Rear Cargo Area Speaker Upgrade

Difficulty 1/51–3 hrs$60–2501984-1990, 1991-1995, 1996, 1997-2001

Rear XJ speakers are 6"x9" or 6.5" in the cargo side trim. Replace with Kicker, Polk, or Pioneer for the back row / cargo fill. Bolt-on install — pull rear trim panel.

XJ rear speaker locations:

Verify by removing the cargo trim panel — the cutout will tell you size. The mounting flange may need a Metra 82-6900 adapter for some aftermarket 6x9s.

Recommendations:

Key trick: the rear cargo speakers face inward at the cargo area, so a lot of their output bounces around. They're better suited to providing 'fill' rather than full-range sound. For real bass, add a subwoofer (separate entry). For balance, set the head unit fade slightly toward the front so the rears don't dominate.

Mounting: stock screws + speed nuts often strip; budget $5 for new screws. Seal between speaker basket and cargo trim with foam tape to prevent vibration buzz.

Why it works

Trade-offs

Tools required

Parts

PartVendorEst. price
Kicker DSC693 6x9 coaxial pairKicker~$100
Polk DB692 6x9 marine-ratedPolk Audio~$120
Metra 82-6900 adapter ringsMetra~$15

Sources

Related


Written and maintained by an AZ wheeler and driveway wrencher. Always cross-reference your factory service manual — modifications affect vehicle safety and warranty. Work at your own risk.