OEM speaker pods

StoneCold

StoneCold

TJ Enthusiast
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Middle of Colorado
I am looking to put speakers in my 2004 TJ. I opened the dash and I have the "infinity" pods with the 4" speaker. I was thinking of doing 5 1/4" front and sound bar. When looking at the polk DB 522's on Amazon a picture in the review showed they had mounted the 5 1/4" polk in the OEM pod. Is this really doable?

What else do I need to put in the 5 1/4" speakers.


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StoneCold said:
I am looking to put speakers in my 2004 TJ. I opened the dash and I have the "infinity" pods with the 4" speaker. I was thinking of doing 5 1/4" front and sound bar. When looking at the polk DB 522's on Amazon a picture in the review showed they had mounted the 5 1/4" polk in the OEM pod. Is this really doable?

What else do I need to put in the 5 1/4" speakers.


View attachment 459232
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That’s not the OEM pod, it’s a Select Increments pod. And that speaker in that pod sounds like crap unless crossed over with a high pass at 100hz or higher. The OEM speakers in the OEM pods with a tweeter upgrade sound better than those if you intend to run them full range.
 
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That looks like all you need. I have those adapters in my 1997 Wrangler, though not the Polks. The Polks would blow out in seconds in my system. I prefer just the adapter without the enclosure. That way you can add polyfill to the rear of your speaker and better adjust the intensity to match the rear speaker. With pods enclosures, you are stuck with the sound intensity which might not balance with your rear speakers.
 
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Ok, so no they wont go in those oem pods!

I guess I'll get the metal adapter plates. I also should probably get the wiring adapters? Or just clip them and attach?
 
StoneCold said:
Ok, so no they wont go in those oem pods!

I guess I'll get the metal adapter plates. I also should probably get the wiring adapters? Or just clip them and attach?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure what you mean by wiring adapters for speakers. Most speaker wires already have the speaker terminal connectors attached to them, unless the wires were soldered to the speaker. All you should have to do is pull the speaker terminal connectors off the old speakers and attach them to the new speakers, making sure that you match the polarity. I personally don't like the idea of soldering the speaker wire to the speakers because the other side normally is soldered going from the terminal to the speaker itself, and adding heat to the terminal may cause the other side to dislocate, thereby making the speaker inoperative. There are such things as crossovers used on some coaxial speakers, but most speakers have built-in crossovers.
 
ChasUGC said:
I'm not sure what you mean by wiring adapters for speakers. Most speaker wires already have the speaker terminal connectors attached to them, unless the wires were soldered to the speaker. All you should have to do is pull the speaker terminal connectors off the old speakers and attach them to the new speakers, making sure that you match the polarity. I personally don't like the idea of soldering the speaker wire to the speakers because the other side normally is soldered going from the terminal to the speaker itself, and adding heat to the terminal may cause the other side to dislocate, thereby making the speaker inoperative. There are such things as crossovers used on some coaxial speakers, but most speakers have built-in crossovers.
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From your response, it seems you've never worked with OEM speakers, only aftermarket. He's referring to adapters that plug into the OEM plugs and connect to the aftermarket speakers. This allows you to use the OEM wiring without cutting off the plug and crimping on terminals to fit the aftermarket speakers; this allows you to easily return to stock if you like.

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OP - It's your call. Do you want to retain the integrity of the factory wiring, or do you want to save a few bucks and cut off the plug?
 
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deadbeat son said:
From your response, it seems you've never worked with OEM speakers, only aftermarket. He's referring to adapters that plug into the OEM plugs and connect to the aftermarket speakers. This allows you to use the OEM wiring without cutting off the plug and crimping on terminals to fit the aftermarket speakers; this allows you to easily return to stock if you like.
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I had to have worked with OEM speakers because I changed mine. I am the original owner of my TJ. Are you actually referring to the OEM radio harness? Because, all the speakers that I see connect with terminal connectors. The other side might go to the radio harness or speaker harness, but only the terminals themselves would matter if you are just changing speakers. If you are changing the radio, then you would need a new adapter harness.
 
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If the speakers are connected with terminal connectors, sure you can. As long as you match the polarity. None of the OEM speakers are powered speakers. Unless, the speakers are components, where the tweeter is somewhere else, and they are not coaxial speakers. If you have a picture showing an OEM connector and that this is not possible, please show it. It has been a few years since, 1997 when I ordered and purchased my TJ. My current car stereo system cost me over $2700.00 dollars. I really don't bother with it anymore. I let professional installers handle it now. When I got my Alpine PDX-V9 and had it moved under my dash, and I didn't want to mess with that. When I had my dual 10" subwoofer box, wired and installed to the Alpine, I didn't mess with that. But, I did check and correct the polarity on my speakers. I also made gain and frequency cutoff changes on my Alpine. I recently installed a new special integrated headunit that the manufacturer recommended a professional installer to handle. So, I didn't mess with that. But, my initial upgraded stereo and all the speaker work, I did myself. I still have my initial clarion EQ, that works perfectly with the Alpine and subwoofer. I installed the Clarion myself too. But, this was before I got the Alpine and the subwoofer box. I did recently change all my speakers again myself. I upgraded them to 150 watt RMS speakers to better handle my Alpines power output. I also did all the radio and speakers in my GTA convertible Mustang that I sold when I got my Wrangler. I also installed Triaxial speakers, amp, and a radio in my first car, a 1968 Fairlane 500. Those were the days. So, I know a little bit about it.
 
ChasUGC said:
If the speakers are connected with terminal connectors, sure you can. As long as you match the polarity. None of the OEM speakers are powered speakers. Unless, the speakers are components, where the tweeter is somewhere else, and they are not coaxial speakers. If you have a picture showing an OEM connector and that this is not possible, please show it. It has been a few years since, 1997 when I ordered and purchased my TJ. My current car stereo system cost me over $2700.00 dollars. I really don't bother with it anymore. I let professional installers handle it now. When I got my Alpine PDX-V9 and had it moved under my dash, and I didn't want to mess with that. When I had my dual 10" subwoofer box, wired and installed to the Alpine, I didn't mess with that. But, I did check and correct the polarity on my speakers. I also made gain and frequency cutoff changes on my Alpine. I recently installed a new special integrated headunit that the manufacturer recommended a professional installer to handle. So, I didn't mess with that. But, my initial upgraded stereo and all the speaker work, I did myself. I still have my initial clarion EQ, that works perfectly with the Alpine and subwoofer. I installed the Clarion myself too. But, this was before I got the Alpine and the subwoofer box. I did recently change all my speakers again myself. I upgraded them to 150 watt RMS speakers to better handle my Alpines power output. I also did all the radio and speakers in my GTA convertible Mustang that I sold when I got my Wrangler. I also installed Triaxial speakers, amp, and a radio in my first car, a 1968 Fairlane 500. Those were the days. So, I know a little bit about it.
Click to expand...

You can type as long of a reply as you like, providing whatever puffery or other justification you want, but you're still giving the OP bad information. It's really quite simple - an aftermarket speaker doesn't plug into a TJ's OEM wiring without an adapter.

I posted a picture of one of the adapters above (the specific adapter required depends on the year). Here's the adapter required for a '97 like yours.

g120726512-o_other2.jpg


g120726512-o.jpg


The OEM plug is black in the bottom left corner of the dash in this picture:

img_e8035-jpg.77910


To replace OEM speakers you have the following options:
  1. Use a speaker harness adapter, pictured above, such as those from Metro, Schosche, etc.
  2. Cut off the plug and add universal female spade connectors to the ends of the wires
  3. Cut off the plug and solder the wires to the speaker terminals
  4. Run new speaker wires and terminate the run with universal female spade connectors
  5. Run new speaker wires and solder the wires to the speaker terminals
  6. Pay someone to do the work for you
Plugging that big black square plug onto the aftermarket speaker isn't an option.
 
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deadbeat son said:
You can type as long of a reply as you like, providing whatever puffery or other justification you want, but you're still giving the OP bad information. It's really quite simple - an aftermarket speaker doesn't plug into a TJ's OEM wiring without an adapter.

I posted a picture of one of the adapters above (the specific adapter required depends on the year). Here's the adapter required for a '97 like yours.

View attachment 459391

View attachment 459392

The OEM plug is black in the bottom left corner of the dash in this picture:

img_e8035-jpg.77910


To replace OEM speakers you have the following options:
  1. Use a speaker harness adapter, pictured above, such as those from Metro, Schosche, etc.
  2. Cut off the plug and add universal female spade connectors to the ends of the wires
  3. Cut off the plug and solder the wires to the speaker terminals
  4. Run new speaker wires and terminate the run with universal female spade connectors
  5. Run new speaker wires and solder the wires to the speaker terminals
  6. Pay someone to do the work for you
Plugging that big black square plug onto the aftermarket speaker isn't an option.
Click to expand...

I am trying to be nice and going out of my way to do so. If you want to pretend like you are all so superior about connecting simple speakers and I'm so inferior, feel free to do so, I'm done. I'm tired of this nonsense.
 
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Speaker pods and insulation do next to NOTHING for sound quality. Anyone who thinks otherwise is deaf or hearing impaired. I worked at Crutchfield for years.
 
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Those are definitely the select increment pods
I sent a set back (bottom) and had mine custom 3D printed (top) from the files someone shared here

Mine sound amazing with $200 5.25” Polk Components and the tweeters facing the driver and passenger on the dash. I tried 2 different coaxials in the dash and the sound sucked ass.

Sound is aimed at your knees, but a component tweeter will improve that mounted higher


TheBoogieman said:
I worked at Crutchfield for years.
Click to expand...

what was your job title?
ChasUGC said:
. All you should have to do is pull the speaker terminal connectors off the old speakers and attach them to the new speakers, making sure that you match the polarity.
Click to expand...

That is correct, and not bad info

Assuming you have the OEM old ones, you just cut them off and reuse. You can splice them into any new set of speakers terminal wiring

Me personally, when I upgrade a system, I also put beefier speaker wire in for all speakers and throw all OEM in the trash. I have a good speaker terminal kit with weatherproof covers also. Iirc I used 14 gauge in the TJ system this summer
 
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deadbeat son said:
From your response, it seems you've never worked with OEM speakers, only aftermarket. He's referring to adapters that plug into the OEM plugs and connect to the aftermarket speakers. This allows you to use the OEM wiring without cutting off the plug and crimping on terminals to fit the aftermarket speakers; this allows you to easily return to stock if you like.

View attachment 459321


OP - It's your call. Do you want to retain the integrity of the factory wiring, or do you want to save a few bucks and cut off the plug?
Click to expand...

I don't think i need to maintain the factory wiring. If I can just cut the wires and add female spades I will. The TJ already has an aftermarket head unit. I haven't pulled it apart to determine how it is wired behind it. I know the factory speakers are wired at the back of the speaker with the factory clips. The canes on them no longer exist though!

A new head isn't in the budget right now. So just the 4 speakers so i can get some music. Even if it ain't great it will be something! Down the road (see what I did there) I will get a new head unit, and make sure I can get the sub working, replacing it and adding an amp or a head unit that can drive it. I don't think the head unit in it will. (Probably why it isn't working now.)

Thanks!!
 
TheBoogieman said:
Speaker pods and insulation do next to NOTHING for sound quality. Anyone who thinks otherwise is deaf or hearing impaired. I worked at Crutchfield for years.
Click to expand...

Wow, why are you all attacking me this way? Why all the hate? I'm a Jeep owner just like you. Everyone knows that you lose sound out the back side of a speaker. If you have speaker pods or polyfill it reduces that loss and forces more sound out the front of the speaker, thus improving the volume which can be referred to as sound quality because you haven't actually changed the volume knob. I'm so done with this. Try it yourself and see. I did. I'm so done with this.
 
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StoneCold said:
I don't think i need to maintain the factory wiring. If I can just cut the wires and add female spades I will. The TJ already has an aftermarket head unit. I haven't pulled it apart to determine how it is wired behind it. I know the factory speakers are wired at the back of the speaker with the factory clips. The canes on them no longer exist though!

A new head isn't in the budget right now. So just the 4 speakers so i can get some music. Even if it ain't great it will be something! Down the road (see what I did there) I will get a new head unit, and make sure I can get the sub working, replacing it and adding an amp or a head unit that can drive it. I don't think the head unit in it will. (Probably why it isn't working now.)

Thanks!!
Click to expand...

You can definitely cut off the plug and add the correct ends if that's what you would like to do. The service manuals are available on this site to let you know which color is positive and which is negative, assuming the aftermarket head unit is wired correctly.
 
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ChasUGC said:
Wow, why are you all attacking me this way?
Click to expand...

I'm not attacking you at all. I am simply trying to explain why it's not as simple as you purported things to be. The factory wiring doesn't have the necessary ends to connect to an aftermarket speaker; you cannot simply unplug the old and plug in the new as you originally suggested. Yes, you can cut off the OEM plug and put the correct terminals on the wires, but that's more than a plug/unplug job. Once you've done that work, then yes, you can unplug and plug in and swap new speakers at will.

That's the only point that I am trying to make. Adding the price that you paid for your stereo, how many cars you have with aftermarket stereo equipment, or any other information doesn't change that fact and is irrelevant to the conversation.
 
StoneCold said:
Ok, so no they wont go in those oem pods!
Click to expand...
Those are not OEM pods, your TJ came with 4x6 speakers up front. Go with 4x6 to 5.25" adapter plates, those Polk 5.25" speakers would be a superb choice up front. You can mount Polk's 6.25" speakers in the pods above your head, you'll just need to use self-tapping wood screws to secure them in place.

Crutchfield likely has the adapter connectors. Just make sure the black leads from the adapters connect to the same side of the speaker connectors for all four speakers. Like placing the black leads on the left side speaker lugs, the white leads on the right side speaker lugs. That will keep all four speakers in phase with each other so they're working together instead of some being 180 degrees out of phase which will noticeably degrade the sound quality.
 
ChasUGC

Your statements were very clear in your first posts
No need to argue with others misinterpretations

The OP didnt have OEM speakers there anyways
 
StoneCold said:
I don't think i need to maintain the factory wiring. If I can just cut the wires and add female spades I will. The TJ already has an aftermarket head unit. I haven't pulled it apart to determine how it is wired behind it. I know the factory speakers are wired at the back of the speaker with the factory clips. The canes on them no longer exist though!

A new head isn't in the budget right now. So just the 4 speakers so i can get some music. Even if it ain't great it will be something! Down the road (see what I did there) I will get a new head unit, and make sure I can get the sub working, replacing it and adding an amp or a head unit that can drive it. I don't think the head unit in it will. (Probably why it isn't working now.)

Thanks!!
Click to expand...

One other thought for you - since you already have an aftermarket head unit, it would be very easy to run new speaker wires from the rear of the head unit to the corners of the dash to connect to the new speakers if you wanted to retain your factory wiring without cutting off the plug.
 
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