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Ford Mustang GT 2005-2014: How to Install Door Sub

Whether your door subwoofers are broken or you're looking for a better range in your Mustang GT's stereo setup, this article is for you.

By Jared Hammond - October 19, 2015
Contributors: Black Chrome

This article applies to the Ford Mustang GT (2005-2014).

The Shaker 500 stereo system on the Ford Mustang GT is a pretty good factory setup, but it still has some limitations. What makes the Shaker 500 system different from the standard sound system is that it adds a pair of dual coil subwoofers to the doors right below the component speakers. Replacing the door subwoofer isn't simple because the mounting depth for the subwoofer enclosure is so small that only a handful of aftermarket subwoofers will fit. So really make sure that the ones you have will fit inside the door.

Materials Needed

  • Replacement subwoofer (8" diameter and less than 3 1/4" depth)
  • Phillips screwdriver
  • Flat head screwdriver
  • Pry tool
  • Ratchet with 7mm, 8mm, and 10mm socket
  • T20 and T30 Torx screwdrivers
  • Needle nose pliers
  • Wire stripper and crimper
  • Crimp terminals (two male and two female)
  • Drill

Step 1 – Remove the door panel

Start with the corner speaker. Pry off the speaker cover and unplug the speaker. Pry off the panel behind the door handle, and then remove the screw there. Pry off the panel near the arm rest and remove the screw there. Pry off the window controls, unplug the controls, and remove the screw there. Remove the 7mm screws all around the edge of the door panel. Some are hidden behind plastic tabs.

  • Figure 1. Remove corner speaker.
  • Figure 2. Remove the screw behind the door handle.
  • Figure 3. Remove the window controls.
  • Figure 4. Remove the bolts around the edge of the door panel.

Disconnect the plug for the door lock. Then look for the long curved cable. Use your needle nose pliers to squeeze on the tabs at the end of the cable and push the cable out.

Figure 5. Remove the cable inside the door panel.

Step 2 – Remove the factory subwoofer

Get access to the back of the door panel. Remove the 10mm bolt on the back of the subwoofer. Then remove the cover for the subwoofer on the other side of the door panel. The subwoofer is held to the door panel by eight 7mm screws. Remove the screws, and then pull the factory subwoofer out of the enclosure. Cut the speaker wires two inches from the soldered terminals, and set the subwoofer aside.

  • Figure 6. Remove the bolts around the subwoofer.
  • Figure 7. Door panel subwoofer enclosure.

Step 3 – Install new subwoofer

You may need to modify the door panel enclosure for the new subwoofer to fit, since most will not be the right size. You'll need to cut off the guide pins around the outside of the enclosure in order to install a new mounting ring for the subwoofer. For larger subwoofers, this will require drilling new holes.

Figure 8. Subwoofer mounting ring.

For the wiring, you'll need to strip and crimp the factory wire to a pair of female connectors; then strip and crimp the subwoofer wires to a pair of male connectors. When you're ready to install, plug in the connectors and set the subwoofer as well as mounting ring in the door panel enclosure. Screw the ring and subwoofer to the door panel. Tighten down the bolt in the back if you can.

Figure 9. Install new subwoofer.

Pro Tip

Make sure to install the wires with the right polarity. Reversing them could eventually damage the subwoofer.

Step 4 – Reinstall door panel

Reverse the process from Step 1.

  • Reinsert screws around the edge of the door panel.
  • Reinsert screw behind window controller.
  • Reattach and plug in window controller.
  • Reinsert screw behind door handle.
  • Reattach door handle panel.
  • Reinsert screw behind arm rest.
  • Reattach arm rest panel.
  • Reconnect and attach corner speaker.

Featured Video: 2005-2009 Ford Mustang Speaker Install

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