Oldfart
FRF Addict
I'm no pro for sure, just trying to pass on a few things I learned during my stereo install recently. Hopefully this can help other people trying to upgrade their systems themselves. Buy a set of plastic trim removal tools. For occasional use the HF are fine.
https://www.harborfreight.com/trim-and-molding-tool-set-5-pc-64126.html
Get a set of o-ring pics from HF or Autozone. You really need the one that has a right angle bend in it. You will need it to remove a small trim piece that is just below the inside door handle.
https://www.harborfreight.com/pick-and-hook-set-7-pc-69592.html
If you haven't already gotten a Builtright rear seat release, get one. It will make your life so much easier to get in and out while working behind drivers side rear seat. Once installed you just pull the strap and the seat comes forward easily.
https://www.apollo-optics.com/colle.../products/rear-seat-release-kit-ford-f-series
The door panel is pretty straight forward to remove except for if you don't know the trick to remove the small (about 2" X 4") trim piece that is just below the interior door pull. It has 2 vertical tabs that hold it in at the bottom, and 2 horizontal tabs at the top. If you try to pull out the bottom it's a real bitch and you will likely break it. You stick the pic in at the top turned horizontal, go behind it and turn it 90 degrees and give it a pull and it will pop right out. On the door handle cover make sure you pop it in the front, there is a big tab in the rear that slots into the door panel. Pop the front end and pull it forward.
Here's the mount I made out of 1/4" plywood for the Skar sub amp, the LC2i and the Morell crossovers. I attached it to the side of the OEM amp mount that is tucked behind the driver's side rear seat. I am going to remake it from a sheet of 1/8" T6 aluminum I got from Amazon since I made the first one, it will dissipate heat a lot better. I had a little trouble finding the right piece of aluminum or I would have made it that way to begin with. I found a nice 12" X 12" X 1/8" piece of mill spec 6061 T6, which is heat treated, for $20. The local supplier wanted $90 for the same thing, what a thief. I can use the first one as a template to make it much easier to make a nice aluminum mount now.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HRHAZ9U/?tag=fordraptorforum-20
A few fairly good YT videos to pull the door panels and install sound deadening sheets.
https://www.harborfreight.com/trim-and-molding-tool-set-5-pc-64126.html
Get a set of o-ring pics from HF or Autozone. You really need the one that has a right angle bend in it. You will need it to remove a small trim piece that is just below the inside door handle.
https://www.harborfreight.com/pick-and-hook-set-7-pc-69592.html
If you haven't already gotten a Builtright rear seat release, get one. It will make your life so much easier to get in and out while working behind drivers side rear seat. Once installed you just pull the strap and the seat comes forward easily.
https://www.apollo-optics.com/colle.../products/rear-seat-release-kit-ford-f-series
The door panel is pretty straight forward to remove except for if you don't know the trick to remove the small (about 2" X 4") trim piece that is just below the interior door pull. It has 2 vertical tabs that hold it in at the bottom, and 2 horizontal tabs at the top. If you try to pull out the bottom it's a real bitch and you will likely break it. You stick the pic in at the top turned horizontal, go behind it and turn it 90 degrees and give it a pull and it will pop right out. On the door handle cover make sure you pop it in the front, there is a big tab in the rear that slots into the door panel. Pop the front end and pull it forward.
Here's the mount I made out of 1/4" plywood for the Skar sub amp, the LC2i and the Morell crossovers. I attached it to the side of the OEM amp mount that is tucked behind the driver's side rear seat. I am going to remake it from a sheet of 1/8" T6 aluminum I got from Amazon since I made the first one, it will dissipate heat a lot better. I had a little trouble finding the right piece of aluminum or I would have made it that way to begin with. I found a nice 12" X 12" X 1/8" piece of mill spec 6061 T6, which is heat treated, for $20. The local supplier wanted $90 for the same thing, what a thief. I can use the first one as a template to make it much easier to make a nice aluminum mount now.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HRHAZ9U/?tag=fordraptorforum-20
A few fairly good YT videos to pull the door panels and install sound deadening sheets.
Last edited:
