installing 6.5" components in front

[rmccullough]

I have seen several people talk about installing 6.5" components in the front of their explorer but no steps on how to do it.

I have a '96 Limited 5.0L. I have already replaced the HU and installed an AMP(pro installed and got ripped off).

I bought a set of 6.5" components for the front and want to install them. I also picked up an adapter today to mount the 6.5" driver into the 6x8 space. I purchased a BKSA68 from bestkits.com (http://bestkits.com/ViewImage.aspx?img=i/BKSA68.jpg).

The problem I am having right now is this, I tried setting the 6.5" midbass driver into the adapter and it doesnt fit. The hole in the adapter doesnt seem to be large enough. Am I doing something wrong?

Secondly, after I get the adapter figured out, where do I put the tweets? Can I put them next to the midbass driver?

Lastly, where do I mount the X-over? I bought some heavy duty double sided tape and was planning on mounting it inside the door. Is this stupid?

Any help is very much appreciated, and btw I did try searching and reading for an hour before posting this.

 

[TheRookie]

If the speaker doesnt fit in the hole make the hole larger. Thats what grinders and or dremmels are for. I wouldnt put the cross overs in the doors if you can avoid it. Perhaps put them in the map pockets if you dont want to deal with running wirring all over the place. The tweeters can easily be mounted near where the side view mirror is but I would suggest tying them out a few places prior to mounting them anywhere. You may like them somewhere else

 

[davesexplorer]

First make sure when you go to install the components, that you have your windows down so you can check the depth and make sure the woofers wont interfere with the operation of the windows and mechanism, run them up and down after installation.

Are you sure those adaptors are for 6.5" and not 5.25"? If they are in fact for 6.5" speakers then possibly your woofers are just a bit larger in size than a standard 6.5", In this case a dremel could come in handy to open up the hole a bit more, as you should only need a bit shaved away if all things work out good.

Yep put the tweets wherever you want actually, It is common that the overall response and performance of a component set is best when the mids and tweets do not have a large separation between them.

Lastly, no it's not stupid to mount them inside the door, if you plan on mounting them between the inner door "skin" and the door panel. If you mount them on the backside of the door skin, you'll probably have interference problems with the windows. Should do fine just behind the plastic door panel. I'd put a screw in there (if possible) to be sure too though, doors are open and closed an awful lot, and I certainly wouldn't put it past a person to slam the he!! outta doors sometimes, double sided tape is good stuff, but screws are better

 

[jarededge]

I mounted cross overs inside my doors in the back with double sided tape, seems to be holding up fine. Just put a bunch on there. Make sure the surface is clean and warm when you are mounting the crossover with the tape, otherwise it won't stick.

 

[TeamPwnageBrad]

I mounted my tweeters up higher to raise the soundstage up. The crossover is located just below where the tweeter is in the part of the panel that sticks out a bit. I also made my own 6x8 > 6.5 adapters out of some 1/2" MDF.

First i traced the stock 6x8 out onto the wood. then i placed the 6.5 on top of that and traced the overhang of the speaker. Then i cut out the main shape.

Then the speaker cutout...

Drilled and countersunk holes for the screws to go in where the 6x8 mounted and put the adapter in place

Heres the tweeter location

I removed my grills and placed some carpeting down to make it look better behind there (it got trimmed up )

and replaced the focal mids with some adire audio koda 6s.

 

[huskyfan23]

My 6.5's fit with 2 extra holes drilled. I mounted the crossovers next to the amp. And those adaptors are crap. I bought a pair and they're for 5's.

 

[TheRookie]

hmm if you had only described the adaptors you made and removing the grills I woulda thought it would look bad. However i am impressed. I actualy like that look.