Randy
Well-known member
Tonight I finished upgrading the 16cm door speakers in my Leaf, so I thought I'd post some pictures and discuss the job. It was pretty time consuming to do that first door, but then it got faster with the remaining doors. I'm calling it phase 1 because I'm still planning on installing a subwoofer in the car, although I haven't got all of those details worked out yet as far as brand, location, etc. That will be phase 2 later in this thread
Here's how I went about preparing for the installation. Of course, there are many ways to skin the cat. You may decide to install different speakers or in a different way, but hopefully some of these details will help the community if/when you decide to upgrade your sound system.
Feel free to post / ask questions...There's probably some details I'm leaving out...
* After lots of research, I decided to purchase CDT Audio 6.5" speakers Model CL-6EX. They make a 2 ohm version, which is what you want. I purchased 2 pairs of these speakers from woofersetc.com for $99 per pair. These speakers have received pretty good reviews online and they impressed me out of the box. They're built very well.
http://www.woofersetc.com/p-9392-cl-6ex2-cdt-audio-65-2-ohm-coaxial-speakers.aspx
* I also purchased two pairs of Nissan speaker wiring connectors with spade lugs from Amazon (Metra 72-7400). My original plan was to use these to plug into the car wiring harness and then connect the connectors to the speakers. Note that the plugs on these harnesses don't fit the Leaf, but I was able to use the wires and speaker connectors by soldering them to the car speaker wires.
http://www.amazon.com/Metra-72-7400-Speaker-Connector-Vehicles/dp/B0002BEQX4
* I also purchased some tools from Amazon to help with the removal of the power window switch finisher, the inside handle escutcheon, and the door panels
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VYBLJ4
* I also purchased some rubber flashing tape from Home Depot to line the inside of the doors, per a recommendation from a friend. It was only $21 for 75 feet, so I thought it would be worth a try to see if it would help quiet down the doors and provide a less reflective surface than the inside of the door for the speakers...In the Home Depot stores, this item is found in the same aisle with metal flashing parts or right by the rain gutters or across the aisle.
http://www.homedepot.com/buy/building-materials/builders-hardware/nashua-select/select-flashing-tape-for-windows-and-doors-6-in-x-75-ft-butyl-rubber-with-polyolefin-film-facer-69824.html
Here's some photos of the materials before we get started....
Here's how I went about preparing for the installation. Of course, there are many ways to skin the cat. You may decide to install different speakers or in a different way, but hopefully some of these details will help the community if/when you decide to upgrade your sound system.
Feel free to post / ask questions...There's probably some details I'm leaving out...
* After lots of research, I decided to purchase CDT Audio 6.5" speakers Model CL-6EX. They make a 2 ohm version, which is what you want. I purchased 2 pairs of these speakers from woofersetc.com for $99 per pair. These speakers have received pretty good reviews online and they impressed me out of the box. They're built very well.
http://www.woofersetc.com/p-9392-cl-6ex2-cdt-audio-65-2-ohm-coaxial-speakers.aspx
* I also purchased two pairs of Nissan speaker wiring connectors with spade lugs from Amazon (Metra 72-7400). My original plan was to use these to plug into the car wiring harness and then connect the connectors to the speakers. Note that the plugs on these harnesses don't fit the Leaf, but I was able to use the wires and speaker connectors by soldering them to the car speaker wires.
http://www.amazon.com/Metra-72-7400-Speaker-Connector-Vehicles/dp/B0002BEQX4
* I also purchased some tools from Amazon to help with the removal of the power window switch finisher, the inside handle escutcheon, and the door panels
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VYBLJ4
* I also purchased some rubber flashing tape from Home Depot to line the inside of the doors, per a recommendation from a friend. It was only $21 for 75 feet, so I thought it would be worth a try to see if it would help quiet down the doors and provide a less reflective surface than the inside of the door for the speakers...In the Home Depot stores, this item is found in the same aisle with metal flashing parts or right by the rain gutters or across the aisle.
http://www.homedepot.com/buy/building-materials/builders-hardware/nashua-select/select-flashing-tape-for-windows-and-doors-6-in-x-75-ft-butyl-rubber-with-polyolefin-film-facer-69824.html
Here's some photos of the materials before we get started....