DIY mounting 6x9" speakers in parcel shelf

I really wanted the deeper sound that 6x9 speakers provided. So a while back I got myself some beautiful 6x9 alpine type S speakers, and tried to find some info on how to mount them but couldn't find any. So I improvised, with brilliant results. And recently a few people have asked how I mounted them, so here's a DIY for mounting 6x9's in the rear of a CG/CH (some of this info may also be useful for those wanting to mount them in CE's too). While all the pictures are focused on fitting in 6x9 grilles, I've tried to include some pointers for reusing the stock grilles also for those who would prefer that.

It does require a fair bit of modification of the parcel shelf as the stock speaker holes in the parcel shelf are for stock 6" and therefore unless you are also putting in some pretty big spacers, the speaker will not sit far enough down to be flush with the shelf, so these holes will need either 1: cutting out or 2. hammering down to make room for the wider speaker (I did this as I didn't have access to suitable cutting equipment)

Tools needed:
10mm, 12mm + 17mm socket + ratchet
Phillips screwdriver
Phillips screwdriver bit + matching socket + ratchet:
Thin mdf sheet
Any saw for cutting wood
File with a round side
6x9 speaker template (usually tears out of the grille packaging)
Pencil
Material for re-carpeting the parcel shelf (unless you are reusing stock grilles) because otherwise you'll have some pretty ugly gaps through which you can see the mdf
Spray adhesive
Soldering kit for the wiring


Seat removal
I won't include pics for this
Simply pull up the bottom section so it pops out, remove from car, then use the 12mm socket to unbolt the back section of the seats (3 bolts all along the bottom) and lift the whole seat back up, pull towards you and it's off. Throw it out of the way


Parcel shelf removal
This is very easy. You will need to unbolt the middle seat belt using the 17mm socket (IIRC), get inside the boot and unbolt the top break light surround (spoilerless cars only) with 10mm socket, unscrew the surround for the seat belt and pull both off. Then unscrew the stock speaker grilles from inside the boot, pull those off, and unscrew and unplug the stock speakers and pull out. Now the parcel shelf can be popped off, just pull upwards. Don't be afraid to use a little force, it can be quite tricky to pull out. You can then remove. You will be left with this (minus my modelling speaker):
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Wiring
To wire the new speakers the stock plugs need to be clipped off. Clip the new speaker wires on to the speakers, have a look at which is positive and negative, then solder the positive (white and blue) to the wire on the positive clip on the speaker and the negative (yellow and red) to the wire on the negative clip. Wrap up with electrical tape and wiring job done
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Mdf mounting sheets for 6x9 (ignore if reusing stock grilles)
I used mdf to make new 6x9 holes, which was cut out using the templates that came with the speakers (not sure if all brands of speakers come with these, I've only ever bought alpine)
To make the mdf housing, mark on where you want to cut round the hole roughly by holding it over the holes on the shelf, and cut out a square-ish shape for sticking to the shelf. Then the 6x9 hole can be cut out. Draw round the template on the mdf, cut it out using a jigsaw or other such saw, and use a round file to smooth it out.
To make identical wood housing for the other side, draw round the first housing and cut another piece out. This helps you get an identical angle on the other speaker. Tbh the original parcel shelf will only allow one angle without hacking it up, so don't worry too much about accidentally mounting them at different angles.
Sikkaflex the mdf mounts to the underside (or topside of parcel shelf, which may help with clearing the metal shelf but will have a silly looking ridge unless you've cut the outside of the mdf very well) and use some form of clamp to hold it until dry. When it is dry, you can pop the shelf back on, as this will help with knowing where to modify the metal.
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Metal shelf modification
Option 1: Cut out larger holes, which would probably be the best if you are reusing stock grilles. Use the template to mark where you want to cut, and cut it out. Drill holes to bolt in the speakers, and at this point you can slot the speaker into the hole and bolt it on (may need spacers so crosswires do not hit the bottom of the speaker when boot is closed). If you're reusing stock grilles, at this point you can put the parcel shelf back on, replace everything which was removed. Sorry for lack of info/pics on this method, I didn't do this so I don't have pics.

Option 2: Hammer parcel shelf down. Very much a ghetto job, but worked perfectly for me with my lack of metal cutting tools. It does take a lot of hammering and pulling down with the hook end, just be careful of the rear window. Short but forceful strokes with the hammer.
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Keep resting the speaker in the hole to see if more hammering is needed, or if it sits flush:
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Securing speakers
For securing mine, I just screwed the speakers into the wood. It wasn't necessary to bolt them to the metal shelf as they weren't touching it at all, so no vibrations or anything. As the window is in the way and prevents use of a normal screwdriver, to screw them in, I used a phillips screwdriver bit from my electric screwdriver, in a matching socket and ratchet:
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Re-carpeting the shelf
This couldn't be easier. Spray adhesive and whatever material you want. The shelf will need to be removed again to do this. First cut out a rectangle of the material that will cover the whole shelf, spray the whole shelf with adhesive and press the material onto the shelf. Then cut around the edges leaving a little overhang, spray the overhang and wrap over the edge of the shelf. Cut out slits, holes, etc for speakers and seatbelts.
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Replace all seatbelts, bolts, seats, whatever else you removed. When putting the seat backs back on be sure that the top hooks in properly.
Chuck everything back on, and hopefully end up with this:
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Any more questions, feel free to ask. I tried to include all relevant instructions, but I may have forgotten a few things as I have done this DIY a couple of months after actually installing them...
 
Nice work man. Being able to now visualise this it makes it so much easier to understand.
 
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