[How-To] Subwoofer Upgrade - Trim panel removal & Kicker install

[Broncobren]

Dynamat is super expensive, I just bought a bunch of Amazon basics sound deadener for MUCH cheaper. Haven’t installed yet so I can’t say if it’s good, but the reviews were great. Worth a shot for $30

Link for what I used:
Amazon Basics Car Sound Deadener, 14.5″ x 10″, (10 count)Pack of 1 https://a.co/d/aMxOnpD

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[Rydfree]

Dynamat is super expensive, I just bought a bunch of Amazon basics sound deadener for MUCH cheaper. Haven’t installed yet so I can’t say if it’s good, but the reviews were great. Worth a shot for $30

Dynamat is higher priced but the adhesive is better . If it's going on a flat or horizontal surface then no big deal but if you are applying it to a roof then heat and gravity will take its toll on the cheaper options eventually .

 

[Mattyp23]

Pulling the trim pieces off wasn’t that difficult without a trim kit. But I did purchase one after. I see myself in future pulling it off again.

 

[TTUHoopsFans]

I personally did not.

It is a good idea to install it, the Bronco definitely benefits by having some. BUT I have a lot of upgrades planned (full Redarc electrical system), and I didn't want to install a bunch of dynamat only to find out that I had to rip it out again to fit all of the other electrical upgrades I have planned.

Also just to be fully transparent... I had given myself a $1000 budget for the audio upgrade, and I was already approaching the $1200 mark. So I decided to exercise some self-control and cut myself off. Audio upgrades is something you could easily spend $2000+ on if you let yourself.

I hear that. Im not trying to break the bank either. if the dynamat isn’t necessary and there aren’t rattles, maybe I’ll skip it.

 

[Pressurized]

did you need trim tools?

I had trim tools and used them. It might be possible to do without, but I would grab an economic set off of Amazon.

 

[Area51BS]

How did the small Kicker sound? I’m going to put one in with a fiberglass enclosure. But will be using a larger external sub enclosure that disconnects and the built in fiberglass one connects when I need luggage space.

 

[CactusToby]

Final questions - any specific harnesses to order, or will the existing ones be sufficient?

And - is the popular Kicker 200 amp installation still applicable in this set up? Or is a different unit used when changing from 6 speaker set up to 7?

Building the shopping list!

I've already upgraded the other 6 to the Kicker CSC series speakers.

Thanks!

How’s the sound? I have a working factory sub in my MY2023 and just wanted to upgrade the 4 speakers (4” in front & change rear pods to 6.75” in Mabett housing).

 

[M_Burdge]

How’s the sound? I have a working factory sub in my MY2023 and just wanted to upgrade the 4 speakers (4” in front & change rear pods to 6.75” in Mabett housing).

Love it! Loud enough to hear clearly at highway speeds with the top off.

 

[AXMRDR]

Here are my thoughts on my sound system. I'd like to hear if anyone has done this yet.

The Kicker Key amp commonly used by Bronco owners is rated for 4 ohms and there are reports of hooking lower impedance to them and cranking up the power causes problems. The kick panel and dash speakers are tied in parallel. Most speakers these days are 4 ohms each. Hooking these up in parallel will make the channel load 2 ohms.

After bringing up this issue to Crutchfield the tech I spoke with provided an idea to get around this problem by hooking the dash speakers to the channel BEFORE the amp and use the amp to power the kick panel speakers.

Yes, this means I'll have to run a small bit of wire to complete this task.

I plan to replace the kick panel speakers with some JL audio 6.5" speakers. (I've already replaced the 4" speaker with JL 4" speakers)

This will leave the dash speakers unpowered by the kicker amp but their dash location should help overcome the difference by already being so close to my ears.

In the future I plan to add another amp and subwoofer. I'll probably build a flat downward facing sub box that can hold up anything that I stack on it. I had performed this in my previous suv. Baby steps.

Thanks Ragnar for the videos and instructional help.
Has anyone wired there system this way?

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