Speaker size adapters and upgrade fun

[Jtrussell1890]

96 XLT Supercab. Now that that's out of the way, lol, what I'm looking to do is upgrade the entire audio system. The head unit has already been swapped years ago and I'm looking to go further. I'm going to a touch screen double din and upgrading the door and rear speakers from 6x8 factory to 6x9 (haven't settled on brand as of yet) with an amp to power them while also adding a single 8 inch sub with it's own amp. Pretty sure I'm also building a custom center console w/ arm rest that will double as the sub enclosure. The amps and necessary hardware will be mounted at the back wall of the cab to keep it off the floor and to aid in clean wire routing. With all of that covered, I have been led to believe that there are adapters out there that will allow to go from 6x8 factory set up to 6x9 aftermarket. If any of you happen to know if how to acquire such a thing, please send me the link or point me in a direction because so far my search had turned up a few items that would only work if I had 8 inches of depth to play with lol. Maybe if someone with a quality 3d printer were to offer making them, I could be persuaded to part with some quality funds to repay the effort. I'm just ready to start this part of my project and will be doing some sound deadening in the coming weeks to begin prep work. Would like to start collecting items to do this upgrade soon. Any one able to offer some input?

 

[Li'l Work Truck]

I have only seen it possible to swap over to 5.25", 6", and with some cutting and an adapter, 6.5". I am not the best resource for this, though! The center console idea is excellent. You should be able to incorporate an 8" tube in there with the port facing the foot wells. I would definitely add some Dynamat or B-Quiet too, in the doors, roof, and dashboard. Good luck and share pics!

 

[gaz]

@Jtrussell1890
I can only agree with @Li'l Work Truck and recommend using 5¼", 6" or 6½" drivers. Their sound will far surpass any oblong driver; additionally with an 8" sub, the best choice of the three is the 5¼" drivers, preferably separates, for which many companies distribute installation " plates" to mount the drivers...they are also very simple to construct using some scrape Al. or stainless steel

I like the idea of the custom sub enclosure center console ..)

 

[Li'l Work Truck]

...the best choice of the three is the 5¼" drivers, preferably separates, for which many companies distribute installation " plates" to mount the drivers...they are also very simple to construct using some scrape Al. or stainless steel

If you're not handy or want to save yourself some time...

Prefab door adapters

Scosche SA-68: $10, Crutchfield
JUWEVAZU: $18, guess where
Metra 82-5600: $16, SonicElectronix

Of the 3, surprisingly enough the Jumanji brand appears to be the most ruggedized. The Metra is offset so you can place a component tweeter if you go that route. Still, Scosche gets the job done at the cheapest price.

Use adhesive foam between the adapter and the speaker, as well as between the adapter and the truck.

 

[Li'l Work Truck]

This looks like a good start to your project if you haven't got anything going for the center console yet, @Jtrussell1890! i believe it's particleboard, so it should integrate well.

Bass tube enclosure

 

[Jtrussell1890]

If you're not handy or want to save yourself some time...

Prefab door adapters

Scosche SA-68: $10, Crutchfield
JUWEVAZU: $18, guess where
Metra 82-5600: $16, SonicElectronix

Of the 3, surprisingly enough the Jumanji brand appears to be the most ruggedized. The Metra is offset so you can place a component tweeter if you go that route. Still, Scosche gets the job done at the cheapest price.

Use adhesive foam between the adapter and the speaker, as well as between the adapter and the truck.

Much appreciated for the info and links. This is a project that is probably 30 years in the making if I'm honest. Way back in my highschool days, I was super into the "super bass" and mini truckin scene as well as growing up in the houston lowrider scene. Once I was old enough I became quite skilled in car audio installs and custom setups. Think competition style 5k watt and plexi glass window type craziness. That was almost a lifetime ago though and I have taken a few different roads since then and am unfamiliar with some of the new tuners, amps, speakers and things that have brought car audio into this generation. I still understand basics of how sound travels and needed air space and how much power is needed to push certain drivers and what not. While I used to consider myself an expert in this area, I feel like an absolute novice now lol. I guess 30 years and adulthood will do that LMAO. I know back in the day crutchfield was the go to for most car audio needs, but I wasn't sure if they were as prevalent as they used to be. While I'm not going for a competition type set up, I want a quality build with out breaking the bank. I'm always open to insight and advice.

 

[Jtrussell1890]

This looks like a good start to your project if you haven't got anything going for the center console yet, @Jtrussell1890! i believe it's particleboard, so it should integrate well.View attachment 137811

Bass tube enclosure

That's a great starting point, but I was thinking of a custom enclosure built into the center console with the face of the sub pointed at about a 40° angle towards the back glass. May still be a great item to start with since the diameter is what's needed and I could modify that to sit in the way I want.

 

[Li'l Work Truck]

Once I was old enough I became quite skilled in car audio installs and custom setups. Think competition style 5k watt and plexi glass window type craziness.

This makes a lot of sense now. I did a couple of those myself. Wish I still had the pictures...

I can't wait to see what you do with this.