SHO Audio Upgrade Questions

SHOdded said:
Only so much joy through equalization :)
A system is only as good as it's weakest part.  The Sony head unit and EQ could be phenominal, (they are probably pretty good and better than stock system)  bet when you feed that nice clean signal to a pair of crap speakers you lose all that performance and end up with a wet noodle sound system.

My debate right now is a bunch of 6x8's or adapters and go 6.5's which should sound even better and probably provide better mid/low punch and clarity. 

Funny part is all the differing info I see on the web about the Taurus.  5x7 or 6x8 in doors (same mount from what I am finding so not that important), 6x8 or 6x9 rear deck.  I am going to pull a door panel and maybe rear deck off sometime soon and get some actual measurements myself before I buy replacements.
 
Well I finally started the upgrade.  I have had all the parts sitting here for a month and just no time to do eet!  I am starting with the door speakers out of the gate and will see how it goes.

VEHICLE: 2013 SHO PP

I am converting to more std 6.5" round speakers both for wide selection of speakers and better sound.  This is a prelim post, I only have one speaker installed so far, but it was simple bolt in so I wanted to very to folks that 6.5" do fit.  All the various thread seem to have back and forth, one person says they fit, another they do not.  I can tell you with certainty that 6.5" round speakers fit in the front doors with  the listed adapter rings.

You will need:
  • 6.5" Speakers
  • Speaker mount adapters
  • wiring adapters
  • 9/32" socket
  • 6.5mm socket (I used 1/4")
  • 8mm socket
  • 10mm socket
  • Panel removal tool
  • Phillips head screwdriver
  • whatever screw driver/wrench needed for screws included in your speaker package.
  • tape
  • seal pick is handy
I went with:
Total $126.68.

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For a quick tutorial I watched this video.  One important note is that he says two phillips along bottom (was on a 2010), My 2013 had two 9/32" bolts.  PLEASE NOTE:  resist temptation of hangning the panel from the door release cable.  I though it would just be a moment, but now my door release is no longer smooth and I think I kinked the cable.

Once you have door off old speaker just unscrews using the 1/4" or 6.5mm socket.  Ope the adapter mount package and open your speaker package.  Your speakers should come with folded blind nuts as shown. 
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Lay the speaker in the mount and note were the holes line up.  Take your blind nuts and tape them in place on the mount where they will be used.  I did this because my speakers covered the 4 bolt locations to install the mount to the door. so I had to install mount into door, then speaker into mount. 
Old and new speaker plus install parts.  You can see the blind nuts taped in place.
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I will wrap this up tomorrow night when I get the second set installed....  stay tuned!
 
How did your Metra adapters work out?  They were a terrible fit for my Edge, 3 out of 4 I had to trim about 2mm off the plug to fit into the OEM harness.  ugly solution but it worked, otherwise it would not latch on.
 
Only have one speaker installed, but it plugged right in for me with no issue.  I will be completing the install tonight and post again with rest of install.
 
bpd1151 said:
I did have a MASSIVE one-off, custom audio upgrade done this past spring.

Those who saw/heard it 1st hand while attending the 2017 Ford National's will attest to it's performance therein.

However, due to recent Photobucket changes that prevent 3rd party hosting (at least until I decide IF I want to flip for their $400 recurring, annual fee) the images are in limbo at the moment.

Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk

I did an upgrade not nearly as uh over the top of some rich people here, but substantial nonetheless.

While the factory setup works, if want AWESOME sound you should go aftermarket. I believe Metra still makes a kit that fits SHO with/without NAV.

http://www.metraonline.com/part/99-5722

Or if you can find the discontinued Scosche model.

https://www.amazon.com/Scosche-FD1447B-2010-Up-Taurus-Double/dp/B0057RIQWU
 
Additional note to self (and anyone reading).
Make sure to get the door lock indicator up thru the panel before/as you re-instal the door panel.

Mine is inside the door someplace so the door does not want to open.  Fun game of whak-a-mole trying to get into car.  Have to time as hit unlock button and catch the mechanism before to rebounds back to locked position and disconnects the door handle... :judge:
 
Promised a follow up..

Speakers have been in for just over 2 months now.  Install was so simple I didn't think it made sense to do a full write up.  Hardest part is door panel removal which is covered in a bunch of youtube videos better than I could ever explain it.  After that it is literally plug and play with the parts I listed.

One note/recommendation.  use a piece of clear scotch tape to tape each of the metal clips in place on the adapter.  Otherwise they fall out, repeatedly, and every time you look at them, and then again when you breath..  Ask me how I know. 

Sound overall was/is much improved.  Tighter is best way I can describe it.  Sirius and HD radio both still are tiny.  Cancelled Sirius lastnight, love the channels, but audio just bad and I am not going to pay monthly for poor audio.  I will post  new thread about mp3 here shortly.  Long and short, my known good MP3's sound pretty darn good with the current setup and looking to build library on usb stick and just run that and/or stream from phone.
 
Nice write up lamrith.

Those upgrading speakers might want to add some sound deadening while you are in there and I have had great results with using foam to seal the door panel around the speaker so all the air movement is directed out the speaker grill and not caught in the door panel causing rattles/vibration. They sell FAST rings which re open cell foam so air can still pass through but using weather stripping close cell foam from the hardware store/home depot is typically cheaper and works better.

I'll make another thread on my system and challenges with upgrading to a DSP and aftermarket amps and speakers. After months and a few changes I am finally happy even if it not fully finished.

 
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