Where to fit a radio

Post by **eastona** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 5:34 pm

Not sure if this belongs in Mech, but

Where have people fitted radios, and where is considered optimum. Also, anyone fitted a bluetooth enabled head unit?

I've thought of,
To the right of the steering column
in the drivers side glove box
in the pass side glove box
above the pass side parcel shelf.

I'm leaning towards drivers side, to the right of the steering column.

Any other considerations.

Andrew

Post by **picky** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 6:05 pm

I have it inderneath the middle of the parcel shelf, only disadvantage is that full beam switch is slightly harder to reach. its up to personal preference really, but in one of the gloveboxes makes wiring easier and shorter. Also if you put it in the passenger glovebox you can shut it and people cant see the radio for originality/security.

Post by **eastona** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 6:25 pm

Aha, I can see it on your picture.

The only thing about the glove box is, where am I going to put my gloves.

Or maps etc. and tin of travel sweets?

how is it harder to reach the dip switch? It's done with your foot.

Andrew

Post by **bigginger** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 6:44 pm

Just by the radio, which is under the shelf...

Post by **picky** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 7:08 pm

yes the back of the radio and wires leading to it can get in the way of your foot. I didnt think of this when I first fitted it, I then tied the wires out of the way a bit better and now it is fairly easy to press the switch.

Also the controls are a little too far away to comfortably reach while driving. If I hadnt filled up my drivers glovebox with gauges then I would have put the radio there instead.

you could place the radio in the back of the glovebox itself, and there would be room for other items, just less room than without the radio there.

Post by **Roni** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 12:51 am

I have mine in almost the same place. I had it in the centre of the parcel tray but ended up moving it over to the left 2 - 3" to get the clearance for getting to the dip switch when wearing gumboots.
The controls are a stretch, but the unit I have has a remote so that cured that problem. I did brace the shelf to the heater to stop the shelf wobbling with the extra weight of the stereo. The unit has a detachable face for security.
It would be nice to have it invisible in the glove box and working via the remote but this is working for me at the moment. Bluetooth would be great for the glove box idea. Just play and control music from your Pocket PC or cell phone via bluetooth.

Post by **eastona** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 12:58 pm

I was thinking of bluetooth for my telephone. It'd be nice to be able to make calls from the minor. streaming music from my walkman would be great.

Morris 1000 with integrated hands free coms. Coool

That's a few votes for in the centre. I hadn't thought of that.

Anyone got one on the right hand side of the steering column, under the dash?

Andrew

Post by **bigginger** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 3:06 pm

Yup. Quite tricky to get to, but mines a head unit for a multi CD player, so I don't have to often

Post by **RogerRust** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 3:25 pm

I have hidden an amp and speakers under the dash. and all I have is a fly lead with a 3.5mm jack for my MP3 player or Walkman.

Post by **ColinP** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 6:19 pm

My radio is tucked away under the passenger glove box - quite a way back - it's reachable from the passenger side (lean froward), but it has a bright display and a small remote.

The remote is kept hand for me (driver), so once it's switched on, I can do almost everything remotely (changing the CD is occasionally needed - if I haven't done the MP3 CD!)

Do choose one that can be turned off without using the "ACC" switch.

Colin

Post by **dustyfog** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 7:08 pm

hi i have just fitted a cd/radio to my wifes moggy and i fitted it on top of the parcel shelf on the right hand side. i used a under dash mounting pod from halfords at about £8.00 i then mounted this upside down on top of the shelf even using one of the mounting bolts for the parcel shelf to attach the pod on thr right hand side, meaning i only had to drill one additional hole for the pod to finish attaching the pod to the shelf, then wired everything in the normal way tracing the l/h speaker wires along the parcel shelf under the heater. I fitted the speakers uner the dash mounted on hardboard . The good thing about this is that you can't see the head unit from the drivers side and all the wires are out of the way

regards dustyfog

Post by **DaveC** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 9:51 pm

I fitted mine initially on the left hand side under the glovebox, but found i coudn't reach the controls

so i refitted it on the right hand side of the steering wheel under the drivers glovebox-much better

Post by **eastona** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 10:50 pm

Ahaa, Dave, that's exactly where I was thinking of putting mine. Any problems?

Is it easier to get CDs in, turn radio on etc?

front speakers I was going to put in the panel in front of the doors, where the recess is behind for them,

rears, maybe in the parcel shelf or rear seat kick panel?

Andrew

Post by **bigginger** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 10:53 pm

Don't forget that the window slides down inside the door too...

Post by **Roni** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 11:58 pm

Do you mean here?

If so, watch the depth of the speaker you use but you can use a spacer ring if needed.
Also, go for the best quality you can. You will need speakers that don't distort when up loud, as they will need to be in a minor at speed. In addition to these I also have two 6" speakers in the rear quarter panels that were in the car when I bought it. The sound works well enough to be able to clearly hear it at 100 kph.

Post by **DaveC** » Sun Jul 01, 2007 12:02 am

Easy to get to the controls and put CD's in no probs there Andrew. The radio 'box' just fits in the available space. I fitted small pod speakers on the front parcel shelf and bigger ones in the boot (trav). The rear ones could be better tho...

The radio is one of those face off things - £10 from an autojumble

It does restrict access to the bonnet pull handle, but if you keep the wires neat at the back it's OK

Cool drinks holders Roni!!