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So a lot of people here have been doing the kicker speaker install, well here's your not a kicker walk through install.
Personally, I chose to go with the JBL GX series speakers for a number of reasons, one of them being I'm a fan of JBL. Are there better products out there? Absolutely! But I wasn't going to dump too much into a sound system that won't be used much, especially if I'm overlanding with others from work. I just wanted something better than what it came with.
Another reason I chose JBL over others is that the speakers are in the same price range as the kickers AND came with capacitors built in already so I didn't have to worry about base blockers.
One big concern that people run into is that "there are no connectors for the 4" speakers." Some people ordered the metra 72-5600 (I was one of them) the issue I ran into was that the only way I was able to get it to connect was to plug it in backwards (reversed polarity). Will the speaker still work? Yes, but not properly as the reverse polarity basically has the cone move down when it's supposed to move up, and up when it's supposed to move down. So the way I fixed the issue was to cut the wires and switch them so I get + to + and - to - (basically wired the connector backwards on itself). I'll admit in the photo I'll post below, I goofed and cut the factory harness for the rear pods. Of course, in typical "aha moment" fashion for me, it dawns on me to just switch the wires on the connector rather than the factory harness. Thankfully for me it was just the one rear pod (they have a 3" removable harness between ACM harness and the speaker) and I don't really care because I'm ordering the sound bar as well so those will be removed. But for those that don’t want to take these extra steps here's a link to some connectors that will work from Amazon.
Ford Bronco (2021+), Ford Maverick (2022+) Speaker Wiring Harness https://www.amazon.com/dp/[banned vendor link]/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_K9PA4F4TTYGE847XV4AE
Another issue with the 4" is, for the rear only, the pod covers don't fit over the tweeter, as it sticks out about a 1/4" to far, again not an issue for me as I'll be removing them in the near future anyway. If you're one of those that will replace the rear pods and want to keep them and the cover on I suggest concert series for JBL, or whatever brand you choose just make sure the tweeter part of the component is flush or slightly recessed. Someone else on here suggested to cut the "eyebrow" I believe is what they called it off the GX428, but I don't see how they managed to get the cover on as the whole tweeter sticks out just far enough to not keep the cover secure.
I have had zero issues up front except for a broken tab on the LF 4" cover. Every time I had to remove trim when I was working as a tech, I almost alway broke a tab. It's bound to happen no matter how long you've worked on cars. My suggestion to those that have not done it yet is to A) keep super glue or trim repair kit handy. B) start by removing the trim from the side, then for the corner in the hard to reach corner, go at it from two angles and be easy. Crutchfield also states that you're supposed to break off the alignment tabs for the fronts but as you can see in the picture, the tabs are still there and new speaker is installed.
I used the same metra 82-5605 as others for the 6.5's in the kick panel, it sits pretty tall, but I didn't have an issue putting the kick panel back on. I also did not need to remove the grab handles. It was literally just two pieces on trim, the kick panels and the scuff plates that needed to be removed. The only true issue that I saw with the metra adapters is that there was no way to route the wires without pinching them between either the speaker and the adapter, or the adapter and vehicle so I drilled a whole just big enough for the + side of the wire connectors to fit through and routed it through.
Now for the sound quality, it's so much cleaner than the stock speakers! I have lows and highs. My only complaint is that with the built in capacitors, I don't get all the lows from my 6.5's but as soon as parts are available for the dsp and harness kit I want, I'll install that and a hideaway sub. Hopefully the soundbar helps a little too? If anyone has better insight on the bar let me know please. JBL is usually good with being able to hit and handle the lows fairly well.
I'm sure I missed some stuff, and I'll do my best to answer questions as well.
Personally, I chose to go with the JBL GX series speakers for a number of reasons, one of them being I'm a fan of JBL. Are there better products out there? Absolutely! But I wasn't going to dump too much into a sound system that won't be used much, especially if I'm overlanding with others from work. I just wanted something better than what it came with.
Another reason I chose JBL over others is that the speakers are in the same price range as the kickers AND came with capacitors built in already so I didn't have to worry about base blockers.
One big concern that people run into is that "there are no connectors for the 4" speakers." Some people ordered the metra 72-5600 (I was one of them) the issue I ran into was that the only way I was able to get it to connect was to plug it in backwards (reversed polarity). Will the speaker still work? Yes, but not properly as the reverse polarity basically has the cone move down when it's supposed to move up, and up when it's supposed to move down. So the way I fixed the issue was to cut the wires and switch them so I get + to + and - to - (basically wired the connector backwards on itself). I'll admit in the photo I'll post below, I goofed and cut the factory harness for the rear pods. Of course, in typical "aha moment" fashion for me, it dawns on me to just switch the wires on the connector rather than the factory harness. Thankfully for me it was just the one rear pod (they have a 3" removable harness between ACM harness and the speaker) and I don't really care because I'm ordering the sound bar as well so those will be removed. But for those that don’t want to take these extra steps here's a link to some connectors that will work from Amazon.
Ford Bronco (2021+), Ford Maverick (2022+) Speaker Wiring Harness https://www.amazon.com/dp/[banned vendor link]/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_K9PA4F4TTYGE847XV4AE
Another issue with the 4" is, for the rear only, the pod covers don't fit over the tweeter, as it sticks out about a 1/4" to far, again not an issue for me as I'll be removing them in the near future anyway. If you're one of those that will replace the rear pods and want to keep them and the cover on I suggest concert series for JBL, or whatever brand you choose just make sure the tweeter part of the component is flush or slightly recessed. Someone else on here suggested to cut the "eyebrow" I believe is what they called it off the GX428, but I don't see how they managed to get the cover on as the whole tweeter sticks out just far enough to not keep the cover secure.
I have had zero issues up front except for a broken tab on the LF 4" cover. Every time I had to remove trim when I was working as a tech, I almost alway broke a tab. It's bound to happen no matter how long you've worked on cars. My suggestion to those that have not done it yet is to A) keep super glue or trim repair kit handy. B) start by removing the trim from the side, then for the corner in the hard to reach corner, go at it from two angles and be easy. Crutchfield also states that you're supposed to break off the alignment tabs for the fronts but as you can see in the picture, the tabs are still there and new speaker is installed.
I used the same metra 82-5605 as others for the 6.5's in the kick panel, it sits pretty tall, but I didn't have an issue putting the kick panel back on. I also did not need to remove the grab handles. It was literally just two pieces on trim, the kick panels and the scuff plates that needed to be removed. The only true issue that I saw with the metra adapters is that there was no way to route the wires without pinching them between either the speaker and the adapter, or the adapter and vehicle so I drilled a whole just big enough for the + side of the wire connectors to fit through and routed it through.
Now for the sound quality, it's so much cleaner than the stock speakers! I have lows and highs. My only complaint is that with the built in capacitors, I don't get all the lows from my 6.5's but as soon as parts are available for the dsp and harness kit I want, I'll install that and a hideaway sub. Hopefully the soundbar helps a little too? If anyone has better insight on the bar let me know please. JBL is usually good with being able to hit and handle the lows fairly well.
I'm sure I missed some stuff, and I'll do my best to answer questions as well.
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