How to Install Car Speakers

PROJECT CHECKLIST
Experience Level: Intermediate
Time Required: 2 hours
Steps: 10
Supplies: Car speakers; resonance/vibration reducing material; door panel popper; heat gun; spray adhesive; roller; wire stripper; crimper; screwdriver; screws; braided sleeving, wire loom or heat shrink tubing; small wire loom tool (optional); electrical tape.

STEP 1

 

Before you begin your project, remember to read the instructions for your specific car speakers.

STEP 2

 

To install new door speakers, use a popping tool to carefully remove the front door panel; after this is done, disconnect the old speaker and lift it out of the door.

STEP 3

 

Prep the resonance or vibration-reducing material for installation by warming it up with a heat gun. Apply spray adhesive to the section of the door where you’ll be installing that material.

STEP 4

 

Using the heat gun again, steadily direct hot air to the resonance or vibration-reducing material as you install it to the door's surface. Immediately after the material has been applied, go over it thoroughly with a roller to ensure a tight bond.

STEP 5

 

Position the new speaker in the door cavity, and then secure it with screws.

STEP 6

 

Attach the wires that connect the car radio/CD player to the speakers. Insert the “positive” wires into the corresponding “positive” ports in both the radio and speakers. Then plug the “negative” wire into the “negative” ports. Use electrical tape as needed.

STEP 7

 

To install rear speakers, take off the grilles and remove the old speakers; replace with the new ones.

STEP 8

 

Wire the rear speakers in the exact same way as the door speakers, plugging positive speaker wires into positive ports and negative wires into negative ports. Use electrical tape as needed.

STEP 9

 

Replace door panels in the front and grilles in the rear.

STEP 10

 

To cover exposed speaker wires: we highly recommend that you cover any exposed wire in your stereo system with wire loom, braided sleeving or heat shrink tubing. Not only will your speaker wires be protected from chemicals, automotive fluids and abrasion, but they’ll also look great. Techflex® braided sleeving additionally comes in categories that enhance current transmission and shield wires from static, EMI, RFI, ESD and other interferences that can impact sound quality. The product you select dictates how and at what point in the speaker installation process you'll need to apply the wire covering.

• • Braided Sleeving needs to be worked over the wires before they're connected.
• • Heat Shrink Tubing needs to be applied and shrunk before final wire connection.
• • Wire Loom is easiest to install before wiring is completed, but it's possible to carefully “zip” wires into loom after connection, using a small wire loom tool.