BEWARE! Check your outdoor speakers!

[egarant]

This morning I started on a simple task this morning (or so I thought) to rewire my back up camera from the factory hot lead to my reverse wire to my running lights wire. That way I can simply turn on my lights to see what is behind me.

I pull both rear lamp housings off of my TC so I can see what is what and low and behold behind one of them is wet wires and WET WOOD! Stomach sank.....

My mind quickly scans over the possibilities. I had replaced the shower skylight last year and did my yearly roof inspection just six months ago.

Then I decided to look at the speakers.....they were sealed nicely to the truck, but each speaker cone was completely torn at the bottom. When I washed the truck last night I am sure a ton of water went in each. God knows how long that as been going on.

These are stock Jensen "marine" speakers. I am removing both and sealing p both openings with a round metal/plastic disc. I never use the outdoor ones anyway as there are better bluetooth speakers available for that.

It is going to be very hard to dry out, but I'll do what I can.

My drying out set up....

[egarant]

If your cut-out size is 5" you have very limited choices, the better speaker lineups really start at 5.25".

If you can use a bluetooth speaker instead as myself and others hear have recommended, you will enjoy much better sound as well as being able to direct your music where you need to hear it.

[Buzam]

I checked my Jensen outdoor speakers and sure enough the rubber is torn on them too, dammit. We actually enjoy and use our outdoor speakers, can anyone recommend an outdoor speaker I can replace them with that might actually last?

[egarant]

I love the foil backed backed styrofoam insulation CAJW! If I had some laying around I hope that idea would have come to me! The foam worked pretty good, but this would have been cleaner and a lot easier.

Great job!

[CAJW]

I'd go with the butyl tape as I too hate to use caulking. I took your lead and made a few changes due to my 2 hour round trip to any hardware store for parts. I used the sides of a 2.5 gal jug to block the speaker grills and 1.5" foil backed styrofoam insulation I had lying around which worked perfectly! I did have to caulk the jug side cut outs to the speaker grills, but they conformed to the curve so I don't believe I'll get much if any water past the grills. Again, thanks for the tip, as we didn't use them anyway.

[egarant]

Installed



I encircled the entire aluminum disc wth butyl tape which makes a nice seal against the truck.

I do have a question, should I also run a bead of caulk around the outside edge as well? I am sure the butyl tape is good enough seal, but caulking would prevent possible black streaks coming off the tape. I just hate to caulk....

[Jack_Spratt]

Real nice job, egarant.
I'm also curious how you cut the aluminum so cleanly.

[CAJW]

Egarant- thanks for the post, I checked mine, thankfully no leaks, but will do the same mod as you. I plan on putting the speaker grills back up with the backside sealed up. I'm sure you've saved some folks from possible future repairs.

[GeoBoy]

Did you cut the aluminum disc yourself or were you able to purchase from a metal shop pre-cut?

[JimK-NY]

Nicely done.

[egarant]

Used Great Stuff Window sealer to put back the lost insulation where the speaker where. I will trim it smooth to the surface in the morning.



I pre-drilled the aluminum plates that will install behind the OEM speaker grill.



Here is what the speaker grill looks like with the aluminum under it.



Installation tomorrow!

[egarant]

I actually did utilize my leaf blower to assist in the drying out process. I set it on a ladder and pushed the nozzle right into the taillight opening, the force of air actually was felt out the speaker opening above it. It did a great job.

[Tom_Anderson]

HMS Beagle wrote:

Tom_Anderson wrote:
I don't have outdoor speakers, but I have an electric leaf blower that I have found works great for drying things out, especially in confined places. It makes quite a racket, though. It's best to turn it on, leave the vicinity, and come back in a couple of hours when it's dry.

Of course you need to run your generator to keep the leaf blower powered, and then the outdoor speakers REALLY NEED TO BE TURNED UP TO BE HEARD!

Haha...

I only use it at home. I suppose I should have made that clearer.

[HMS_Beagle]

Tom_Anderson wrote:
I don't have outdoor speakers, but I have an electric leaf blower that I have found works great for drying things out, especially in confined places. It makes quite a racket, though. It's best to turn it on, leave the vicinity, and come back in a couple of hours when it's dry.

Of course you need to run your generator to keep the leaf blower powered, and then the outdoor speakers REALLY NEED TO BE TURNED UP TO BE HEARD!

[Tom_Anderson]

I don't have outdoor speakers, but I have an electric leaf blower that I have found works great for drying things out, especially in confined places. It makes quite a racket, though. It's best to turn it on, leave the vicinity, and come back in a couple of hours when it's dry.