JBL Upgrade on an 89 SC

twh57

Registered User
I have been waiting for my membership to kick in in order to view the threads in the Audio Forum, but Spring is approaching and I would like to get this project going. I recently acquired an 89 SC with Premium Sound and want to upgrade it to the stock JBL system. I found and purchased the correct radio, CD player, Sub, both amps and wiring harness (hopefully they all work). I need information on how this all goes together, especially information on the speakers...type (available today), location, fastening hardware (particularly for the Sub), etc. I used to own an '90 with JBL and the brochure that I still have references 9 speakers. I can account for 7...both doors, rear seat pair, rear deck pair and Sub Woofer. As for the other 2? Any and all information is appreciated!
Tom
 
This page is a good source...

There are five basic speaker locations - a vertical 'two-way' speaker in each door and each rear side panel as well as the horizontally mounted sub-woofer. Each vertical speaker counts as two since each has a combined tweeter (2+2+2+2+1=9). There are no speakers in the rear deck other than the sub.

This is a photo of the mounts for the sub...the holes are there in your car, you (maybe) just need strip out the rear material, remove any sound deadening material that may occupy the sub port/hole in the deck and drop in bolts:
attachment.php


Don't forget to add the power antenna and switch and to change the door cups to ones with the proper 'JBL Audio System...' badges to complete the mod.

<img><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_aXf-P_S_LBM/R3MKTfBqa7I/AAAAAAAAB0I/eG-Z9VNV0vI/s800/DSCN2002.JPG" /></img>

Personally, I wouldn't consider retro-fitting the original tape unit and CD player unless they have already failed and been repaired - that, or keep known working spares on hand. I can appreciate 'period correct' items, but cassettes are way too outdated to warrant keeping around. The JBL (actually Sony) system was good for the time, but things have come a long way in the last twenty years. As long as you are spending time adding all these components, why not bring the sound system into the 21st. century...

<img><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_aXf-P_S_LBM/STRKEjjOMfI/AAAAAAAAENw/WFLJqiEJ6Iw/s800/VM9512_src_screen.jpg" /></img>
 
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Thank you for the information. This helps greatly. It occured to me that I should replace the door handle cups. I will keep an eye out for replacements. I understand that audio systems have come a long way since 1989, but I truely want to keep the car stock. Any suggestions for well matched speakers? The car already has the power antenna (working) and switch. As a result, it may already have the correct wiring harness which would cut down the amount of necessary work.
 
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What shape are your door cups in?

If they are in good shape with no broken tabs, then you might be able to find some JBL emblems on a bird or cougar in the junk yards and just swap out the emblems.....

I have a few sets around here somewhere....:rolleyes:
 
I haven't pulled the door panels yet, but the cups are in great shape. They are not loose, so I'll assume the tabs are intact. Emblems would be great if you have couple...Let me know.
 
>but I truely want to keep the car stock. Any suggestions for well matched speakers?

Stock speakers from a JBL system'd 'Bird :) Anything that doesn't need a lot of power to run. 2-ways at least. Try to find the Ford foam dust shields (see photo) to help guard whatever ovals you bolt in. Most Lincolns from around the same age have them. The stock round speakers (see photo) came in hard plastic oval buckets and are completely sealed.

I'd sell the ones that came out of mine, but the freight would be a killer.

I'm running four DUAL Illuminite TS5768's with an Alpine single DIN front center and a 10" Kicker sub in a non-ported box.

I don't think all door cups are slotted/recessed for badges...make sure to get the right ones - I believe there are at least two variations, where only one type represents the top end system.
 

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One thing worth mentioning is that the JBL speakers have passive crossovers installed, so all the bass comes from the sub. If you replace the stock speakers with something else, you may consider doing something similar. Or not - up to you.

I believe that the Premium Sound head unit and 4-way amp are the same as the ones for the JBL system. The main differences are the sub and sub amp, the 4 speakers, the presence of the slave CD player, and the cable that links the head unit to the CD player. In a Premium Sound installation, a jumper plug is installed in the upper right corner of the rear of the head unit. In a JBL installation, a shielded cable is installed that connects that socket to the CD player.

These head units (produced by Sony, as KMT said) have a loooooot of little things that go bad. They are repairable, so that's good. But it is nice to have a spare, so if your Premium head unit works, keep it around.
 
Paul Protos is the guy to contact regarding anything to do with the Premium Sound or JBL systems for our cars. He offers a very thorough and reasonably priced reconditioning service for radios and CD players. I've personally used him thee times, and am extremely pleased with his work. Read the comments he's received here:

http://www.sccoa.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49926&highlight=paul+protos

In addition to radio repair, he's happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the conversion of your car from Premium Sound to JBL. He's actually performed this conversion on one of his own cars, and can give you the straight scoop.

Cheers,

JD
 
Thank you all for the helpful information. KMT, I have an interest in your speakers if you are certain that they are good to go.
 
One thing worth mentioning is that the JBL speakers have passive crossovers installed, so all the bass comes from the sub. If you replace the stock speakers with something else, you may consider doing something similar. Or not - up to you.

I believe that the Premium Sound head unit and 4-way amp are the same as the ones for the JBL system. The main differences are the sub and sub amp, the 4 speakers, the presence of the slave CD player, and the cable that links the head unit to the CD player. In a Premium Sound installation, a jumper plug is installed in the upper right corner of the rear of the head unit. In a JBL installation, a shielded cable is installed that connects that socket to the CD player.

These head units (produced by Sony, as KMT said) have a loooooot of little things that go bad. They are repairable, so that's good. But it is nice to have a spare, so if your Premium head unit works, keep it around.

Not necessarily true.
My '89 has the JBL system, but no CD player.

Nick
 
I was only able to find one of my JBL emblems here at my house.....:mad:

I am pretty sure I have some more at my shop....
 
Not necessarily true.
My '89 has the JBL system, but no CD player.

Nick

My '91 XR7 had the JBL system too, but no CD-player.. It was good for a early '90s system thou..
other then the harness to and from the amps I have nothing left of that system :) (please ask me why someone would steal a pair of factory ford amps and Tape deck?? (out of the car) (speakers i gave away)

the 4 channel amps between the Premium and JBL systems was different.. the JBL had a pigtail for the Sub amp.. and i'm sure it had the X-overs in it (High pass for the fronts, low pass for the sub) Since i had aftermarket Boston 6.5"s in the front doors, and they hardly had any bass when i was still running the stock amps.. Yes the JBL speakers had passive cross overs in them too, as shown above..
 
Paul Protos is the guy to contact regarding anything to do with the Premium Sound or JBL systems for our cars. He offers a very thorough and reasonably priced reconditioning service for radios and CD players. I've personally used him thee times, and am extremely pleased with his work. Read the comments he's received here:

http://www.sccoa.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49926&highlight=paul+protos

In addition to radio repair, he's happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the conversion of your car from Premium Sound to JBL. He's actually performed this conversion on one of his own cars, and can give you the straight scoop.

Cheers,

JD

I am having Paul repair two of my JBL radios right now...
 
twh57:

FYI,
The correct Ford Part Numbers for a Cassette Head Unit in an '89 w/CD interface is either:
E9SF-19B165-BC or E9SF-19B165-FA (1989-1990 and some 1991 model years)

The correct Ford Part Number for the Slave CD Player is:
E9SF-19B160-AC (Silver buttons for 1989 and very early 1990 model years)
E9SF-19B160-AB (Black buttons for 1990-1993 model years)

Don't forget that in order to properly mount the CD Player in place of the "cubby hole" under the HVAC controls, you will need a steel support rail and its two associated attaching screws. This was normally not installed in vehicles that did not originally come with the factory CD Player.

I believe the Part Number for the support rail is:
E9SF-18888-C

The number for the screws is:
56930-S2


The comment earlier about the Premium Sound and JBL head units being the same is correct. However, later model year head units that may look the same, are not.

For example, in 1992, Ford changed the internals of the radio significantly. The circuit design was greatly simplified with a slight loss of fidelity compared to earlier units. They also totally changed the cassette mechanism, which was an apparent cost reduction measure. The newer mechanism is nowhere near as robust as the ones in '89-'90 units. It's very problem prone.

I say all this because its perfectly possible to put a '92 or '93 radio in an earlier car but it won't be as robust a unit and sound quality will suffer slightly.

As most of you know out there, these head units, regardless of year, suffer from substandard capacitor failure but when they are functioning like new, they sound really good for ~20 year old technology.

I applaud you for wanting to keep your car "stock"!


Oh, and it WAS possible to order the JBL sound package without a CD Player! The CD Player was a pretty expensive option back then.
 
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>The CD Player was a pretty expensive option back then.

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>Don't forget that in order to properly mount the CD Player in place of the "cubby hole" under the HVAC controls, you will need a steel support rail and its two associated attaching screws. This was normally not installed in vehicles that did not originally come with the factory CD Player.

I believe the Part Number for the support rail is:
E9SF-18888-C

The number for the screws is:
56930-S2


I wondered if the support would be there. Haven't looked yet. I guess I will be looking for this as well. Suggestions?
 
>Don't forget that in order to properly mount the CD Player in place of the "cubby hole" under the HVAC controls, you will need a steel support rail and its two associated attaching screws. This was normally not installed in vehicles that did not originally come with the factory CD Player.

I believe the Part Number for the support rail is:
E9SF-18888-C

The number for the screws is:
56930-S2


I wondered if the support would be there. Haven't looked yet. I guess I will be looking for this as well. Suggestions?

Pulling the lower storage compartment out to check for the rail is kind of a pain.

If it is not there already, then I'm sure that some fine person on this board would have a spare....just ask. (I have none)
 
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