6X8 Pioneer Clearance

[Tom Wilk]

Hi Audio Gurus,

I just installed 4 pioneer 6x8's in my 2-door Explorer. They sound great, but I had a small clearance problem in the front. It seems that the magnet wanted to bump up against the window track.

Now, Ford already has some spacers up there, so that the factory speakers would fit, but I needed about 1/4" more space to get the Pioneers to fit right. I made some temporary spacers out of insulated #6 wire wrapped around the speaker frame, so they do fit snug with no rattling, but I'd like to put something more permanent in there.

Are there some 6x8" spacers commonly available or do I have to cut some out of plywood? (this is a good excuse to buy a jigsaw) Dead Link Removed

Thanks in advance,

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Tom
99 Sport 4x4
SOHC
Auburn Rear & Gerald's old Shackles
265/75-R16 BFG AT's that weren't supposed to fit

 

[Dignan]

I'm always looking for a good excuse to buy a new power tool. Dead Link Removed

 

[wabbit]

Tom,
I'm assuming that your speakers are mounted behind factory grilles. If your speakers came with grilles and you're not using them, you can "ginsu" the screens out of them and use the frames for spacers.
Also, I cut out the black fabric backing on the factory grilles when installing my Infinity Kappas. This fabric gets clogged with dust and I'm sure it must affect sound quality. As for concerns about dust accumulation on the speakers, well... a good high power amp will take care of that...

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'91 Explorer XLT 4WD

 

[Tom Wilk]

Thanks. Unfortunately, these speakers did not come with grills. They are "custom fit" for Fords, should have bolted right in. Well, they almost did except for that little bit of clearance.

Crutchfield is sending me a set of thick foam baffles that might work. I have to cut out the back of them, and just use the "ring" as a spacer. They said that the foam is very thick, hard to compress, so it should work. If not, I'll be buying that jigsaw. Dead Link Removed

Actually, my #6 wire trick is working quite well right now, and I don't think the wire will fall out. The stuff is pretty stiff, and it is clamped in between the speaker frame and the factory spacer that was in there (And before anybody mentions it, the wire is covered with some thick plastic insulation, so there's no chance of metal against metal which would lead to rattling in short order).

The grills on the 99 are part of the door panel, and don't have that cloth on them. they are metal with an abundance of tiny holes. Doesn't look like too much dust can get in there. But, just in case, I gave them a good workout this morning. Dead Link Removed CD's sound excellent now, though I may opt for a sub in the future.

------------------
Tom
99 Sport 4x4
SOHC
Auburn Rear & Gerald's old Shackles
265/75-R16 BFG AT's that weren't supposed to fit

 

[wabbit]

Tom,
Seems like your wire spacers will work as good or better than the foam thingies. The foam alone will tend to compress over time unless you really crank 'em down, which will defeat the spacing benefit.
Just try to make sure the wire spacer also seals around the speaker frame.



Dead Link Removed


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'91 Explorer XLT 4WD

 

[Tom Wilk]

Yeah, you're right, Wabbit. The doggone things would loosen up after a while, I'm afraid. Maybe I'll just wrap tape around them. Dead Link Removed

Seriously, this wire thing is working good. I cut them to the exact length so that the ends meet to form the oval shape. It was all I had in a pinch, and I wasn't about to sit there all night with the door panels off. Who knows, it may remain permanent just the way it is.

I mean, the nice thing is that #6 copper holds its shape and the plastic insulation provides a good seal. Maybe I'll patent the idea. Dead Link Removed

------------------
Tom
99 Sport 4x4
SOHC
Auburn Rear & Gerald's old Shackles
265/75-R16 BFG AT's that weren't supposed to fit

 

[JTang]

I'm not really familiar with how you wanted to "ginsu" out the grills that usually come with new speakers to make spacers, but I have a pair of 6x8 Pioneer grills. If you want them, they are yours, just send me $3.20 for shipping, and I'll get em out to you if you want to try. You can contact me at jonptang@yahoo.com if you would like them!

 

[Kris Guilbeaux]

I have had the pioneer 6x8" in my 92 for about two years. In my 92 it looks like they will bump but they never have. I have not had any problems.



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Kris Guilbeaux
1992 Navajo Lx 5-speed
attempting 4x4 convertion
--
http://home.viptx.net/~krisg/explorer1.html
my site has moved!!!!

 

[Tom Wilk]

JTang,

I'll get back to you on that in a couple of weeks. I'm working all weekend and won't have time to mess with the speakers until after Moab. Dead Link Removed

Are these grills oval shaped like the speakers, or are they square type? Oval would work if the frames match that of the speakers, but anything bigger won't do the trick.

Thanks.

------------------
Tom
99 Sport 4x4
SOHC
Auburn Rear & Gerald's old Shackles
265/75-R16 BFG AT's that weren't supposed to fit

 

[hybrid950]

sometimes people want to put 5.25s etc. in a 5X7/6X8 hole. Most stereo shops have plastic plates that are 5X7/6X8. I know the brand "metra" makes one. These should work perfectly, should only cost a few bucks, and you might have to buy that jig saw to modify them to make them spacers.

 

[JTang]

They are 6x8 oval grills. Again, I'm not really familiar with your plans, but I have two pair, so you could have both pairs if you'd like. Anyway, take your time. They're just gathering dust!

 

[Tom Wilk]

thanks, Jtang, Hybrid.

JT, What I would do if they match the frame of the speaker is cut the middle out, and use the outer "ring" of the grill as a spacer to go between the speaker frame and the metal of the door. Otherwise, I'll cut some out of 3/8" plywood after I get home. Just need to bring the speakers away from those window tracks a bit.

Incidentally, on the late model explorers, the grills are part of the door panel, and the speakers mount to the metal interior frame of the door. I don't know how the older models did things.

------------------
Tom
99 Sport 4x4
SOHC
Auburn Rear & Gerald's old Shackles
265/75-R16 BFG AT's that weren't supposed to fit

 

[Lennis]

I know this isn't really a live discussion anymore, but I thought I'd give my 2 cents. Whether you're using round speakers or 5X7's or 6X8's, I've found that clear Lexan sheets, cut to fit the shape of the speaker work great. You trace the size of the hole you're trying to cover with a permanent marker onto the Lexan (here's where the clear comes in) and then draw the opening for the speaker and cut to fit. The sheets cost about $4.50 and they're nearly indestructible--not to mention, they don't compress. I get mine from that boutique hardware store called Home Depot.