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.

 

[gaz]

@Jtrussell1890
I love the idea of a custom sub enclosure as a center counsol. I am very intrigued to learn how you go about this as it suits both my Ford's perfectly ..)

If you want any suggestions for amps, either pm or respond in your thread. Even on a tight budget, a ton can be accomplished!!

Good luck

 

[Jtrussell1890]

@Jtrussell1890
I love the idea of a custom sub enclosure as a center counsol. I am very intrigued to learn how you go about this as it suits both my Ford's perfectly ..)

If you want any suggestions for amps, either pm or respond in your thread. Even on a tight budget, a ton can be accomplished!!

Good luck

I'm always open to suggestions and recommendations. I've never been one to think I know it all lol. Also I'm not as up to date on brands and performance quality line I used to be. Back in my day it was all about Cerwin Vegas and Rockford Fosgate for speakers and subs.

 

[Jtrussell1890]

@Jtrussell1890
I love the idea of a custom sub enclosure as a center counsol. I am very intrigued to learn how you go about this as it suits both my Ford's perfectly ..)

If you want any suggestions for amps, either pm or respond in your thread. Even on a tight budget, a ton can be accomplished!!

Good luck

Also I'm going to be using https://www.therangerstation.com/tech/fiberglass-console-construction/#gsc.tab=0 as a reference to build out my custom center console.

 

[SenorNoob]

Crutchfield is definitely still a top tier provider. Every time I've priced out a new head unit they end up being the cheapest by the time you include the required adapters elsewhere too.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I was going to put a small sub or two in the center console and decided to build a box off the back wall of the cab instead and go with 12” subs because the price was right on the 12” ones over something smaller. I did incorporate a pair of 6.5” speakers into the center console though. Built my console out of 3/4” plywood and gave myself two big cup holders, lol

 

[Jtrussell1890]

So I have finally locked down amps, speakers, and set up. I still need my back seat usable (have a kiddo that still rides back there). Going with a complete Kicker set for speakers and subs (6x8 coaxial front and rear and 8" Solobaric/ square sub) and the speakers and subs I found online already packaged with amps. The 6x8's come with a 4 channel 400wRMS 2 - 4 ohm class D amp and the sub comes with the same brand of amp as the 6x8's but as a 400w RMS single channel class D 1 - 2 ohm. I will run cross overs between the 4 coax speakers to equalize between each set of front and rear. After doing some math ( I= P/V) and some calculations I've also decided to upgrade my stock alternator from the 95 amp to the 135 that's available. My original idea was to run 2g power and ground from the battery and amps, but after doing the math, 4g should be more than enough and 12g should be plenty sufficient for the speakers. I will be doing sound deadening mat all through the cab (floors, doors, back wall) and may just go ahead and do a floor carpet replacement since it's the original 30 year old mess. Crutchfield (thanks to y'all's suggestions) has been a huge help, as well as few channels on YT. I feel.as though I'm coming back into the level of know how to maybe take this a bit more serious and get certified again to be an installer. That's just an idea in the back of my head for now. I'm more about having fun with my own stuff for the time being. I'm still mapping it all out on paper so I can be sure I have the correct length of cables and wires as well junction/ distribution boxes, RCA wires and speakers as well as heat shrink, wire sleeves and terminal ends. Originally thought about an led surround for the sub, but I haven't come across one for the square style of the Solobaric as of yet. Looks like in this preliminary stage I should be around $1200 out the door for most everything not counting the alternator. Going to gather a few items at a time so as not to break the bank. First item on the list will be the sound deadening. It's just something that's needing done regardless did to it being a 30 year old truck. I plan on doing pics and step by step for the whole process in case any one else out there needs some references on how to set up an audio system in these little rough riders.