Ref. a 75 F-150: I plan on installing speakers in the doors. What protects
the back side of the speaker from the elements that
drip in by the window glass? Should I get parts from
a newer truck or an Explorer?

 

A good way to keep the moisture off of the speaker is cut a plastic salad bowl to be a 1/2 circle and put it behind the speaker and screw the speaker in to it..

I have put 6x5's in my doors with out it and its fine.

-Bryan

 

I've seen cars in the past that actually had molded plastic speaker box things for this very reason. Like a 5-1/4 speaker fits into in and it fits into a 6-1/2 hole. I've been trying to find em in the junk yard but haven't had any luck. I think I've seen em in a fiero maybe. Anybody know?

 

I'm curious to see what ideas you guys have for this. Personally I don't see it as a necessity to have something to protect them that way. I've had 6.5's and 6x9's in each door for years without any protection besides the weatherstripping for the windows themselves. I've never had an issue.

 

I took some garbage bags and draped the over the back side of the speaker. I made sure enough of the bag poked through the hole in the door, then positioned the lip of the bag between the speaker and door as I screwed it down.

 

XTC 6-1/2" Speaker Baffles (3-1/4" depth) Protect your speakers at Crutchfield.com


That should be what ya need!

 

You can get the baffles at Pep Boys. They are not necessary. If you do use them, cut the bottom portion of the baffle away and leave the top as kind of a roof. The reason being is that most car audio speakers (not subwoofers) are designed to run infinte baffle... meaning free air. Most will suffer in the lower mid range bass response if you leave these baffles whole. It acts as a mini box and effextively chokes the speaker. If you are getting that much water in the doors, I would suggest getting marine speakers designed for boat applications and forgoing the baffles entirely.

 

You should check out Wooferect.com. They are fast reliable and priced a lot lower then the brick and mortar stores. I have spent thousands with them. Metra is the company that makes the baffles!

 

Over the weekend I am going to install a set of 6.5" composit speakers in my doors. I am going to be using B- quiet and some speaker baffles. Ill have pics posted up in my thread when it's done.

 

Great low dollar idea, you ought to post it in the tips and tricks thread at the top.

 

I can't believe the number of suggestions Ford truck owners have offered.
When our Stella comes home from winter storage, I will check out many of
the suggestions after replacing the vent window seals. Lots of wind leaks.
Thanks to everyone.

 

Here is a great seal kit, I just used it. Came with the window seal, anti rattle (4) and division bar seals.

Window Weatherstrip Kit (Both Doors)

A little more $ and you get the wing/vent complete kit.

Door Weatherstrip Kit (Both Doors)

Full $$ enchilada, and some others are in that list...

1973-79 Pickup Super WeatherStrip Kit Plain

 

Thanks. However, I bought the long rubber seal that surrounds the vent glass.
I have also viewed the U-Tube instructions more then once. The door seal was
replaced when I bought her last April.
After the speakers are installed, I will install the AM FM 8-track that has been rebuilt.
I have a pair of sub-woofers behind the seat. I will enjoy pipe organ, classical & the
big band sounds. I can record 8-tracks too. I have a huge collection of tapes.
When they fail, they get tossed. They're cheap.

 

Like my cassette player with auto reverse and music search...yea high tech ain't we? lol

 

I record live on a cassette deck with a matched pair of Altec Lancing condenser mics.
They date back to 1950. Each has a vacuum tube inside. The tape is dubbed onto a CD
to play in the modern iron or the 8-track for the truck or our 66 T-Bird.