Hey Guys,

Thanks to Whistl3R for his recommendations and Big Truck Big Rv for the inspiration to take the plunge and upgrade the speakers on my OEM Sony system. I will own this truck for about 2 more years and I don't want to spend thousands of dollars on aftermarket amps, boxes, woofers, wiring, complexity, etc.

So for about $350 I was able to make some really nice upgrades to the sound of the speakers, added bass that compliments the stock OEM Sony woofer, increased clarity on the highs, no more downing out of the music at volumes above 20 and increasing loudness. Those are quite a few benefits for $350.

This video shows how I did the install but it also would be a good video for folks to watch if they are interested in removing their door panels for any other reason.

Hope this helps some people with a project on their truck or build confidence to take the plunge to upgrade their speakers. Thanks.

 

 

I'm curious. I didn't see anything to protect the speakers from water. Is there some kind of foam baffles already mounted to the hole that wasn't showing?
Something like these baffles

 

 

Here is what I did a while back on my 18

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...4&postcount=42

Packing the sub woofer will also improve the bass. Bought polyfoam at Michaels for about $5 - removed the Sony sub, opened it up and packed it with poly.

 

Good question! I'd like to know about this as well. Does this result in four tweeters?

It looks like there is a screw alignment issue with the Dayton Audio center speaker. Were you not able to fasten it down?

 

I did pretty much the same thing though after installing the C2s, it was way too bright for me. I replaced them with C1 (components in the front) and it's much better. I also replaced the stock sub with an RF shallow mount for which I had to make a spacer and packed per Hobbie1's guidance. Sound is much improved but I will be putting a mini amp on the sub using the rear door signal. The crossover from the Sony amp reduces bass at higher volumes. Not audiophile quality but certainly some clarity and a little more bottom end.

 

Nice, thanks for posting that. Although I did cringe when you took to installing those spacers with a power drill/driver. Old school is advisable lest you accidentally puncture the speaker.

 

Thank you for the video. I just ordered mine and plan to do the same. Thumbs up!

Thanks again.

 

Nice write up. I am thinking of upgrading. I usually go all out, but am beginning to realize I do not need to go crazy.

 

Didn't want to go crazy either and I just couldn't bite the bullet on a DSP and amps and sub box. As I wrote previously, I used the JL Audio C1 speakers and tweeters with the Sony amp and a RF 8" shallow mount sub in the factory box. Using info fromt he F150 guys, today I installed a Kenwood KAC-M3001 600W Class D, amp on the sub, tapped into the right rear speaker lead to avoid the Sony DSP subwoofer signal. The amp is very small and fits easily behind the seat. The new sound is much, much better than stock. I usually listen to music with the volume set around 10-12 and now I have the clairity and low-end I wanted without cranking it up.

Stupidly, I broke my MDF spacer ring reinstalling the sub so I'm making a new set from PVC this weekend. If you do the sub upgrade, just go with ABS or PVC to start with.

If you're thinking about a stealth upgrade to the Sony junk, the JL speakers and a RF/Kenwood sub/amp did it for me. Many thanks to Hobbie1 and others.

 

I am going to remove this reply about it not making that big a difference and don't want to steer anyone in the wrong direction. One of my front speakers was not working when I tested this. I had pinched a wire. With it fixed it makes a big improvement. Thumbs up again man.

 

I replaced mine with a set of Infinity 6x9's 3 ways in front and a set of Infinity 6.5 coaxial in the rear. Increased bass, mid and high. Had to put a narrow strip of felt over the mid to tone it down some (can only do so much with the controls). The system sounds much better now.