Cd player installation

[goertz]

is there a way to install an in-dash CD player in a 69 without totally hacking up the dash? Do stereo companys make installation kits, or do you have to make something yourself?

 

[Dave Z]

Ecklers sell a replacement bezel for the new in dash DIN stereos. Here's the link:http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?pf%5Fid=46115&dept%5Fid=1026&mscssid=L6J8NAC5RXSU9J14X5SJC1T081A34VN4

 

[goertz]

OUCH! damn, I can buy an NOS bezel to replace the original I hacked up for that price! I'm sure it's a nice piece, but the part required for installation should not exceed the cost of the stereo IMHO. how about the radio delete plates, maybe I can find one of those and use it.

 

[lnirenberg]

OUCH! damn, I can buy an NOS bezel to replace the original I hacked up for that price! I'm sure it's a nice piece, but the part required for installation should not exceed the cost of the stereo IMHO. how about the radio delete plates, maybe I can find one of those and use it.

The problem with hacking up the OEM bezel is that because of the way it indents for the radio knobs, when you put in a 21st century head unit the bezel looks hacked up. If you go to:

www.vettespecialties.com
they sell DIN Radio Modification Kit for $65 that cleans up the install and gives you a little more depth when added to a modified bezel. You'll still need to cut the bezel up.

 

[goertz]

perfect, and they are about 20 minutes from my house.

 

[lnirenberg]

perfect, and they are about 20 minutes from my house.

Their customer service is second to none. I bought the whole replacement bezel w/ the mod piece included and it got broken in transit. I called up and I had a replacement the next day. They also carry some hard to find items like their reproduction SS t-top bracket. Originals are near impossible to find. As to audio, after the new bezel was installed I put in a great Clarion single CD head unit tied to 4-4X6 infiniti speakers--2 in the dash (the drivers side is quite the project) and 2 in the kick panels all running through a high output amp. The problem with this setup is that the speakers are 2 way and they lack any appreciable low range. Over the winter I cruised the net and found a self powered Clarion sub-woofer that was pretty compact, doesn't kick out the bass like the big boxes will but I can still fit enough bags for a long weekend trip for 2. End result, 90 mph on the Mass Pike (safely tucked behind various lunatics in SUVs at speeds not intended for trucks but conveniently blocking my car from the lidar guns) t-tops off, windows down flowmaster growling and George Thurougood wailing his guitar all as clear as a bell and plenty loud. I like to drive my car whenever the sun shines, so tunes are essential. What kind of setup are you planning?

 

[Buffaloman57]

One note, If your going to cut the bezel without taking it out whatch cuting the vacum lines that run through there. The guy that had my car before me cut the bezel in the car and cut the vacum line to the rear vent.

 

[goertz]

sounds like you have a nice set up! I'm not too sure about space under the convertable top when it's down, but here's what I had in mind. Pioneer head unit, probably with the Sirius option (so I can listen to Howard Stern when he comes on in Jan 06). the door panels have holes cut in them from the previous moron who thought that would be a great place for speakers, so I'll probably fill those with 2-way 6" speakers. I have a feeling that the butchered door panels will drive me crazy soon, and require replacement with no speakers, but we'll see. I'll probably put some speakers that fit the stock dash openings in, and i'll see if I can't make a panel to go in the rear, and mount a pair of 3-way 6x9's. I'll just run it all off the deck, as the pioneer's typically run the speakers fairly well. I have the same set up in my boat running off the deck, and it sounds pretty good. No heart stopping bass, but it'll do.

 

[lnirenberg]

sounds like you have a nice set up! I'm not too sure about space under the convertable top when it's down, but here's what I had in mind. Pioneer head unit, probably with the Sirius option (so I can listen to Howard Stern when he comes on in Jan 06). the door panels have holes cut in them from the previous moron who thought that would be a great place for speakers, so I'll probably fill those with 2-way 6" speakers. I have a feeling that the butchered door panels will drive me crazy soon, and require replacement with no speakers, but we'll see. I'll probably put some speakers that fit the stock dash openings in, and i'll see if I can't make a panel to go in the rear, and mount a pair of 3-way 6x9's. I'll just run it all off the deck, as the pioneer's typically run the speakers fairly well. I have the same set up in my boat running off the deck, and it sounds pretty good. No heart stopping bass, but it'll do.

Heart stopping base would require me to completely fill a rice rocket's trunk with boxed sub-woofers and graft it onto the back of my shark. Unfortunately, I have a luggage rack set up to hold the ttops so I have no room from such an appendage. What I have is a setup that more than holds its own in what in a C3 is very limited confines competing against high decibel flowmasters. I have an office about a 70 miles from my home that I go to weekly and I try to use the vette in season whenever the sun is shining. After the 1st half hour the exhaust drone has me damn near hypnotized and the music (along with a high dose of caffiene) gets the blood pumping. Good for you on the satellite radio, I have it in my regular ride but I am too cheap to put it in the vette because it hibernates for half the year.

 

[Dave Z]

OUCH! damn, I can buy an NOS bezel to replace the original I hacked up for that price! I'm sure it's a nice piece, but the part required for installation should not exceed the cost of the stereo IMHO. how about the radio delete plates, maybe I can find one of those and use it.

I know, that's why I'm still riding with the "hacked look"!