need stereo installation tips and ideas....

[KFunk]

Current set-up is shown here:

http://www2.hawaii.edu/~kfunk/2002/DSC01182.JPG

http://www2.hawaii.edu/~kfunk/2002/DSC01181.JPG

It works OK, but it has loose connections, the dampers are shot on the front speakers and rattle, and only the radio works. I tried hookin my mp3 player in via a cassette adapter, but the cassette deck didn't want to go. I could use an FM adapter, but I'd rather have controls easy to see and no extra wires.

I'm thinking about getting a Sony head unit that will play CDs/mp3s.. for like $140. The big problem here is theft though...

I don't like locking my car or having anything valuable.

So, I'm thinking about leaving the old Blaupunkt in place as a decoy, pulling out the old EQ below it, and putting the new head unit in the same place as the EQ, and push it back a little to hide it, and perhaps have a flap to cover it up. I'll need some kind of DIN bracket to hold it in place I guess, and attach the guage pod.

Wiring is going to be another mess. Most of the original wiring has been yanked out, and replaced by PO. I also have only the stock alternator...

But don't know if a simple head unit alone w/o amp would draw too much power to be a problem.

I'll use the speakers in it first, but may replace them later. Maybe some components since the tweeter hole will be worthless without them, or just some new 4x6s and forget the tweeter. I've got 6x9s in the rear deck, and those should be easy to replace. However, I'll of course want some kind of crappy looking grille in front of them to make them look original and ugly.

Well, let me know if you have any thoughts. I used to be really picky about car stereos before, but have focused on mainly performance the last couple of years. But with the daily commute and lack of variety in radio stations, I need something better....

[Paul7002]

Then move the extra guages up between the red and green button/lights. (What's the green one, my '70 doesn't have one) Or move them to the dash next to your clock if you can't live w/out an ash tray. Then get a semi-decent MP3 compatible radio/CD player with a removable face. You lock that in your trunk or hide it under the seat if you don't want to carry it with you.

You'll have to re-do your console face, but that's what sheet metal, black vinyl and contact cemnt are for. This will free up your console for storage and un-clutter the look too.

since you've already got holes in your doors and apparently in the rear deck, just find appropriate speakers to go back in the same holes. Otherwise, I'd say surface mount Pioneer speakers for the rear shelf and some small oval or round speakers under the dash, at an angle between the fire wall and the under dash panel.

[carfifti4]

I have a Sony set up with the built in XM modulator. Nice! 6x9's cut under the rear bench seat. 4in 3ways are set up under the dash. Could not see myself cutting the door panels. The radio holder is from

http://www.parkerperformance.com I am very happy with the results.

[KFunk]

I don't have any ashtray, as far as I know. Are you talking about the little panel between the hazard light and green button? Thats just a hunk of plastic with vinyl covering that the PO put on there to mount the blinking security light. There's nothing behind it.

Perhaps there was an ashtray originally? I really have no idea how an original 2002 interior is supposed to look.

Oh, and the green button does nothing. According to old threads, it would turn on foglights if it were a euro car or something (??), but its just a blank piece that does nothing.

I'm not really looking to make the interior beautiful and do a lot of fab-work, I just want it functional. Some space down in the bottom might be nice I guess, but don't want to pitch that nice little guage pod or hack into anything else.

So is the factory location for speakers somewhere in the dash, and the PO hacked up the doors? In any case, the speakers seem fine there. Maybe I'll just replace the speakers and keep the same grilles...

[vintage_car]

If you don't mind me butting in on the thread...for those of you who have hooked up an aftermarket stero which wire did you use for the memory hookup to the stereo? Mine always resets each time I restart the car.

[slash02]

I went and pulled a fused +12 from the battery for memory. Reason being my car has a virgin wiring harness and so i didn't want to cut and splice. Look on the hazard switch with a meter though there is a +12 just sitting there.

[BigDog]

I've been around and around this a lot of times. Ask anybody. I've given up on all factory wiring for stereo equipment. It's not worth risking it on that old crusty stuff, and you don't want to upset the balance of the current electrical system if you can help it.

Run a fresh hot lead from the battery, and from that get a fuse block with both switched and hot leads from Painless wiring. Then you can run any accessories you want to, without having to find anything but a switched hot lead to run the relay.

For installation, why bother with a "stock" old radio appearance if you're just going to bury a nice head unit along with it???? Get a Parker performance center console insert. They are SWEET!!! They're expensive, but worth it in the end see photo.

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BigDog

'76 2002 Kenwood MP3+CD, Kenwood 10disc xer, Kenwood 800W amp, IPOD interface, Boston 6" Boston 5*7 Rockford dual 6.5" subs.

[DukeRimmer]

Door speaker installers have done more damage to '02s than grease monkeys and parking lot door bashers combined. Protect your carpets and floors. Sorry to rant, but I've seen a hundred leaky doors and the damage done.

[BigDog]

Door speakers are the work of the devil...

I've been there, my 1st 2002 had them from a P.O. I got them sealed in good, but they sucked.

Here's my solution. Mount 6" bostons under the dash using replicated panels that I constructed out of heavy gage aluminium sheet metal. Basically I copied the outside panels under the dash. Care for a photo?

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BigDog

'76 2002 Rockin all the way

[KFunk]

I really like those kits from Parker Performance, and they'd accomadate the guages nicely, but they'd get rid of my decoy idea...

I don't really care how my interior looks, I'd rather be free of worries. The theft here can be really bad. Even if I had a detachable face, they could see that I've got a decent stereo, and so I've probably got decent speakers too, so they'd break my window and tear up my door panels and stuff trying to get them.

I'd much rather have the car look like crap, then have to worry about where I park it, and wonder if my windows and stuff will be broken when I get back.

So if they can just see the crappy Blaupunkt there and old grilles, they're not gonna bother. Still not a guarantee, but it'd help.

The speakers are already in the doors, not my choice. Could that be one of the reasons my floor gets wet? I've got some dripping from above my clutch pedal too....

I'm guessing I'd have to get all new door panels to make it right? It's not really that much of a concern for me right now, I've got too manyt other worries.

[vintage_car]

The PO did have speakers under the dashboard, and did a hack job at wiring the radio. The reason for most of my electrical problems. I ripped it all out and started with fresh wiring but didn't know about where the memory wire went. I'll hit that hazard switch with the multimeter tonight. I'm also working on a fiberglass piece for the drivers side and passenger side to replace the cardboard pieces under the dash. They are hanging by 2 screws with rips, creases, and holes in them...awful! As for the center console, I just made one out of a piece of oak and stained it.