If you want any low frequency response out of the speakers you have to open up behind them.

here's mine , got the spacers from waves & wheels, no cutting or trimming required

how much were they?

Be sure to check behind there. On some the tube chase for wires is right there

I cant remember it was a few years ago.. $50 maybe

Ran dom, do you think there is a difference between your lightning style deck/ gunwal vs my fever? I didn't measure for sure, but from where the gunwal fiberglass is to the edge of the upholstry is only a couple inches. Do you think those rings you suggested will make up the difference of the JL 6.5's so I don't have to do any fiberglass cutting? In theory if I can make the speakers look good without cutting anything I'd rather do that. Also it was mentioned before that without some free air around the speaker that is will be muffled, will this affect the sound?

It will affect how low the speaker will play. Low frequency moves air,,,,, on both sides of the cone.

If the air doesn't have anywhere to go on the back side,,,, the cone doesn't move. I did a test once in a truck ford supplied putting different size speakers in the "C" pillars. A 4" went as low as any 5x7 or 6x9, and the 6x9 I used in the right location would easily go down to 60hz.

Mid range was much better with the 4" of course so it was a waste to go any bigger.

I think I'm going to cut the fiberglass out for the better sound quality. I should have everything on Monday so I'll begin the installation then, I'll take some pictures as I go and post back.

This is a JL 7.7 with an LED trim ring on my old 27'. No cutting of vinyl or glass.

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Made a spacer ring from acrylic to cover the black stain rings. Depth was ok, so the speakers are recessed into the rings 1/4" or thereabouts so they didn't stick out. The black color was achieved by putting black vinyl on the back side. Gave it a clear black glass look. Could use any color if you want