Radio/ Speakers

[Yesmar]

Anyone know the best way to remove the becker radio and cassett player on a 79 280s euro type?
Also what size are the speakers.  I would check my self but i dont want to mess anything up to find out i have the wrong size stuff.
so any veterans in this area wouldnt mind the input?

[koan]

Anyone know the best way to remove the becker radio and cassett player on a 79 280s euro type?

Pull off the round black knobs, ease off the lever knobs with finger nails, remove nuts and washes from knob shafts if fitted, pull off the chrome frame and face plate. Loosen the bolts screwed into vertical bars at each side of the radio, lift the bars up and pull them out at the bottom then slide them down to remove. Pull the radio forward and disconnect.

You might want to remove the amp as well, follow the multi core cable from radio to the amp, under glove box somewhere, unclip from the bracket if fitted and disconnect.

Also what size are the speakers.  I would check my self but i dont want to mess anything up to find out i have the wrong size stuff.

Depends on year, model and market, some have a pair of speakers at knee level in the dash, some have speakers in top of dash, some have two more at rear with a fader.

koan

[TJ 450]

Front speakers are normally 4" DIN units. The rears are about 5", if original.

Tim

[Yesmar]

Great thank you guys

[Hemersam]

Yesmar: is your old Becker a "Mexico?"  If it works fine (both channels and cassette work) and you want to sell it, I'm looking for such a unit in good condition. Email is [email protected]
Hemersam
Garland, Texas

[pez]

I recently updated my speakers [front & rear] on my '76 450se euro.  I ordered new Infinity speakers thru www.crutchfield.com and had excellent luck with them.  The fronts are 4" and are very easy to install. You will only use 2 of the 4 mounting screws as I recall on the front.  The rears are more tricky.  Yes, they are 5" round, however I suggest that you remove your existing ones 1st and measure the true clearance that is available below the rear parcel shelf [both depth and circumference].  The factory speaker holes back there are shallow and taper inwards quickly, making it nearly impossible to get most 5" after market speakers to sit flush on the rear parcel shelf without doing some sheet metal cutting.  If you have the desire to cut some sheet metal, then you can get most anything in there [but will not be able to go deeper, unless you go into the fuel tank!].

I am still running the Becker Mexico in my car because it sounds so good, esp. with the new speakers....whenever I travel, I wish I had a modern unit [for easier tuning], but the sound quality cannot be compared to the Becker.

[Yesmar]

hemersam : yes it is a mexico i havnt tried the tape player but the radio is great i just would like a cd player n i have a next to brand new pioneer unit in my subaru wich is out of commision at the moment once i get the pioneer and speakers out im selling the car for parts. i wont have time to get the becker out untill sunday or so... i will email you then if all works out

pez: thank you for the advice, also the advice on the plate mounts.

[BAR]

Sound quality is a function of the head unit and the speakers.  As for the head unit, it is always better that there is a higher power output [Watt RMS] and for the speakers, as in your domestic units more elements [2-way or 3-way] Bass, Mid-Range and Tweeter.  For better bass one hopes for 7" speakers and then of course for window rattlers, go for a sub-wooffer and separate amplifier.

Given the age of the Beckers [30 years plus], one can't expect them to be too good.

The front location is restrictive, but one can find 2 way and 3 way units that suit. A 'split' system with a separate tweeter that can be mounted on the A-Pillar cover will work better.  If you have a powerful Amp connected, then make sure you use all 4 screws otherwise the speaker will vibrate.

The rear location again is restrictive, but one can buy premanufactured 'boxes' to accomodate larger and multi speakers components.

In the end, its mainly a matter of choice 'quality' vs 'originality'.

[Maat1985]

hoping i can get a quick reply to this question..... i recently purchased a set of JBL 4" x 6" speakers to mount under the dash however when i purchased these i was going of the information that these would fit however i found out that these are the size for the US model mercs with the speakers at the front on top of the dash near the windscreen... my question is... is there enough room under the dash of a euro model where the 4" speakers are to mount such a speaker?? obviously i need to make brakets but i just want to know if they will actually physically fit... i would check but my beloved 116 is currently at the mechanic.....

[TJ 450]

4" is really the only size that will fit your car.
4x6" is indeed the stock size for LHD W116, W126/124 etc.

Tim

[Maat1985]

that is what i thought... bugger.... well there goes my money... wasted on JBL speakers... oh well what can you do.... guess i'll ebay them..... unless someone here wants them for their LHD 116

[pez]

You will only get a 4" square speaker in teh factory dash mount on a LHD w116.

I would think that with some modifications and planning, one could get 5" round speakers in all four doors, but I have not attempted this...I am only speculating from the times I have had my door panels off.