[kd6ecz]

I've been reading through countless posts here and doing a lot of snooping around the internet for an answer to this question but can't seem to find a definitive one.

I bought a pair of Infinity 6810cs 6x8/5x7 component speakers for the doors of my 2001 4x4 X-Tra Cab along with a pair of 6812cf 6x8/5x7 2-ways for the rear. I have read that the 6810cs woofers will just drop right on in the factory location but I have seen a few comments about having to do some modifications. There is even one review on Crutchfield's web site that claims major metal surgery had to be performed before they would fit. What is the actual story as to how much work it is to get the 6810cs speakers to work in my doors? What needs to be done to mount the Infinity tweeters in the factory locations?

I assume the 6812cf speakers will simply drop into the factory locations in the rear... after the major pain in the ass of removing those large panels.

 

[Trick Taco]

Okay, once you remove the panel the speakers mount to, get a dremel or jig saw and cut out all the plastic reinforcement below the mounting area. Once you've cut out all of that you will need to trim the door edge at the bottem corner faceing the front. Trim it a 1/2in or so so that the speaker's motor assembley doesn't rub agaisnt it.

 

[kd6ecz]

Gee... so much for the easy drop in installation that Crutchfield claims. Thanks for the reply.

 

[yamataco]

It's not as bad as it sounds but it is more work than a simple drop in. Like tricktaco said, when you pull the stock speakers out of the plastic mounting ring you'll see what's in the way. I've got the 6800cs set in my truck and I think installation is exactly the same. I'd also recommend getting the foam baffles for mounting behind the woofers. The tweeters are just a little tricky, I had mine mounted behind the factory tweeter grills at first but the sound was a bit muffled. I found a holesaw that was right for the flushmount cups that Infinity includes and cut out the stock tweeter grill and slipped them into the holes. They look like factory parts installed that way and the sound is much better. I screwed the crossovers to the backside of the woofer mounting plate. Plan about 6 hours for the front speaker install, 4 1/2 hours for the first door, 1 1/2 for the second. Crutchfield sends great instructions for getting the doors apart, but some of the mounting details are up to you to figure out. Don't hurry, plan the install on a clear weekend. You'll probably need a full weekend to do all 4 speakers.

 

[kd6ecz]

I don't think I'll have too much of a problem doing this as long as I know what I am getting into before I take anything apart. I like to know what all is involved and have everything ready before I start a project like this. I was considering using the Infinity tweeter flush mounting cups and now I'm leaning a bit more that way.

I think I will buy the foam speaker baffles before I perform the swap and I'm still debating whether or not to use Dynamat or something similar while I have everything apart. My next purchase is a new head unit. JVC has a few new ones that should be hitting store shelves any day now that I want to take a look at including the KD-G730 and 830 along with their Arsenal series KD-AR780 and 880. You can see the regular JVC line here and the Arsenal series here.

I should probably wait until I have the new head unit before I install the speakers but I'd really like to get the speaker installation out of the way.

 

[Trick Taco]

Yeah, really all it takes is just looking straight at the mounting thing and cutting out everything inside the oval, then just a bit of trimming where the motor assembly hits the door. Go ahead and knock the speakers out.