Stereo Question (front door and dash speakers)

[thebwlife]

I’ve done a bit of searching but most of the stereo threads turn into what brand is best and not tons of info on the actual install or how it all works. So if this particular question has been answered please provide a link and not a “use search”.

Info: From the factory I have the Non-JBL system (not even a shark fin or steering wheel controls) and I plan on replacing the factory head unit with a double DIN DVD, the dash 3.5” speakers, and the front door 6x9” speakers (or what size best replace the factory 6x9’s?).

Here is my question: from the factory do they have a low pass filter set on the front door speaker so only the woofer is getting power then the highs are going to the 3.5” speaker in the dash? And if so is that filter in the head unit or in the line or even on the speaker? If I do a direct replacement and not change any of the wiring (other than some different connectors) can I just swap out the front for a coaxial front door speaker and a new 3.5” coaxials and both of them will get full signal?

My thought is both (front door and dash )will get full range lows-mids-highs and that is what I want. I’ve read I’ll lose “party mode” with the addition of the headunit, which is fine.

In addition I’ll be adding rear door speakers, rear gate speakers, rear flip down DVD screen (will run off the head unit), and the powered sub that Antman did a write up on, but I don’t have questions about that stuff.

Thanks for the help.

 

[GrantK]

You can replace the front door and dash speakers without major issue. There is a small x-over or bass blocker on the dash speakers but most people take it out when they replace them. Be advised that the front door and dash speakers are wired in series, not parallel. You'll have to replace the factor speaker connectors and come up with a mounting system since the factory speakers have special mounting (integrated into the speaker for the door and brackets for the dash).

For the dash, start with the passenger side, pop off the cover, remove the speaker and check clearances (they're tightest on the passenger side), there isn't a lot of room. The plastic that seems to have nothing behind it is part of the ducting for the dash and side windows do you really don't want to cut it.

For the door, get a copy of the repair manual (see the sticky thread on mods for a link) and remove the door panel to see what you've got to work with. When putting the door panel back on, removing the top section from the main panel makes re-installing much easier.

On the rear the wiring is a little tricky and the easiest way is to replace the speaker wires for the rear door and liftgate speakers. The factory wiring puts the signal through a relay that is controlled by the head unit when you push the party mode switch.

Good luck, have fun and post you're progress.

 

[thebwlife]

On the rear the wiring is a little tricky and the easiest way is to replace the speaker wires for the rear door and liftgate speakers. The factory wiring puts the signal through a relay that is controlled by the head unit when you push the party mode switch.

If I replace the head unit it will just be like party mode on all the time right?

 

[GrantK]

If I replace the head unit it will just be like party mode on all the time right?

Hard to say. Here's the schematic for the rear speakers and relay. The party mode switch goes to the head unit, then the head unit controls the relay. So which way is which is the question, that's why I suggest just replacing the wiring for the rear door and liftgate speakers.