Radio Head unit in a series

[Clembs]

I am about to install a cd player and speakers in my 2a 88 and i do not want to buy a center tuffy box or get rid of my third front seat. Has anyone found a clean place to mount a standard CD Deck. Also does crutchfield sell those surrounds to mount on the underside of a dash, or seat box?

[LaneRover]

Make sure you get good speakers and a powerful amp so you can hear it:D

[thixon]

Crutchfield used to sell what you're after, but I hav'nt checked in a while. I got one at a local car stereo shop last time I did this. I mounted it under the dash.

[TSR53]

You might be able to adapt the factory Defender radio head unit mount.

http://www.roversnorth.com/store/images/Product/large/RNH512.JPG
http://www.roversnorth.com/store/p-2939-radio-housing-defender-.aspx (http://www.roversnorth.com/store/p-2939-radio-housing-defender-.aspx)

[Leslie]

For a IIa, I'd suggest looking at Thompson's link above. In my III, there's a spot where I did cut a square little hole for the front of the deck to stick out, and used a kit from Crutchfield to install it. Lemme see if I can find a pic..... BRB....

[Leslie]

In a SIII, there's a spot on the dash that has some holes in the steel, covered by foam.... the radio is a Kenwood w/ 25w into 2 channels, I've got a pair of Polk 6" marine speakers in my doors. For a SIIa, again, I like the idea of using the Defender shelf mount.... haven't tried it, the SII had the radio mounted overhead already.... not sure I like it there, might relocate it....


Here's my radio:

[galen216]

Local club member did this.

http://forum.roversclub.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1333

I have seen another truck where they used a pre-amp (I may be totally wrong as I don't know radios) with an ipod plug-in. So again, no radio but could only play an ipod.

Me personally, I just use the ipod w/headphones.

[Rineheitzgabot]

I also did the motorcycle speakers/amp, thing.

The speakers fit perfectly on the "shelf" just behind the vents in the dash, and the only invasive thing I did, was stick a piece of velcro to the dash, so my Ipod had a place to sit during travel.

No holes, no fab-work. All music, all the time. I'm pleased with it.

[Leslie]

Oh, I left that out.....

I installed an Audiovox FM modulator inline with the antenna. REALLY nice little unit. At the flick of a switch, it feeds your RCA input in through the radio, w/ no radio signal walking in over it the way most FM units use. I have a RCA-to-headphone adapter w/ it, so I can plug in my Zune or my Walkman.

Thing about using my Kenwood: I already had it; as a cassette deck, it looks correct in a Series; 25wx2channels; is great as a radio; w/ the FM modulator, I can play an iPod or whatever.... The Polks were the most expensive part, and only because I wanted shallow-mounting marine 3-ways of a ~6" diameter, and even they weren't that much, getting them off ebay.

[Clembs]

those are very good ideas. the reason i am looking into a full stereo is that i had my ipod stolen from the seriesand i don't really want to buy another. I have an older Sony head unit and a couple bostons to put in the doors (free).

The problem about the shelf plastic box is that under the dash i have the heat duct blocking a clean spot to mount one. Crutchfield has the same thing as the defender oem but $24 not $58. I was also thinking of boat stereo housing. I could install it along the head liner.or on the plate on above the dash below the wind sheild

That motocycle unit is a great idea if i can find a good CD/Radio with Ant. I could velcro that to the top of the dash.

Any other pics/ ideas would be welcome

[BGGB]

i haven't done this yet but i was also thinking of installing cd/radio. i was thinking of mounting a board across the top of the roof, this would still give you several inches to mount the radio i plan on putting my cb up there to if there is enought room and it shouldn;t interfer with visablity. you could also store clutter up there:)

[Bertha]

I am about to install a cd player and speakers in my 2a 88 and i do not want to buy a center tuffy box or get rid of my third front seat. Has anyone found a clean place to mount a standard CD Deck. Also does crutchfield sell those surrounds to mount on the underside of a dash, or seat box?

What year is your 88(is it a late 2a or an early one without the single speed wiper) I have fabricated a Land Rover looking bracket for the early trucks out of aluminum and it is painted truck color and fastened to the bulkhead with the original grey screws. I will take some pics tonight and post them tomorrow.

[Leslie]

i haven't done this yet but i was also thinking of installing cd/radio. i was thinking of mounting a board across the top of the roof, this would still give you several inches to mount the radio i plan on putting my cb up there to if there is enought room and it shouldn;t interfer with visablity. you could also store clutter up there:)

That's the way Art set up the 'Vark, has a radio deck towards the outside, and a CB beside it towards the inside. It works, it's right there overhead, easy to read, and more-or-less out-of-the-way... my only concern is the potential for whacking my head. I am contemplating relocating them at some point, probably whenever I get into redoing the electrics in it, but that won't be for awhile... I have it running again now, headlights and interior lights and taillights and signals are working, just need to get the brakelights functioning, too.

[Clembs]

the other place i had been thinking of is the front of the driver's seat box vertically in the floor board. Does anyone know if Modern CD decks can play cds vertically? I think with the plastic cover from a D90 or CF would be pretty tucked in, if there is enough room for my feet.

[Blueboy]

Does anyone know if Modern CD decks can play cds vertically?

not sure how "modern" mine is as it is 8 yrs old, yet, it is placed vertical in the cubby box and works fine.

Jaime

[crankin]

Well, if we are throwing ideas out. I have thought about removing the center accessories panel (the one that holds the hazard switch) and using the defender radio holder to mount it to the upper dash on my SIII.

[Clembs]

That is s good idea (sIII) if the deck isn't too deep. I may just do the verticle with D90 box to the seat box. That would give great Semi-dry access to the wiring harness in the under seat storage.

I hadn't even thought about how everyone with a tuffy box has a vertically installed deck.

[Tim Smith]

Mine is still in the prototype stage as an overhead console. Works good but the CB mounted behind has taken some head contact/trail damage and now the little hook thingy is gone. The stereo was real cheap and now the readout doesn't work. I'm planning on tossing it and going with a car-computer type set up with the touch screen going in place of my head unit. Of course the computer would have to reside elsewhere (probably next to the amp) and be hooked up to the screen and inputs remotely. Lots of design ideas flowing.

You can't really see it but I also integrated some LED (12v native) under counter kitchen lights which are great for night time lighting. They can be daisy chained and supply more light to the rest of the cabin later on. Low power and plenty bright when you want to do a little reading at night.

If you go this route, make sure you plan for collision. So in effect, make it out of weak materials that will not crush or cut you if the worst should happen. Mine is made out of 1/8 luon plywood and self wrapped strips of very soft steel sheet. When it is done, I'm planning on wrapping with foam and vinyl sheets. Should collapse nicely in a "head on".

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Mw8MF8Gu0DU/R7n5Rh2OA8I/AAAAAAAABUY/vmohIJpp2_0/s144/OverHeadv1-06.jpg

Clicky (http://picasaweb.google.com/smithco1/BumbasOverheadConsole#)

[Clembs]

Tim that is lookin good. I might look into something like that later on but it looks like a lot of Trial.

Blue Boy where did you get your box. I like how it is lower profile than the new tuffy boxes seem to be.

[ybt502r]

I installed a CD/radio in a SIII. Got an aftermarket radio case (similar to the ones mentioned, sides and base - just something to slide the unit into) and bolted it to the front shelf, below the tray, above the 4wd knob. It's out of the way to everything (and all knees), doesn't use the middle seat/box, and is still easy to reach from the driver seat. The CD player (a Sony) said that it would not work beyond 60 degrees from the horizontal. I don't know the angle of the front there, but it's got to be around 60. Anyway, it all works fine and only took a few sheet metal screws into the lower part of the tray.

I thought about mounting above my head or inside the centre box, but this seemed like the best option. It's never given me any issues, though one sure has to crank the volume to hear it. That's a given.

[Clembs]

hey that is probably what i'll end up doing but i wasn't sure if it would fit. My rover has the metal air vent under the dash. Wasn't sure about that and the 4wheel drive shifter. I might try and move the vent/windscreen lever to the other side if it can be moved, haven't checked yet.

[crankin]

to rehash...
When wiring... I want the Black and white/orange wires, correct?

[jrd51ox]

I came across some series owners that swear by this company that makes motorcycle speaker set ups. Waterproof, loud, and very easy to conseal. Plus it helps retain the orginal interior look of your rover. These work by using an iPod. It's been on the list for me for some time. Hopefully will do it by next summer.

http://www.motorcyclespeakers.net/shop/stereo-speakers-amplifiers-26-ctg.htm

Good luck.

[kevkon]

Just a thought, but anyone interested in mounting a radio without building a console might be interested in the Sony marine radio. You can mount it anywhere and use the optional remote head.

[navydevildoc]

My buddy did that in his '97 D90... he has a Kenwood KMR-700U marine radio, and a small remote display/control unit up on the dash. The real "radio" hides away.

When I get around to getting a radio in my series, it will probably be that setup.

But for now, I just have an iHome IH13CQS speaker deal that my ipod zips up in, and then I just put the thing on the seat box next to me. Works pretty well, and I can take it with me when I have the top off like I do.

[kevkon]

It's a good way to go in a Series. I do a lot of audio installs and the overhead console has some advantages and some real disadvantages. For anyone intersted in making a custom console I reccomend using PVC trim boards availanble at most lumberyards. It comes in sheets or boards of different widths and thickness. The advantages of it are it offers good support and dampens vibration. Plus you can glue it together without fasteners with pvc glue. It takes any acrylic paint finish or cover it with fabric.

[kevkon]

Here are some pics of my stereo and speakers. They are Polk components and the housing is pvc with upholstery.

[Cutter]

Here are some pics of my stereo and speakers. They are Polk components and the housing is pvc with upholstery.

I like that rear speaker box, doubles as a good pad for reducing blunt force trauma when getting in the back door...

[Lalo88DK]

I installed a DVD/MP3/radio in my SIII. Got an aftermarket radio case (similar to the ones mentioned, sides and base - just something to slide the unit into) and bolted it under the front shelf, below the tray, above the 4wd knob. It's out of the way to everything (and all knees), I do use the middle seat/box, every day for my daugther. It's easy to reach from the driver seat. The DVD player works fine and only took a few sheet metal screws into the lower part of the tray.

I also have a set of small doorspeakers in the back I have a hidden 12" subwoofer and amplifier and 2 x 5½" speaker in a box. The box only takes 2 minuttes to remove, so I can get access to my extra heater (righthand corner).


http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii66/Volvo960DK/th_DSC_0004.jpg (http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii66/Volvo960DK/DSC_0004.jpg)

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo264/Laoren88/th_DSC_0019.jpg (http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo264/Laoren88/DSC_0019.jpg)

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii66/Volvo960DK/th_Varmeapparat1011.jpg (http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii66/Volvo960DK/Varmeapparat1011.jpg)

http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo264/Laoren88/th_Februar2009007-1-1.jpg (http://i382.photobucket.com/albums/oo264/Laoren88/Februar2009007-1-1.jpg)

[Tim Smith]

I like the secondary heater along with the sub speaker. Nice work! :thumb-up:

[Lalo88DK]

I like the secondary heater along with the sub speaker. Nice work! :thumb-up:

It works extremely well, even when it's very cold (subzero temp) :)

[telwyn]

I put in a marine waterproof system designed for jet skis that I bought from Crutchfrield. Has an audio inpiut jack only so I use my ipod with it. Very unobtrusive and no head unit to steal.

I unfortunately don't have pictures handy nor does this write up I did on ExpeditionPortal (http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8659&highlight=stereo) have the photos any more, but the thread may still be helpful as it describes the project and provides the Crutchfield link. I've since painted the grills with the same green paint as my interior.