DIY Speaker Upgrade - 2011 Ford Escape

I decided to upgrade the speaker system in my 2011 Ford Escape. I've never done this before, but it's actually quite easy and not too time consuming. The only challenge I faced was tying the wires together because there is not enough factory wire to work with. This DIY video works for all 2008 - 2012 Ford Escapes and the 2008 - 2011 Mercury Mariner.
Disclaimer : If you choose to use the information in this video for your own benefit of repair purposes via the information or "hands-on" practices seen in this video, I will not be held liable for any negative result (such as damage, unsuccessful repair or any injury of any kind) that can take place if you are attempting to do the repair yourself. These videos are solely for the purpose of entertainment and mostly follow my journey of ownership with the cars I document. The repairs that I perform on these vehicles are part of my documentation process and may not always be the best or safest way of doing the repair. If you do attempt to do any repair on your own vehicle, always make sure to follow all safety protocols like wearing eye protectant, wearing gloves, using the proper tools and lift equipment, etc. and be sure to look up the proper service procedure. Do not attempt any repair if you do not have the knowledge or have uncertainty about performing the job yourself, in which case you should seek a professional mechanic or technician.

[@minimomamon]

Good video bro, what is the size of the speakers?

[@1notgilty]

Thanks for the tutorial on removing the door panel. It was VERY helpful.

[@_.tallman]

funny, I had a grand prix that had decent audio, and I just got a 2011 Mercury Mariner with garbage audio. If your head unit was anything like mine, I could only adjust bass and treble. wasn't cutting it for me so I upgraded to an android powered head unit. but then I realized the stock speakers didn't quite have enough power, so after a quick trip to best buy, here I am.

[@scoop4363]

Just installed 4 JBL Concert 8621Fs in my 2011. Crutchfield included the wire harness adapters for free. Installed all 4 in less than an hour. Spent less that $200. Good enough for factory stereo. Huge on the bass, had to dial it back. Highs are crisp. A little shallow on the mids but not bad. For the time and money, I'm happy.

[@scoop4363]

@Noah Musgrave Remember mine is a 2011 Escape. So, with all 4 speakers replaced, factory stereo, no upgrades, yes the bass was boosted in a big way. It's tight, clear, and intense. Again this is all in comparison to factory speakers. The high frequencies are there and are crisp. The mid-range is off by only a little but that could very well be due to my particular hearing. I have excellent hearing, especially for my age (64), but I do have chronic tinnitus (ringing in the ears) that is perceived as an unending tone of about 6-8 kHz. If your Escape has more than treble and bass control (that's all my car offers), you should be able to gain pretty close to any sound level you want. For the price I have no complaints about the speakers. The Ford stereo leaves something to be desired though. The sound controls are all stepped and do not offer infinitely small adjustments. For example, the fade control is either a little too much to the front or a little too much to the rear. No matter what I do with the other controls, I can't get it centered front-to-back, but that's the car not the speakers. There were not any perceived issues with power from the factory stereo. You're not going to rattle the windows, but I get all the volume I want. JBL has always worked for me. I'm in Nashville and have been around all manner of sound systems since I was a kid. This might be one of those rare times I actually got a little more than I paid for.

[@joec3305]

My god i really don't understand why they don't just have a separate cover over the speakers instead of taking the whole panel off?????...But anyways thanks for the information i had my front ones installed but on the back i am gonna do this myself and save 75 bucks thanks.

[@scoop4363]

Agreed.

[@gdpgdp5902]

what size speakers does it use?

[@dominicbakken]

5x7 oem ford mustang, all f series 85- 2010 escort focus ...

[@rosscoursey4979]

@@dominicbakken Incorrect. They are 6x8 speakers up front. Those are kicker csc68

[@stonerherbivore6663]

What kind of wire was used to add to the factory wire? Where could I purchase the additional wire? Thank you! This video is great!

[@kato223]

Might I interject that the connector on the OEM speaker can be removed and the solder removed. The wire with the stripe should be soldered on the pin closest to the clip. Then you can make your own harness for your new speaker without the need to remove the harness from the door. Cover with electrical tape to keep them from shorting out by hitting the metal of the door. And now if you end up with OEM speakers in the future you can reconnect them without problems because the original harness is still there.

[@BillyDhillon]

Thank you, I was curious if I can repurpose the factory connector to prevent from splicing the harness. I might have to try that.

[@MrTransporter313]

Actually u can just stick the wires in there instead just make sure u do electrical tape n all. That’s what I just did instead of dickin around and cutting wires and all

[@Hikingaroundandsuch]

Thanks!! Installing a new speaker today. This was very helpful!

[@seabee03]

Thank you, you just saved me $200.

[@seangowan7441]

You should have rolled down all the windows to make sure the speaker magnet clears the window, window track, etc. Because the new speaker magnet is bigger than the stock ones.

[@MichaelAdamsRocks]

It was fine.

[@Mr_Meowingtons]

I'm thinking of doing all 4 in my Escape how much of an improvement was there?

[@helenashaw9630]

Link for the speaker? I am trying to find this exact one but want to make sure it's the same! 😊

[@kanji9017]

Thanks for the video helped, had the same speakers also had to use electric tape, update video with them used for a bit?

[@MichaelAdamsRocks]

I actually traded in the car back in 2018. I had one issue with one of the door speakers coming untapped. My advise now is if you can save the factory speaker connectors and buy a kit to properly wire in the new speakers to it, DO THAT! Hahaha. If the tape method is all you've got, that's fine. Just make sure you have the wires tied together nice and tight before you tape them.

[@OswalCCS]

@MichaelAdamsRocks hello my friend a question as they are called in detail please the speakers you placed to the Ford Scape 2008-2012

[@computeraisle]

Nice - exactly like mine! I think my son cranked his rap a little too loud, and blew at least 2 of my speakers. Thanks for the walkthrough!

[@NoferTrunions]

Did you consider pulling a Premium Sound w/Sub from a junk yard and installing?

[@MichaelAdamsRocks]

Not at the time, but I don’t have the car anymore

[@pedromiranda3455]

That's cool bro! But the Speakers of the Mercury sounds exellent stock with the AudioPhile sign, I thought that it has the same on Ford but it doesn't.

[@MichaelAdamsRocks]

The AudioPhile was an option on the Ford version, but not equipped on mine

[@scottdavis1958]

The 😺 love it

[@dnbstreamer]

nice chevelle song

[@MichaelAdamsRocks]

😁

[@Vogenitz69]

How does it sound compared to stock now that you have installed all 4?

[@MichaelAdamsRocks]

+Vogenitz69 Way better than those stock ones. They provide a good balance of bass and high end compared to the stock speakers.

[@BiGoOcH]

MichaelAdamsRocks Are you using the stock radio ? i was contemplating those speakers or pioneer. How do they sound . Enough Bass?

[@jackson2620]

door skin is the outside of the door, the inside is the door panel. also that factory system puts out crap for watts. without a external amp you wont notice very much. those speakers want power the factory system can't deliver.

[@MichaelAdamsRocks]

Sounded fine to me. That’s all that mattered.

[@DiegoArmandovich]

Factory system made by SANYO, it's not bad at all. Sounds ok, but (of course) some head unit from Pioneer or Kenwood + external amp will be closer to ''awsome'' or ''perfect'')))

[@moralesruben974]

good video good work, greetings my stereo from my ford escape 2010 does not have much volume I don't know how to listen loudly I have to do thanks and greetings

[@icelord9438]

A limiter might have been set it’s one of the features for teen drivers it can be changed

[@moralesruben974]

@@icelord9438 thank you! greetings you could help how to do that with a short video or tutorial good job thanks @ice lord

[@jayprice6003]

Aye those kickers louder than the stock my driver speaker is low

[@MichaelAdamsRocks]

They were louder

[@ansarabdullah9276]

HOW MANY WATTS

[@leedress2187]

thanks for showing me how to get the door off. :-)

[@jaimeapaza]

The sound sound ?

[@blacksharkus]

Thanks alot dude!

[@inder605]

is this any different if it’s the hybrid?

[@MichaelAdamsRocks]

Shouldn't be, I'd think.

[@jonnybisson8095]

Sure wish I could type in a mother fucking question and actually have it answered. Amazon fucked me im pretty sure. But it all started here. Seeing how this is where I got all my information. What do I do if I ordered the complete wiring harness kit for a 2008 Mercury mariner and they send me half of the wiring harness I guess come to find out I guess I don't know cause I don't know. I didn't get any instructions just a fucking box with a fucking new stereo dash kit that was all cracked and scuffed up. But I can't find one video that explains if I even have the right wiring harness. Because every picture that I've seen so far as to why are you harnesses not one. And I got one figured out how to wire. That was pretty easy but I get nothing now on my stereo so obviously I need the other plug the plug in to something. And then to find out what the fuck are you put those wires up to on the other plug and where I plug it in at is beyond me. I can't even type in 2008 Mercury better without it sending me to a video of a Ford Explorer. I don't give a fuck how identical they are I don't give a fuck I typed in mercury bear with the fucking year everything and what shows up Ford eXplorer.????? WTF.

[@elenam680]

What size speaker do i need?

[@MichaelAdamsRocks]

I think these were 6 x 8

[@sprayedi]

I put 6,5" round ones on mine with plastic adapters on each door, so that is always an option.

[@johndi1962]

@@sprayedi where did you get the plastic adaptors from, is there a part number!

[@sprayedi]

@@johndi1962 search Ebay: CT25FD04 That is what I used on my Ford Maverick (Escape) 2006 for front and rear doors.

[@chunkybluntz9784]

Dude why would you cut wires when you can but the speaker replacement harness? That's just idiotic.

[@MichaelAdamsRocks]

+David Leaming because I couldn't find the harness to buy

[@myfitness3686]

With size speakers that require

[@MichaelAdamsRocks]

These were 6X8 speakers I believe.

[@joeg.1119]

MichaelAdamsRocks what's the point of doing just the 2 front ones that's stupid

[@MichaelAdamsRocks]

You're right. That is pretty stupid.

[@joeg.1119]

MichaelAdamsRocks I mean bro at least you should of done all 4 that would of been better than the shitty speakers that ford escapes comes with trust me they suck ass I have a 2015 ford fusion 2.0L ecoboost titanium and i have the Sony 10 speakers and they suck too I change all my speakers to crecendo's mp6 with 10 crescendo super tweeters and upgraded my stock sub woofer to mid mass speaker and in my truck I got the 2 12's cvx kickers with the ported Probox and I did the "big 4"electrical upgrade with the machman alternator and the xs battery and sounds 💯% better than the shitty ass speakers that ford put in, I spend 3k in my sound system but to me it's all worth it bro you should do the same I recommended

[@MichaelAdamsRocks]

I did all 4. I only had the front 2 when I made this video. The back 2 were installed a few days later.

[@moog8008]

I was interested in learning how it should be done, nothing else. Please consider editing your video. Thank you.

[@MichaelAdamsRocks]

Did this video not teach you how to do it?

[@maddogdidi8460]

@@MichaelAdamsRocks i think he was sarcastic lol