I have a pair of Infinity 6.5" component speakers and want to build a adapter plate for the opening in the front door of a 2001 Extented cab. I tried a 3/8" peice of plywood, but it is too think and the speakers hit the door panel. I also tried a peice of 1/8" plexiglass from Home Depot and had trouble cutting it without snapping it (not to mention the blade melted the plate instead of cutting it and it fused back together).

What type of material has everyone used when making an adapter plate? I'm trying to mount the woofer and the tweeter on the same plate so it remains hidden behind the door plate. I did a seach, but didn't see any materials listed for the plates people made.

Thanks

 

Check out like Parts Express, they sell sheets of ABS plastic.

I have some 3/16th inch stuff. It reminds me a lot of fiber board, and if I knew there was a such thing as fiber board I would say thats what it was. Or else its some REALLY dense cardboard. Just had it layin in the shop.

Only thing I found that didnt make my comps surround hit the door panel when I cranked it.

 

You know what works really good? Pegboard. Yep, that thin, brown, board with tons of holes in it. I've used it for years. You can pick up a precut piece about 2ftx3ft at Home Depot or Lowe's for a couple bucks. It is a little flexible, vibration resistant, and really easy to cut. A jigsaw cuts thru it like butter. Just be careful no to strip your holes when you screw the speaker into it...

 

or go to ebay and buy a pair of adaptor plates.........I did
cost me $3.50 for the purchase and $6.00 for the shipping and handling

 

The do not sell adapter plates for a 6.5" speaker. I guess I will go with the ABS plastic as I have heard others say they were sucessful with that. I'll try to post pictures when I'm done with it this weekend. Thanks for the help.

 

Wow, that's exactly the dilema I had when I mounted my 6.5's in the door. Now for the tweeter, I was outta luck and had to mount it on the side, but no biggy for me. Here's a pic of what it looks like installed:



I had a special sized Rockford Fosgate (it was something like 6 inches exactly), and they sent me a 6X8 to 5 1/4" adapter plate (Crutchfield) with it. Well, those blew out (wonder why ), and I replaced them with 6 1/2" thinking that was what I had. Well, it didn't fit when I got them, so I cut ring out of 1/4" plywood and screwed it to the adapter plate, and voila, speaker cleared the hole and didn't hit the door panel (it was close, but it still doesn't hit it when the speaker is fully extended). It also created a sealed fit in the hole so nothing rattled and everything was screwed down securely. I've painted the adapter black since then so it doesn't show as much. Hope this helps.

 

I have noticed that almost everyone with components in the door has removed the black screen covering them. Is there any reason for this? I would like the speakers to not be very visible, but if removing the screen increases the audio quality I would go for it.

 

I took mine out because I thought it made a little difference. I could blow thru that black screen thing and barely feel it on the other side, it blocked a lot of air.

Most people proably wont be able to hear a difference, so if you wanna keep em in there its not hurting anything.

 

Can't take out what wasn't there in the first place. I've had a 1998 F150 and a 2002 F150, and they both had dust covers, but for some reason they didn't come on the 2003 on either the front or the rear door. I'd actually like to install dust covers, probably some felt and a little spray adhesive, ah, another project...

 

The grilles are strictly for protection, so if you don't need them, ditch them. Sometimes they vibrate from bass notes, so that is a possible concern. As for the adapter plate, I've always had luck with 1/8" pegboard from the hardware store. It is vibration free, easy to cut, and cheap. Works like a charm.

 

Well, I finally installed the speakers this weekend. I have another question about the crossover. How have you guys mounted the croosover in the door? I know some have done it by the kick panel, but I was hoping to put it in the door. Right now I have it zip tied to the steel cross member in there, but I'm not happy with this connection when I go off roading. Any suggestions? Thanks,

 

You can also use a piece of Masonite (Home Depot/ Lowes) for this that way there is no holes except for what yoiu make in it. That is what I am looking to use.

Did you guys justtrace the old speakers on it to make the template? I am putting a set of JL vr 525csi's.

I was also wondering if anyone has a secure location for the crossover. I was thinking of the ziptie route but want some thing that will not move around.

 

hey JDPOLLEN can you send a link to the adapter plates?

 

darkstone, did you just trace your stock speaker on the pegboard and cut that out for the template.