Building Speaker Boxes - 6x9's
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From: Dixie - Tennessee
Building Speaker Boxes - 6x9's
Last year,I installed a Sony CDX-M630 CD Player in my Ranger and I love it.Along with it,I installed a set of Polk Speakers.Since the factory 6x8's behind the seat wouldn't handle the 52 watts that the CD Player delivers,I just bought some speaker boxes and installed 2 6x9's behind the seat in those.Everything worked great except for one thing...LEG ROOM.
I'm 6'1" tall and I barely fit in my regular-cab Ranger as it is,not to mention with a set of 5-inch thick speaker boxes behind the seat!!It didn't really bother me at first,but now it does.It's so dang uncomfortable.I just can't stand it anymore lol.So,I want to build some custom boxes that are just the right depth for the speakers.
Now before you say it won't work,let me explain.I don't listen to anything with tons of bass in it,so the speakers don't need to breathe that much.I mostly listen to classic rock and I do turn the bass up sometimes,but those older songs don't have enough to make the speakers move a bit,so air-room is not needed.If the speakers starve,they starve.I need the leg room lol.
I don't know what my current boxes are made out of,but they seem to be good-quality.They are carpeted and everything.I thought about cutting a chunk out of them and just gluing them it back together,but that won't work because they're angled upwards slightly.
The boxes that I build don't have to be anything fancy what-so-ever.I just need them to do their job...Hold the speakers and give me some extra leg room.I have the connectors and everything,so I won't need to make a trip to an electronics store.All that I need are the supplies to build it with.I have all of the woodworking tools that I think I'll need.I have a drill,hole-saws,skil saw,jig saw,hammer,etc.Everything that I should need to build some simple speaker boxes.
So,my material list.What do I need?I know that I'll need wood,of course.For that,I was thinking of using plain 'ol particle board,cut it to shape,glue it together,cut the proper holes in it,install the speakers,and then throw them behind the seat lol.Like I said,it doesn't have to be fancy.
As you can tell,at this moment,I'm lost.I've never done this before,but I've not seen any boxes shallow enough to go behind the seat that will do any better than the ones that I have now.So,it looks like I'll just have to do it myself.I need all of the info that I can get lol.
Any insight is appreciated.
Nightrain
I'm 6'1" tall and I barely fit in my regular-cab Ranger as it is,not to mention with a set of 5-inch thick speaker boxes behind the seat!!It didn't really bother me at first,but now it does.It's so dang uncomfortable.I just can't stand it anymore lol.So,I want to build some custom boxes that are just the right depth for the speakers.
Now before you say it won't work,let me explain.I don't listen to anything with tons of bass in it,so the speakers don't need to breathe that much.I mostly listen to classic rock and I do turn the bass up sometimes,but those older songs don't have enough to make the speakers move a bit,so air-room is not needed.If the speakers starve,they starve.I need the leg room lol.
I don't know what my current boxes are made out of,but they seem to be good-quality.They are carpeted and everything.I thought about cutting a chunk out of them and just gluing them it back together,but that won't work because they're angled upwards slightly.
The boxes that I build don't have to be anything fancy what-so-ever.I just need them to do their job...Hold the speakers and give me some extra leg room.I have the connectors and everything,so I won't need to make a trip to an electronics store.All that I need are the supplies to build it with.I have all of the woodworking tools that I think I'll need.I have a drill,hole-saws,skil saw,jig saw,hammer,etc.Everything that I should need to build some simple speaker boxes.
So,my material list.What do I need?I know that I'll need wood,of course.For that,I was thinking of using plain 'ol particle board,cut it to shape,glue it together,cut the proper holes in it,install the speakers,and then throw them behind the seat lol.Like I said,it doesn't have to be fancy.
As you can tell,at this moment,I'm lost.I've never done this before,but I've not seen any boxes shallow enough to go behind the seat that will do any better than the ones that I have now.So,it looks like I'll just have to do it myself.I need all of the info that I can get lol.
Any insight is appreciated.
Nightrain
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From: nashville
man forget about the speaker boxes in a ranger. im 6' tall my self and i feel ya on the leg room. i put my 6x9s in the doors with 1" spacers. sounds alot better than any speaker box you can put in your truck. and i got my leg room
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From: Dixie - Tennessee
Originally posted by rickjr
man forget about the speaker boxes in a ranger. im 6' tall my self and i feel ya on the leg room. i put my 6x9s in the doors with 1" spacers. sounds alot better than any speaker box you can put in your truck. and i got my leg room
man forget about the speaker boxes in a ranger. im 6' tall my self and i feel ya on the leg room. i put my 6x9s in the doors with 1" spacers. sounds alot better than any speaker box you can put in your truck. and i got my leg room
.
Originally posted by brianas
do you have those 6x9 boxs mounted or do they just sit there
behind your seat?
do you have those 6x9 boxs mounted or do they just sit there
behind your seat?
Nightrain
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From: nashville
lol lol lol 
hey man, im tellin ya. you can to it in 1/2 the time. with no trouble what so ever. trust me its alot less work than building boxes. all you need is the screws for the speakers. a razor knife, and a pair of tin snips. BOOM!!!! done in 20-30 minutes. and your sound will be huge!!! but do it how ever you like. but im tellin ya its easyer and sound awsome. looks good to.
hey man, im tellin ya. you can to it in 1/2 the time. with no trouble what so ever. trust me its alot less work than building boxes. all you need is the screws for the speakers. a razor knife, and a pair of tin snips. BOOM!!!! done in 20-30 minutes. and your sound will be huge!!! but do it how ever you like. but im tellin ya its easyer and sound awsome. looks good to.
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From: MASS
when I do an install on the older chevy pickups--that have no rear
speakers --I cut out a a piece of 3/4" mdf slighty larger than the
speaker 10x7" use a jig saw to cut out the speaker hole--carpet
or finish it as you like--then I use a XTC foam baffle and mount the speaker on the mdf with the baffle behind it--Then I usually mount the mdf board in the corners length wise--sounds great--saves space
XTC baffles are like a small foam enclosure--they will contour to
whereever you place them--they come in all the various speaker
sizes and are less than $10.--
This is a easy alternative that will work for you
go to www.partsexpress.com
to find the XTC baffles
g/l
Josh
speakers --I cut out a a piece of 3/4" mdf slighty larger than the
speaker 10x7" use a jig saw to cut out the speaker hole--carpet
or finish it as you like--then I use a XTC foam baffle and mount the speaker on the mdf with the baffle behind it--Then I usually mount the mdf board in the corners length wise--sounds great--saves space
XTC baffles are like a small foam enclosure--they will contour to
whereever you place them--they come in all the various speaker
sizes and are less than $10.--
This is a easy alternative that will work for you
go to www.partsexpress.com
to find the XTC baffles
g/l
Josh
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From: Dixie - Tennessee
Originally posted by rickjr
lol lol lol hey man, im tellin ya. you can to it in 1/2 the time. with no trouble what so ever. trust me its alot less work than building boxes. all you need is the screws for the speakers. a razor knife, and a pair of tin snips. BOOM!!!! done in 20-30 minutes. and your sound will be huge!!! but do it how ever you like. but im tellin ya its easyer and sound awsome. looks good to.
lol lol lol
hey man, im tellin ya. you can to it in 1/2 the time. with no trouble what so ever. trust me its alot less work than building boxes. all you need is the screws for the speakers. a razor knife, and a pair of tin snips. BOOM!!!! done in 20-30 minutes. and your sound will be huge!!! but do it how ever you like. but im tellin ya its easyer and sound awsome. looks good to.
Originally posted by brianas
when I do an install on the older chevy pickups--that have no rear
speakers --I cut out a a piece of 3/4" mdf slighty larger than the
speaker 10x7" use a jig saw to cut out the speaker hole--carpet
or finish it as you like--then I use a XTC foam baffle and mount the speaker on the mdf with the baffle behind it--Then I usually mount the mdf board in the corners length wise--sounds great--saves space
XTC baffles are like a small foam enclosure--they will contour to
whereever you place them--they come in all the various speaker
sizes and are less than $10.--
This is a easy alternative that will work for you
go to www.partsexpress.com
to find the XTC baffles
g/l
Josh
when I do an install on the older chevy pickups--that have no rear
speakers --I cut out a a piece of 3/4" mdf slighty larger than the
speaker 10x7" use a jig saw to cut out the speaker hole--carpet
or finish it as you like--then I use a XTC foam baffle and mount the speaker on the mdf with the baffle behind it--Then I usually mount the mdf board in the corners length wise--sounds great--saves space
XTC baffles are like a small foam enclosure--they will contour to
whereever you place them--they come in all the various speaker
sizes and are less than $10.--
This is a easy alternative that will work for you
go to www.partsexpress.com
to find the XTC baffles
g/l
Josh
.Nightrain
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well im not sure how to post a pic. im new to the forum world. and since we cant post an email or attatchments. ill just have to explian it. 
ok what i did was traced my speaker onto the door panels. on the lower part of the door in the exposed area in front of the seat. use the razor knife to cut through the soft material of the panels. the tin snips will cut the hard door panel material just fine. now your at the metal part of the door. just cut it out with the snips to. then run your speaker wires through the rubber gromet in the side of the door. there should be one with wires going through it allready and maybe a blank one allso. take your pick of witch to run them through. hook up your speaker wires to the speakers. then screw the speakers in. turn on your tunes and enjoy
ok what i did was traced my speaker onto the door panels. on the lower part of the door in the exposed area in front of the seat. use the razor knife to cut through the soft material of the panels. the tin snips will cut the hard door panel material just fine. now your at the metal part of the door. just cut it out with the snips to. then run your speaker wires through the rubber gromet in the side of the door. there should be one with wires going through it allready and maybe a blank one allso. take your pick of witch to run them through. hook up your speaker wires to the speakers. then screw the speakers in. turn on your tunes and enjoy
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: nashville
oh if you have trouble with the magnets hiting the window. run up to radio shack. or any car sterio place and get the spacers to step your speakers out so the dont go so far into the door. dont worry the are very cheap. like $10.00 or so. you shouldnt have to though. it depends on how deep your speakers are
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From: Dixie - Tennessee
Originally posted by rickjr
well im not sure how to post a pic. im new to the forum world. and since we cant post an email or attatchments. ill just have to explian it.
ok what i did was traced my speaker onto the door panels. on the lower part of the door in the exposed area in front of the seat. use the razor knife to cut through the soft material of the panels. the tin snips will cut the hard door panel material just fine. now your at the metal part of the door. just cut it out with the snips to. then run your speaker wires through the rubber gromet in the side of the door. there should be one with wires going through it allready and maybe a blank one allso. take your pick of witch to run them through. hook up your speaker wires to the speakers. then screw the speakers in. turn on your tunes and enjoy
well im not sure how to post a pic. im new to the forum world. and since we cant post an email or attatchments. ill just have to explian it.
ok what i did was traced my speaker onto the door panels. on the lower part of the door in the exposed area in front of the seat. use the razor knife to cut through the soft material of the panels. the tin snips will cut the hard door panel material just fine. now your at the metal part of the door. just cut it out with the snips to. then run your speaker wires through the rubber gromet in the side of the door. there should be one with wires going through it allready and maybe a blank one allso. take your pick of witch to run them through. hook up your speaker wires to the speakers. then screw the speakers in. turn on your tunes and enjoy
.Nightrain
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From: Dixie - Tennessee
Originally posted by brianas
when I do an install on the older chevy pickups--that have no rear
speakers --I cut out a a piece of 3/4" mdf slighty larger than the
speaker 10x7" use a jig saw to cut out the speaker hole--carpet
or finish it as you like--then I use a XTC foam baffle and mount the speaker on the mdf with the baffle behind it--Then I usually mount the mdf board in the corners length wise--sounds great--saves space
XTC baffles are like a small foam enclosure--they will contour to
whereever you place them--they come in all the various speaker
sizes and are less than $10.--
This is a easy alternative that will work for you
go to www.partsexpress.com
to find the XTC baffles
g/l
Josh
when I do an install on the older chevy pickups--that have no rear
speakers --I cut out a a piece of 3/4" mdf slighty larger than the
speaker 10x7" use a jig saw to cut out the speaker hole--carpet
or finish it as you like--then I use a XTC foam baffle and mount the speaker on the mdf with the baffle behind it--Then I usually mount the mdf board in the corners length wise--sounds great--saves space
XTC baffles are like a small foam enclosure--they will contour to
whereever you place them--they come in all the various speaker
sizes and are less than $10.--
This is a easy alternative that will work for you
go to www.partsexpress.com
to find the XTC baffles
g/l
Josh
If I can't use this idea,I'll just build shallower boxes.What does MDF stand for?I used to know,but I can't put my finger on it at the moment.I do know that it's some type of wood...I think lol.
Nightrain
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From: MASS
MDF--medium density fiberboard
you could really use anything though even plywood for that
I said the corners lengthwise on the older chevy's cause they had
a large open cavity there---You could really place them anywhere
also the foam baffle will compress to the back of the magnet --
so you will have only depth of the speaker itself behind ur seat
U have a 4 speaker system now?--why not keep it at 4
g/l
Josh
you could really use anything though even plywood for that
I said the corners lengthwise on the older chevy's cause they had
a large open cavity there---You could really place them anywhere
also the foam baffle will compress to the back of the magnet --
so you will have only depth of the speaker itself behind ur seat
U have a 4 speaker system now?--why not keep it at 4
g/l
Josh
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From: Dixie - Tennessee
Originally posted by brianas
MDF--medium density fiberboard
you could really use anything though even plywood for that
I said the corners lengthwise on the older chevy's cause they had
a large open cavity there---You could really place them anywhere
also the foam baffle will compress to the back of the magnet --
so you will have only depth of the speaker itself behind ur seat
U have a 4 speaker system now?--why not keep it at 4
g/l
Josh
MDF--medium density fiberboard
you could really use anything though even plywood for that
I said the corners lengthwise on the older chevy's cause they had
a large open cavity there---You could really place them anywhere
also the foam baffle will compress to the back of the magnet --
so you will have only depth of the speaker itself behind ur seat
U have a 4 speaker system now?--why not keep it at 4
g/l
Josh
.I forgot how much they said it was though.I am keeping all 4 of my speakers whether I have to sacrifice comfort or not lol.Upon looking behind the seat of my Ranger,I think that if I take the panels out that the original speakers came in,I might be able to fit those 6x9's in the rear corners of the cab,especially if that XTC compresses to the speaker's depth.This might work out after-all.That will be some much better,comfort and looks-wise,if they can be mounted in the corners.It'll rid of those bulky boxes,that's for sure
.Thanks again for your help.I'm going to do some more measuring tomorrow just to see if it will work before I order anything.
Nightrain
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From: Dixie - Tennessee
I don't think that I'm going to be removing those panels.If I do,I'm going to be exposing everything in that corner and I don't really want that.I guess now that I'll just build shallower speaker boxes.I'm going to wait until this spring though so that it warms up a bit ...
The picture below shows my current boxes.What I plan on building will be about half the size of those,thickness wise.
I'll get some of that MDF and get to work as soon as I can .Thanks for the help and advice fellas!!
Nightrain
...The picture below shows my current boxes.What I plan on building will be about half the size of those,thickness wise.
I'll get some of that MDF and get to work as soon as I can
.Thanks for the help and advice fellas!!Nightrain
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Hello, Nightrain. Maybe I can "fill your cup" with some knowledge. :-)
One thing I would like to mention is that your Sony head unit does not put out a normal 52 watts. As far as real world, static free, it is around 15 watts.
Have you considered buying high quality 6" X 8" speakers and using those in the stock location??
Have you considered purchasing a seperate amplifier to run the front and/or rear speakers?
Have you considered using only your front speakers? I will not preach on why almost no very high quality mobile audio system uses "full-range" rear speakers. I will just say that if you go to a classic rock concert, the band and speakers are in front of you. I have never been to a concert where most of the sound comes from behind me. Have you? :-)
I have a Regular Cab F-150, so "I feel your pain" when it comes to fitting something behind the seat, whether it be groceries or speakers.
Hope this helps,
jasonwho
One thing I would like to mention is that your Sony head unit does not put out a normal 52 watts. As far as real world, static free, it is around 15 watts.
Have you considered buying high quality 6" X 8" speakers and using those in the stock location??
Have you considered purchasing a seperate amplifier to run the front and/or rear speakers?
Have you considered using only your front speakers? I will not preach on why almost no very high quality mobile audio system uses "full-range" rear speakers. I will just say that if you go to a classic rock concert, the band and speakers are in front of you. I have never been to a concert where most of the sound comes from behind me. Have you? :-)
I have a Regular Cab F-150, so "I feel your pain" when it comes to fitting something behind the seat, whether it be groceries or speakers.
Hope this helps,
jasonwho