I stopped by a audio shop today to talk system's with them and what they said striked me as odd. I told them I wanted abetter sounding front stage and thought of going with a 6.5 component set with tweets in the sail panel or in beside the speaker. They said yeah you can do that and that they had done a few but for the money (I capped them at $350 for the set) that I should go with a 5x7. They said I should use something like the JL 5x7 component set and mount the tweet up on the A piller, or even use a coiaxle type. They stated that the 6.5 would require some cutting and an adapter plate made (I knew that might be needed). Then they said that putting the tweet in the sail panel would be hard on the driver side as it is smaller and there's a clip in the way. I think this shop just didn't wanna bother with me or didn't wanna work on my truck.
I've talked to another shop and he says either way is a good way to go if you use the right gear. He said you should keep the tweet fairly close to the speaker and recommend installing it beside the speaker. IMO I think the 6.5 round speaker should produce a much better sounding system and handle more power. The tweet issue is still up in the air.

 

For optimum sound and imaging, the tweeter should not be placed more than 8-11 inches off center axis of the midbass driver.

Depending on the component set, major modification may be needed to use a 6.5" driver in the door, depth will also be affected.

 

I thought most on here had to little to no trimming to fit most 6.5's with an adapter plate. I need to go back and really search the boards and find some more info.
So placing the tweet in the sail panel or on the A-panel would be too far away. Maybe that's why I have seen a few drill a hole and mount it in the upper part of the door above the speaker. Is it even worth buying a component set if I'm just going to install the tweet beside the midrange behind the door panel? What's is the best spot for optimum SQ.
Any more tips you can give me.

 

You should be able to fit a 6.5 Mid-bass without any cutting using a spacer of some sort (either bought or made from MDF).

For the best imaging, you should mount the set in your kick panels. If you do use the factory locations for the mids, keep your tweets close to them like HuskerF150 said. You should choose tweets that can be aimed slightly upward and to the rear so both hit an imaginary point near your dome light.

I've seen pics on here of tweets that have been mounted in the sail panels. I think '98 posted a topic about modifying the "clip" on the drivers side and made his work.

 

Is the sail panel considered close enough? I'm trying to do this right the first time.

Any suggestions on mid-upper end speakers I should use? I'm thinking Eclipse, MB's, Focal (kevlars or lower), etc. Trying to stay under the $300 range on the speakers. I can self-install or will let someone for a good price.

 

Hey KY where in town did you go. I have had some work done here at one local shop and i was not real happy with there work.

 

F150NKY
The shop I stopped at up there was Audio Works, it's the one over by Circuit City on Mall Road. From what I've seen I don't think I want my truck in there. I once saw to young guys just outside the install bay door smoking what appeared to be a joint (they were passing it around like one). The place was filled with young punks too. While I have nothing against young guys (heck I am one) as they could be the best there is and I have nothing against pot. It's the factor of them being high and working on my truck I do not like. I didn't have time to check out the shop over by K-mart or anyothers.

What shop are you thinking of? That way I will not waste my time there either.
Truthfully I will probably wind up purchasing something from a shop closer to home. It's Audio Unlimited in Dry Ridge, he deals in Eclpise, Corssfire, MTX, and Kenwood but can get many other things. I somewhat know the owner and got my Eclipse CD5441 HU (almost top of the line a year ago) for $380 on a suggested $500 radio. Just trying to see what everyone else could offer and may not want any brands my guy has.

 

Bingo, audio works was the shop I was thinking of. When they were done the install looked nice, it was later when I had to remove the system and I saw what their wiring job looked like that I did not think they did such a great job. Also, I had asked for the box & packing material that the equipment came in, back and I did not get it.

If you know where the moores nautilus is here in Florence there is a place next to it. I have not had any work done there but I know someone who did and they were happy.

 

Figured we were talking about the same shop. I once tried t ostop in there and they were closed... it's was midday on a weekday? Now that I know more there's no way in heck I'll go there for any install.
Refresh my memory where's that other shop at? Not going to buy right now but would like to plan a new system out. I think I might "have to" to a gear swap first. I might have a front axle bearing going out. Do not, I repeat DO NOT buy a 4x4 unless you really need it. To change one front axle bearing you have to drop the whole front axle.
If your ever down my way stop into Advance in Dry Ridge. I can set you up with a Steel Horse billet grill and give you some pointers. They look pretty sharp and I've gotten several comments. Here it is:

 

Sorry... Double posted

 

The other shop is on Tanners lane right next to Moores and TJ"s sports bar, like I said I have not had any work done there but I talked with someone who did.

I also had an amp and speakers installed at the Best Buy here in Florence and I was very surprised with there work.

Yes we learned out 4WD lesson with a Blazer we owned. I went with the 2WD F150 just because of our experiences with the Blazer.

Since we are talking about shops , I am getting a PowerTrax No-slip locker (if it ever comes in), you ever installed something like that, it is supposed to be not too hard.

 

I'll have to check into that other shop when the time comes. There's just to much on my list that I would like to get done, gears, lift, bigger tires (again), fix leaky rear window, new paint and hood, etc. On the other hand I would like to just start over on a new (newer) truck. I love Ford and now know tons about them just not sure if I will stay with them or go down the other road.

I responded to your other post about installing the Power-trax.