Installed new Kicker speakers in my Maverick XL Hybrid. It was a little project.

ValenciaOrange · Mar 17, 2024

I watched videos on how to replace OEM speakers on my Ford Maverick Truck. I thought I could complete this project in a timely manner, was I wrong.

I started in the rear of the truck. All the moulding was removed. I installed the new speaker, and guess what, Crutchfield never sent me the wiring harness, even though it was on the invoice. Project on hold until Wednesday.

Today, I decide to install the front speakers. Started to take off the door panel and thought I was going to break the panel. Finally I got it off. Removed the OEM speaker, and then decided to install the new speaker. Took one of the enclosed trim rings, and realized the new speaker did not fit. I had to find a saw and trim 5 inner tabs. I then realized I needed 4 screws to attach the speaker to the trim ring. No problem. I have 1500 screws. Thirty minutes later I could not find 8 matching screws for both doors. Found 6, and 2 others that looked very close. Tested speaker.

Put the door panel back together, had a-big smile on my face, walked away from the door and realized I did not get the top door panel lip into the door frame. Took everything apart, and corrected the problem.

Started the drivers door. Everything went well, until I heard something fall into the door. Spent 30 minutes looking for an unknown part with no luck. Walked away from the truck and on the ground was the part, which was for the window switch. Put the speaker in. Tested it. Put the door panel back on with all parts, and then realized I forgot to install the door screws. Everything came apart, and then I corrected the problem.

Speakers - Kicker front and rear. Bought from Crutchfield. Cost $270.00
Speakers sound great.

Total time to install the front speakers. Three hours. Yes you are reading this right. It took me that long. If I had to do it again it would take me probably 1 1/2 hours.

Some suggestions:
Make sure you have the right tools.
You will need a trim removal set.
Make sure no one is around to bother you. If you have that curious neighbor, ask them to leave. You do not need anyone bothering you when you are working on your truck.
If you think you will break a clip, you probably will.
Do not start any project at night when stores are closed, or the Ford dealer is closed.

FYI
I thought the Ford speakers sounded good. When I took them out, they are very cheaply made. Kicker speakers sound great.
Be prepared to buy new trim that fits by the top of the door. On both doors the top clip would not hold in place after I removed it.

Ford Maverick Installed new Kicker speakers in my Maverick XL Hybrid. It was a little project. IMG_0841

Ford Maverick Installed new Kicker speakers in my Maverick XL Hybrid. It was a little project. IMG_0836

Ford Maverick Installed new Kicker speakers in my Maverick XL Hybrid. It was a little project. IMG_0837

Ford Maverick Installed new Kicker speakers in my Maverick XL Hybrid. It was a little project. IMG_0839

Ford Maverick Installed new Kicker speakers in my Maverick XL Hybrid. It was a little project. IMG_0838

Ford Maverick Installed new Kicker speakers in my Maverick XL Hybrid. It was a little project. IMG_0843

Ford Maverick Installed new Kicker speakers in my Maverick XL Hybrid. It was a little project. IMG_0842

CurtisB · Mar 17, 2024

When I do a project like this, I always wait until the wife is away with my daughter doing whatever mother daughters do (4 hours they will be gone). Next I make sure I have my flashlights handy, screws and plastic panel removers. And I have learned to do all my work inside my garage. I am lucky to have a garage and the space to do this.

Yes, whenever you do a project on a car, every neighbor has to come by and chat. I like my neighbors, but not when I am in the "zone", focused on trying to do a project. I have also learned to not do ANYTHING until I have verified that I have all the parts and tools. I too, have fallen victim to a complete dismantle, only to find I am missing parts.

I have also learned to start my projects in the morning, when everybody is open. I have also learned to adhere to a 2 hour time limit. For me, if I 'm not at least 3/4's done with a project, I will stop. Because that means that this is going require at least 2 more hours and thats when I tend to break, scratch, drop and lose things because I want to get finished. And, I am always prepared for when I break a tab or lose a clip. Welcome to the world of double stick tape!!

In the 2015 Prius that I had, thanks to Crutchfield, I put in a new head unit, got a custom wiring harness made by them, new speakers and a 10" under the seat amplified woofer. Took my time. Two hours Saturday morning and then 2 hours to finish Sunday morning.

I admire your work. You did a great job! And yes, the stock speakers in the non-Bose Mavericks remind me of those cheap speakers you would see inside the AM/FM transistor radios you used to be able to buy on sale at K-Mart or Radio Shack. You will enjoy the better speakers!

Sphinn · Mar 18, 2024

Thanks for sharing!

I'll probably be doing something like this down the road to my XLT. I can honestly live with the way the speakers sound but lawd, the bass vibration rattling drives me crazy! The truck sounds like it was glued together and the glue just melted.

Old_Norm · Mar 18, 2024

ValenciaOrange said:
I watched videos on how to replace OEM speakers on my Ford Maverick Truck. I thought I could complete this project in a timely manner, was I wrong.

I started in the rear of the truck. All the moulding was removed. I installed the new speaker, and guess what, Crutchfield never sent me the wiring harness, even though it was on the invoice. Project on hold until Wednesday.

Today, I decide to install the front speakers. Started to take off the door panel and thought I was going to break the panel. Finally I got it off. Removed the OEM speaker, and then decided to install the new speaker. Took one of the enclosed trim rings, and realized the new speaker did not fit. I had to find a saw and trim 5 inner tabs. I then realized I needed 4 screws to attach the speaker to the trim ring. No problem. I have 1500 screws. Thirty minutes later I could not find 8 matching screws for both doors. Found 6, and 2 others that looked very close. Tested speaker.

Put the door panel back together, had a-big smile on my face, walked away from the door and realized I did not get the top door panel lip into the door frame. Took everything apart, and corrected the problem.

Started the drivers door. Everything went well, until I heard something fall into the door. Spent 30 minutes looking for an unknown part with no luck. Walked away from the truck and on the ground was the part, which was for the window switch. Put the speaker in. Tested it. Put the door panel back on with all parts, and then realized I forgot to install the door screws. Everything came apart, and then I corrected the problem.

Speakers - Kicker front and rear. Bought from Crutchfield. Cost $270.00
Speakers sound great.

Total time to install the front speakers. Three hours. Yes you are reading this right. It took me that long. If I had to do it again it would take me probably 1 1/2 hours.

Some suggestions:
Make sure you have the right tools.
You will need a trim removal set.
Make sure no one is around to bother you. If you have that curious neighbor, ask them to leave. You do not need anyone bothering you when you are working on your truck.
If you think you will break a clip, you probably will.
Do not start any project at night when stores are closed, or the Ford dealer is closed.

FYI
I thought the Ford speakers sounded good. When I took them out, they are very cheaply made. Kicker speakers sound great.
Be prepared to buy new trim that fits by the top of the door. On both doors the top clip would not hold in place after I removed it.

Add in 5 trips to Home Depot and my projects sound like yours. Good write up. Thanks, I might give it a try.

Deweyordeweynot · Mar 18, 2024

Old_Norm said:
Add in 5 trips to Home Depot and my projects sound like yours. Good write up. Thanks, I might give it a try.

Every time I decide to do anything, it's always at least twice the amount of time I expected and two extra trips to the hardware store.

I may swap out the speakers but if I'm doing it, I may as well include a subwoofer behind the rear seat...and I just don't know if I want to.

Sea48! · Mar 18, 2024

Thanks for sharing your speaker adventure. I am about to embark on mine, and also purchased kicker speakers from Crutchfield. Taking your advice and making sure I have all the tools and time without family distractions. Can’t wait to hear the difference!

Huchipapa · Mar 19, 2024

I just ordered a Rockford kit for my '24. Crutchfield was pretty clear about trimming out the tabs when I researched.

GotKT · Mar 22, 2024

@ValenciaOrange can you share a video on how to remove panels for back speakers?
If simple enough, I’ll upgrade those as well.

I did the front speakers and the most time consuming part was finding screws to attach the speakers to the trim. I finally settled on self tapping #10 5/8” screws. What a waste of time; the included screws were not the right fit.

Things to note:
The sixth screw is behind the red reflector.
Address the rattle in the front passenger door while the panel is off. I stuffed paper towel where the two plastics are joined/fused.

Ford Maverick Installed new Kicker speakers in my Maverick XL Hybrid. It was a little project. IMG_8918

Ford Maverick Installed new Kicker speakers in my Maverick XL Hybrid. It was a little project. IMG_8913

Ford Maverick Installed new Kicker speakers in my Maverick XL Hybrid. It was a little project. IMG_8916

ValenciaOrange · Mar 22, 2024

GotKT said:
@ValenciaOrange can you share a video on how to remove panels for back speakers?
If simple enough, I’ll upgrade those as well.

I did the front speakers and the most time consuming part was finding screws to attach the speakers to the trim. I finally settled on self tapping #10 5/8” screws. What a waste of time; the included screws were not the right fit.

Things to note:
The sixth screw is behind the red reflector.
Address the rattle in the front passenger door while the panel is off. I stuffed paper towel where the two plastics are joined/fused.

Post if you had a hard time getting the two top posts out on the left and right side.

GotKT · Mar 22, 2024

ValenciaOrange said:
Post if you had a hard time getting the two top posts out on the left and right side.

With enough force everything comes off effortlessly

The two front top black pieces came off with some extra force but the clips are not holding them as they should. No issues when doors closed.
I see one of your pieces came off with the whole clip assembly removed from the door frame.

I did not loose or brake any clips. I even had a neighbor come by asking what I’m up to

Overall simple upgrade second time around.

GotKT · Mar 23, 2024

ValenciaOrange said:

Thanks for sharing the video on hot to access the rear speakers.
Glad I watched it before I placed the order. I’ll hold of on this upgrade for now.

ValenciaOrange · Mar 23, 2024

GotKT said:
Thanks for sharing the video on hot to access the rear speakers.
Glad I watched it before I placed the order. I’ll hold of on this upgrade for now.

That is not a bad idea. It’s not as hard as it looks. The panels come out easily, except for the top posts of the speaker panels.

GotKT · Mar 29, 2024

One week later and I’m very satisfied with the new speakers in the front. I had zero complaints about the factory speakers.
Unfortunately, the driver side door started to rattle whenever I turned up the volume. It was annoying to the point that I had to remove the panel again to address the issue. This time, I used left over door/window sealant between the plastic joints. There is still a minor rattle present but I’m fine with it for now.

Ford Maverick Installed new Kicker speakers in my Maverick XL Hybrid. It was a little project. IMG_8958

Ford Maverick Installed new Kicker speakers in my Maverick XL Hybrid. It was a little project. IMG_8959

Ford Maverick Installed new Kicker speakers in my Maverick XL Hybrid. It was a little project. IMG_8964

Ford Maverick Installed new Kicker speakers in my Maverick XL Hybrid. It was a little project. IMG_8961

Ford Maverick Installed new Kicker speakers in my Maverick XL Hybrid. It was a little project. IMG_8960

Jamsandolina · Apr 8, 2024

ValenciaOrange said:
I watched videos on how to replace OEM speakers on my Ford Maverick Truck. I thought I could complete this project in a timely manner, was I wrong.

I started in the rear of the truck. All the moulding was removed. I installed the new speaker, and guess what, Crutchfield never sent me the wiring harness, even though it was on the invoice. Project on hold until Wednesday.

Today, I decide to install the front speakers. Started to take off the door panel and thought I was going to break the panel. Finally I got it off. Removed the OEM speaker, and then decided to install the new speaker. Took one of the enclosed trim rings, and realized the new speaker did not fit. I had to find a saw and trim 5 inner tabs. I then realized I needed 4 screws to attach the speaker to the trim ring. No problem. I have 1500 screws. Thirty minutes later I could not find 8 matching screws for both doors. Found 6, and 2 others that looked very close. Tested speaker.

Put the door panel back together, had a-big smile on my face, walked away from the door and realized I did not get the top door panel lip into the door frame. Took everything apart, and corrected the problem.

Started the drivers door. Everything went well, until I heard something fall into the door. Spent 30 minutes looking for an unknown part with no luck. Walked away from the truck and on the ground was the part, which was for the window switch. Put the speaker in. Tested it. Put the door panel back on with all parts, and then realized I forgot to install the door screws. Everything came apart, and then I corrected the problem.

Speakers - Kicker front and rear. Bought from Crutchfield. Cost $270.00
Speakers sound great.

Total time to install the front speakers. Three hours. Yes you are reading this right. It took me that long. If I had to do it again it would take me probably 1 1/2 hours.

Some suggestions:
Make sure you have the right tools.
You will need a trim removal set.
Make sure no one is around to bother you. If you have that curious neighbor, ask them to leave. You do not need anyone bothering you when you are working on your truck.
If you think you will break a clip, you probably will.
Do not start any project at night when stores are closed, or the Ford dealer is closed.

FYI
I thought the Ford speakers sounded good. When I took them out, they are very cheaply made. Kicker speakers sound great.
Be prepared to buy new trim that fits by the top of the door. On both doors the top clip would not hold in place after I removed it.

Good install. Did you disconnect the tweeters in the dash? It is said that if you put coaxial speakers in the front doors you unhook the dash tweeters to get proper sound imaging.

Installed new Kicker speakers in my Maverick XL Hybrid. It was a little project.

ValenciaOrange

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CurtisB

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Sphinn

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Old_Norm

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Deweyordeweynot

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Sea48!

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Huchipapa

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GotKT

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ValenciaOrange

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GotKT

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GotKT

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ValenciaOrange

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GotKT

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Jamsandolina

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