New Stereo Installation

Dades

Anyone had a new stereo installed for the first time in a classic?

After much indecision and mucking about with wiring I've decided I need a new stereo - and someone to install it.

Looking for a fitter somewhere in the South Dublin area that won't run screaming when they look behind the dash at my car's colourful entrails. Some sort of mounting will probably be required to fill extra space, too.

Anyone have any experience?

CHEERS!

ds20prefecture

The Atheist wrote:

Anyone had a new stereo installed for the first time in a classic?
After much indecision and mucking about with wiring I've decided I need a new stereo - and someone to install it.
Looking for a fitter somewhere in the South Dublin area that won't run screaming when they look behind the dash at my car's colourful entrails. Some sort of mounting will probably be required to fill extra space, too.

Nooooooooooooo!!! Please don't carve up that lovely dash!

IMHO for the head unit you have only 2 options open to you.
1. Refit modern radio electronics into your original head unit. Buy an iPod or similar and stick it in the glove box. Use a remote control if necessary.
2. Buy a cheap but ugly modern stereo and stick it in the boot. Use a remote to control it and again use an iPod or similar to have all your music with you in a discreet, easily removable package.

For speakers, you'll be constained by the number of available cavities to house them. For such a special car, I'd be reluctant to cut any door cards or panels just to house a speaker, but I suppose that's your choice.

I stuck my ugly blaupunkt under the dash (drilling two holes to mount it), put the iPod in the ashtray and used two 4" speakers instead of the single 7x3 that was in place in the centre of the dash. The original 10" woofer in the back helps a little. Sound quality is pretty poor but adequate. More here

I'd recommend www.besecure2000.com - they'll have a look, and won't do anything you're not comfortable with.

Dades

ds20prefecture wrote:

Nooooooooooooo!!! Please don't carve up that lovely dash!

LOL It's a last resort I swear.

The radio on the car just about works - but the signal is just too patchy. So it's not going to work with a wireless FM transmitter either. There's already a seperate amp installed under the glovebox (looks old), but between it and the radio the signal going to the speakers is still very weak.

I like what you've done DS (rear speaker looks very snug), but what I can see there's no original radio to remove? I like to think I'm at least replacing like with like! I can always look to maybe putting in a folding wood cover to match the dash.

I've an option to buy from a mate his 10 CD changer with an unobtrusive black face, so at this stage I'm thinking of just going for it. The idea of refurbishing the old radio and still having to muck about with my MP3 player (and carry it about) doesn't float my boat.

At least the speakers aren't a prob. A common spider mod of speakers in the side map pockets, and two in the rear has already been done. It's just the sound reaching them that's crap.

Loud car requires loud musak!

Dades

Well I made some calls and was all set to get somebody to power up the jigsaw to get the new stereo put in when I had a change of heart...

and I figured I'd do it myself. :eek:

View the process here:

Before
During
After (1)
After (2)

Okay so it took me 5 hours nearly, but now I've 4 x speakers, radio (with orig aerial connected) tape deck and a 10 CD changer in the "trunk"...

And only a small hole cut in the back of the glovebox!

ds20prefecture

The Atheist wrote:

And only a small hole cut in the back of the glovebox!

Thank god for that!

Looks like a neat job - you should invest in a remote for your steering wheel - a bit safer than reaching over all the time.


More info here

Did you wire up the head unit to switch on and off with the ignition?

Dades

ds20prefecture wrote:

Looks like a neat job - you should invest in a remote for your steering wheel - a bit safer than reaching over all the time.

Yeah I like the idea of a remote, though maybe a flat one I can velcro to the dash (velcro rocks) when I'm driving. They ain't cheap though!

Did you wire up the head unit to switch on and off with the ignition?

I did originally but the gremlins got at it during the install and I had to hook it directly to the battery to get it working again. I'll have to troubleshoot what went wrong (probably just pulled something loose) when I get the chance.

:rolleyes:

ds20prefecture

http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=61012&item=4554679805&rd=1&ssPageName=WD2V

€5.00 - "AND COUNTING ...."

Dades

Heheh I was on eBay yesterday too.

I checked with another vender who agreed to ship me this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5780360324

...so I'm happy now.

Now where did I leave my velcro stickies...