Tuffy 047-01 Speaker Install

[XCRN]

I have the set of Tuffy lock boxes that fit over top of the rear wheel arches that has provisions for speakers. I have never messed with audio in vehicles so I am sure my stupid question has a simple answer, but it looks like almost all the speakers that this is for are meant to mount on the back face of the speaker, not the front where it looks like the Tuffy is setup to do. Is it just a matter of needing spacers to space the speaker away from the face of the box to install or is there a specific speaker I am needing?

https://tuffyproducts.com/products/security-speaker-storage-lockbox-set-jeep-1997-2006-wrangler-tj/

 

[Mudflap]

I have the set of Tuffy lock boxes that fit over top of the rear wheel arches that has provisions for speakers. I have never messed with audio in vehicles so I am sure my stupid question has a simple answer, but it looks like almost all the speakers that this is for are meant to mount on the back face of the speaker, not the front where it looks like the Tuffy is setup to do. Is it just a matter of needing spacers to space the speaker away from the face of the box to install or is there a specific speaker I am needing?

https://tuffyproducts.com/products/security-speaker-storage-lockbox-set-jeep-1997-2006-wrangler-tj/

I'm not really sure what the mounting situation is on that, but personally I would just get aftermarket speakers in the factory locations. It would be a lot easier to mount them, the sound would be better, and you can fit bigger speakers. That box doesn't fit very large ones. If you still are thinking about mounting them in the box though (which I advise against as an audiophile) send pictures and I can try to help you. If not maybe someone else will see it and be able to help as well.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I have the set of Tuffy lock boxes that fit over top of the rear wheel arches that has provisions for speakers. I have never messed with audio in vehicles so I am sure my stupid question has a simple answer, but it looks like almost all the speakers that this is for are meant to mount on the back face of the speaker, not the front where it looks like the Tuffy is setup to do. Is it just a matter of needing spacers to space the speaker away from the face of the box to install or is there a specific speaker I am needing?

https://tuffyproducts.com/products/security-speaker-storage-lockbox-set-jeep-1997-2006-wrangler-tj/

Speakers for that would fit inside the enclosure so the front face of the speaker would be against the inside front of the Tuffy box. It's an easy installation and nearly any speaker that fits would sound fine mounted in there.

BUT if you're not running a huge external amplifier, you need to insure the speakers you choose have enough of a Sensitivity rating. That means how much power they require to sound good and have adequate volume. Check the Sensitivity rating of any speakers you look at and if they have a 90 dB (decibel) rating or higher they will be fine and not require a lot of watts from the amplifier. Even dropping the sensitivity rating to 87 dB would require double the power from the amplifier so make sure they have a 90 dB or higher Sensitivity rating.

Polk and Kicker are two brands of speaker that have models with 90 dB or higher sensitivity ratings.

 

[Wildman]

You can only fit 4.5" speakers in there. I have the same boxes in my TJ.

 

[t00th]

Sorry to resurrect. I just purchased these boxes and originally did not plan to use the speaker provisions but am now considering it. I've never messed with wiring of any kind. Replaced the OEM receiver with a modern one in my previous TJ 5 years ago, but that was it.

Can anyone give me a quick overview of what is required? @Jerry Bransford does your comment above mean that if you use speakers with a high enough sensitivity rating, you don't need any amplifier at all, just wire off the back of the head unit? Or just that you don't need AS powerful an amplifier with higher senstivity-rating speakers.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

So long as reasonable listening levels are the plan you should be good with your existing head unit so long as the new speakers have no less than a 90 dB Sensitivity rating. Polk and Kicker speakers are usually safe choices.

 

[C.J. Roberts]

Sorry to resurrect. I just purchased these boxes and originally did not plan to use the speaker provisions but am now considering it. I've never messed with wiring of any kind. Replaced the OEM receiver with a modern one in my previous TJ 5 years ago, but that was it.

Can anyone give me a quick overview of what is required?

The wiring would be simple. I would just splice into the soundbar speaker wiring, run the wires under the sport bar padding, under the edge of the tub and into the box.

 

[t00th]

Thank you both for your replies. I'll look into polk and kicker, and very happy to hear I can splice in and not worry about pulling the head unit. I hate doing that.

Actually, now that I think about it, the jeep already has a big length of speaker wire run under the sport bar and bunched up under the back carpet from when the PO had a sub installed (removed before sale). Any reason I couldn't just use this for the new speakers?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Thank you both for your replies. I'll look into polk and kicker, and very happy to hear I can splice in and not worry about pulling the head unit. I hate doing that.

Actually, now that I think about it, the jeep already has a big length of speaker wire run under the sport bar and bunched up under the back carpet from when the PO had a sub installed (removed before sale). Any reason I couldn't just use this for the new speakers?

Does your TJ have a sound bar mounted above your head? And that wiring for the subwoofer wouldn't have wiring for the left and right audio channels.

 

[t00th]

Does your TJ have a sound bar mounted above your head? And that wiring for the subwoofer wouldn't have wiring for the left and right audio channels.

Oh that's good to know. I'll just leave it be and try and splice into the sound bar wiring (it's there). Any idea where a good point to do this would be?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Oh that's good to know. I'll just leave it be and try and splice into the sound bar wiring (it's there). Any idea where a good point to do this would be?

Ok down to specifics. Your front speakers are oval-shaped 4x6", I would convert them to 5.25" round which will sound better using a 4x6 to 5.25" adapter plate like at https://www.amazon.com/Wrangler-Unl...Aftermarket/dp/B009DHE462/?tag=wranglerorg-20

The sound bar came with 5.25" speakers but you can replace them with 6.5" without modification. Just use self-tapping wood screws which will screw right into the sound bar's wood frame. I did that with my sound bar and they worked great.

What you do need to know about is each pair of wires for the speakers have a + and - wire so they are polarity sensitive. They will still work if you get them reversed but they won't sound as good. Let me know what year TJ you have and I can give you the wiring colors for the front and rear speakers so you'll know which way to connect the wiring.

 

[t00th]

Ok down to specifics. Your front speakers are oval-shaped 4x6", I would convert them to 5.25" round which will sound better using a 4x6 to 5.25" adapter plate like at https://www.amazon.com/Wrangler-Unl...Aftermarket/dp/B009DHE462/?tag=wranglerorg-20

The sound bar came with 5.25" speakers but you can replace them with 6.5" without modification. Just use self-tapping wood screws which will screw right into the sound bar's wood frame. I did that with my sound bar and they worked great.

What you do need to know about is each pair of wires for the speakers have a + and - wire so they are polarity sensitive. They will still work if you get them reversed but they won't sound as good. Let me know what year TJ you have and I can give you the wiring colors for the front and rear speakers so you'll know which way to connect the wiring.

Hey I appreciate it! It's a 97.

The PO installed new front and rear speakers but I'm not sure if he upgraded the size. I'll measure them and see if I have room to grow. Def wouldn't be unhappy with some more juice.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Hey I appreciate it! It's a 97.

The PO installed new front and rear speakers but I'm not sure if he upgraded the size. I'll measure them and see if I have room to grow. Def wouldn't be unhappy with some more juice.

The factory wire size is more than up to the job, no need to worry about that. When wiring speakers the two speaker lugs will somehow be identified as to their polarity with either a + or - or have a bit of red on it indicating the + side of the speaker connections.

Below are the wire colors for your speakers. And the only wires you need to worry about are all highlighted in yellow. They are all labeled either + or -, just make sure they get connected to the - and + terminals of your speakers. That'll keep the speakers in phase with each other so they're all pushing and pulling together at the same time. That will improve bass and center the sound between the speakers.

Let me know if you need any help figuring out the wiring colors. Here's a hint.... the top left rear speaker - wire BR LB decodes as a brown wire with a light blue tracer running down it.

 

[t00th]

The factory wire size is more than up to the job, no need to worry about that. When wiring speakers the two speaker lugs will somehow be identified as to their polarity with either a + or - or have a bit of red on it indicating the + side of the speaker connections.

Below are the wire colors for your speakers. And the only wires you need to worry about are all highlighted in yellow. They are all labeled either + or -, just make sure they get connected to the - and + terminals of your speakers. That'll keep the speakers in phase with each other so they're all pushing and pulling together at the same time. That will improve bass and center the sound between the speakers.

Let me know if you need any help figuring out the wiring colors. Here's a hint.... the top left rear speaker - wire BR LB decodes as a brown wire with a light blue tracer running down it.



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You're the man. Once our weather breaks and I can get the soft top back on, I'm gonna install these tuffy boxes and address all the audio stuff at once. I have a feeling this will be invaluable. Really appreciate all the advice and the offer to help. I may just end up back in this thread if I run into trouble