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replace front door speakers and keep factory tweeter...harness?


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Our '07 MKX has the seperate door mounted tweeters. Is there an additional harness availible that will allow me to replace the front door speakers and keep the factory tweeters operational? There are two plugs on the factory 6x8 speaker. One from the radio and one from the speaker to the tweeter. I'm sure it could be done with some creativity but it would be nice if there were a simple way.

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Our '07 MKX has the seperate door mounted tweeters. Is there an additional harness availible that will allow me to replace the front door speakers and keep the factory tweeters operational? There are two plugs on the factory 6x8 speaker. One from the radio and one from the speaker to the tweeter. I'm sure it could be done with some creativity but it would be nice if there were a simple way.

 

The factory speaker has a built-in crossover - if you just replace the door speaker you'll lose the crossover and the tweeter won't sound right. You need to buy a component set that comes with a crossover - you can replace the factory tweeter with a better sounding component tweeter and upgrade the whole thing with existing wiring. The head unit goes to the crossover and the crossover feeds the 2 speakers. I used Polk Audio in my Fusion (5.25" I think - 6.5" might fit).

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Thanks. I have replaced the rear door speakers with Pioneer Premier TS-D802P 6x8s (pretty decent speakers!) but was holding off on the fronts until I figured out what I needed to do. Looks like I'll go the component route on the front. Now, wondering how hard it is to remove the stock tweeters and secure the aftermarkets in the same area. If I remember correctly from when I had the front door panel off they are clipped in somehow but I may be wrong.

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The tweeter cover just pops off and the wires are easy to access. I don't think it was too hard to remount the new tweeter but that was a couple of years ago so I don't remember exactly.

 

If you wanted to keep the stock tweeter or use a non-component door speaker with a different tweeter you can always just buy a crossover.

Edited by akirby
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I ended up ordering a set of Infinity Kappa 680.9cs 6x8 component setup for the front. We'll see how that turns out. I am aware that the "disciminating" car audio pros will say that the round 5.25 or 6.5 woofer is better but it's not that big of an issue to me and the 6x8 woofer will bolt right in without an adapter. I like many others on here just want some more clarity and sound quality. I did notice that the factory 5x7/6x8 speakers look exactly the same as all the Ford vehicles I have owned all the way back to my first car (an '88 Escort)...lol!

 

I'll try to do a little write up/photo session of the install once I get them.

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Get some velcro or double sided tape to mount the crossover. It's big.

 

You must have read my mind, I was just getting ready to ask about that! Where exactly inside the door do you prefer to mount them? Obviously out of the way of the window track and somewhere where it wont rattle.

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You must have read my mind, I was just getting ready to ask about that! Where exactly inside the door do you prefer to mount them? Obviously out of the way of the window track and somewhere where it wont rattle.

 

I forgot exactly but it's right behind the door speaker. There is plenty of room.

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I have been thinking about this also. After reading your posts here I just ordered the same set.

 

Now to find a warm place to do the install.

 

Thanks for the info, Bill

 

I should get mine around the first week of the new year. Not sure if it makes any difference but I had ordered the speaker baffles (rubber/foam things) when I originally ordered the 6x8s. I'll throw them in with the front speakers too.

 

Fortunately I have a big garage attached to the house that is all insulated and easy to heat, at least to a tolerable level to do some projects when I get winter "cabin fever". Not a big fan of the four seasons anymore especially seeing both our vehicles covered in salt and dripping black/wet road leftovers in the garage.

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Well I got the speakers changed today. There is a noticeable difference in the sound. I like it!

 

The tweeters were a PIA to mount as there is not much room to fit them in. I had to clip off the mounting studs for the OEM speakers and drill a hole for a bolt and put a screw in the other bracket mounting hole.

There is a great place for the crossover in the door. I cut out some of the stratiform so the fit was not too tight and there was room for the wires to exit.

All in all, not too hard. Just wish it had been warmer that 30 deg.

post-6482-1262385398_thumb.jpg

post-6482-1262385429_thumb.jpg

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Well I got the speakers changed today. There is a noticeable difference in the sound. I like it!

 

The tweeters were a PIA to mount as there is not much room to fit them in. I had to clip off the mounting studs for the OEM speakers and drill a hole for a bolt and put a screw in the other bracket mounting hole.

There is a great place for the crossover in the door. I cut out some of the stratiform so the fit was not too tight and there was room for the wires to exit.

All in all, not too hard. Just wish it had been warmer that 30 deg.

 

Great! I haven't got mine yet but I'm glad to see your install turned out well. They are supposed to be here early next week. If you have any more pics they would be appreciated but I think I see what I need to do based on the couple that you posted. Thanks! I'm not really concerned about clipping off the factory tweeter holders since I doubt if I would ever put them back in. Nice "DIY" job on the aftermarket tweeters! Did you happen to put in any Dynamat or anything? I am glad to hear that you are happy with the improvement in sound. Anything would be better than the puny factory 6x8s that look identical to the ones in all Ford vehicles I have owned since the '80s models.

 

I've been busy with the PXAMG/Sirius/Ipod control through the factory radio thing today so I've had plenty to deal with as it is. Our MKX came with the regular radio (non-nav) and without Sirius so I had to solve that. Very happy with how it turned out. Its about 45-50 degrees in the garage, 15 or so outside so the hours I spent weren't too uncomfy...haha.

Edited by klc317
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Those were the only pics I took because the rest of the job is not hard at all. Just uncapping (behind the door pull and the handle) unscrewing (all around the door panel) and popping a couple of clips.

Best to remove the silver covers and electrical plugs for the window & lock buttons before removing the door panels.

Keep the tweeter/lock panel near because you will need it to place the new tweeter in a position that will clear the panel clip & lock button. There is not much room for error.

Replace the door panel after tweeter & crossover mounting and then replace the covers for the tweeter & door switches. I used the male/female bullet type plugs for the connections (lubed w/dielectric grease) between the door panel(crossover & speaker) and the door connections.

I dont know if this is the best way to do the install but it works for me. Let me know if you have any questions.

Later, Bill

 

Edit: No dynamat or foam speaker thingies.......

Edited by kempie
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Those were the only pics I took because the rest of the job is not hard at all. Just uncapping (behind the door pull and the handle) unscrewing (all around the door panel) and popping a couple of clips.

Best to remove the silver covers and electrical plugs for the window & lock buttons before removing the door panels.

Keep the tweeter/lock panel near because you will need it to place the new tweeter in a position that will clear the panel clip & lock button. There is not much room for error.

Replace the door panel after tweeter & crossover mounting and then replace the covers for the tweeter & door switches. I used the male/female bullet type plugs for the connections (lubed w/dielectric grease) between the door panel(crossover & speaker) and the door connections.

I dont know if this is the best way to do the install but it works for me. Let me know if you have any questions.

Later, Bill

 

Edit: No dynamat or foam speaker thingies.......

 

Yeah, taking door panels off of this vehicle is really easy aside from trying to pop up the cover in the finger-pull without scratching the plastic. I ended up with those foam speaker thingies just cause I thought they would help keep the speakers cleaner and block the moisture if the window is rolled down while wet although I'm sure they don't make much difference...lol. I've had the back panels off several times and the fronts once just long enough to realize that the speakers I had originally bought wouldn't work.

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