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Eleganza Speaker wires [message #151025] Tue, 29 November 2011 20:05 Go to next message
LNelson is currently offline  LNelson   United States
Messages: 335
Registered: December 2008
Location: Springfield, MO
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Senior Member
I have just installed a new fancy CD player/radio in my new-to-me 1977 Eleganza. I have decided to ditch the rear speakers as we will never use that area for a dinette (it is a permanent bed). I want to try to find the old speaker wires (we say "wahrz" in the Ozarks) if I can. I am guessing they are buried in smurf tube somewhere behind the headliner. I wish I had an "as built" plan showing these.

I know the "wahrz" will be old and small guage, but good enough for my tin ears.


Larry Nelson Springfield, MO Ex GMC'er, then GM Busnut now '77 Eleganza ARS WB0JOT
Re: Eleganza Speaker wires [message #151035 is a reply to message #151025] Tue, 29 November 2011 20:40 Go to previous messageGo to next message
glacierfl   United States
Messages: 444
Registered: June 2011
Karma: 0
Senior Member

I have a 77 Palm Beach and the speaker wires run along the drivers side wall in the plastic conduit thingy, and run across to the passenger side in the back to speaker . Would think you would have to remove the back panel/s to get to them.

Your coach may be different.....

Regards


Steve & Debbie Monticello, FL 77 Palm Beach :- Aurora EX G4WDT
Re: [GMCnet] Eleganza Speaker wires [message #151054 is a reply to message #151025] Tue, 29 November 2011 23:27 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Rivers is currently offline  Rivers   United States
Messages: 25
Registered: October 2009
Karma: 0
Junior Member
Larry I also have a 77 ele and found the speaker wires in the back large enough and durable enough to withstand new speakers, as I installed new ones

and the system sounds good. They do run along the back to the drivers side behind the lower panel

Rivers



________________________________
From: Larry Nelson <larrynelsonarchitect@mchsi.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2011 6:05 PM
Subject: [GMCnet] Eleganza Speaker wires



I have just installed a new fancy CD player/radio in my new-to-me 1977 Eleganza. I have decided to ditch the rear speakers as we will never use that area for a dinette (it is a permanent bed). I want to try to find the old speaker wires (we say "wahrz" in the Ozarks) if I can. I am guessing they are buried in smurf tube somewhere behind the headliner. I wish I had an "as built" plan showing these.

I know the "wahrz" will be old and small guage, but good enough for my tin ears.
--
Springfield, MO
Ex GMC'er, then GM Busnut
now '77 Eleganza ARS WB0JOT
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Re: [GMCnet] Eleganza Speaker wires [message #151060 is a reply to message #151025] Wed, 30 November 2011 06:36 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
Senior Member
Both my '76es had the GMC ten ohm speakers, with one side chassis ground, hence only one wire.  Means you need to string new wahr unless your stereo grounds one side of the output (most don't).  Stringing it is a total PIA, at least was in mine.
 
--johnny
 


________________________________
From: Larry Nelson <larrynelsonarchitect@mchsi.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2011 9:05 PM
Subject: [GMCnet] Eleganza Speaker wires



I have just installed a new fancy CD player/radio in my new-to-me 1977 Eleganza. I have decided to ditch the rear speakers as we will never use that area for a dinette (it is a permanent bed). I want to try to find the old speaker wires (we say "wahrz" in the Ozarks) if I can. I am guessing they are buried in smurf tube somewhere behind the headliner. I wish I had an "as built" plan showing these.

I know the "wahrz" will be old and small guage, but good enough for my tin ears.
--
Springfield, MO
Ex GMC'er, then GM Busnut
now '77 Eleganza ARS WB0JOT
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
Re: [GMCnet] Eleganza Speaker wires [message #151061 is a reply to message #151060] Wed, 30 November 2011 07:14 Go to previous messageGo to next message
k2gkk is currently offline  k2gkk   United States
Messages: 4452
Registered: November 2009
Karma: -8
Senior Member

If you are REALLY lucky, you can temporarily solder the
two new wires to the radio end of the old single speaker
wire and pull the new ones through to your speakers.

As I said, you must be REALLY lucky for this to work.

You can increase your odds of success if you make the
joint between old and new wires as small and smooth
as possible!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
~ ~ ~ ex-Palm Beach, 76 ~ ~ ~
~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~





> Date: Wed, 30 Nov 2011 04:36:00 -0800
> From: jhbridges@ymail.com
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Eleganza Speaker wires
>
> Both my '76es had the GMC ten ohm speakers, with one side chassis ground, hence only one wire. Means you need to string new wahr unless your stereo grounds one side of the output (most don't). Stringing it is a total PIA, at least was in mine.
>
> --johnny
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Larry Nelson <larrynelsonarchitect@mchsi.com>
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2011 9:05 PM
> Subject: [GMCnet] Eleganza Speaker wires
>
>
>
> I have just installed a new fancy CD player/radio in my new-to-me 1977 Eleganza. I have decided to ditch the rear speakers as we will never use that area for a dinette (it is a permanent bed). I want to try to find the old speaker wires (we say "wahrz" in the Ozarks) if I can. I am guessing they are buried in smurf tube somewhere behind the headliner. I wish I had an "as built" plan showing these.
>
> I know the "wahrz" will be old and small gauge, but good enough for my tin ears.
> --
> Springfield, MO
> Ex GMC'er, then GM Busnut
> now '77 Eleganza ARS WB0JOT

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Re: Eleganza Speaker wires [message #151062 is a reply to message #151025] Wed, 30 November 2011 07:27 Go to previous messageGo to next message
RF_Burns is currently offline  RF_Burns   Canada
Messages: 2277
Registered: June 2008
Location: S. Ontario, Canada
Karma: 3
Senior Member
FYI, If you have a single wire and ground (unbalanced) speaker wires you can use one side of the 2-wire radio speaker outputs by putting a 1000 - 2000 uf capacitor in series with the speaker.

Your speaker power will be cut compared to using the 2-wire (balanced bridge amps), but in audio terms that's only 3 - 6db which can be compensated for with the front to back fader control.

Install the series capacitor with the positive side going towards the radio and the - side going towards the speaker.

If you don't install the capacitor, you will burn out the radio's amplifier.

Its still recommended to pull a pair to each speaker, however if you can't get to your speakers, or need an interim solution to keep someone happy, the capacitor trick works.


Bruce Hislop
ON Canada
77PB, 455 Dick P. rebuilt, DynamicEFI EBL EFI & ESC.
1 ton front end
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=29001
My Staff says I never listen to them, or something like that
Re: [GMCnet] Eleganza Speaker wires [message #151072 is a reply to message #151061] Wed, 30 November 2011 10:17 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
Senior Member
A bit of yello wwire pulling lube will help also.
 
--johnny
 


________________________________
From: D C *Mac* Macdonald <k2gkk@hotmail.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 8:14 AM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Eleganza Speaker wires


If you are REALLY lucky, you can temporarily solder the
two new wires to the radio end of the old single speaker
wire and pull the new ones through to your speakers.

As I said, you must be REALLY lucky for this to work.

You can increase your odds of success if you make the
joint between old and new wires as small and smooth
as possible!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ D C "Mac" Macdonald ~ ~~
~ ~ Amateur Radio - K2GKK ~ ~
~ ~ USAF and FAA, Retired ~ ~
~ ~ ~ Oklahoma City, OK ~ ~ ~
~~ ~ ~ "The Money Pit" ~ ~ ~~
~ ~ ~ ex-Palm Beach, 76 ~ ~ ~
~ www.gmcmhphotos.com/okclb ~
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~





> Date: Wed, 30 Nov 2011 04:36:00 -0800
> From: jhbridges@ymail.com
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Eleganza Speaker wires
>
> Both my '76es had the GMC ten ohm speakers, with one side chassis ground, hence only one wire.  Means you need to string new wahr unless your stereo grounds one side of the output (most don't).  Stringing it is a total PIA, at least was in mine.

> --johnny

>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Larry Nelson <larrynelsonarchitect@mchsi.com>
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2011 9:05 PM
> Subject: [GMCnet] Eleganza Speaker wires
>
>
>
> I have just installed a new fancy CD player/radio in my new-to-me 1977 Eleganza. I have decided to ditch the rear speakers as we will never use that area for a dinette (it is a permanent bed). I want to try to find the old speaker wires (we say "wahrz" in the Ozarks) if I can. I am guessing they are buried in smurf tube somewhere behind the headliner. I wish I had an "as built" plan showing these.
>
> I know the "wahrz" will be old and small gauge, but good enough for my tin ears.
> --
> Springfield, MO
> Ex GMC'er, then GM Busnut
> now '77 Eleganza ARS WB0JOT
                       
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
Re: [GMCnet] Eleganza Speaker wires [message #151077 is a reply to message #151060] Wed, 30 November 2011 11:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
powerjon is currently offline  powerjon   United States
Messages: 2446
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 5
Senior Member
The 77 & 78 coaches the wiring change to be 2 wires to each speaker
and no common ground as was in the earlier coaches.

JR Wright
GMC Great Laker MHC
GMC Eastern States
GMCMHI
78 Buskirk 30' Stretch
1975 Avion (Under Reconstruction)
Michigan

On Nov 30, 2011, at 7:36 AM, Johnny Bridges wrote:

> Both my '76es had the GMC ten ohm speakers, with one side chassis
> ground, hence only one wire. Means you need to string new wahr
> unless your stereo grounds one side of the output (most don't).
> Stringing it is a total PIA, at least was in mine.
>
> --johnny
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Larry Nelson <larrynelsonarchitect@mchsi.com>
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2011 9:05 PM
> Subject: [GMCnet] Eleganza Speaker wires
>
>
>
> I have just installed a new fancy CD player/radio in my new-to-me
> 1977 Eleganza. I have decided to ditch the rear speakers as we will
> never use that area for a dinette (it is a permanent bed). I want to
> try to find the old speaker wires (we say "wahrz" in the Ozarks) if
> I can. I am guessing they are buried in smurf tube somewhere behind
> the headliner. I wish I had an "as built" plan showing these.
>
> I know the "wahrz" will be old and small guage, but good enough for
> my tin ears.
> --
> Springfield, MO
> Ex GMC'er, then GM Busnut
> now '77 Eleganza ARS WB0JOT
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J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLaker
GMC Eastern States
GMCMI
78 30' Buskirk Stretch
75 Avion Under Reconstruction
Michigan
Re: [GMCnet] Eleganza Speaker wires [message #151106 is a reply to message #151077] Wed, 30 November 2011 16:35 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
Senior Member
Thanks.  I wasn't sure when Delco upgraded their output section from that foolishness. 
 
--johnny
'76 23' Transmode Norris
'76 Palm Beach


________________________________
From: John Wright <powerjon@chartermi.net>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 12:06 PM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Eleganza Speaker wires

The 77 & 78 coaches the wiring change to be 2 wires to each speaker 
and no common ground as was in the earlier coaches.

JR Wright
GMC Great Laker MHC
GMC Eastern States
GMCMHI
78 Buskirk 30' Stretch
1975 Avion (Under Reconstruction)
Michigan

On Nov 30, 2011, at 7:36 AM, Johnny Bridges wrote:

> Both my '76es had the GMC ten ohm speakers, with one side chassis 
> ground, hence only one wire.  Means you need to string new wahr 
> unless your stereo grounds one side of the output (most don't). 
> Stringing it is a total PIA, at least was in mine.
>
> --johnny
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Larry Nelson <larrynelsonarchitect@mchsi.com>
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2011 9:05 PM
> Subject: [GMCnet] Eleganza Speaker wires
>
>
>
> I have just installed a new fancy CD player/radio in my new-to-me 
> 1977 Eleganza. I have decided to ditch the rear speakers as we will 
> never use that area for a dinette (it is a permanent bed). I want to 
> try to find the old speaker wires (we say "wahrz" in the Ozarks) if 
> I can. I am guessing they are buried in smurf tube somewhere behind 
> the headliner. I wish I had an "as built" plan showing these.
>
> I know the "wahrz" will be old and small guage, but good enough for 
> my tin ears.
> --
> Springfield, MO
> Ex GMC'er, then GM Busnut
> now '77 Eleganza ARS WB0JOT
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Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
Re: Eleganza Speaker wires [message #151107 is a reply to message #151025] Wed, 30 November 2011 16:46 Go to previous messageGo to next message
armandminnie is currently offline  armandminnie   United States
Messages: 864
Registered: May 2009
Location: Marana, AZ
Karma: 2
Senior Member
Larry, I thought you said you were not going to use the rear speakers. Are you trying to locate the wires so you can use them elsewhere? My '76 has two wires to each of the rear speakers and they were surely original. Mine is a "late '76" and got some '77 stuff done to it. I hooked up my modern Sony radio to them with no problem. I'd bet you could access them behind the cabinets where the furnace ducting and everything else is.


Armand Minnie
Marana, AZ
'76 Eleganza II TZE166V103202
visit my gmc blog
click here to visit gmcws.org
Re: Eleganza Speaker wires [message #151110 is a reply to message #151025] Wed, 30 November 2011 17:08 Go to previous messageGo to next message
glacierfl   United States
Messages: 444
Registered: June 2011
Karma: 0
Senior Member

I am currently redoing the interior of our GMC. After looking at the original wires,"They had been replaced with 2 core".
I decided it might be better to fit new thicker wires. Not wanting any problems later on, with the old wires. I am fitting a fairly large set of speakers, with a much better sound than the old ones. Looking for some speaker brackets that will rotate left and right. On the topic of speakers, i managed to get a nice pair of Bose speakers. The coach came with a 4 channel 12V amp that was fitted under the passenger seat. I am going to run 2 sets of wires, one to the back to replace the old ones, and one set in the front. Hoping to fit poles with speaker brackets behind the front seats, to support the Bose speakers.

Regards


Steve & Debbie Monticello, FL 77 Palm Beach :- Aurora EX G4WDT
Re: [GMCnet] Eleganza Speaker wires [message #151120 is a reply to message #151110] Wed, 30 November 2011 18:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
Senior Member
Some 77's and all 78's had 2 speaker wires throughout. On the drivers side
rear corner, there is an acess panel that looks like it services the tail
light. That harness contains both the rear speaker wires and if they have
not been tampered with, the color code is the same as any GM vehicle with
the Delco AM/FM tuner bar radio, many of which had cassette players in
them. Crutchfield and others have conversion harnesses to convert the GM
harness to the DIN type radios. BTDT, makes it a whole lot simpler.
Jim Hupy
Salem, OR
78 GMC Royale 403

On Wed, Nov 30, 2011 at 3:08 PM, steve & debbie <zzdebz@yahoo.com> wrote:

>
>
> I am currently redoing the interior of our GMC. After looking at the
> original wires,"They had been replaced with 2 core".
> I decided it might be better to fit new thicker wires. Not wanting any
> problems later on, with the old wires. I am fitting a fairly large set of
> speakers, with a much better sound than the old ones. Looking for some
> speaker brackets that will rotate left and right. On the topic of speakers,
> i managed to get a nice pair of Bose speakers. The coach came with a 4
> channel 12V amp that was fitted under the passenger seat. I am going to run
> 2 sets of wires, one to the back to replace the old ones, and one set in
> the front. Hoping to fit poles with speaker brackets behind the front
> seats, to support the Bose speakers.
>
> Regards
> --
> Steve & Debbie
> Monticello, FL
> 77 Palm Beach
> EX G4WDT
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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Re: Eleganza Speaker wires [message #151122 is a reply to message #151107] Wed, 30 November 2011 18:41 Go to previous message
LNelson is currently offline  LNelson   United States
Messages: 335
Registered: December 2008
Location: Springfield, MO
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Armand, yes, I am NOT using the rear speakers, I merely want to NOT have to run new wires (warhz)to my new speakers I am installing. I want to mount the "rear" speakers in the rear of the front cabinets. Yes, I have cabinets on both sides. So, one pair will be behind my head and the passengers head, up front facing forward. The second pair will be mounted facing down in the rear of those same cabinets.

Larry Nelson Springfield, MO Ex GMC'er, then GM Busnut now '77 Eleganza ARS WB0JOT
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