parks853

I have a 2003 ES sedan. I am wiring up my front speakers (or trying to). I am having problems getting the wires through the front doors because the easy way is out because of that wiring harness. I seen some old post about this but there were no pictures. I was wondering if anyone had pictures showing where they drilled holes to get the speaker wires into the front doors. And did the front doors have to be taken off to drill the holes. Thanks for the help. Parks853

4 rubBeR

Save yourself the trouble and just use the existing wire. If you are not planning on running 75+ watts thru them, the existing wires will do just fine.

~4 rubBeR

parks853

4 rubBeR,

I thought about that, I have a JL audio 300/2 so I am running 150 watts to each door, plus I already have the wires ran to the front from the amps which are mounted in the trunk.

Thanks for the reply

4 rubBeR

*doh*

Didn't look at your sig...should have seen what u were running.

Okay, I have heard that some people have used a dremmel tool to make a new hole in the grommet. I haven't heard of anyone actually removing their doors and I personally don't reccommend it. They are VERY heavy and requires 2 people to handle. Plus u run the risk of scratching the paint.

I investigated the possibility of running new wires, but decided not to after hearing how hard it was to do. I suspect the only way you are going to do it is by drilling from the outside rubber boot into the cabin and run the wire the same way. It would be nearly impossible to run the wire from the cabin out...to tight.

let us know how you make out...


~ 4 rubBeR

MisterT

Use the factory wires, you won't notice any difference in sound or sound quality. I have two 6 1/2" midbass with pretty big magnets and am running around 75 watts to each speaker rms and notice no difference or compromise in sound quality than if I used a lower gauge wire like in my previous car. Trust me, you will save yourself the hassel of doing so. (Unless you are putting a pair of subs in your door, you won't need to run lower gauge wire).

Mister T

JAC

I faced the same problem last week and decided to go with the stock wires, I´m runing 75+rms to each door.

parks853

Thanks for the help guys. I will figure something out. I am ready to hear this stuff I have the sub and everything else hooked up. I will have install pics when I am done. Thanks again. parks853

Dave Cameron

I have done the replacement wiring on three proteges. Yes, it is much easier with the doors off, and no, I don't recommend doing it unless you have extra hands around, some time, and some prior experence. And yes again, it takes a very steady hand and a dremil tool. If you mess it up you will have to replace the entire wiring run. With all that said the upgrade is not that great in the wiring anyway.
At 150 per you will be just fine, even to Focals.
Good Luck and let us all know your solution!!

parks853

Well,

I drilled some holes in the door frame from the inside out. I did not have to take the doors off. It was a real pain, and dont know if it was worth it, but I have my wires in the doors. Thanks for everyones help though. Parks853. (pictures soon)

Dave Cameron

Just a suggestion- grommet the the holes on the sills and the doors, and loom or wrap the exposed wire between the doors.
If the wire casings nick at the holes, the short is not healthy for the amp or the speakers, and since you are into some decent investments on the hardware I am sure you would like for it to last! Besides protecting the wire from sharpe edges, the grommets will also seal the door sill and door from the weather.
Looming or wrapping the wire in a heavy casing tape, or even shrinkwrarp also helps prevent wire pinches that will result in the same type of shorts by stiffening the wire against flex pinches and bending stress breaks, and will also slow down the rate at whichthe casing will desintegrate due to exposure to the elements.
Being a fan and user both focal and JL Audio I look forward to your photos!!