AKimball92
True Classic
Incoming thread documenting my radio install on a '78 old style dash and interior set up. I have basically just purchased the parts, no install yet. speakers to come when I am home and able to work on it. Tis the season for weddings when you and all your friends are ~29 years old.
My dash is uncut but I have added an adaptor to sit on the dash displaying oil pressure and A/F reading. That area is blocked. At first I wanted to hide a mechless unit behind the speaker grill in the dash and using a little magnet clip latch to lower the door for access. The existing speaker holes in the dash insert are slightly narrower than a single DIN radio and I couldn't find an oddball sized unit that fit nicely behind there without cutting the metal behind. I was also afraid I wouldn't be able to find a plastic door insert to color match perfectly. Thus I decided on the SecretAudio system where I might still do that with the "head unit" and simply velcro the remote elsewhere more easily accessible. One good spot would be on the drivers side of my gage insert.
Radio unit:
Secretaudio Hidden Classic Car Radio System with Bluetooth Every site had this unit for $329 so no deals were around at the time. This hasn't came in yet at this point. This system seemed to have good enough ratings and reviews for myself. It's expensive but should be less intrusive to install. I plan to keep the actual guts of the system in the spare wheel compartment. How? Uncertain until I get the parts in hand. It also can power a sub (possible future update), and my electric antenna.
My speakers I chose Kicker KSC line with both 4x6 rear shelf speakers (47KSC4604) and 4" kick panel speakers (47KSC404). These have come in and I have played with the fitment a bit. I have not listened to them yet; fingers cross they sound good.
Rear Shelf:
My rear shelf does have the oval holes cut out in the metal underneath, but the vinyl is uncut and in flawless condition (unfortunately
as I hate to mess up). The vinyl panel has a board inside and it is glued to the underside of the window seal. It stretches down 3 inches to the shelf then wraps around the board to wedge into the shelf. I made the executive decision that I will cut the vinyl underneath pull out the wood insert cut to size and install the speakers in the OEM holes. T plan to wrap the top layer around to the bottom to make a nice edge to the surface On the driver's side with the fuel tank, the speaker does not sit flush. I am cutting up a half inch plywood spacer (rectangular donut) to raise it up. I'll screw the spacers to the sheet metal and then the speakers to the spacers. The sound insulation will make up for the 1/2" wood spacer to make it not bulge up.
Two items I still need are a vapor barrier to separate the fuel tank from the inside, also to help with sound deadening. Second, I need to figure out what to do for speaker covers. I think something like Bobkat's Method to fastened to the wood insert would be best to ensure it fits properly in the shelf. Speaking of which I think I need to lengthen my spacers to make attach the grills, underneath the vinyl.
Kick Panels:
I went relatively small on the kick panel speakers because I do use that space to rest my foot when not shifting. I needed enough room to not intrude. These angle enough to tuck into the corner. Also my car has the hood latch on the driver's side with the over center level. I believe this is for '79 and newer cars? I tested a 5.5" loose speaker and could not get it to fit how i wanted without cutting sheet metal. I will create a plywood box or just a box front to fasten to the plethora of square holes in the dash metal at that location. I need to order those little screw-inserts-into-square-holes thingamabobs. I am also missing some for engine shields.
Stay tuned for updates and pictures.
My dash is uncut but I have added an adaptor to sit on the dash displaying oil pressure and A/F reading. That area is blocked. At first I wanted to hide a mechless unit behind the speaker grill in the dash and using a little magnet clip latch to lower the door for access. The existing speaker holes in the dash insert are slightly narrower than a single DIN radio and I couldn't find an oddball sized unit that fit nicely behind there without cutting the metal behind. I was also afraid I wouldn't be able to find a plastic door insert to color match perfectly. Thus I decided on the SecretAudio system where I might still do that with the "head unit" and simply velcro the remote elsewhere more easily accessible. One good spot would be on the drivers side of my gage insert.
Radio unit:
Secretaudio Hidden Classic Car Radio System with Bluetooth Every site had this unit for $329 so no deals were around at the time. This hasn't came in yet at this point. This system seemed to have good enough ratings and reviews for myself. It's expensive but should be less intrusive to install. I plan to keep the actual guts of the system in the spare wheel compartment. How? Uncertain until I get the parts in hand. It also can power a sub (possible future update), and my electric antenna.
My speakers I chose Kicker KSC line with both 4x6 rear shelf speakers (47KSC4604) and 4" kick panel speakers (47KSC404). These have come in and I have played with the fitment a bit. I have not listened to them yet; fingers cross they sound good.
Rear Shelf:
My rear shelf does have the oval holes cut out in the metal underneath, but the vinyl is uncut and in flawless condition (unfortunately
as I hate to mess up). The vinyl panel has a board inside and it is glued to the underside of the window seal. It stretches down 3 inches to the shelf then wraps around the board to wedge into the shelf. I made the executive decision that I will cut the vinyl underneath pull out the wood insert cut to size and install the speakers in the OEM holes. T plan to wrap the top layer around to the bottom to make a nice edge to the surface On the driver's side with the fuel tank, the speaker does not sit flush. I am cutting up a half inch plywood spacer (rectangular donut) to raise it up. I'll screw the spacers to the sheet metal and then the speakers to the spacers. The sound insulation will make up for the 1/2" wood spacer to make it not bulge up.Two items I still need are a vapor barrier to separate the fuel tank from the inside, also to help with sound deadening. Second, I need to figure out what to do for speaker covers. I think something like Bobkat's Method to fastened to the wood insert would be best to ensure it fits properly in the shelf. Speaking of which I think I need to lengthen my spacers to make attach the grills, underneath the vinyl.
Kick Panels:
I went relatively small on the kick panel speakers because I do use that space to rest my foot when not shifting. I needed enough room to not intrude. These angle enough to tuck into the corner. Also my car has the hood latch on the driver's side with the over center level. I believe this is for '79 and newer cars? I tested a 5.5" loose speaker and could not get it to fit how i wanted without cutting sheet metal. I will create a plywood box or just a box front to fasten to the plethora of square holes in the dash metal at that location. I need to order those little screw-inserts-into-square-holes thingamabobs. I am also missing some for engine shields.
Stay tuned for updates and pictures.
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