Adding Rear Pillar Speakers w/Basic Radio

[rpatowers]

I currently have the six-speaker setup with the basic radio/single CD player in my FJ. I want to install rear pillar speakers so my daughter will be able to better hear the radio when she is riding in the back seat. I'm not looking to blow out the windows here - I just want to add a reasonable amount of good sound for back seat passengers.

Have any of you with the basic radio/single CD setup installed speakers in your rear pillars? How is the sound quality? Does the basic radio have the power to adequately power the rear speakers without adding an amplifier?

Thanks!

 

[BMThiker]

I have the basic CD/stereo setup like you.

I went the cheap route and bought a pair of 4" Rockford Fosgate coaxial speakers at Best Buy for about $50. Pop off the speaker blank panels in the D-pillar and test fit your new speakers. I used sheet metal screws to mount to the steel chassis in the pillar. Then I just cut out circular holes in the plastic blank panel. Some folks have ordered the vented panels from the dealership, but I went uber-cheap on this upgrade.

The wiring harnesses are already there, you just need to add some jumper wires from your speaker terminals to the harness slots. The stock harnesses have no slack in them so you'll need small hands to push the jumper wires in to them.

Even with cheap speakers, it sounds a whole lot better. I'm sure there are plenty of audiophiles who will offer up better options.

 

[holmanm]

I have the basic CD/stereo setup like you.

I went the cheap route and bought a pair of 4" Rockford Fosgate coaxial speakers at Best Buy for about $50. Pop off the speaker blank panels in the D-pillar and test fit your new speakers. I used sheet metal screws to mount to the steel chassis in the pillar. Then I just cut out circular holes in the plastic blank panel. Some folks have ordered the vented panels from the dealership, but I went uber-cheap on this upgrade.

The wiring harnesses are already there, you just need to add some jumper wires from your speaker terminals to the harness slots. The stock harnesses have no slack in them so you'll need small hands to push the jumper wires in to them.

Even with cheap speakers, it sounds a whole lot better. I'm sure there are plenty of audiophiles who will offer up better options.

I finally got around to adding the rear speakers. I'm no audiophile, but wow, big difference. I also got cheap 4" speakers. I just slid the plug out the side of the window panel.

Then I cut the plug off.

Then I used butt connectors to attach the provided speaker wires. The passenger side speaker has white and red wires. The drivers side speaker (shown) has black and yellow wires. I attached the provided striped wires to the red and yellow wires. They worked no matter how I attached the wires, but this provided a better sound.

The speakers were too big to fit comfortably in the metal opening so I attached them to the plastic trim piece as shown.

I used the provided clips and screws to attach it in two places and then tucked the other two flanges under the plastic. This seems to hold it very secure. Hopefully once I find a grill to attach to the inserts it will be held more secure with the inserts.

To any one who is on the fence about doing this upgrade, Do It, you will be glad you did.

 

[rpatowers]

Thanks, holmanm, that's good information. I ordered my speakers (Kicker 07DS400 4") from Crutchfield Sunday. Can't wait to get them in!

Thanks to all who responded to my post for the good information!

 

[muddonkey]

i just came in from doing this mod and am very impressed with the difference it makes!!! I used pioneer 60 watts 3.5 inch and they fit like aglove!! the hardest part was the super short factory leads and it still only took me 20 mins!! One drill ,one bit, one chuck and provided speaker wire!!! thanks guys!!