2013 Ford F150 Door Speaker Size – Upgrade Your Sound
The standard 2013 ford f150 door speaker size is 6×8 inches for both the front and rear doors across all cab configurations, including Regular Cab, SuperCab, and SuperCrew models. While this oval shape is the factory default, many enthusiasts opt for 6.5-inch round speakers using adapter plates to access a wider range of high-quality aftermarket audio options.
You probably spend a lot of time in your truck, whether you are hauling gear to a job site or heading out for a weekend off-road adventure. After a decade on the road, the factory paper-cone speakers in your 12th-generation F150 likely sound muddy, distorted, or might have stopped working entirely.
Upgrading your audio system is one of the most rewarding DIY projects you can tackle, but getting the right parts is essential for a smooth Saturday afternoon in the garage. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the 2013 ford f150 door speaker size and how to choose the best replacements for your specific needs.
We will cover the technical dimensions, the tools you need to pull your door panels without breaking clips, and the expert secrets to making your new speakers sound better than the day the truck left the showroom. Let’s dive into the specifics of your Ford’s audio architecture.
Understanding the Factory 2013 ford f150 door speaker size
Ford utilized a very consistent design for the 12th-generation F-Series trucks, which makes sourcing parts relatively straightforward for the average owner. The 2013 ford f150 door speaker size is officially a 6×8 inch oval, though you will often see these listed interchangeably with 5×7 inch speakers in many retail catalogs.
The mounting holes for 5×7 and 6×8 speakers are typically the same, meaning most aftermarket speakers in this oval category feature a multi-hole bracket that fits your Ford perfectly. This size is used in the front doors and the rear doors of the SuperCrew and SuperCab models, providing a uniform sound stage throughout the cabin.
If you own a Regular Cab, you still have 6×8 speakers in the front doors, but your rear speakers are located in the corner pillars behind the seats. Even in these tight spaces, Ford stuck with the 6×8 format, making it easy to buy two pairs of the same speakers if you want to refresh the entire system at once.
The 6×8 vs. 6.5-Inch Debate
While 6×8 is the native 2013 ford f150 door speaker size, you aren’t strictly limited to that shape. Many audiophiles prefer 6.5-inch round speakers because the round cone shape often provides more linear excursion and better overall clarity than an oval design.
To fit a 6.5-inch speaker, you will need a plastic adapter plate that converts the 6×8 oval opening into a round 6.5-inch mount. These plates are inexpensive and often included for free when you purchase speakers from major car audio retailers, allowing you to choose from a much larger variety of high-end component systems.
If you want a “drop-in” experience with zero modifications, stick with the 6×8 size. If you are looking for the absolute best sound quality and don’t mind an extra five minutes of assembly, the 6.5-inch conversion is the way to go for serious listeners.
Tools and Materials for a Professional Installation
Before you start pulling on plastic panels, you need to gather the right tools to avoid damaging your interior. Ford uses a mix of metric fasteners and plastic retaining clips that can be stubborn if you don’t use the correct technique.
You will need a 7mm socket, a 5.5mm (or 7/32″) socket, and a small flat-head screwdriver or a plastic trim removal tool. I highly recommend the plastic trim tools over a metal screwdriver, as they won’t scratch your door plastics or chip the paint on the door frame.
In addition to tools, consider purchasing wiring harness adapters (specifically the Metra 72-5600). These allow you to plug your new speakers directly into the factory Ford plug without cutting or soldering any wires, which preserves the factory harness and makes reverting to stock easy if you ever sell the truck.
Recommended Supplies List
- 7mm and 5.5mm sockets with a small ratchet.
- Plastic pry tool set for interior panels.
- Metra 72-5600 wiring harnesses (one pair per set of speakers).
- Replacement door clips (in case any break during removal).
- Threadlocker (blue) for mounting screws to prevent vibration loosening.
Step-by-Step Door Panel Removal for Your F150
Accessing the 2013 ford f150 door speaker size requires removing the entire interior door panel. Start by rolling your windows down; this gives you a better grip on the top of the panel and prevents you from accidentally hitting the glass with your tools.
First, remove the small plastic cover behind the interior door handle using your pry tool. Behind it, you will find a 10mm or 8mm bolt (depending on the specific trim package). Next, look at the very bottom of the door panel; there are usually two 7mm screws that need to be removed.
Pop off the plastic cover on the “sail panel” (the triangular piece near the side mirror). Once those fasteners are out, lift the entire door panel straight up rather than pulling it toward you. Ford uses hooks rather than just push-pins, so lifting is the secret to a damage-free removal.
Disconnecting Electronics Safely
As you lift the panel away, don’t pull it too far, as the power window and lock wires are still connected. Reach behind the panel and depress the tabs on the electrical connectors to free them. You will also need to unhook the door latch cable, which usually snaps out of a plastic housing.
Once the panel is off, set it aside on a soft surface like a moving blanket or carpet. You will now see the factory speaker held in by four 7mm screws. Remove these screws, pull the speaker out, and disconnect the factory wiring plug to reveal the mounting cavity.
Optimizing the Sound with Sound Deadening
While you have the door panels off to address the 2013 ford f150 door speaker size, it is the perfect time to add some sound deadening material. The doors on the 2013 F150 are large metal resonance chambers that can vibrate and muddy your bass response.
Applying a few sheets of butyl rubber-based deadener (like Kilmat or Dynamat) to the inner metal skin of the door will drastically improve your mid-bass. You don’t need to cover the entire door; even covering 25% of the flat metal surfaces will stop the “tinny” sound and make your truck feel more like a luxury vehicle.
Make sure to press the material down firmly with a small roller to ensure a good bond. This simple step often makes a bigger difference in sound quality than the speakers themselves, as it lowers the noise floor of your cabin and allows the speaker to perform in a controlled environment.
Sealing the Speaker Baffle
Another pro tip is to use foam “fast rings” or a simple weatherstripping gasket behind the speaker. This creates a tight seal between the speaker frame and the door metal. Without a seal, the sound waves from the back of the speaker can cancel out the waves from the front, resulting in thin, weak sound.
Ensure that the speaker is mounted securely and that no wires are vibrating against the metal. Use zip ties to secure the new wiring harness so it doesn’t rattle against the inside of the door panel when you are driving over washboard dirt roads or hitting potholes.
Addressing the Sony Premium Audio System
If your truck has the “Sony” logo on the door grilles or the dash, you have the premium 10-speaker system. While the 2013 ford f150 door speaker size remains 6×8, the way these speakers receive power is different. These trucks use an external amplifier located under the center console.
The Sony system uses component speakers in the front, meaning the woofer is in the door and the tweeter is up in the A-pillar. If you replace the door speakers with “coaxial” speakers (which have the tweeter built-in), you might find the high frequencies are too harsh because you’ll have four tweeters playing at once.
For Sony-equipped trucks, it is best to buy a component speaker set. You can install the 6×8 woofer in the door and the new tweeter in the factory A-pillar location. This maintains the imaging and soundstage that Ford engineers intended while significantly increasing the clarity and volume.
The Center Channel and Subwoofer
Don’t forget the other speakers in the Sony system. There is a 3.5-inch center channel speaker in the middle of the dashboard. While it’s small, replacing it with a high-quality 3.5-inch driver can improve the “voice” of your music and navigation prompts.
The Sony subwoofer is located under the rear passenger seat in SuperCrew models. It is an 8-inch shallow-mount driver in a plastic enclosure. While you can replace the driver, the factory amp doesn’t provide much power, so many owners choose to bypass this and add a dedicated aftermarket subwoofer and amp for real bass impact.
Common Pitfalls and Expert Troubleshooting
One of the most common issues after changing the 2013 ford f150 door speaker size is “out of phase” wiring. If you accidentally swap the positive and negative wires on one speaker, the two speakers will work against each other, effectively “sucking out” all the bass from your music.
Always double-check your wiring colors or use the plug-and-play harnesses mentioned earlier to avoid this. If the music sounds “hollow” or seems to move around the cabin weirdly, you likely have a phase issue. Most aftermarket speakers have a larger terminal for positive and a smaller one for negative to help you keep things straight.
Another issue is mounting depth. While the F150 doors are quite deep, some extreme “competition” grade speakers have massive magnets that might interfere with the window glass when it rolls down. Always test the window operation before you put the door panel back on to ensure everything clears.
Dealing with Rattles
If you hear a buzzing sound after the install, it’s usually one of three things: a loose mounting screw, a wire touching the cone, or the door panel not being fully seated on its hooks. Go back and check that every 7mm screw is snug.
If you broke any of the plastic “Christmas tree” clips during removal, replace them immediately. A single missing clip can cause a persistent rattle that will drive you crazy on long highway hauls. You can find bags of these clips online specifically for Ford vehicles for just a few dollars.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2013 ford f150 door speaker size
What is the exact 2013 ford f150 door speaker size for the SuperCrew?
The SuperCrew uses 6×8 inch oval speakers in both the front and rear doors. This is the most common cab configuration and offers the most space for aftermarket upgrades.
Can I fit 6×9 speakers in my 2013 F150 doors?
Generally, no. A 6×9 speaker is slightly too large for the factory 6×8 opening. While some people have modified the metal of the door with a reciprocating saw to fit 6x9s, it is not a “bolt-in” procedure and is usually not worth the effort compared to a high-quality 6.5-inch or 6×8 speaker.
Do I need an aftermarket head unit to change my speakers?
No, you can definitely keep the factory Ford SYNC radio. However, the factory radio has a built-in EQ curve that reduces bass as the volume goes up to protect the cheap factory speakers. To get the most out of new speakers, many owners eventually add a “Load Resistor” or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) to flatten that signal.
What is the best brand of speakers for an F150?
This depends on your budget, but brands like Kicker, JL Audio, and Alpine are very popular for F150s because they offer 6×8 models that are designed specifically to handle the power of both factory and aftermarket head units.
Final Thoughts on Your F150 Audio Upgrade
Upgrading your 2013 ford f150 door speaker size is one of the most effective ways to modernize your truck’s interior experience. Whether you stick with the factory 6×8 oval or venture into the world of 6.5-inch components with adapters, the jump in clarity and punch will be immediately noticeable.
Take your time with the door panels, use the right plastic pry tools, and don’t skip the wiring harnesses. If you encounter any resistance when lifting the panels, stop and check for hidden screws—forcing things is the fastest way to an expensive repair bill.
Once your new speakers are in, fire up your favorite playlist and enjoy the crisp highs and solid mid-bass that your F150 was always capable of producing. Proper maintenance and smart upgrades like this keep these legendary trucks on the road for hundreds of thousands of miles. Stay safe, stay loud, and enjoy the ride!
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