I have a 65 F100 that doesn't have any speakers radio or anything. I was thinking of the glove box install of the deck, but I'm trying to find a good spot for the speakers. I thought about behind the seat, but I'd rather have them in front of or to the side of me, plus I really don't want to have to build a box. I was looking around and saw that the location of the vents were exactly where I wanted to put the speakers! Has anyone attempted to put speakers there, if so, what size? 6x9s? Is this even a good idea? Where else would you put the speakers other than behind the seat? Also, anyone have there speakers amped? If so, what size, and how does your alternator do with the amp, deck, & speakers?

Thanks
Alan

 

Alan,

I was advised against placing any speakers in the vent by a local installer, he mentioned the chance of water getting to them would be very risky.

As far as the head unit, I purchased a universal DIN installation bracket for about $30. After removing the glove box liner, I mounted the unit inside and made a 'surround' from black cardboard paper that hides the wires; the alpine unit I installed also has a removable face, a good idea considering how easy these vehicles are to access.

For speakers, I created new door access panels out out thin wood and mounted a 5" round speaker there, placed a crossover just above each floor vent and located a tweeter on the extreme left of the dash pad (no holes were necessary as they are surface mounted).

I also have one 12" subwoofer inside of an enclosure, and that is placed behind my seat.

To drive this system, I have two separate Alpine amplifiers; one for the front speakers and one for the sub. Both of these amps are located under my seat, and run a couple of hundred watts each.

Depending on what sort of flooring you have, you can place most of the wiring under the floor cover.

My stock alternator hasn't even hiccuped with the system running...day or night.

There are pics in my gallery if you want to check them out.

Good Luck!

Chad

 

Thanks a lot for the reply, that helps out a lot.

Alan

Edit: How is the clearence with your window rolled down? Is there enough room? Do you hear rattling or vibration when you have the radio up and the window down? I thought about putting the speakers there, but thought it would hit the window. Also, how did you do the wiring?

Thanks
Alan

 

I rolled the window down with the access panel removed before I installed the speaker to ensure plenty of clearance, and it was fine. There is some residual noise from the window, but I suppose that has a little to do with how loud you play your music.

As far as wiring...

As most (if not all ?) of the DIN head units out there have the same basic wiring, that is to say they have yellow (constant power), red (accessory power) and black (ground) it is a pretty simple wiring job. I used tapping connections to tap my yellow into the lighter wiring (constant), the red into the wiper wiring (accessory) and grounded my black on a solid ground.

As far as my amps I led one wire from under my seat, out into the engine and directly to the battery. I connected this under my seat to a distribution block (it splits the wire from the battery into two) so that I could wire both amps with one battery connection. The amps are then grounded to the chassis. Finally, connect the blue (remote turn on) lead from the head unit to the amps.

Aside from speaker connections...thats about it.

 

Next trip to the junk yard head for the IZUSU Troopers circa 88ish.
There you will find a nice radio mount system that held to the bottom of the dash with three screws. You need to take out two screws on the bottom that hold the plastic cover on then the three bigger philips that hold the whole unit up.
Now at your truck take out the ash tray, you'll see a 1/4x20 nut (7/16 wrench) use a Big philips and remove the screw now bolt the Trooper mount using the trucks big head screw and mark the hole for the other one. The third one is not needed.

This mount works good in places the radio in the center of the dash and angled up so you can see it. CD player works even at the slight angle fine.

I'll try to post some pict in my gallery by friday.

As for speakers everyone puts them in the door panels, you should use foam backers/linners so the speaker stays dry.

44

 

I shot a few tonight. you'l find them here.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=11419

 

I put 6x9's in the doors and one 6x9 in the middle of the dash. I took me a couple hours to cut out some MDF to make an adapter so it would fit but the speaker in the dash sounds really nice

 

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone, I really appreciate it. I'll let you know how it goes!

Alan