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Okay, I've finally given up on denial. My stock SVT audio sucks, and I really do need to do something about it sooner than later. Which 6x9 model from the Pioneer line-up is the one that actually had the Ford "plugs"? I recall hearing that these didn't even have to be spliced in, and that the stockers can just be disconnected and the Pioneers hooked up in place using the stock Ford connectors. Next question... do these actually suck too, and will I just end up replacing them with a set that I splice in anyway?  I haven't decided for sure to replace my head unit yet, but I think the stock speakers (the fronts, at least) have to go before summer is fully here... Thanks for any advice. T
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I dont know if any company offers a direct plug in but i know you can get the plugs from crutchfield the plugs into the factory connectors buy splicing in doesnt hurt anything as long as u leave the pigtail long enough when you cut them off also dont try puting 6 by 9s in the door they will not fit us e5 by 7s or 6 by 8s the two brands i recommenb is mb quarts and kenwood excleon
------------------ Donny C
Bone frickn' stock
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Originally posted by SHOoff: ...also dont try puting 6 by 9s in the door they will not fit...
That's interesting. Guess I'll have to remove the 6x9s from my front and rear doors. Actually, they fit just fine, just drill new mounting holes. The rear requires SLIGHT trimming of the metal door handle support behind the door panel. -Wes 98 SE Sport
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you got 6 by 9 in the doors i have tryed several times with no luck the magnet assenbly always hits the window and stop it about half way up what kind kind of speaker did you use i might be able to use them the next time a customer wants a 6 by 9 in the door
------------------ Donny C
Bone frickn' stock
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SHOoff: please use English punctuation if you are going to offer advice so people respect your experience. Also, the speaker depth is 2.75" unless you add a spacer. But, any 6x9 less than 2.75" deep will work, with only drilling new holes. The back, I believe requires a spacer no matter what.
Tim,
No aftermarket speakers come with the same connector as the factory Ford clip. Splicing is fine, I use solderless connectors (butt connectors or 3M splicers), but I have also used just electrical tape before. As mentioned, leave some extra slack because there isn't much room to work with the factory wires.
Before you replace your speakers, get a new HU. That will provide the largest noticable gain in listening pleasure, as long as you bypass the external factory amp. I've got an old Sony tape deck/CD controller that I picked up for $140 3 years ago (for the 10 disc changer in the trunk). I'm not even using it's power in my SVT, but it did very well in the previous car. I also picked up a Kenwood CD player for my RX-7 last fall at Circuit City, open box $106. 45wx4 and no skipping in that car, amazing.
That said, 6x8 is the factory speaker size and replacements are on sale for a whole $2.50, about what they are worth. Actually, I still use them, but only as midrange as I added tweeters and a sub with appropriate crossovers. But, people have installed 6x9, 6x8, 5x7, 5.25 and 6.5 inch speakers in all doors. 6x9s could give the best bass response, but a round speaker most poeple would say sound better. If you plan to add a sub, I'd opt for 6.5" speakers.
If you give us your budget, we can help narrow your selection down. I just recommended a setup for about $250 (4 doors) that should be awesome, much better than most systems costing twice as much.
Aaron
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Originally posted by timd: Okay, I've finally given up on denial. My stock SVT audio sucks, and I really do need to do something about it sooner than later.
And oh, yeah, welcome to the club. what took so long? My stock setup lasted about 2 weeks, long enough for me to do plenty of research for my custom steup.
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What took so long? Like I said, denial.  "... It doesn't suck, it doesn't suck ..." I don't really have a budget in mind, to be honest, but I guess it's likely low in that I don't have much interest in any terribly high-end stuff, I just want to get things to the point where it sounds nice, no distortion with bass or volume, better separation, with more (uh, any) clarity in the highs. I had thought the best immediate improvement would be to swap out the el cheapo Ford stock speakers with new, better ones... and thought I might swap the head unit later on. Maybe it should be done in reverse... or all at once. So I guess budget-wise I have a budget to get a half-decent set of 6x8s for the fronts, and maybe the rears... and maybe a mid-range head unit. I must admit The Car Audio Thing isn't a big deal for me, but... acceptable sound is a must regardless!  BTW, I've since been told Crutchfield sells a connector that will plug into a Ford plug and can be spliced/soldered to new speakers. Yay. Thanks for the comments... much appreciated. [This message has been edited by timd (edited April 18, 2001).]
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Originally posted by timd: What took so long? Like I said, denial. 
"... It doesn't suck, it doesn't suck ..."
Hahaha I don't really have a budget in mind, to be honest, but I guess it's likely low in that I don't have much interest in any terribly high-end stuff, I just want to get things to the point where it sounds nice, no distortion with bass or volume, better separation, with more (uh, any) clarity in the highs.
So I guess budget-wise I have a budget to get a half-decent set of 6x8s for the fronts, and maybe the rears... and maybe a mid-range head unit. I must admit The Car Audio Thing isn't a big deal for me, but... acceptable sound is a must regardless! 
Well, a good pair of 6x8s or 6x9s would cost what, about $100? The 2-way Pioneers run about $70 or $80 at Best Buy? For simply improving the high end clarity, adding some tweeters to the stock speakers can do wonders. I would honestly add a crosssover and tweeters to the factorty door speakers and a DIY sub. I didn't want to take up much trunk room so I built in into the rear deck. I'm sure the $50 driver I got would do even better in a small sealed box. Dnewma04 has heard my current setup and was quite impressed for what little I did. I added a pair of $14 surface mount tweeters to the front and an 8" woofer in the rear deck. I'm upgrading now, but for the cost of about $160 including amp, it's excellent, better response than replacing with Pioneers all around. I had thought the best immediate improvement would be to swap out the el cheapo Ford stock speakers with new, better ones... and thought I might swap the head unit later on. Maybe it should be done in reverse... or all at once.
BTW, I've since been told Crutchfield sells a connector that will plug into a Ford plug and can be spliced/soldered to new speakers. Yay.
I'd try adding some tweeters with crossovers. The crossovers are $4.88 each and tweeteres run start at $8/pr. You can browse here: http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showprod.cfm?&DID=7&CATID=35&ObjectGroup_ID=51 (Use the part number quick search) Yesterday I ordered #265-344 which are not surface mount, though. I think I've got the 269-610 now, at least by specs. Those I'll move them to the back with my current upgrade. For surface mount, I recommend #269-612. Fluch mount (you'll have to drill your panels) go for #265-344. While you're ordering get a box of 3M spicers #082-100 so you'll only have to use plyers. Oh, crossover is #269-668, which I also order 4 of for myself. If you need spekaer wire, PE has it too. I can find it if you'd like. The stock speakers play pretty well from about 100Hz-5000Hz fine, with clean power. I'm replacing my fronts with some 6.5" speakers, about $32 each. Wow, that was not a good post. Well, let's just say that for about $200 to get (4) 6.5" drivers, 2 pair of tweeters, and those passive crossovers you'd really have a system that sounds better than just about any 6x8/9 coaxial speaker. A little more work than just buying conenctors, but I think it's far worth the effort. Aaron
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Originally posted by SHOoff: you got 6 by 9 in the doors i have tryed several times with no luck the magnet assenbly always hits the window and stop it about half way up what kind kind of speaker did you use i might be able to use them the next time a customer wants a 6 by 9 in the door
My current speakers are Infinity Kappa 693.1i in the front and 692.1i in the rear. Before these, I had Prestige PS-696 6x9 2-ways in the front (bought from PartsExpress). Not as much bass, but very nice midrange and highs. I've heard of people installing Kenwood 6x9s also. -Wes 98 SE Sport
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I couldn't get 6x9s to fit when I first started either. I ended up cutting the piece out and installing a custom one. The hole was physically too small for the speaker to fit. They changed the speaker size from 5x7 to 6x8 in 98 so maybe the hole size also changed? Another theory: maybe premium setups had 6x8s and the sh!tty tape decks came with 5x7s. There seem to be a few people who can't get 6x9s to fit.
------------------ The Honkeytonk Monkey Jewel Green 96se MTX
1996 Contour "Mean Green" (99-02) 2002 Malibu Blue Focus ZX5 - something to hold the PB 15...
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