What did you do TO your Gladiator today? [ADMIN WARNING: NO POLITICS, NO GUN TALK]

[Zero_Accel]

Today I decided that I wanted to install my Alpine roll-bar speakers that have been sitting on my workbench.

To do that meant that I had to cut up the stock speaker enclosure, since the original sound bar is molded to the speakers.

Taking the speakers out was easy.

Scored my cut profile with the included template and a utility blade.

Used a torch on my utility knife to get the blade red hot. Was VERY CAREFUL not to set down hot things on my interior. Had one section that was rounded and at a odd angle, so I got the Dremel out for the last part of the job.

Made cutting the plastic easy.

I think the cuts are fairly even given the tools that I was working with.

Once the holes were cleaned up, filled them with the included poly-fill.

Dropping in the Alpines was easy, just plug and play with a set of Metra adapters since I have the factory Alpine upgrade.

Since I was doing this upgrade, I threw in a set of the plug and play Kicker tweeters that have been posted here before. Pulled the mesh with a pry tool, two screws and one plug, and they dropped right in. Easy.

Not a terrible install, and it's a solid improvement over the stock speakers. Paired with my factory Alpine Sub and the set of Kicker dash tweeters, I'm VERY happy with the audio!

And they look sharp! These really should be included with the Alpine package.

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[WILDHOBO]

Today I decided that I wanted to install my Alpine roll-bar speakers that have been sitting on my workbench.

To do that meant that I had to cut up the stock speaker enclosure, since the original sound bar is molded to the speakers.

Taking the speakers out was easy.

Scored my cut profile with the included template and a utility blade.

Used a torch on my utility knife to get the blade red hot. Was VERY CAREFUL not to set down hot things on my interior. Had one section that was rounded and at a odd angle, so I got the Dremel out for the last part of the job.

Made cutting the plastic easy.

I think the cuts are fairly even given the tools that I was working with.

Once the holes were cleaned up, filled them with the included poly-fill.

Dropping in the Alpines was easy, just plug and play with a set of Metra adapters since I have the factory Alpine upgrade.

Since I was doing this upgrade, I threw in a set of the plug and play Kicker tweeters that have been posted here before. Pulled the mesh with a pry tool, two screws and one plug, and they dropped right in. Easy.

Not a terrible install, and it's a solid improvement over the stock speakers. Paired with my factory Alpine Sub and the set of Kicker dash tweeters, I'm VERY happy with the audio!

And they look sharp! These really should be included with the Alpine package.

Mine arrived on Thursday. I was going to put them in tomorrow. I only have the measly 7” head unit, but I got a good price on these, so I’ll take even a small improvement. How long did it take you, not including the dash tweeters. I’m just doing the sound bar for now.

 

[Zero_Accel]

Mine arrived on Thursday. I was going to put them in tomorrow. I only have the measly 7” head unit, but I got a good price on these, so I’ll take even a small improvement. How long did it take you, not including the dash tweeters. I’m just doing the sound bar for now.

I started at about 4:30 pm, finished around 6 pm, so 1.5-2.0 hours is how long it took me. Getting that knife hot with the torch made the cutting super easy. The Kicker dash speakers were 5 minutes, what took the longest was easily the cutting. I was being VERY careful with my butane torch and a VERY hot knife, had no intentions of burning myself or my truck, and took my time cutting. Used about 4 blades.

Rather take it slow and do it right vs. rushing through it and ruining my truck or hurting myself.

If you have the factory Alpine, did you buy the metra adapters? You'll need them to bypass the built in crossover on the larger speaker. Also, make sure that they're pinned correctly, mine were backwards on the connector side. Used a thin pick tool to push the pins out and swap them, took 30 seconds.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I started at about 4:30 pm, finished around 6 pm, so 1.5-2.0 hours is how long it took me. Getting that knife hot with the torch made the cutting super easy.

If you have the factory Alpine, did you buy the metra adapters? You'll need them to bypass the built in crossover on the larger speaker. Also, make sure that they're pinned correctly, mine were backwards on the connector side. Used a thin pick tool to push the pins out and swap them, took 30 seconds.

View attachment 369825

I do not have factory alpine. 7” head unit with base audio package. So I’m expecting plug and play, other than checking polarity. Thanks for that. In hindsight, would you do the whole thing with a small cutting wheel? My own was my Milwaukee m18 variable speed die grinder with 2” 1/32” wheel. Then burr grinders to smooth it out.

 

[dayusmc]

Spent more money on it, like I do everyday.... ?

 

[Jeepmonster]

I do not have factory alpine. 7” head unit with base audio package. So I’m expecting plug and play, other than checking polarity. Thanks for that. In hindsight, would you do the whole thing with a small cutting wheel? My own was my Milwaukee m18 variable speed die grinder with 2” 1/32” wheel. Then burr grinders to smooth it out.

I did the same upgrade a couple years ago. I tried a small saw and a hot knife. Both were too messy for me- fumes and pieces everywhere. For me, the easiest was a sharp box cutter (utility knife) and a little bit of elbow grease. I used a new blade (switched ends) for each side. It was much cleaner. Like others who have done this upgrade, I'm VERY happy with the sound quality. You won't be disappointed. Good luck.

 

[Zero_Accel]

I do not have factory alpine. 7” head unit with base audio package. So I’m expecting plug and play, other than checking polarity. Thanks for that. In hindsight, would you do the whole thing with a small cutting wheel? My own was my Milwaukee m18 variable speed die grinder with 2” 1/32” wheel. Then burr grinders to smooth it out.

I wouldn't recommend the cutting wheel. When I took out my Dremel with the plastic cutting bit, it was able to take care of the small section that I was having trouble with the knife, but it sprayed hot molten plastic everywhere, including my face ?

Thankfully it was only a small section that I had to cut, so cleanup was easy. Also, I'd say that you could probably cut a bit wider around any trouble spots with little issue, the Alpines only need the original mounting bolts intact and a small plastic perimeter to seal up against. That was my backup plan on cutting with the hot knife in case the Dremel didn't work out.

If you don't want to go the hot knife route, maybe a small reciprocating air saw will work. BUT power tools can be hard to control when you're contorting yourself to work in odd spaces.

Just a word of caution, some parts of that soundbar are close to the outside edge. I would be very easy to cut too much and go through the top of the sound bar with power tools.

PS. I had to edit my original reply, please re-read.

 

[WILDHOBO]

I wouldn't recommend the cutting wheel. When I took out my Dremel with the plastic cutting bit, it was able to take care of the small section that I was having trouble with the knife, but it sprayed hot molten plastic everywhere, including my face ?

Thankfully it was only a small section that I had to cut, so cleanup was easy. Also, I'd say that you could probably cut a bit wider around any trouble spots with little issue, the Alpines only need the original mounting bolts intact and a small plastic perimeter to seal up against. That was my backup plan on cutting with the hot knife in case the Dremel didn't work out.

If you don't want to go the hot knife route, maybe a small reciprocating air saw will work. BUT power tools can be hard to control when you're contorting yourself to work in odd spaces.

Just a word of caution, some parts of that soundbar are close to the outside edge. I would be very easy to cut too much and go through the top of the sound bar with power tools.

PS. I had to edit my original reply, please re-read.

Maybe I’ll go with the oscillating tool. I always get great control with delicate cuts.

 

[Zero_Accel]

I did the same upgrade a couple years ago. I tried a small saw and a hot knife. Both were too messy for me- fumes and pieces everywhere. For me, the easiest was a sharp box cutter (utility knife) and a little bit of elbow grease. I used a new blade (switched ends) for each side. It was much cleaner. Like others who have done this upgrade, I'm VERY happy with the sound quality. You won't be disappointed. Good luck.

Yup, sound quality is awesome! A great improvement that looks factory.

Also, thanks for posting the part numbers for the Metra adapters and how you did your cuts, your posts made my install MUCH easier.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Yup, sound quality is awesome! A great improvement that looks factory.

Also, thanks for posting the part numbers for the Metra adapters and how you did your cuts, your posts made my install MUCH easier.

Agreed. I would have gone right for the cutting wheel. I wouldn’t have thought about melted plastic flying around.

 

[TheTrailGeek]

Installed a LED strobe controller for the tailgate 3rd brake light.

You have a list of parts you used for this? Thanks!

 

[Lunentucker]

A quick pollen rinse and road drive.

 

[jebiruph]

I do not have factory alpine. 7” head unit with base audio package. So I’m expecting plug and play, other than checking polarity. Thanks for that. In hindsight, would you do the whole thing with a small cutting wheel? My own was my Milwaukee m18 variable speed die grinder with 2” 1/32” wheel. Then burr grinders to smooth it out.

When checking polarity, keep in mind that from the factory the speakers are wired with negative polarity, so you'll want them wired with negative polarity to keep them in phase with the rest of the factory speakers.

 

[Jobofly]

Just installed a bullet point phone mount. That thing is a beast! I got the mag safe holder and it works really well.

 

[Hootbro]

You have a list of parts you used for this? Thanks!

https://www.amazon.com/Podoy-GS-100A-Controller-Flasher-12V-24V/dp/B01F4OKWSG

https://www.amazon.com/MUYI-Waterproof-Electrical-Connector-Terminals/dp/B01FP1HXHQ

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071KFLY43?th=1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I2MLN2Q

You really only need the controller and can splice it in with butt connectors. I over complicated it with the weather pack connectors because I had spares on hand and wanted the ability to remove the controller and connect the factory harness back together.

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