Speaker fitment into door cards

I have done a quick search on the forum regarding fitting speakers into a GTi, and all the posts talk about door pockets. My car doesn't have any door pockets. Should it have some (1981 X reg)?

Also given that the maximum size for speakers in these door pockets could be 6"x4", is it worth going for some kind of alternate solution, for example by not seeking out the pockets but mounting them directly into the door (card)? I'd like to fit at least 5 1/4" components into there (the tweeters could go onto the dashboard or the roof).

I had the door card off and it seems there are 3 options, all of which are restricting:

1. Upper, just below the quarter light. The hole is small here, you'd have to cut a little metal to fit decent 4" speakers.
2. Lower down, just below the quarter light. Even though the hole size here is generous, the door check strap and winder mechanism interfere with location.
3. Lower down, further back. You'd have to fit slim speakers here because otherwise the window wouldn't go down. And its not an ideal place because its too low down and far back.

I'd be interested to know what people have done, to achieve a decent speaker set up but without taking the car too far away from original looks/neatness, etc.

Thanks!

most popular place is unfortunatly no. 2 on your list….this is the place you find most people have cut the card and some of the metal on the door. Trouble is….. You'll bang your hand/knuckles when opening/closing the window and also look cr P and you've wrecked a good pair of door cards which are rare without holes in.
I would try and get some later ones with the pocket and buy the best 6 x 4 speakers you can or find some cards which are pre cut  and make some pods which move the speaker out and towards you housing some nice 5.25" components keeping clear of the handle.

I've done no.2 and Gti is correct on all accounts plus I had to cut a bit of the frame away so the speakers fit flush. I think the door pockets will cover the holes where I've fittted the speakers but I'm not bothered anyway.
Music's a lot more important than door cards with no holes in!

I can't see anything bad with door cards which have had decent speakers neatly fitted into them, which match the colour of the rest of the interior (luckily for me, black).

It looks like the previous owner(s) made the holes in my door cards, with a claw hammer, though. So they look 'hacked around' and I'll be searching around for suitable replacements. Once I have found the replacements, I'll be looking to do the install neatly!

Once I've sorted other more pressing issues out (ready for Gaydon! lol) I'll take the door cards off again and evaluate how much of the door I can trim away, so I can possibly squeeze 5 1/4"s into the bottom front of each door.

Dj Ev said

Music's a lot more important than door cards with no holes in!

 :mrgreen:  i bought some perfect uncut early door cards last year for about ?65…what did i do? hacked em up for my front 6.5inch comps :mrgreen:

I fitted them straight into the door but couldnt wind the windows down, had to use some plyers..

Been trying to get hold of some audioscape door pods but at ?185, man they can wait awhile…

I was gonna put some 6x4's in the front but when i upgrade my system there gonna sound crap so didnt bother. What i think im gonna do is get some smaller front comps 13cm and get these for now…sound better than just 6x9 in the rear shelf http://www.audio-sport.co.uk/products.htm#Golf

hope this helps