How to Install Car Speakers

If a great-sounding audio system is important to you, it's likely that you won't be satisfied with the factory speakers that came with your car. Upgrading the speakers can be a fairly easy task.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Car Door Poppers
• Car Stereo Speakers
• Rollers
• Superglue
• Superglue
• Blow Dryers
• Electrical Tapes
• Multiuse Screws
• Screwdriver Sets
• Wire Crimpers
• Wire Strippers
• Wire Strippers
• Rollers

1. Read the instructions that came with the speakers.

2. Carefully use the door panel popper to remove the door panel.

3. Remove the old speaker from the door.

4. Heat the Dynamat or Accumat with a heat gun or hair dryer, or leave it out in the sun to heat.

5. Spray glue on the metal surface of the door.

6. Peel the back off of the Dynamat or Accumat, and using the heat gun or hair dryer, heat the material as you apply it to the metal surface.

7. Use a roller to press the material onto the metal so that it bonds with the surface.

8. Drop the speaker into the speaker cavity and screw it securely through the Dynamat or Accumat to the metal of the door.

9. Plug the positive wire into the positive opening on the back of the speaker, and plug the negative wire into the negative opening on the back of the speaker.

10. Plug the other ends of the positive and negative wires into the corresponding inputs on the back of the radio.

11. Remove the factory grilles on the rear deck and take out the old speakers.

12. Drop the new speakers into the openings and wire as you did the door speakers.

13. Cover all exposed wires with black electrical tape.

14. Replace the grilles over the speakers in the rear deck.

15. Replace the door panels on the doors.

Tips & Warnings

• Each speaker will have two wires - a positive and a negative. One wire will probably have a stripe on it. You can make this wire either the negative or positive, but whatever you use it for, be certain that you stay consistent with all the speakers.
• Avoid running speaker wires where panels and screws can cut into them.
• Short screws may not secure speakers properly. Use longer screws to be certain that speakers are secured to the door.

[anton24]

on 12/17/2008 i have a 98 holden rodeo dual cab and i want to install speakers in the back but dont want to cut into the door inserts to much does anyone have any ideas on the best place to put them and what size of speaker would fit best... any help would be good as its got me stuffed as to were to put them

[yourtruck]

on 11/19/2008 Here's another tip: When I went to replace the speakers in a recently inherited Honda Civic, upon removal I could see they were pretty good speakers. The head unit (deck) was a decent one, so how come it sounded like dookie? After doing some research, I decided to try some sound deadening. Because, with the speaker mounted directly to the all metal door, I could just imagine how the sound would resonate and bang around the inside of the door. So it made sense to try it. Think about it. Ever hit a garbage can with a hammer? Long story short, results were outstanding. Even if you keep the factory speakers, they will sound 3x better. Win/Win situation for me, as there is a lot of road noise going on in this car. I used Dynamat. I can't say how it compares to others. I only have an 18 watt head, and 6.5 door speakers, and my system pumps pretty hard now. I'm doing the floor next, as t

on 1/9/2006 All you will need is an old wash-cloth. Hold the washcloth on two adjacent corners to create sort of an edge. Use the edge as floss between the door and window crank. The metal ring should pop off (don't lose it). The crank should come off when you pull it now. When you want to return things to normal, pop the ring back onto the handle, then slide it back on. This part might take a few tries, but patience will pay off.

on 11/22/2005 When you are replacing speakers in your doors, and you have manual window cranks, then you do need a special tool to remove them. I just thought you had to pry it off and I broke both the crank and part of the door itself, which ended up costing me $40 to fix. Save yourself from the aggravation! If you go to either Napa or Auto Zone the part to safely and properly remove them is around $5 and it is well worth it! Good luck everyone!

I have 2 Alpine Type R's and a JBL GTO1201.1 amp that will blow your face off! 5 first place trophies and counting!

on 11/22/2005 Do not let the speaker basket touch metal, that will short out your speakers and they will not work (assuming you have a metal basket). Insulate with electrical or duct tape if you have to.