2002-2005 (02-05) Explorer rear door panel removal for speaker access HOW-TO

GregV8 · 07-29-2007, 03:07 PM

I had to remove my rear right speaker and searched all over this forum. I found the approximate info I needed to do it but there were no pictures or step by step instructions yet.
So I figured if I do it I post my findings up here, I'm sure one day it will help someone.
Don't have rights to upload to this forum so used imageshack... not sure how long the files will stay up there... maybe an admin could copy them over here

THIS INFO IS FOR REAR SPEAKERS BUT FRONT ONES ARE VERY SIMILAR.

1. Remove window controller and plastic piece behind door handle

2. Remove screw in the middle, behind door handle encased in white plastic.

3. Remove screw from bottom of panel and lift the whole thing.

Speaker model number: XW7F-18808-BB
Only 25 W?! wow..
Greg

Rammer24 · 08-10-2007, 01:03 AM

What size door speakers are in the explorers? I have a 05

trucku · 08-10-2007, 01:15 AM

Nice text bubbles.

I thought you had to pop the leading edge of the panel behind the handle first , because it has a clip that will keep the controller from being lifted out.

Nice job

jluv · 08-10-2007, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trucku

Nice text bubbles.

I thought you had to pop the leading edge of the panel behind the handle first , because it has a clip that will keep the controller from being lifted out.

Nice job

Not a clip really, but it does have to come out first.

Donner · 12-16-2007, 04:22 PM

Just did this, didn't think I could... Anyways, just to add, in the handle area there is a 5.5 mm bolt, same as the bolt at the bottom of the door - used a socket wrench. The speakers used a 1/4 socket wrench to undo.

The question is, if one rear speaker goes bad, do they both need replacing? Are they sold in sets only?

GregV8 · 12-16-2007, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donner

The question is, if one rear speaker goes bad, do they both need replacing? Are they sold in sets only?

Don't know if you can buy the original per piece but I just went with an aftermarket brand (Crunch) in which case you have to replace both in order to maintain the balance.

Donner · 12-16-2007, 04:38 PM

Thanks! These are aftermarkets, the papers went long agooo... Your instructions made that as easy as pie to remove the all of those parts. Thank you!

I'll get another pair, taking the door off was a breeze! So I'll just pop in the other side too... Thanks again!

Rick500 · 12-16-2007, 05:01 PM

I just put new speakers in all around on my '02 Explorer. The front door panels come off the same way as described here. There are two screws at the bottom of the panel on the front doors.

Donner · 12-16-2007, 05:09 PM

6x9 all around? So technically the fronts could be switched to the rears, and a better set for up front?

Rick500 · 12-16-2007, 05:44 PM

Yeah, all four speakers are identical.

Donner · 12-16-2007, 06:59 PM

4 noobs all around! 6x8s Pics of the front door to follow!

Donner · 12-17-2007, 12:57 AM

1. I broke the part that goes over the lock while trying to reassemble.
2. Don't try this unless you are capable, I thought I was

These are the new rears... Thanks for the directions Greg! It went smoothly until I forgot about having patience...

Donner · 12-17-2007, 01:00 AM

1. Does anyone know what that crud is around the speaker? It was only on the right side rear...

Donner · 12-17-2007, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick500

I just put new speakers in all around on my '02 Explorer. The front door panels come off the same way as described here. There are two screws at the bottom of the panel on the front doors.

I'm going to try to do the front install today... You're right, it's best to have all new at one time - the front two sound pretty muffled compared to the rear two.

Rick500 · 12-17-2007, 06:34 PM

The new speakers are great, but they put the factory deck to shame... I think I need a new deck now. :P

imalik · 12-20-2008, 07:49 AM

Thanks for pics, changed my front speakers went very smooth

JohnnyBoy1102 · 12-20-2008, 12:18 PM

This can be a very easy task if you are patient. try not to break the clips that hold the panel on the door. just dont force anything where its not supposed to go and you should be fine. and yes most explorers have 6 X 8 speakers all around. mine does i know that much.

BigAlain · 12-20-2008, 06:33 PM

Thanks for this post. I replaced the back door speakers tonight following these instructions. Only broke one clamp on the switch housing. You gotta slide it towards the front of the vehicle once you pop out the clamp. Otherwise, went smoothly. The housing still holds on fine, so it`s no big deal.

Didn`t go to expensive on the speakers, Ultimate T2-6821 6x8 two way. Very pleased with the sound, and they fit just right.

http://www.ultimate-sound.com/car.html

dannyb420 · 12-20-2008, 09:08 PM

great post, I had to remove my front panel last winter to replace my window controls and could have used this diagram. Its really not that hard but as mentioned take your time with any interior trim so you dont break tabs

jeremyc653 · 02-01-2009, 05:11 PM

just to let everyone know u can eas;y use ten snips and cut the door a little to fit 6x9 if u want the bigger speaker

07-29-2007, 03:07 PM	#1
GregV8 Wannabe Elite Explorer Long Island, NY 2011 XLT Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 363 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	2002-2005 (02-05) Explorer rear door panel removal for speaker access HOW-TO I had to remove my rear right speaker and searched all over this forum. I found the approximate info I needed to do it but there were no pictures or step by step instructions yet. So I figured if I do it I post my findings up here, I'm sure one day it will help someone. Don't have rights to upload to this forum so used imageshack... not sure how long the files will stay up there... maybe an admin could copy them over here THIS INFO IS FOR REAR SPEAKERS BUT FRONT ONES ARE VERY SIMILAR. 1. Remove window controller and plastic piece behind door handle 2. Remove screw in the middle, behind door handle encased in white plastic. 3. Remove screw from bottom of panel and lift the whole thing. Speaker model number: XW7F-18808-BB Only 25 W?! wow.. Greg

08-10-2007, 01:15 AM	#3
trucku Wannabe Elite Explorer Queens, New York and living in Budd Lake, NJ now. 2002 Explorer XLS 4.0 4x4 Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 2,054 Vehicle Specs	Nice text bubbles. I thought you had to pop the leading edge of the panel behind the handle first , because it has a clip that will keep the controller from being lifted out. Nice job __________________ 2002 XLS 4.0 SOHC 4x4. Frantz Bypass filter, Mobil 1 5W30.Perma-cool dual remote (2 full flow PureOne PL30001). Perma-cool remote transmission filter (Pure One PL30001). Scanguage II, Sunpro Oil Pressure Guage Gen 4 mirrors "The More Complex The Mind, The Greater The Need For The Simplicity Of Play"

12-16-2007, 04:22 PM	#5
Donner Wannabe Elite Explorer Natomas/Irvine 01 Sp 03 XLT 4x4s, Scion Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 6,844 Vehicle Specs	Alright! Just did this, didn't think I could... Anyways, just to add, in the handle area there is a 5.5 mm bolt, same as the bolt at the bottom of the door - used a socket wrench. The speakers used a 1/4 socket wrench to undo. The question is, if one rear speaker goes bad, do they both need replacing? Are they sold in sets only? __________________ http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=240001 For Sale stuff Last edited by Donner; 06-18-2008 at 03:12 AM.

12-16-2007, 04:38 PM	#7
Donner Wannabe Elite Explorer Natomas/Irvine 01 Sp 03 XLT 4x4s, Scion Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 6,844 Vehicle Specs	Nice! Thanks! These are aftermarkets, the papers went long agooo... Your instructions made that as easy as pie to remove the all of those parts. Thank you! I'll get another pair, taking the door off was a breeze! So I'll just pop in the other side too... Thanks again! __________________ http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=240001 For Sale stuff

12-16-2007, 05:09 PM	#9
Donner Wannabe Elite Explorer Natomas/Irvine 01 Sp 03 XLT 4x4s, Scion Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 6,844 Vehicle Specs	That's it... 6x9 all around? So technically the fronts could be switched to the rears, and a better set for up front? __________________ http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=240001 For Sale stuff

08-10-2007, 01:03 AM	#2
Rammer24 Wannabe Elite Explorer Regina, Saskatchewan,Canada 2005 XLT Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 112 Vehicle Specs	What size door speakers are in the explorers? I have a 05

12-16-2007, 05:01 PM	#8
Rick500 Wannabe Elite Explorer '02 XLT 4WD Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 32 Vehicle Specs	I just put new speakers in all around on my '02 Explorer. The front door panels come off the same way as described here. There are two screws at the bottom of the panel on the front doors.

12-16-2007, 05:44 PM	#10
Rick500 Wannabe Elite Explorer '02 XLT 4WD Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 32 Vehicle Specs	Yeah, all four speakers are identical.

12-16-2007, 06:59 PM	#11
Donner Wannabe Elite Explorer Natomas/Irvine 01 Sp 03 XLT 4x4s, Scion Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 6,844 Vehicle Specs	Thanks! 4 noobs all around! 6x8s Pics of the front door to follow! __________________ http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=240001 For Sale stuff

12-17-2007, 12:57 AM	#12
Donner Wannabe Elite Explorer Natomas/Irvine 01 Sp 03 XLT 4x4s, Scion Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 6,844 Vehicle Specs	Here's what can go wrong if you don't do it like Greg shows... 1. I broke the part that goes over the lock while trying to reassemble. 2. Don't try this unless you are capable, I thought I was These are the new rears... Thanks for the directions Greg! It went smoothly until I forgot about having patience... __________________ http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=240001 For Sale stuff Last edited by Donner; 06-18-2008 at 03:12 AM.

12-17-2007, 01:00 AM	#13
Donner Wannabe Elite Explorer Natomas/Irvine 01 Sp 03 XLT 4x4s, Scion Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 6,844 Vehicle Specs	These are the old rears... 1. Does anyone know what that crud is around the speaker? It was only on the right side rear... __________________ http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/...d.php?t=240001 For Sale stuff Last edited by Donner; 06-18-2008 at 03:12 AM.

12-17-2007, 06:34 PM	#15
Rick500 Wannabe Elite Explorer '02 XLT 4WD Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 32 Vehicle Specs	The new speakers are great, but they put the factory deck to shame... I think I need a new deck now. :P

12-20-2008, 07:49 AM	#16
imalik Wannabe Elite Explorer New Jersey 04 Explorer Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2 Vehicle Specs	Thanks for pics, changed my front speakers went very smooth

12-20-2008, 12:18 PM	#17
JohnnyBoy1102 Wannabe Elite Explorer Baltimore, MD 98 Sport Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 104 Vehicle Specs	This can be a very easy task if you are patient. try not to break the clips that hold the panel on the door. just dont force anything where its not supposed to go and you should be fine. and yes most explorers have 6 X 8 speakers all around. mine does i know that much. __________________ 98 Explorer Sport, 2 Door 4 X 4. - 2 12 inch MTX magnum Subwoofers (cheap temps)- 1000 Watt MTX magnum Amp ( Again, Cheap temp)- 120 Watt 6 X 8 Rockford Fosgate Punch 3 Way Speakers - Kenwood MP538U Single Din Head unit with USB/ Ipod Interface.- Possible mod coming soon, 2 Memphis Audio 12 Inch Subs. depending on money and time. - All Black Custom headliner- other than that mostly stock.

12-20-2008, 06:33 PM	#18
BigAlain Wannabe Elite Explorer New-Brunswick 2005 Limited Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 11 Vehicle Specs	Thanks for this post. I replaced the back door speakers tonight following these instructions. Only broke one clamp on the switch housing. You gotta slide it towards the front of the vehicle once you pop out the clamp. Otherwise, went smoothly. The housing still holds on fine, so it`s no big deal. Didn`t go to expensive on the speakers, Ultimate T2-6821 6x8 two way. Very pleased with the sound, and they fit just right. http://www.ultimate-sound.com/car.html

12-20-2008, 09:08 PM	#19
dannyb420 Wannabe Elite Explorer Cleveland, Ohio '04 XLT Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 541 Vehicle Specs	great post, I had to remove my front panel last winter to replace my window controls and could have used this diagram. Its really not that hard but as mentioned take your time with any interior trim so you dont break tabs __________________ 2009 Mercedes C300 Sport 4Matic,1999 Four Winns 298 Vista Twin Volvo 350's SOLD'04 XLT Tinted windows, 10" Infinity Basslink, custom Sirius satellite mount,K&N Filters throughout,Sylvania Silverstar, eadlights,Fogs,signals w/ clear corners, LED puddle lights, license plate lights, and interior 265/70/16 Bridgestone Dueler REVO,F150 Recovery Hooks

02-01-2009, 05:11 PM	#20
jeremyc653 Wannabe Elite Explorer st pete fl 2001 ford sport trac Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 261 Vehicle Specs	just to let everyone know u can eas;y use ten snips and cut the door a little to fit 6x9 if u want the bigger speaker