Complete Sound System Overhaul
 

Just figured I would post some quick info. I just redid the complete audio system in my 1994 NG900 Saab, and will gladly post any specifics if anyone needs for their own reference or is considering to do the same.

System changes includes all speakers replaced, head unit replaced, and subwoofer added, all retaining the original Saab interior appearance (with slight modification for the head unit).

New Infinity 4" 2 way speakers in dash
New Infinity Kappa 5-1/4" 2 ways in the front doors
New Memphis 6-1/2" 2 ways in rear deck
New Infinity Basslink self-powered subwoofer in rear cargo area
New Kenwood DDX-7019 double din 7" LCD display DVD/multimedia head unit in dash. (with Ipod, USB, and BlueTooth adaptor)

Notes of importance:

- Headunit location does NOT support a double din sized head unit (factory stereo is about a 1-1/2 din sized opening) Modification was required to dash.
- 4" dash speakers fit perfectly
- Front doors actually use 6-1/2 speakers. I made custome adaptor mounts to put in my 5-1/4" speakers.
- Rear deck speakers were originally 6x9, but most good after market 6x9's don't fit due to having larger or stronger speaker baskets, either requiring modifications to the mounting location or new speaker grilles used. I instead made custom mounting brackets to mount 6-1/2" round speakers in this location, but still had to mount them from the bottom instead of on top in order to retain the original Saab look and grilles.
- Replacing door speakers requires removal of the entire door panel. Do NOT try to remove the door speaker grille, you will break it's mounts as they are not made to be removed this way. Other speaker locations are easy and just require careful removal of the grilles.
- Factory amplifier is located on the passenger side kick panel of center console (also have the wiring diagram for the factory amp plug if anyone wants to retain the use of it to hook up to an after market stereo).

I also have the proper factory head unit wiring diagram for the OEM Clarion head unit with factory amplifier if anyone needs it. Most I found available on the net are incorrect (as I purchased many and they were all wrong). The ones on the net are for the basic system without an amplifier, which are completely different, even the wire colors changed and locations on the 2 plugs on the back of the factory head unit.

Enjoy

Got any pictures?

I did the same thing when I overhauled the system in my Volvo as well. I got into the project with my camera nearby and forgot to take any photos during installation, although I did go back and take photos of the Volvo install later and did a somewhat complete write up of it. The Volvo was much easier to install though, with less required removal of parts to do it.

Pictures at this point might not amount to much since I retained the original stock look and grilles, with exception to to the head unit that required some modification of the dash. I'm not entirely finished with the head unit modifications as I still have another item or two to hook up to the head unit when I actually buy them (hideaway GPS module and XM module). I'll get a couple of pics though.

I grabbed a quick snapshot of the headunit only, since everything else simply retained the original saab look and covers (as they will look just like any other stock Saab).

Fitting a double din head unit in the dash isn't exactly a simple thing. Several parts (all plastic) have to be removed from inside the dash area to fit the head unit in there, since it isnt designed for a double din sized opening (its actually a little too short and a little too wide). The depth is also critical and will barely accomodate the unit. As you will notice the bezel is not flush with the SID, but instead mounts flush against the outise of it. That is all the depth there is and the unit will not go anyfurther back without making some serious modifications (which I am not going to do). Without further major modifications, a double din simple wont fit flush anyways without making a custom dash panel to house it (assuming one wants to keep the SID, which I do). I havent finished installing the extras for the head unit so it isnt permanent yet, nor quite centered, as I will have to remove it again later to finish it up, at which point I will make the custome brackets to mount it permanently. You also cannot use the double din mounting basket, as it will not fit, only the head unit itself will barely fit.

As for the SID, I had to remove the plastic part that it snapped into on its bottom edge, so without the head unit in place it would just fall down. Luckily the head unit bezel plastic clamps fill the hole perfectly and put a nice tight fit against the bottom of the SID holding it in place as it was before. Without the bezel, it would be loose and easily slide out (it also helps clamp the bezel in place.

Only other modifications, as mentioned was that I made custom speaker adapters to mount 5-1/4" speakers in the front doors (which originally housed 6-1/2") and adaptors for the rear deck to mount 6-1/2" speakers (which originally housed 6x9's). The dash speakers fit the Infinity 4" speakers perfectly (even the Infinity mounting holes lined up), so I was able to retain using all the originial mounting hardware without any cutting or modifications the the Saab itself.

The subwoofer is an Infinity Basslink located in the rear hatch. It's a self contained unit that sits just fine back there and requires no actual mounting. As such I didnt bother with any photos of that. Its a nice compact unit housing a 10" subwoofer and 10" passive radiator and puts out more bass than is needed. It is also self-powered with 100watts and does accept an addon card to provide 4 more channels at 25watts each, but I have no use for that.

http://www.blakbyrd.com/saab/saabstereo.jpg

I hadnt cleaned anything up yet so it's still a little dirty :P. It all works just fine. Only coplaint is that the location causes about 3/4 of an inch on the left side to not be visible to the driver due to the steering wheel, but that may or may not effect others (depends on where the position the steering wheel and how t hey have their seat adjusted).