ProMaster Rear Speaker Install

If you are any type of audiophile you will quickly find out, the factory speaker setup in your Ram ProMaster is not all that. Furthermore, without speakers in the rear, or a Subwoofer, the sound in a Ram ProMaster is missing that fullness you need to listen to any music at volume. Because of this, it is time to up the ante with a Rear Speaker Install in our Ram ProMaster.

ProMaster Rear Speaker Install 

Choosing The Right Speakers

After a little bit of research, I narrowed my options down to three workable options for my ProMaster Rear Speaker Install 

• Honorable Mention – Surface Mount Speakers

The rear door panel upper recess is very shallow, and not designed to fit a recessed type 6.5” or 6×9” car speaker. Both would require some type of raised trim panel to allow them to fit. An easy way to get around this would be to use a surface mount speaker like these 3-way box speakers from Boss  

• Runner Up – 6.5” Car Speakers

After reading some reviews I decided against using surface-mount speakers, as it seems they don’t stand up to much abuse. I decided I would use a car speaker instead.

 

• Winner – 6×9 Car Speakers

To be able to fill the big van with quality sound, the best option would be to use 6×9” Car Speakers. I would have to fabricate a trim panel regardless, so why not make it a raised panel so I can fit in a decent speaker.

Ram ProMaster Upfitter Connector

2017 and newer model Ram Promaster vans come standard with the Upfitter Connector and part of this package is the Audio Connector. The Audio Connector is where we plugin for our Ram ProMaster Rear Speaker Install. 

Ram ProMaster Radio Audio Connector Wiring Diagram

The RamTrucks bulletin for the ProMaster Audio Connector can be a little difficult to decipher so if you need some help, check out my Ram ProMaster Radio Audio Connector Wiring Diagram below.

Now for the fun part. Keep reading to see……

How We Install Rear Speakers In Our Ram ProMaster 

Tools And Materials

• Speaker Wire
• Split Loom Flex
• Electrical Tape
• Solder Seal Wire Connectors
• Molex Pins
• 6×9 Car Speakers
• Basic Woodworking Tools 

Step – 1: Pulling Speaker Wire

The first thing to do was get the speaker wire pulled from the B-Pillar Audio Connector back to the rear doors. Keeping with normal automotive wiring standards, I wrapped the speaker wire in Split Flex Loom for the full length of the run. The wire is run into the doors via the cable slider.

Step – 2: Plugging Into The Audio Connector Harness

I had trouble finding the mating connector as listed in the Audio was Connector Bulletin, so instead, I used the pre-crimped Molex puns out of a Molex 4 Pin Power Supply Cable. I just solder sealed them to the speaker wire then plugged them into the Audio Connector.

Step – 3: Building A Raised Trim Panel And Fitting The 6×9 Speakers 

I used ⅝” plywood to make the raised section of the trim panel.  The trim panel is made out of ⅛” baltic birch and 1”x2” spruce lumber.

Then, stained with black one-step polyurethane.

Step – 4: ProMaster Rear Speaker Enable

Enabling the rear speaker balance and fader option is relatively straight forward, but the instructions don’t say the van has to be running. It took me a couple of minutes to work that out! (The ProMaster Rear Speaker Enable instructions are available in the Upfitter information section on the Ram Trucks website)

Step – 5: Take A Journey Into Sound 

ProMaster Rear Speaker Install – Summary

Installing speakers in the back of your Ram ProMaster is definitely a must-do project for all ProMaster owners. The full sound achieved by adding rear speakers is so much better, now it’s time to upgrade the front factory speakers and add in a Subwoofer.

What’s Next

DC Fuse Panel.

All our power circuits will need to be fused. To start with we can just use the USB and 12v sockets built into our portable solar power station, but for convenience, we plan on running a basic but comprehensive wiring system including power for USB and 12v sockets in 3 corners. Ceiling and cove lighting. Powered Ventilation. 12v for the Gasoline Parking Heater and power for the fridge.

Ceiling Lights

Before installing the ceiling, we ran wiring for our ceiling lights, now we are ready to install them. We designed the ceiling so to lose as little headroom as possible. We have found some super-thin recessed puck lights that will be work perfectly.

Wall Panels

To get the van looking more complete and comfortable, some wall panels will soon become a priority. We will use the same material we used on our Campervan Ceiling.

Soundproofing And Sound Deadening Will Also Help Improve The Sound In Your Van

• How To Install Sound Deadener In A Van
• Installing Sound Absorbing Heat Shield In our Promaster
• Everything You Need To Know About Soundproofing A Van

Lastly, if you have any questions, post a comment below, we would be happy to help.

Thanks for reading, and remember to always take the road less traveled!

Weekender Van Life – Van Life Blog – weekendervanlife.com