This was posted about months ago by a member, who suggested either taking the back deck off, or option 2, popping off the speaker covers and taking the speakers out directly.

I wanted to add my opinion to anyone thinking of taking the task of removing the back 6x9son. Without a doubt, the job is very easy just by popping off your speaker grills and taking the speakers out from the rear deck directly without removing all the trim pieces, seat etc. If you have a 1/4 drive rachet, 2" extension, and socket, after you take the speaker grills off (they come right off with a minimal amount of prying with a flat head screwdriver) you can reach the 4 screws that hold the 6x9 in from the top.
The extension lets you get down in there to reach the screw heads.

After you remove the 4 screws, open up the trunk, climb in, and you can push the speakers out the top of the rear deck by pushing underneath the speaker. It doesn't come out all that easily, but working on one side and angling it out, the speaker will pop out without too much trouble.

Then to install the new aftermarket 6x9, get back in the truck and put it in from the bottom--it will fit much easier and faster than trying to put it in from the top. Again kind of angle it in and it'll fit right up in there. Then put your four screws back in and it'* secure.

Then do your wiring hookups. Popping the stock grill covers back on is a snap too...there are groves cut into the deck that you can just pop right back into, maybe a little bending of the front tabs nearest to you to get them back in their slot....but they fit back in and the grill fits tight like normal.

Whole process takes 30 min. tops. A very easy job. Just thought I'd share...I was wondering how easy it would be this way, can't see why anyone would bother taking the rear deck off on the 00-05s.

good write up. I thought about udating my 6X9'* but I probalby won't as I don't need or use a lot of rear fill in my systems. Still very informative and thanks alot for the tip.


Tim

"can't see why anyone would bother taking the rear deck off on the 00-05s"

Because you'll never get the grilles on tightly as they were without getting the tabs folded tightly.

Anything not fastened tight in the car is a source to rattle.

Amen brother

Tim