6.5" speaker upgrade for '85 XJ 4x4 (4 door)
 

Not seeing anything about speaker upgrades or installs. Maybe I still don't know my way around or am not searching properly, but whatever the reason I've decided to upload my project.

Had a shop install some amps and subs for me....mainly just wanted them to run the wiring from battery to amps etc. Anyway, after about a year of fiddling with the EQ settings on the amp and head unit I decided that an upgrade in surface area would help compensate for lost frequencies between the 5.25" speakers and the 12" woofers. Bought some pioneer 6.75" components, some Noico sound deadener, hydrophobic closed cell foam (via standing mats) and got to work.

Let me inform you that crutchfield recommended AGAINST using speakers of this size....they were right, but the 5.25's weren't cutting it. I had to drill new scew holes in the door, cut the door card to accommodate the larger speaker grill and was forced to shave about 1/8 of an inch off the speaker grill to allow full range of motion of the window lever.

All in all a pretty easy install as long as you think things through.

The hardest part was removing all of the stock sound deadener from inside of the doors. A flathead screwdriver came in handy to scrape it off. For the stuff that was really stuck on there I used a small blowtorch to warm the tar based(yup) stock deadener and make it more pliable and this easier to remove. Once all the stock deadener was removed I took a razor blade to the door to scrape off any residue before wiping the doors clean with mineral spirits And rubbing alcohol. After the doors were prepped it was home free!

Had to cut the Noico to workable sizes (10x10 or so) and press firmly onto door. MAKE SURE TO WEAR GLOVES!!!!! This stuff is extremely sharp. After pushing it down with your hands you need to apply pressure to make sure it has maximum contact with sheet metal. They sell rollers for it, I'm broke so used an old wooden tool handle and a spray paint lid. Lol.

Used the Noico on the inside of all doors about 75% coverage (overkill) and 100% coverage behind the door card. I also used it on the liftgate speakers create a box. Really made the speakers come alive but I threw some silicone around all the wires going into and out of speaker location to keep water from getting in. Cut foam rings to go between speaker and mounting location. Hopefully this will help cut down on any vibrations and also provide a nice tight seal.

I know I should use some MLV in there too but that ****s expensive and I don't feel the need ATM...hopefully this has been helpful and thought provoking....if anyone's got questions/comments feel free to voice them.

Both are useful tools for applying the Noico mat to hard to reach areas and crevasses.


Also, not the prettiest but it works.

Nice job man! The reason audio sounds like **** in a Cherokee is because a Cherokee is built like a
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.che...3169dbad57.jpg

Thanks for the compliment! Ain't that the truth!!! The sound deadener helped to stiffen everything up considerably and seems to have cut down on SOME road noise.

Not a bad install! And I bet it sounds a whole lot better than the stock crap that Jeep put in their vehicles at that time. :)

Nice install!

I need to get around to throwing some sound deadener in the doors but I am too cheap, and critical repairs are taking up all of my budget right now.

How does the Noico stick? Any residual smell from it? I was planning on getting the 80mil kit when I do splurge on sound deadening.

I was also planning on throwing in MLV only in the front doors, and for the cubby subwoofer I have planned;

https://www.amazon.com/Noico-Insulat...s+loaded+vinyl

OMG! There was so much stress involved in choosing a sound deadener!!! I landed on the Noico because it was butyl based, had good reviews, and was CHEAP!! Having absolutely no experience with stick on sound deadener I'd say the Noico is perfect! It sticks well but allows you to peel it up if you accidentally misaligned it on first try.

I used the 80 mil kit amazon sells. I think the 27 sq ft one, but I can't recall. I only ended up using 6.5 of the 9 sheets it came with and it has NO SMELL AT ALL so far, HOWEVER the temp hasn't topped 75 degrees since installing so I can't say 100%....
I looked into that mlv they offer as well but that was a little out of my price range. :/

Slightly off topic, but I have a question. . . . it LOOKS like a 6x9 could be made to fit in the rear by mounting it up & down in the stock location, is that possible or is there something I don't see in the way.
Thanks

I'm not sure on the 6x9's, but it don't think there's much benhind the mounting location. Looked like most of the wires were out in the open. The lift gate IS MADE OF fiberglass so idk if that is something you want to really start cutting into Like crazy...

Also, after my many sleepless nights on audio forums, I came to the understanding that 6x9's were inferior to a good set of 6.5. I may be wrong so do some research, but maybe food for thought if you do decide to cut the fiberglass.

Round speakers usually DO give a smoother sound, but a 6x9 has the cone area of a 8" round, and those are kind of hard to find, not impossible , but harder. If I could find a decently priced 8" co-axle speaker, I would do that. At that point, a sealed box built in the lift hatch and I would not need a sub . . . . Hmmmn, more ideas now.

For sure. I was under the impression that since the cone is an odd shape it will not be able to hit certain notes cleanly and will carry residual vibrations when trying to produce a new note. All that causing it to be "muddy." An 8" coax?! Didn't realize they made them that large! Figured by that point it would just be a mid bass driver.lol.

I can say that I've noticed a big difference in the 6.75's over the 5.25" speakers so I'm sure there would be a noticeable difference, especially bottom end, after installing some 6x9's. I went for a sound quality (SQ) build so I avoided the oblong speakers in favor of the round cone and just threw a couple of subs (sealed) in the cargo area.

All in all it sounds like you've got a good idea of what you want so I'd say give it a shot. Worst case you have to throw an amp on them or add a sub. If you decide to get cutting just make sure to wear long sleeves, goggles, gloves and a respirator. Fiberglass is no joke and can cause serious health issues if handled improperly. That being said, good luck.

Yeah, 8" are out there, here is a Google shopping search I did just to tease you some :

https://www.google.com/search?client...e=off&tbm=shop