This installation worked out pretty cool and I think its the best way to utilize the ashtray. I quit 13 years ago anyways.

This is the end result 5 30 09 031.jpg
No one could possibly suspect a 500 watt stereo resides in here5 30 09 029.jpg
It is ergonomically better than the AM radio. Easier to reach and see. And the AM still works!

 

Nice work. Thats great.

 

Hell, just removing and installing the dash is impressive enough! Nice work. How did you run speaker wire to the rear of the car? Are you using an amp?

Nice job.

d1

 

looks amazing nice

 

Looks great!

Now to nit-pick:
Are you sure it's a 500 Watt stereo? You'd need about a 50 Amp fuse (or circuit breaker) if that's true. Car stereo manufacturers are infamous for overstating their output power. Not that it mattters. All that matters is how it sounds, not how much juice it burns.

 

That looks good, I didnt even know you could fit that in there.

 

Nice work, pretty slick setup

 

The amp and speakers in the trunk were professionally installed by my son (He does lots lots of design and installation of this stuff). And it happens to be fused for 80 amps, not 50. He told me 500 watts and it does appear to live up to it. "Space station #5" WILL make your ears bleed.

I really don't like it for several reasons- It eats up lots of room in my trunk, The wires are hard to hide under the hood, and I never use a smidgeon of its potential. I probably should have never let him talk me in to it and I should soon ask him to downsize it or even remove it.

It kind of goes against trying to hide the stereo in the first place.

 

....and I think I'm deaf.

 

and do you really want to hear anything but your engine. My radio hasn't worked in years - i really don't care most of the time.

 

And what people can't see they won't be tempted to steal

 

I agree! I only use it at car shows for the most part. Killed the battery once.

"And what people can't see they won't be tempted to steal "- yeah, been there. 2 complete stereos so far.

I hope they're not eye ballin' my AM radio!

Then it would be one of you guys!

 

I like it! Send your boy over after work next week and he can do mine. I've never indulged so right now I use my ashtray mostly to carry spare change and the garage door remote.

How long did it take you to get this project done? It's impressive IMHO. Oh yeah, I'm not deaf so I would be looking for something with quite a bit less kick.

BTW with the AM radio, did you just leave it hooked up independantly to the front speaker? What did you use for an antenna on the new system?

 

@2 weeks according to my journal. I actually had a problem with my lighting when I initially dived in.

AM radio works off the dash speaker and just picks up one local station, and not very good. But who cares.

I use to throw the car keys in there before the stereo occupied it.

 

C'mon, gotta be someone here whose has already done this.

 

Probably, but yours looks really cool. Plus it's always nice to get info on projects like this. Great job - take the compliment and run! Nice time line BTW. Were you on holidays or was this an afterwork project? What kind of stereo unit is it?

 

The unit is a Alpine CDE-7872 50W CD Reciever. I know I said @ 2 weeks to install but actually it was 5-26-09 to 5-30-09. I was on voluntary layoff that week.

I should have took more pics, but once you get the dash out of the car (which is the real work), it glides right along.

Of course you have to work up the nerve to make that first cut, removing the slide mechanism and lighter pocket. Then planning as you go along, mount the supporting brackets from the inside, reengineer the green light a bit, and tie it all together with plastic body filler. A little sanding later and your ready for paint!

Remount dash, pop stereo in pocket, and make your final connections.

 

Thanks for the compiments you guys. Now you can get started on your own.

 

Ah, my mistake. I thought you were saying the head unit was 500 W, which raised my skepticism. And you're right, you need at least 80 Amps; I was forgetting it's actually 500 W to each of two channels.

 

Dang, I wish I would have thought of that while I had my dash out and before I went with a Retrosound in-dash unit.

Great idea and great work!

 

Should you decide to part ways with the speaker setup in the trunk, please drop me a line. I would be interested.

Thanks
d1

 

Thanks but I'm allready looking at stuffing it into my wifes '87 Daytona. Yet another restoration project I've taken on.