Vapor barrier cut around, or behind door speaker?

[JHZR2]

The PO of my Ram put 5x7 speakers in the door (OE was 6x9) for some reason. Probably because install depth is limited. I think I found a set that will work, and want to install them.

The truck also doesn’t have a vapor barrier on either door, for who knows what reason... time to fix that for sure.

When I make vapor barriers, do I make it so the speaker area is cutout (seems like a bad idea), so it has another “flap” that is separate behind the speaker, or just make it a little bit “baggy”, so the barrier generally has slack behind the speaker?

Ive never had a vehicle with door speakers, so I’ve never had one opened up before to see how to do it. Thoughts?

 

[Wrenchturner44]

The vapor barrier on 2003 Dodge Durango for the factory door speakers goes around the speaker. I have never had the speakers out of the door, but the factory speakers might have some kind of vapor barrier on the back of the speaker itself.

 

[spasm3]

Are your speakers polypropylene by chance? If so, i'd just have a barrier baggy over the back and not worry too much.

 

[JHZR2]

Are your speakers polypropylene by chance? If so, i'd just have a barrier baggy over the back and not worry too much.

These seem to fit...

 

[spasm3]

Those are polypropylene , just a baggy barrier, to keep water from dipping right on them. They should be weather resistant.

TS-A6960F - 6" x 9" - 4-way, 450 W Max Power, Carbon/Mica-reinforced IMPP™ cone, 18mm Tweeter and 11mm Super Tweeter and 2-1/4" Cone Midrange - Coaxial Speakers (pair)

6" x 9" - 4-way, 450 W Max Power, Carbon/Mica-reinforced IMPP™ cone, 18mm Tweeter and 11mm Super Tweeter and 2-1/4" Cone Midrange - Coaxial Speakers (pair)

www.pioneerelectronics.com

 

[01rangerxl]

There are foam baffles you can get...

Foam Speaker Baffles at Crutchfield

Shopping for Foam Speaker Baffles? Our Virginia-based experts love helping folks find the right gear. Get free shipping and free lifetime tech support with your order.

www.crutchfield.com

These specifically are for applications with limited depth...

XTC 6"x9" Speaker Baffles (Slim-line: 3-3/4" depth)

Protect your speakers

www.crutchfield.com

 

[spasm3]

There are foam baffles you can get...

Foam Speaker Baffles at Crutchfield

Shopping for Foam Speaker Baffles? Our Virginia-based experts love helping folks find the right gear. Get free shipping and free lifetime tech support with your order.

www.crutchfield.com

These specifically are for applications with limited depth...

XTC 6"x9" Speaker Baffles (Slim-line: 3-3/4" depth)

Protect your speakers

www.crutchfield.com

Those look pretty cool!

 

[JHZR2]

Those do look great. The speakers weren’t much $. If I encounter issues, I’ll get those foam covers. The old 5x7 speakers the PO put in looked no worse for wear or water. And, I’ve changed the window squeegee to a new and much tighter one. So I think we will be good.

Sounds good to me with the doors open and standing outside. Tomorrow I’ll road test it.

 

[buck91]

Every OE setup I've seen (which really isn't a whole lot) has the vapor barrier cut out around the speaker allowing the door void to be used as a sort of speaker box. Sometimes it works better that others, acoustically. I have tried the foam baffles in the past, and if you aren't running a separate subwoofer you'll likely be pretty unhappy with the results.