Kicker KS 3.5" Dash Swap

[MoreOvalteenPlz]

Well, being that everything in my system was aftermarket except for the dash speakers, I figured it was about time for an upgrade. I purchased the Kicker's from Sonic Electronix for $50 shipped and the wiring harnesses from Crutchfield for $10 shipped. I wasn't expecting much of a difference in audio, but i figured $60 wasn't too bad of a price for curiousity. After removing the speaker covers (pry them up with your fingernail or a flathead), two 7mm bolts hold the stockers in place. Getting the bolts out is the most difficult part of the install, as it is hard to get a ratchet into the small space between the speaker and windshield. Upon removal of the bolts, the stockers just lift out to reveal the wiring harnesses. There is a small tab that sticks out on one side of the harnesses. Push it in and the harness slides away from the speaker. Plug the corresponding ends of the harness into the stock wiring and new speaker and place the Kicker into position. Replace the 7mm bolts and speaker cover, repeat for the opposite side of the truck and you are good to go. I left one side Kicker and one side stocker and switched the audio from left to right and was amazed at the night and day difference. The Kicker's are much brighter and bring the music to life.

Kicker KS 3.5 - Kicker KS35 (11KS35) 3-1/2" 2-way KS Coaxial Car Speakers

Wiring Harness - Metra 71-039 Speaker Wiring Adapters Work with select 1990-up vehicles — connect new speakers to factory wiring plugs at Crutchfield.com

Video of the Kicker's in my dash in action - 2012 RAM Dash Speaker Replacement - YouTube

 

[Graygoose]

Cool, sounds like the helped the front stage alot!

 

[WhiteExpress]

I keep toying with the idea of swaping out the front speakers.
I wish I could get a clean 6x9 component set. Oh well... I can't.

 

[Stroked]

Nice! I just put a pair of 3.5" Kickers in the dash of my '84 Chevy and they sound awesome. Definitely on the list for the Ram.

 

[Etroze86]

I am actually going to run a tweeter up in the dash and a pro audio 6.5 in the door and see how well I can get them to sound in an actively crossed over setup. If that doesn't sound good I'm going back to passively crossed component sets lol.

 

[arod412]

I have a set that im planning on selling if anybody is interested. They work great and I had it installed in my truck for about a week until I decided on getting a set of polk speakers.

 

[MoreOvalteenPlz]

Cool, sounds like the helped the front stage alot!

You didn't happen to be at the west side Walmart at around 9:45 p.m. this evening by any chance now did you?

 

[Graygoose]

You didn't happen to be at the west side Walmart at around 9:45 p.m. this evening by any chance now did you?

Believe it or not, that kid Ive seen around town looking at my truck on occation while I was at the gym. His was stock, until I saw it Saturday night at Rib Crib, he had the SAME DANG WHEELS and tires as me.

Only major difference is I have darkened headlights, and tinted tails, bedcover and no FOX decal on glass. Here is mine yesterday.

 

[Savfil]

I have kicker KS35's installed at the moment, but the other day I noticed that the left speaker was starting to sound 'crackly'. I usually play my music pretty loud, and it's not noticeable at high volumes, but when it's low volume, it definitely sounds scratchy. (Now, this may be because I push them to their limits or perhaps beyond), I'm wondering if anyone else has had this happen to them? I ordered Polk Audio DB351's today, and I'm hoping that they can hold up to high volumes a little better. (Also note that I use a high pass filter for all my speakers except my subwoofer, through the head unit).

 

[Savfil]

Believe it or not, that kid Ive seen around town looking at my truck on occation while I was at the gym. His was stock, until I saw it Saturday night at Rib Crib, he had the SAME DANG WHEELS and tires as me.

Only major difference is I have darkened headlights, and tinted tails, bedcover and no FOX decal on glass. Here is mine yesterday.

Haha, at least you know you have good taste in wheels/tires You sure have a sick looking truck my man!

 

[CaliDodgeRam]

I have a set that im planning on selling if anybody is interested. They work great and I had it installed in my truck for about a week until I decided on getting a set of polk speakers.

They are kickers? PM sent.

 

[Graygoose]

Haha, at least you know you have good taste in wheels/tires You sure have a sick looking truck my man!

thanks man, talked to my paint buddy, he said now maybe we need to do some customizing to mine to make it stand out over his...LOL

 

[VdubBry]

I added these to my truck as well. They definitely sound better but I was curious about the setup since the stockers are 8ohm and the kickers are 4ohm.

 

[kkreit01]

^ Did you measure? Regardless, it's fine. My center dash speaker measured 4 ohms nominal. My corner dash speakers measured 2 nominal.

 

[VdubBry]

Hmm not sure how to measure. Do you just measure the resistance across the terminals? My stock speakers were stamped on the bottom 8ohm.

 

[Etroze86]

Ohm meter across the terminals.

 

[kkreit01]

Hmm not sure how to measure. Do you just measure the resistance across the terminals? My stock speakers were stamped on the bottom 8ohm.

That's odd. It must be another '13 change. Yep -- just measure resistence across the leads on speaker.

 

[Lhemi]

There's another white Exspress running around Mid West City, it's a 4x4 though.

 

[fivehead1]

I have kicker KS35's installed at the moment, but the other day I noticed that the left speaker was starting to sound 'crackly'. I usually play my music pretty loud, and it's not noticeable at high volumes, but when it's low volume, it definitely sounds scratchy. (Now, this may be because I push them to their limits or perhaps beyond), I'm wondering if anyone else has had this happen to them? I ordered Polk Audio DB351's today, and I'm hoping that they can hold up to high volumes a little better. (Also note that I use a high pass filter for all my speakers except my subwoofer, through the head unit).

I noticed the same thing with mine today, just when low frequencies are being played. I have some inline bass blockers on the way in the mail. Hopefully they solve the problem.

 

[VdubBry]

Same issue here with the kicker 3.5". I have them disconnected now and ordered some bass blockers. If that don't fix it ill just send them back and stick with nothing in the dash.