get another quote on that one...or grab an ohm meter and yank it myself. About the speaker grills, in my 244 i can't use the factory grills (although i'd love to) in the front doors because the built in tweeter (2-way speaker) projects too far out and therefore interferes with the factory grill.... thus i'm stuck with the circular grill that sits half assed wobbling and squeaking.. If you can, find another speaker that doesn't infringe on the factory grill. I nice setup would be seperate mids and tweets....

    Scott
    '84 244Ti
    Van, BC








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    upgrading audio in 1993 245, not sure about if store giving me runaround 200

    I just installed a CD Stero unit in my daughter's 90 240. It is very close to the 93 245 that I have. There is a factory amp behind the jockbox, no big deal, four screws and a few wires. I was given the run around by Circuit City when I purchased the CD unit. They told me free install, then when I bought it I was told it would be up $250.00 more because it was a Volvo. I called Crutchfields. They told me they would throw the Volvo wiring harness in free, along with a new faceplate. Did the job myself, about an hour. The harness will match up to your existing volvo plug and the CD unit pulg needs to soldered to it. No big deal, great diagrams included.

    As far as the speakers go, the problem from what I can tell is that the speaker unit itself canot be more than 3 7/8" deep, or it will not fit. That leaves you with few options. You can get 740 speakers from used sources, or go to Crutchfields and they will tell which application works. There are only a few that will fit without modifications. I have no problem with the insatllation in the 90 240. It's not the boom box my daughter wanted, but there are no modifications, it was just bolt in place and be done. If I were to do it over, I think I would use the rear radio mount Volvo has and incorporate it's support on the new unit. Could be done very easily. I'm sure you're going to get many opinions on this one. Mine: stay away from C-City, use Crutchfields.







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