Altering door to fit 6.5" splits.

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=87673
Printed Date: May 06, 2024 at 2:51 PM

Topic: Altering door to fit 6.5" splits.

Posted By: rhysem123
Subject: Altering door to fit 6.5" splits.
Date Posted: December 23, 2006 at 4:45 AM

Hey all, first post, here it goes

I have recently bought a pair of 6.5 " pioneer component speakers for my subaru impreza rx. However, the stock speakers are a mere 5.25". How would I go about altering the current bracket to fit the larger speakers? Should i just use a hacksaw to modify the size of the hole to make it fit? I do not think it would be to difficult.

Thanks

Replies:

Posted By: prodigal
Date Posted: December 23, 2006 at 3:47 PM

Had the same problem with my mistsubishi galant but worked around cutting the metal. I used 1/2" plywood to make a mounting surface for the 6.5" speaker and flush mounted the tweeter into it. Then i cut out the similar holes into the door panel ensuring that the magnet would fit into the 5.5" speaker hole in the door metal. I covered up the plywood nicely with carpet and screwed it onto the door panel. Sounds great and looks just as good. I basically used the plywood as a lifter instead of the hassel of sawing metal.

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Prodigal Son

Posted By: geepherder
Date Posted: December 23, 2006 at 5:06 PM

I agree with the above. Usually you can cut a spacer out of wood. Spray it black, or use something else to keep water from rotting it out. Attach that to the door and screw the speaker into it. There's usually no need to modify the door panel itself. This will also give you added clearance between the speaker magnet and the window/door stop. If you decide you are going to cut the sheet metal, a hacksaw is not the tool to use. Use an airsaw instead, or a jigsaw with a metal cutting blade.

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My ex once told me I have a perfect face for radio.

Posted By: prodigal
Date Posted: December 23, 2006 at 7:44 PM

Oh yeah i forgot to mention that. The speaker magnet (with the spacer) was very close to the window glass so be very careful if you are cutting the metal to fit the 6.5" speaker cause it might prevent the window from rolling all the way down. Good luck

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Prodigal Son

Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: December 23, 2006 at 9:42 PM

Example of a homemade spacer. I used some particle board that was salvaged from some thrown away furniture (not the best material to use but it can be waterproofed pretty well with urethane). The surface is white because that was the paint color of the furniture. Cut the piece to fit your door; the door panel will hide its ugliness, so it doesn't have to be pretty. Cut the hole so that the speaker fits into it. In this case I recessed the hole with a routed mortise so that the driver fit flushed. The baffle is screwed into the door sheet metal and then caulked all around the edge for a good seal.

Keep in mind the room that is needed between the driver surround and the door panel that you have to put back over it...as well as (mentioned already) the room behind the driver's magnet. You can fit just about any size driver into any size hole using a baffle like this. This one is a 6.5 driver fitting into a 5.25 hole.

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After door panel is reinstalled:

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Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.

Posted By: rhysem123
Date Posted: December 24, 2006 at 3:07 AM

very helpful thank you