3.5" + 4" Roll Bar Speaker Upgrades (non-Alpine)

[BuckyBratwurst]

*I realize that there are a dozen posts dedicated to this topic*

I have some additional questions:
1) What are the specs for the stock 7" radio (non-Alpine) in 2021 Jeep Gladiator Sport?
2) How many watts are being sent to each channel?
3) Recommended RMS for speaker replacements?

I've tried just about every 3.5" replacement that will fit in the roll bar location. See issues with each:

• Kenwood Excelon KFC-X3C: ZERO bass (800-23,000 Hz); All bass/low-end dropped from entire soundbar;
• Kicker Speaker Upgrade 77KICK25AB (2013 Dodge Dart): Fits 3.5" roll bar location; Provides adequate bass; Speaker volume dropped/reduced significantly after a few hours; Maybe 75-150 RMS too much for stock radio?
• Infinity Reference REF307F: Will not fit in the 3.5" roll bar location (do fit in dash);
• Kicker 43DSC3504: Will not fit in the 3.5" roll bar location (do fit in dash);
• Kicker KSC350: Will not fit in the 3.5" roll bar location (do fit in dash);

I'm next trying replacing the 3.5" with a 2.75" tweeter only (Kicker 51KSC2704 KS-Series 2.75" Midrange Speaker). In all of these scenarios, I've left the 4" roll bar speaker alone, as I've yet to find a 4" replacement.

Any other suggestions to get the best overall sound out of the roll bar speakers using only the stock radio? p.s. I'm not interested in modifiying the roll bar, adding an amp or subs.

Thanks! This appears to be a frustrating issue for lots of Gladiator owners.

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[JeepNightHawk]

*I realize that there are a dozen posts dedicated to this topic*

I have some additional questions:
1) What are the specs for the stock 7" radio (non-Alpine) in 2021 Jeep Gladiator Sport?
2) How many watts are being sent to each channel?
3) Recommended RMS for speaker replacements?

I've tried just about every 3.5" replacement that will fit in the roll bar location. See issues with each:

• Kenwood Excelon KFC-X3C: ZERO bass (800-23,000 Hz); All bass/low-end dropped from entire soundbar;
• Kicker Speaker Upgrade 77KICK25AB (2013 Dodge Dart): Fits 3.5" roll bar location; Provides adequate bass; Speaker volume dropped/reduced significantly after a few hours; Maybe 75-150 RMS too much for stock radio?
• Infinity Reference REF307F: Will not fit in the 3.5" roll bar location (do fit in dash);
• Kicker 43DSC3504: Will not fit in the 3.5" roll bar location (do fit in dash);
• Kicker KSC350: Will not fit in the 3.5" roll bar location (do fit in dash);

I'm next trying replacing the 3.5" with a 2.75" tweeter only (Kicker 51KSC2704 KS-Series 2.75" Midrange Speaker). In all of these scenarios, I've left the 4" roll bar speaker alone, as I've yet to find a 4" replacement.

Any other suggestions to get the best overall sound out of the roll bar speakers using only the stock radio? p.s. I'm not interested in modifiying the roll bar, adding an amp or subs.

Thanks! This appears to be a frustrating issue for lots of Gladiator owners.

Just installed the ksc350s in dash (huge difference). Then , I did the ksc40s and ksc350s in the roll bar. The ksc350s are just a little bit too big for the opening . So, I came up with this , and it's as clean of an install that you could do. It sticks out like 1/4 inch. I got plastic 1/4 washers . I filed down a bit so that it could fit next to the speaker . Then I used it as a washer . They sit in there perfect now. I wanted everything Kicker ksc series . Sounds amazing.

 

[BuckyBratwurst]

Thank you for the suggestions. Just confirming, you have the stock radio (non-Alpine)? I ended up trying the 4" Kicker KSC40s in the roll bar and tested them paired with the following 3.5" speakers: A) factory/stock, B) Kenwood KFC-X3C, and C) Kicker 77KICK25AB (Dodge Dart).

The 4" and all 3.5" replacements fit great, however none of these sound pairings had any bass whatsoever. After an hour or two into each test, it seemed like the sound levels completely dropped in the roll bar.

I feel like the factory/stock radio just won't effectively power any aftermarket replacement speakers. I see lots of people posting about improved sound, but I'm just not seeing it.

 

[Zachanadandy]

The 2 numbers that are critical when running off a low power stock head unit are resistance and efficiency. I belive the stock speakers are 2 ohm. All of your replacements are 4 ohm. You're literally cutting the low power stock output of 10-12 watts rms (guessing) in half. Of course there is no volume driving a speaker with 5 watts.

 

[BuckyBratwurst]

Thank you. Have you found any aftermarket replacements that work with the Gladiator stock head unit? Crutchfield says that 3 or 4 ohm speakers will work, but I'm not seeing it. Do they even make 2 ohm aftermarket speakers?

 

[JeepNightHawk]

Thank you for the suggestions. Just confirming, you have the stock radio (non-Alpine)? I ended up trying the 4" Kicker KSC40s in the roll bar and tested them paired with the following 3.5" speakers: A) factory/stock, B) Kenwood KFC-X3C, and C) Kicker 77KICK25AB (Dodge Dart).

The 4" and all 3.5" replacements fit great, however none of these sound pairings had any bass whatsoever. After an hour or two into each test, it seemed like the sound levels completely dropped in the roll bar.

I feel like the factory/stock radio just won't effectively power any aftermarket replacement speakers. I see lots of people posting about improved sound, but I'm just not seeing it.

I have a 2025 . So, I have the 12.something inch head unit. What year is yours ? With a 2025 head unit, kickers ksc speakers, and the 8 inch kicker hideaway, it sounds great.

 

[Zachanadandy]

Thank you. Have you found any aftermarket replacements that work with the Gladiator stock head unit? Crutchfield says that 3 or 4 ohm speakers will work, but I'm not seeing it. Do they even make 2 ohm aftermarket speakers?

I think 3 ohm is the best you can do. Both ours have the alpine systems so no experience with the non-amplified version.

 

[BuckyBratwurst]

Here's another wrinkle. The stock 3.5" dash and roll bar speakers are actually 8ohm.

 

[Zachanadandy]

Here's another wrinkle. The stock 3.5" dash and roll bar speakers are actually 8ohm.

Weird, but again I've got no experience with the non-alpine system. Your head unit clipping due to lower impedance could explain your described drop in volume over time. Maybe the head unit is only rated for 8 ohm loads? I know the terra acoustics dash speakers are 7 ohm. I wonder if they did that to work with the base radio?

 

[Gladurhere]

Reviving this thread to see if anyone knows since I got nowhere searching online or through other threads on here…my roll bar speaker behind the drivers seat blew, checked the screws to make sure nothing was loose and pulled the cover plate…definitely a vibrating mess of a speaker with the cover off especially the louder I turn it up. I can’t for the life of me find a replacement rear oem roll bar speaker for the Alpine premium audio setup on a Mojave. I don’t want to cut or modify the bar since I know I’ll f it up…anyone have a Mopar part number for it? Thanks in advance as I’m just looking for a plug and play replacement, don’t feel like dealing with a dealership on this.

 

[c.schill]

Reviving this thread to see if anyone knows since I got nowhere searching online or through other threads on here…my roll bar speaker behind the drivers seat blew, checked the screws to make sure nothing was loose and pulled the cover plate…definitely a vibrating mess of a speaker with the cover off especially the louder I turn it up. I can’t for the life of me find a replacement rear oem roll bar speaker for the Alpine premium audio setup on a Mojave. I don’t want to cut or modify the bar since I know I’ll f it up…anyone have a Mopar part number for it? Thanks in advance as I’m just looking for a plug and play replacement, don’t feel like dealing with a dealership on this.

These are far from the cheapest solution, but I put them in my 22 mojave because I didn't want to mess with cutting up the soundbar either. They're a pretty good improvement over the stock alpine stuff, and less than a 5 minute install.

Kicker KS Plug & Play Speaker Pods Upgrade | '18-'23 JL/ '20-'23 JT — trailseven.com

 

[Gladurhere]

These are far from the cheapest solution, but I put them in my 22 mojave because I didn't want to mess with cutting up the soundbar either. They're a pretty good improvement over the stock alpine stuff, and less than a 5 minute install.

Kicker KS Plug & Play Speaker Pods Upgrade | '18-'23 JL/ '20-'23 JT — trailseven.com

Thank you @c.schill! That’s exactly what I’m looking for and even better if it’s an improvement over the Alpine. I’m not a true audiophile anymore like my younger days when you could change out a head unit no problem. Just bummed I’ve only had the Mojave 2 years and I already lost a speaker but seems like I’m not the only one!

 

[BuckyBratwurst]

Reviving this thread to see if anyone knows since I got nowhere searching online or through other threads on here…my roll bar speaker behind the drivers seat blew, checked the screws to make sure nothing was loose and pulled the cover plate…definitely a vibrating mess of a speaker with the cover off especially the louder I turn it up. I can’t for the life of me find a replacement rear oem roll bar speaker for the Alpine premium audio setup on a Mojave. I don’t want to cut or modify the bar since I know I’ll f it up…anyone have a Mopar part number for it? Thanks in advance as I’m just looking for a plug and play replacement, don’t feel like dealing with a dealership on this.

If you want to simply replace the factory speakers from Mopar, you can find speakers or full speaker sets on ebay:
https://ebay.us/m/lOc6l4

Also, there should be a sticker or stamp on the actual speaker that lists the parts number.

 

[GreenMachineJT]

Just installed the ksc350s in dash (huge difference). Then , I did the ksc40s and ksc350s in the roll bar. The ksc350s are just a little bit too big for the opening . So, I came up with this , and it's as clean of an install that you could do. It sticks out like 1/4 inch. I got plastic 1/4 washers . I filed down a bit so that it could fit next to the speaker . Then I used it as a washer . They sit in there perfect now. I wanted everything Kicker ksc series . Sounds amazing.

Old post but thanks to Mike, I followed his approach and to be honest, on a '24-'26 Gladiator, doing this improves the sound very well. Only difference is that I used some rubber washers from an external PC fan and worked like a charm

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