SO, just out of curiousity today, I decided to try installing my Infinity Reference 6.5" speakers in my front doors. Not only did they fit, they fit PERFECTLY. Let me give you the rundown....
Tools required: #2 philips, #3 philips, #2 flathead
Parts required: New speakers (duh), front door spacers from 96-99 Outback with wire harnesses.
For starters, open this link in a new window. I'll run through the pics in the order in which they're on the page.
The first pic is a comparison of the two speakers. The Infinity is mounted in the speaker spacer that came in the front door of my old Outback. This is important later.
In the second pic, we see the first screw that must be removed. It's a #2 philips inside the door armrest.
Third pic is the second screw, also a #2 philips.
Fourth pic is a closeup of the door armrest pulled out. On the back of that piece, you have to remove the wire harness for the window switches. I have yet to get that out. There are 3 screws (#2 philips) on the back of the switch panel. Take those out. There is also a gold screw in the middle of the hole you've created (#3 philips) that you have to remove.
Pic five is the small plastic triangle in the upper corner of the door. The rest of the operation is slightly easier if you remove it. Take the flathead screwdriver and slide it into the top of the triangle, prying down. It will come right off.
In pic six, notice the two pink plastic things at the top of the door. These hold the top of the door panel to the door. You need to pull from the bottom until you release the plastic clips that hold the panel to the door. You'll hear them pop. Be sure not to pull the weatherstripping. It's attached to the door itself and not the panel. When you pull the door panel out far enough, the plastic surround on the door handle will pop off. Once this happens, simply slide the door panel straight up and it will come right off.
Pic seven is a shot of the original Subaru "upgraded" front door speaker. There is a triangular plastic frame around it held by three screws (#2 philips). Remove all three screws and detach the harness from the back of the speaker.
Here's the fun part! The spacers that came with my Outback came with a seperate wiring harness. It has the male version of the plug in the WRX door on one end and a pair of clips on the other end that will fit most aftermarket speakers. Basically, it allowed me to plug the Infinitys in with absolutely no effort and they were spaced perfectly.
Now that I'm looking, the spacers on the Subaru upgraded speakers are the exact same thickness as the Outback ones, but they don't come with the harness. Anyway, stock spacers highly recommended, but the 96-99 Outback ones have that extra harness that makes it OH so easy.
The last picture is of the installed speaker. Absolutely no fitment problems at all. I now have beautiful bass from my doors!
Now if only I could get my underseat sub to work......
Tools required: #2 philips, #3 philips, #2 flathead
Parts required: New speakers (duh), front door spacers from 96-99 Outback with wire harnesses.
For starters, open this link in a new window. I'll run through the pics in the order in which they're on the page.
The first pic is a comparison of the two speakers. The Infinity is mounted in the speaker spacer that came in the front door of my old Outback. This is important later.
In the second pic, we see the first screw that must be removed. It's a #2 philips inside the door armrest.
Third pic is the second screw, also a #2 philips.
Fourth pic is a closeup of the door armrest pulled out. On the back of that piece, you have to remove the wire harness for the window switches. I have yet to get that out. There are 3 screws (#2 philips) on the back of the switch panel. Take those out. There is also a gold screw in the middle of the hole you've created (#3 philips) that you have to remove.
Pic five is the small plastic triangle in the upper corner of the door. The rest of the operation is slightly easier if you remove it. Take the flathead screwdriver and slide it into the top of the triangle, prying down. It will come right off.
In pic six, notice the two pink plastic things at the top of the door. These hold the top of the door panel to the door. You need to pull from the bottom until you release the plastic clips that hold the panel to the door. You'll hear them pop. Be sure not to pull the weatherstripping. It's attached to the door itself and not the panel. When you pull the door panel out far enough, the plastic surround on the door handle will pop off. Once this happens, simply slide the door panel straight up and it will come right off.
Pic seven is a shot of the original Subaru "upgraded" front door speaker. There is a triangular plastic frame around it held by three screws (#2 philips). Remove all three screws and detach the harness from the back of the speaker.
Here's the fun part! The spacers that came with my Outback came with a seperate wiring harness. It has the male version of the plug in the WRX door on one end and a pair of clips on the other end that will fit most aftermarket speakers. Basically, it allowed me to plug the Infinitys in with absolutely no effort and they were spaced perfectly.
Now that I'm looking, the spacers on the Subaru upgraded speakers are the exact same thickness as the Outback ones, but they don't come with the harness. Anyway, stock spacers highly recommended, but the 96-99 Outback ones have that extra harness that makes it OH so easy.
The last picture is of the installed speaker. Absolutely no fitment problems at all. I now have beautiful bass from my doors!
Now if only I could get my underseat sub to work......