AU Ford Falcon - SPUD Project

Speakers

Speakers

Sizes

The size of most speakers across the AU Falcon range are 5x7” oval speakers, which is a non-standard size. Note that 6x9” speakers can be used in both locations with some modifications, however additional holes will need to be drilled to allow for them, and special care must be taken for the front door speakers depth, as they can foul the window mechanism.

Popular replacements for these speakers are the Kenwood KFC-PS5796C, as they require no amp and are a drop-in replacement, barring the plug (explained in installation steps)

Exceptions to this include:

• Wagon Rear Speakers (speakers are seemingly 4-5”)

Plug

The standard speakers used in the AU Falcon are known as a 250 Series Quick Connect 2-way connector. They are easy enough to identify as they have a T-shaped housing on them. There are many manufacturers for these connectors, and such it should be relatively trivial to find one from an Automotive Shop.

Note that the Loom end connector is the female terminal housing and that the factory speakers were fitted with male terminal housings.

Picture taken from Narva product page for a pack of both 1 male terminal housing (left) and one female terminal housing (right) (product code 56272BL)

Further information

The following miscellaneous information is known about the Speakers in the AU Falcon:

• lower and/or earlier models contain unknown branded speakers. Only visible markings are a Ford logo and a Ford part number.
• Models fitted with Premium Audio System known to have Pioneer branded speakers. These Pioneer speakers appear to have propagated to lower models by the AUIII

Replacement

You will need a uncommon bit for the below listed jobs, an E6 E-Torx socket. These can be found in certain screwdriver or socket sets, but are a specialty bit in most cases. Alternatively there is known success using either a 5mm standard socket or a pair of vice grip pliers (however either of these options should only be used if a new screw is going to replace it, as it will likely damage the head of the screw)

Front Door Speakers

Follow the steps below to replace the front door speakers:

1. Remove the door card, noting the following:
   • Manual window winding models will need to have the handle removed first (use a phillips head screwdriver)
   • Electronic window models will need to have the button plate gently removed (use a trim removal tool or a flat head screwdriver)
   • The mirror switch will need to be unplugged (if drivers door)
   • Extra care will need to be taken around the door lock stalk (if drivers door)

   

   Photo of screw locations

2. Remove the 4 screws holding the speaker into place and unplug the speaker from the wiring loom

   After removal, it may be a good idea to clean up the door, as the surfaces where the speaker and door meet is prone to crust and rust, seemingly as a result of adhesives used at some point

   

   Photos of the speaker screw locations in the door assembly, and the door post-removal respectively

3. Do one of the following:

   • If keeping the original loom, create or purchase an adapter with a male housing 2 way quick connector on one end, and the spade connectors for your speakers on the other

     Manufacturers such as Aerpro can provide these adapters at time of writing, part number ``

   • If modifying the loom, cut and crimp the spade connectors for your speakers onto the loom. As much slack as possible should be secured to the door or the back of the speaker, to avoid interference with other components

     Regardless of method used, note:

     • On the plug, the top connection (horizontal pin) is the negative
     • If you are comfortable with a soldering iron, adding a little bit of solder to the connector pin before inserting it into the housing makes for a stronger connection

     

     Example of a loom made for a set of Kenwood speakers

     

     Photo of the wires from the back of the plug in the door side of the wiring loom. Note the wire with the Black line is Negative, and the one with the Green line is Positive

4. Connect your speaker to the wiring harness and reinstall into the door

   Now is a good time to test that the speakers are connected correctly by turning on the radio

   

   Photo of speaker installed. Note you can use the original screws, or the new screws and brackets from the new speakers if wanted/needed

5. Reinstall the door card, remembering to reconnect the window winder handle (on manual winding models) or the electronic window panel (on electronic window models)
6. Done

Rear Speakers - Sedan

Rear Sedan speakers can be upgraded to 6x9” speakers with relative simplicity. See the 6x9 upgrade guide for more information

Follow these steps below to replace the rear shelf speakers (Sedan only):

1. Use a trim removal tool or a small flat head screwdriver to remove the speaker cover(s) on the shelf
2. Remove the 4 screws holding the speaker into place and unplug the speaker(s) from the wiring loom

Photo of the screw locations for the rear shelf speaker. Note mesh covers not present (see note below)

The rear shelf speakers contain mesh covers similar to the factory speakers in the front doors, however these are prone to separation from the speaker assembly due to the direct sunlight exposure of these speakers. A common temporary fix is to carefully remove these covers to remove the vibration, however this leaves the cone more exposed to damage and debris.

1. Do one of the following:
   • If keeping the original loom, create 1-2 (as needed) adapters with a 2 way quick connector on one end, and the spade connectors for your speakers on the other
   • If modifying the loom, cut and crimp or solder the spade connectors for your speakers onto the loom, noting that the wire in the loom with a black line in it is always negative

   Regardless of method used, note:

   • On the plug, the top connection (horizontal pin) is the negative
   • If you are comfortable with a soldering iron, adding a little bit of solder to the connector pin before inserting it into the housing makes for a stronger connection

   

   Example of a loom made for a set of Kenwood speakers

2. Connect your speaker(s) to the wiring loom and reinstall into the shelf

   Now is a good time to test that the speakers are connected correctly by turning on the radio

3. Place cover back onto speakers
4. Done

Rear Speakers - Wagon

Lack of images in this section due to project only involving Sedan

Follow these steps below to replace the rear C-Pillar speakers (Wagon only):

1. Remove the plastic C-Pillar upper trim. Note that this is held in with screws and will require the removal of the outer cushioning for the rear seats
2. Remove all plastic clips and screws holding the cloth panelling on the side of the car you are working on, and remove or peel back the panel itself to reveal the speakers. Remove the 4 screws holding in the speakers and remove
3. Do one of the following:
   • If keeping the original loom, create 1-2 (as needed) adapters with a 2 way quick connector on one end, and the spade connectors for your speakers on the other
   • If modifying the loom, cut and crimp or solder the spade connectors for your speakers onto the loom noting that the wire in the loom with a black line in it is always negative

   Regardless of method used, note:

   • On the plug, the top connection (horizontal pin) is the negative
   • If you are comfortable with a soldering iron, adding a little bit of solder to the connector pin before inserting it into the housing makes for a stronger connection

   

   Example of a loom made for a set of Kenwood speakers

4. Connect your speaker(s) to the wiring harness and reinstall into the body

   Now is a good time to test that the speakers are connected correctly by turning on the radio

5. Reinstall the cloth trim for the side of the car you are working on, and reinstall all plastic clips and screws.
6. Reinstall the C-Pillar trim and the outer cushioning for the rear seats, remembering to screw in the trim itself
7. Done

Rear Speakers - Ute

Lack of images in this section due to project only involving Sedan

Ute rear speakers were optional, but should have the same 5x7” speakers as the Sedans. Ensure this is correct BEFORE performing these steps

1. Use a trim removal tool or a small flat head screwdriver to remove the speaker cover(s) on the rear panel
2. Remove the 4 screws holding the speaker into place and unplug the speaker(s) from the wiring loom
3. Do one of the following. For either step, keep in mind that the negative for each speaker is the wire with a black line in it:
   • If keeping the original loom, create 1-2 (as needed) adapters with a 2 way quick connector on one end, and the spade connectors for your speakers on the other
   • If modifying the loom, cut and crimp or solder the spade connectors for your speakers onto the loom

   Regardless of method used, note:

   • On the plug, the top connection (horizontal pin) is the negative
   • If you are comfortable with a soldering iron, adding a little bit of solder to the connector pin before inserting it into the housing makes for a stronger connection

   

   Example of a loom made for a set of Kenwood speakers

4. Connect your speaker(s) to the wiring harness and reinstall into the rear panel

   Now is a good time to test that the speakers are connected correctly by turning on the radio

5. Place cover back onto speakers
6. Done