2020 XLT Stereo Upgrade

[Jerald Cook]

Thanks for posting these pictures. I am looking to make upgrades to my 2020 6 speaker system soon. Still looking for a little guidance on speakers, amps, etc. A sub would be nice also.

I'm in the same boat at you. I'd like to upgrade my 2020 6 speaker system as well (202A, if it makes a difference). I'm not quite ready to take a Dremel to my new car yet, so upgrades would be limited to new speakers in the factory locations, maybe a small sub in the back, and removing the factory EQ limitations in FORScan.

Any opinions on how much of an improvement I could expect? Is this half-step update worth the hassle or do I just hold off until I'm ready to add speakers to non-factory locations?

 

[JKautz]

I'm in the same boat at you. I'd like to upgrade my 2020 6 speaker system as well (202A, if it makes a difference). I'm not quite ready to take a Dremel to my new car yet, so upgrades would be limited to new speakers in the factory locations, maybe a small sub in the back, and removing the factory EQ limitations in FORScan.

Any opinions on how much of an improvement I could expect? Is this half-step update worth the hassle or do I just hold off until I'm ready to add speakers to non-factory locations?

I would start by experimenting with the Forscan EQ fix. It’s like $10 for the software and $30 for the usb adaptor. You can always revert it if you don’t like it.

From what I can tell the factory stereo has very little power (like 5 watts RMS a speaker) so I’m not sure how much improvement you would get just with new speakers. I would add an amp for sure, but you can put that someplace hidden. No reason you can’t get rear speakers with the tweeter mounted to them so you don’t have to cut the rear door.

 

[JKautz]

Had a few emails about my parts list. Here is what I had:

Rockford Fosgate PBR300x4 (the amp I used)

Amp wiring kit (mostly for the power line to the battery and ground line)

50 feet of speaker wire (I had some leftover from another project, so you might need more)

Rockford Fosgate T1675-S (rear speakers/tweeters)

Infinity Reference REF-9630CX (front speakers/tweeters) - I wanted Rockford Fosgates, but took what I could get due to COVID

Metra 82-5606 and 82-5605 speaker brackets (mounts the speakers in the doors, you will need some sort of mount similar to this)

Metra 72-5602 speaker harnesses (4x) - they convert the factory harness in the door to the speaker connectors. Probably could skip and just cut the wires.

A bunch (like 25) 1" self tapping screws

A 6' x 10' piece of ABS plastic (mounted the crossovers in the doors on this material by cutting strips about 3' x 18")

Forscan software and USB adapter

A bunch of crimp connectors (somewhere around 50 were used)

 

[JKautz]

Here is a photo someone sent me showing how they put a sub in the Center Console to solve the bass issue, as well as their door install photos.





Stand below the sub.



Sub



Rear door



Front door

 

[lv2drive]

Here is a photo someone sent me showing how they put a sub in the Center Console to solve the bass issue

!!!!!!!!!

this sub idea is amazing

 

[SWTB0BCAT]

!!!!!!!!!

this sub idea is amazing

I wonder how much rattling that would cause?

 

[8131full]

I'll post my build and review once complete, but in the meantime here is my solution to the subwoofer problem. I did look at those 'under-seat' subs; most reviews were not positive. This is an 8" powered sub mounted in the cavity between the 2nd and 3rd rows. If you happened to see my post on another thread about removing the 3rd row headrest - this is why.

 

[SWTB0BCAT]

I'll post my build and review once complete, but in the meantime here is my solution to the subwoofer problem. I did look at those 'under-seat' subs; most reviews were not positive. This is an 8" powered sub mounted in the cavity between the 2nd and 3rd rows. If you happened to see my post on another thread about removing the 3rd row headrest - this is why.

View attachment 40165

This looks awesome, but I am still trying to figure out where this is exactly? Does it prevent you from using the 3rd row?

 

[8131full]

This looks awesome, but I am still trying to figure out where this is exactly? Does it prevent you from using the 3rd row?

My 3rd row is only used for dog transport, so the seats are always down. I've only used them as a seat 1x in all the time i've had it. So its the space on the floor infront of the retracted 3rd row. The 2nd row can still go flat or upright with no issues.

 

[bamanut_aj]

Found this thread through a Google search!

i, too, have a 2020 XLT. I love everything about it except for the horrible stereo. I am willing to go through the deal to get the next stereo up.

1. Is the next one up 9 speakers? Or just ‘improved‘ sound via a speaker upgrade or an amp, from the dealer?

OR

2. would I keep the Ford stereo, and add aftermarket amp and speakers?

OR

3. how the heck do you do that ForScan thing? Does it really help?


I grew up in the 80’s. We swapped out car stereos all the time! This stuff now is way above my pay level, man. Thanks for the help!

 

[Don Ved]

Hello, I have a 2019 Limited Expedition with the 12 speaker B&O stereo. I have a Hertz H8 DSP that I’m trying to utilize. Where is everyone splicing into the factory speaker wires to get signal to the DSP?

 

[GGecko311]

Thank you for this post! I have been wanting to know if someone had started to upgrade their stereo in these yet. I have a 2022 XLT ordered without the B&O stereo and I'm not looking forward to the factory stereo. I have Hertz-Millie legend's in my Tahoe now with (4) Fosgate 10's. Sounds incredible and I am going to miss it. I don't have the old speakers so I may just sell the stereo with the car.

I was playing on Crutchfield and looks like Focal makes 6x9's for the front door and 6.5 for rear with the Ford specific wire connectors.

 

[Don Ved]

Lol! I just sold my Raptor and took my Hertz Mille Pros out and put the stock speakers back in. I also took out all of my amps, DSP and power/ground wires. I used the APH-FD02 harness from PAC that connected into the factory amp and also provided speaker wire leads to the Hertz DSP. I called PAC and they explained that the 2019 Expedition also uses the APH-FD02. I then tried to install everything from the Raptor to the Expedition but the plug from the APH-FD02 does not fit the Expedition properly and will not allow my right front or right rear door speakers to work.
Looks like I’m going to have to hard wire into the speaker leads but not sure of the location to tap the wires.

 

[WyoExpy]

Will this information work with the 2023 Expedition?

 

[5280tunage]

Hello, I have a 2019 Limited Expedition with the 12 speaker B&O stereo. I have a Hertz H8 DSP that I’m trying to utilize. Where is everyone splicing into the factory speaker wires to get signal to the DSP?

curious on this too.

 

[HILLY]

Here is a photo someone sent me showing how they put a sub in the Center Console to solve the bass issue, as well as their door install photos.


View attachment 40162

Sub

Resurrecting, but I coincidentally had a brainstorm about putting an under seat sub in the console. GM does this with the Tahoe/Subs with the Bose systems. Didn't sound too bad. Bass was up front. JL Audio even had a Stealth Box upgrade, so that couldn't have sounded bad either. Instead of the storage area, I was thinking of the possibility of under the shifter/cupholder area?

 

[HILLY]

curious on this too.

LPHFD21

Simplifies audio equipment installation. Provides all necessary high level inputs and speaker outputs for aftermarket audio equipment. Vehicle-Specific Audio Integration T-Harness

catalog.pac-audio.com

Not sure if this would work.