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This is a work in progress, but I wanted to provide updates and pictures as I have time to work on this project. I'm installing an Audiocontrol amp, Focal speakers and a JL 10W6v2 in a custom ported enclosure. I did NOT want to use a 12V source, as my previous vehicle (Model Y) had all kinds of electrical tantrums and failures last time I did a similar install. For this reason, I wanted an amp that had the ability to use the speaker signal to turn itself on. Additionally, the R1T does a great job of shutting down the signal after ~15 mins of inactivity.

Accomplished this week (doing this sporadically in my spare time):
4 gauge power wire from the battery, which is underneath the front passenger seat. 4 bolts securing the seat, 2 in the front and 2 in the rear. No need to completely remove the seat, just slide forward/backward based upon the bolts you need access to.
Rivian R1T R1S Gen2 R1T Amplifier Install (non-Meridian) IMG_7219

Rivian R1T R1S Gen2 R1T Amplifier Install (non-Meridian) IMG_7221

This was actually pretty simple...AFTER you get these 15mm bolts out of the housing (they were a PITA to remove, I used a breaker bar plus lots of sweat). If you have an impact wrench, this shouldn't be that difficult to complete.

Here's a picture of the battery housing, the left side is hot.
Rivian R1T R1S Gen2 R1T Amplifier Install (non-Meridian) IMG_7222

Rivian R1T R1S Gen2 R1T Amplifier Install (non-Meridian) IMG_7225

Rivian R1T R1S Gen2 R1T Amplifier Install (non-Meridian) IMG_7231

I installed a 100A fuse within a few inches of the battery (not pictured) and ran the power wire under the carpet to the rear of the cabin.
Rivian R1T R1S Gen2 R1T Amplifier Install (non-Meridian) IMG_7230

Rivian R1T R1S Gen2 R1T Amplifier Install (non-Meridian) IMG_7229

I won't be removing the plastic bin for a few months, so I had to drill a small hole in it to allow a pass-through for the wiring. For the ground, I just used a readily accessible bolt from the rear seat that was underneath some trim just above the bin.
Rivian R1T R1S Gen2 R1T Amplifier Install (non-Meridian) IMG_7362


The last part that I needed for the amp, was a signal from the speakers. I tapped into the rear door speakers for this and ran wires from the left and right sides (purple is positive). Removing the door panels was very straight forward, in fact, you don't need to actually take them off completely. I removed the 4 screws holding them in and then pryed the door away at the bottom and up the sides. This allowed me to have more than enough room to remove the speakers (6X9). The front doors only have a midbass signal, but the rear has slightly distorted full range and separate tweeters. I drilled a small hole in the speaker housing to run my new wires back inside the door.
Rivian R1T R1S Gen2 R1T Amplifier Install (non-Meridian) IMG_7340

Rivian R1T R1S Gen2 R1T Amplifier Install (non-Meridian) IMG_7354

Rivian R1T R1S Gen2 R1T Amplifier Install (non-Meridian) IMG_7356


The challenging part was running the wiring through the rubber boot and getting that to go back into its housing correctly (still isn't perfect). I had to cut a small slit in the rubber housing and then run the wire through it. When you're bringing the wiring back inside the housing, pass it through the center and it will go straight into the side panel housing into the interior of the vehicle. Once inside, the wiring will be sitting inside a small gap at the base where the seatbelt is bolted to the floor. Have patience here, especially when trying to get that rubber housing back to its original state.
Rivian R1T R1S Gen2 R1T Amplifier Install (non-Meridian) IMG_7357

Rivian R1T R1S Gen2 R1T Amplifier Install (non-Meridian) IMG_7358

Rinse and repeat for both sides, running that wire under the trim is a breeze. So far, I do have my sub hooked up and its working fine with no alerts on the dash. I'll be back at it in a couple of weeks to knock out the front door speakers since I'm going to have to create my own speaker adapters using 1/4" ABS plastic panels and some flashing tape on the rear side (prevents unwanted rattles/vibrations).

Rivian R1T R1S Gen2 R1T Amplifier Install (non-Meridian) IMG_7341


Rivian R1T R1S Gen2 R1T Amplifier Install (non-Meridian) IMG_7340
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What material are the factory door speakers made of? Paper cone? are they 4Ω or 2Ω? I'm most curious if swapping speakers alone, with higher quality aftermarket, can yield a worthwhile improvement. They look like regular 1-way 6x9?
 

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You sir , are a genius ! Thank you for taking the time to post all this info. I look forward to seeing how you complete this. I will be following and doing the same if all works. Cheers !!!
 

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What material are the factory door speakers made of? Paper cone? are they 4Ω or 2Ω? I'm most curious if swapping speakers alone, with higher quality aftermarket, can yield a worthwhile improvement. They look like regular 1-way 6x9?
I too would be curious. Love my Riv, hate the Rivian made “premium” sound on the Gen 2. Also, Go Dawgs 😉
 
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What material are the factory door speakers made of? Paper cone? are they 4Ω or 2Ω? I'm most curious if swapping speakers alone, with higher quality aftermarket, can yield a worthwhile improvement. They look like regular 1-way 6x9?
When I open it back up, I'll try to answer these questions. I'm almost certain the speakers are 4Ω, but I'll put it on the multimeter to verify. I'm surprised they didn't just do all of the 6X9s as midbass, the rear speakers are midbass (separate tweeters), or at least that's the signal they are receiving. I assume there's an amp somewhere in the truck, but I was too lazy to dig even more.
 
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When I open it back up, I'll try to answer these questions. I'm almost certain the speakers are 4Ω, but I'll put it on the multimeter to verify. I'm surprised they didn't just do all of the 6X9s as midbass, the rear speakers are clearly full-range (separate tweeters), or at least that's the signal they are receiving. I assume there's an amp somewhere in the truck, but I was too lazy to dig even more.
Thanks. I'm also curious how the driver door card comes off. My door latch has developed an annoying screech.
 
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What material are the factory door speakers made of? Paper cone? are they 4Ω or 2Ω? I'm most curious if swapping speakers alone, with higher quality aftermarket, can yield a worthwhile improvement. They look like regular 1-way 6x9?
I can confirm that the speakers are 4Ω and mid bass only. I can't fully tell what the speakers are truly made out of, but its actually quite beefy inside the thick plastic housing.
 
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Thanks. I'm also curious how the driver door card comes off. My door latch has developed an annoying screech.
The door panels are a PITA to get back on, by far the worst design I've endured with any car audio install. The top portion is very flimsy and has to mount onto a metal track touching the window. Trying to do this and allow a metal clip at the top to insert into its proper place is frustrating.
 

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I don't have my primary tools with me, so I had to improvise with my Dremel tool to make the adapter plate, but it worked like a charm (be sure to cut it as to not cover the holes for the door panel retainer clips). Cutting the circle inside the ABS plastic was a breeze since I had the appropriate tool attachment for the Dremel. I forgot to take pictures after I mounted my speakers, but they are functioning fine.

Rivian R1T R1S Gen2 R1T Amplifier Install (non-Meridian) IMG_7366

Rivian R1T R1S Gen2 R1T Amplifier Install (non-Meridian) IMG_7367


For the front speakers only, there's actually a grommet that you can use to run the wiring back inside the cabin (cut a thin X in it to pass the wires through). Just make sure to run the wire into it BEFORE fully routing into the cabin.
Rivian R1T R1S Gen2 R1T Amplifier Install (non-Meridian) IMG_7368 2

Rivian R1T R1S Gen2 R1T Amplifier Install (non-Meridian) IMG_7369
 
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Once the wiring is inside the cabin, simply route it behind the carpet and to the rear of the vehicle (I routed to the other side since I used 4 channel wiring). No need to mess with the center console on the floor, you can push the wiring through behind it and just grab it from the other side (or reach behind it).
Rivian R1T R1S Gen2 R1T Amplifier Install (non-Meridian) IMG_7372.JPG
 

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Just saw this post. I upgraded the subwoofer in the rear of my Rivian R1S last year, I was thinking of doing sound deadening to the front and rear doors sometime in the next month or so. While the door panels are off, I was thinking of replacing the front 6x9 speakers. May I ask which Focal speaker you used? Were you happy with the results?
 
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I had some coaxial speakers (2-way) sitting around, so I used them: https://www.focal.com/products/ec-165-ke

Keep in mind you'll need to fabricate your own panels to be used in the spot where you remove the factory speakers.
 

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