Hi all,

I have been planning to put an old AM radio in the dash of my 73 coupe, then run a new wiz bang radio using an IR remote. The issue is, where to put the radio.

I had planned on putting it in the trunk, mounted just below the rear window. But, the rear windows on these cars are notoriously leaky (rain or car washing) so I'm concerned about getting moisture into my new stereo.

Does anyone have alternate suggestions?

Something like

1. Under the passenger seat?
2. In the glove box (but I've got factory AC, so there is little depth for a radio in there).
3. Someplace else?

Also, my nifty new 6x9 speakers I bought come with grills that are more oval than the old ones, so they don't fit well in the package tray area. I'm facing cutting the crap out of the new grills, or replacing them. I had thought about just placing a layer or accoustic transparent foam over the entire rear package tray area, this would even hide the fact that I've got speakers. But, I don't know where to get the materials for such.

Thanks for any help.

John

 

personally i would go nuts/insane with a remote operated radio while driving. in my opion a car radio has to be placed where you can reach it by hand. obviously that's somewhere in the middle of the console from top of dash down to handbrake

 

The rear package tray held 6x8s not 6x9s. You could always purchase a new ABS package tray with the speaker risers which are available to almost all the vendors. Paintable to match the interior and 6x9 speakers can be added to them. It sits on top of the rear package tray with a bit of fitting. These can also include a center 3rd brake light which is nice for the added safety of a higher brake light. I wouldn't cut the package tray!

Google National Parts Depot, look at page 21 in their catalog and you'll find them. Priced at about 95.00 bucks with the 3rd light.


I have to agree with kalli here regarding the placement. You'll want the HU within reach. If its an IR remote they are often finicky especially on bright sunny days. Imagine cruising down the local town stretch Saturday evening (sun streaming in the windows) with some great old rock'n roll blasting away and suddenly, for kicks, the DJ tosses in some Milli Vanilli or Vanilla Ice! Yeah.. your cool now lol

 

I am with the others regarding the use of IR. You can replace your radio (HU) with an updated wiz banging one. Personally i would spend the money fixing those leeks in that rear window.

 

I had a 10 disc CD changer in the trunk and it was OK. It operated with a remote, and the only thing inside the car was the small infrared thingy you pointed the remote at with an led showing what's playing.

The trunk is the best place to put a remote radio. If you think it might get wet, then you have much bigger probs than ruining a stereo, like rust. If you have a proper trunk seal that isn't dried out your trunk will be dry even after power washing at the cracks. After I replaced mine (EZ stuff), it's like the Sahara Desert in my trunk.

CP

 

I have mine in my glove box.

As far as a IR repeater, the company i work for makes those and they are finiky, but if you mount it far enough under the dash, direct sunlight isnt a problem.

 

The rear package tray speaker thing is intriguing, but I thought that they didn't make one for the 71 to 73 models.

 

National Parts Depot has an in-dash cd player/radio that fits in the origional location (71-73 dash) without cutting.

 

How well does a 70 package tray fit in a 71 to 73?

Anyone tried that?

 

FWIW, I have a Pioneer mounted in my glove compartment and use an IR remote with no problem whatsoever. The only down side is having to drive with the compartment door down so the IR sensor can work... my wife doesn't seem to mind the door staying down (she is the usual passenger).

I find it easier than the previous Custon Autosound Piece of Cr*p that fit very nicely in the dash but required 3 replacements in less than 6 months (1st lasted 1 month until the AM stopped working, the 2nd less than 48 hrs... then died and the 3rd never worked... I am serious. I wired up all 3 as well as the present unit. The Pioneer sounds better, too. And, it costs less than $100. I received a full refund on the Custom Autosound unit- Virginia Classic Mustang are good folks with whom to work!)

I can adjust the volume, band/input (AM/FM/iPod input), tuning either by set stations or incrementally, and a few other things with a very convenient hand held IR remote that sits in my center console next to my 5-sp stick. It is great and easy to pick up and use without looking down.

That is my experience.