85 ranger speakers

[Iwcoldice]

Hey all trying to figure out the best way to get some good sounding music in my ranger. Im working with an 85 ranger cab. So that's dash speakers and then behind the bench. I'm thoroughly confused on what is the best course of action on speakers I know the dash ones are 4" and I think the rears are as well. Any advice on how to get speakers in my ranger and which ones to get. Most of my confusion is with the rear obviously because stock they come with that interesting box speaker not sure how or what is best to replace that. Don't know a lot about speakers at all so any advice is appreciated.

 

[SenorNoob]

Inside that rear box is most likely a 5x7ish. (If so a 6x9 might fit too.)

Open one up and look. Easy to take apart.

Could always build/buy new boxes as well. Could even do a single box with a low-profile sub and amp in the middle if that's your thing. Possibilities are endless.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I don't have any answers for your speaker dilemma... many on here probably will offer help.

Just letting you know I moved your post to the Stereo forum... just trying to keep TRS organized.

 

[fastpakr]

Do you have a picture of the stock rear box? It's been a while since I've seen one.

On the fronts, I'd be tempted to pull the door card off and see if you could get a 6.5" in there somehow without interfering with the glass.

 

[RobbieD]

1989-92 Rangers used 5 1/4" (hole size) speakers in the doors. A door speaker generally will give the best sound in a pickup cab. It was common, "back in the day", to put the same size aftermarket speakers in the doors on the 1983-88 trucks. Here's an '89-92 factory door speaker:

Note the water guard on the back.

The standard cab Ranger factory rear boxes used about the same size speaker.

If you don't want to cut the doors (metal and cards) your best option is good 4" speakers in the stock locations for the fronts, and just good set of small aftermarket box speakers for behind the seats.

I have set of original rear speakers, but I'm not sure what would be involved in replacing the speaker inside the box. If memory serves, it looked like the rear enclosure is glued together.

 

[rumblecloud]

It never ceases to amaze me that no matter what the question is, the members here on TRS always respond in spades.

 

[vagabond80]

am I remembering correctly that the front dash speakers use the annoyingly uncommon 3 screw ford pattern?

 

[fastpakr]

That seems familiar, yeah. But it's been probably 20 years since I swapped them in my old B2.

 

[RobbieD]

am I remembering correctly that the front dash speakers use the annoyingly uncommon 3 screw ford pattern?

Yes. Common term was "5" Ford 3-hole". Used to be you could find these aftermarket, but I haven't seen any in years.

Now a days, you have to adapt a 4" speaker to the dash mounting tabs, and you gotta watch the speaker depth.

 

[fastpakr]

Does anybody have a photo of a 1st gen door with the card removed?

 

[RobbieD]

Checked, and all I have is a picture with the paper water shield still on the door (my 1984).

Off the top of my head, from hazy memory (and a LOT of years ago), deep speakers (deep basket and/or big magnet) has to go low in the door, to clear the lowered glass. I "think" we used to get shallower 5 1/4" speakers a little higher (possibly was Pioneer TS-167 and Magnadyne 707, popular 80's speakers) and they would just clear the glass rail. And I'm pretty sure it mattered if the doors had the small vent window.

Back then, I worked at a car stereo shop and had a Ford dealer as a big account, so we did a lot of these trucks. In fact, that's how I ended up buying my first Ranger, in '85, buying it from the dealer we serviced.

 

[fastpakr]

I was thinking of making an adapter ring from MDF to space it out a bit for more options re the depth. Actually just did something similar on my dad's 02 Frontier.

 

[RobbieD]

There used to be premade spacer rings for popular speaker sizes, for depth problems. I have no idea if they're still made.

I guess that "car stereos" are obsolete these days; now what in the hell do I do with all of these 8-track tapes?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have a set of the rings I snagged at a JY.





Rear speakers are a weird small size, I opened up the holes in my boxes and stuffed in some 6.5's that I had laying around.

 

[Iwcoldice]

I definitely appreciate all the responses and I will make sure to post photos of what I'm working with when I get home. Thank you all. This information is a big help!