Car Radio Question

[AAP]

Ok assweeds, here we go.

For cars that had a solid panel with each feature "independent" of another - like radio is in one area, power knob in another area, volume in another, cd insert located above or below the other components, etc... (not mounted in the convenient DIN or DDIN box style)

What option is there other than having to go to the dealer and get an entire new dash panel installed with the radio you want?

There used to be decks that mounted in the trunk or under the seat, (sort of like multi loading CD decks) that just had a small interface controller that you attached somewhere on the dash to operate. Those still exist?

 

[AAP]

MSN Autos - Multimedia Player

Look at the interior pic in the group there. That is (sort of) what I am trying to describe. Like you can't just cut out the radio and leave the rest of the junk in there.

 

[gstacker]

What I did with my 66 caprice was leave the stock gm radio in the dash and mount a pioneer deck in the glove box, there is a iPod cord under my seat so I listen to my iPod mostly, and then I have a marine controller mounted under my dash that controlls the deck functions like volume cd aux station etc.... Keeps my 66 lookin real clean and stock but it's not it pounds supper hard

what kinda car you have?? A benz or chrysler?

 

[AAP]

Why would you need the mariner-thingy if you already have the deck in the glove box? Is there an alternative area to mount a deck besides the glove box?

 

[gstacker]

When I'm driving down the road it's way way easier to control
my deck from the marine controller it's within reach and the deck is way over in the glove box witch I like to keep closed. And I could of put the deck under the seat or trunk, I jus chose the glove box...

I also have another car with factory navigation and didn't want to mess with it so I jus upgraded with better speakers an added a amp n sub.

 

[miplank]

What kind of car?


You can do it, but it costs around $600 or more depending on the car.

 

[gstacker]

Looking at that picture of a dash, for my taste anyways I would leave it be and get a iPod module for that car and upgrade the speakers and amps and keep the dash stock an untampered....What kinda features are you looking for with a new deck?

 

[Dial_tone]

Go to Crutchfield: LCD TV, Car Stereo, Home Theater, Speakers, Plasma TV and enter your specific vehicle. They will show you stereos that will fit your specific dash.

 

[digimon7068]

Go to Crutchfield: LCD TV, Car Stereo, Home Theater, Speakers, Plasma TV and enter your specific vehicle. They will show you stereos that will fit your specific dash.

or. . .if you don't wanna do it yourself, go to your local auto detailer (that does installations). . .there are literally dozens of options for any application. . .my sexterra looked pretty much like that and i replaced the factory unit with one that will play anything (cd, mp3, etc.). . .the installtion is seamless, it gave me an extra little shelf right under the head unit that makes a perfect space for gas slips, toll tickets, etc., and it took the little shit that installed the unit all of about 45 minutes from start to finish. . .plus they washed and waxed my vehicle

 

[AAP]

or. . .if you don't wanna do it yourself, go to your local auto detailer (that does installations). . .there are literally dozens of options for any application. . .my sexterra looked pretty much like that and i replaced the factory unit with one that will play anything (cd, mp3, etc.). . .the installtion is seamless, it gave me an extra little shelf right under the head unit that makes a perfect space for gas slips, toll tickets, etc., and it took the little shit that installed the unit all of about 45 minutes from start to finish. . .plus they washed and waxed my vehicle

The kind of dash I am refering to doesn't just take mods to it like that. you would have to hack it up.

 

[AAP]

What kind of car?


You can do it, but it costs around $600 or more depending on the car.

No particular one. Yet. I have looked at some BMWs and Benzs and it seems that the current design is leaning towards a flushed non-boxy look of just one seamless dash front. Unlike the normal, little box for radio here, little square for A/C controls there, etc..

 

[AAP]

Looking at that picture of a dash, for my taste anyways I would leave it be and get a iPod module for that car and upgrade the speakers and amps and keep the dash stock an untampered....What kinda features are you looking for with a new deck?

Basically just ipod features. I mean they usually have a radio and CD player in it already.

I guess it would require wiring an Ipod bluetooth adapter to the factory radio (assuming it accepts it) and then purchasing the blue tooth adapter to plug into the top of the Iphone/Ipod.

Speakers will get reworked and upgraded no matter what. Amp and sub(s). Will go with either sound processor or cross over to keep the lows and high separate. Lows just for Sub(s) and it's dedicated amp, highs for upgraded interior speakers and their dedicated amp.

 

[ortiz34]

ballah

 

[miplank]

Basically just ipod features. I mean they usually have a radio and CD player in it already.

I guess it would require wiring an Ipod bluetooth adapter to the factory radio (assuming it accepts it) and then purchasing the blue tooth adapter to plug into the top of the Iphone/Ipod.

Speakers will get reworked and upgraded no matter what. Amp and sub(s). Will go with either sound processor or cross over to keep the lows and high separate. Lows just for Sub(s) and it's dedicated amp, highs for upgraded interior speakers and their dedicated amp.

Bro, if you're going with a benz you don't really need to upgrade the stereo. The Harmon Kardon sounds absolutely amazing. They also have the aux port so you can plug your ipod in directly.

If you get one with nav there is a place you can send your nav unit in and they will convert it to do what you want including playing dvd video.

 

[miplank]

oh, and LOL at comparing the dash from a 2005 ford taurus to that of a bmw or benz.

 

[gstacker]

Basically just ipod features. I mean they usually have a radio and CD player in it already.

I guess it would require wiring an Ipod bluetooth adapter to the factory radio (assuming it accepts it) and then purchasing the blue tooth adapter to plug into the top of the Iphone/Ipod.

Speakers will get reworked and upgraded no matter what. Amp and sub(s). Will go with either sound processor or cross over to keep the lows and high separate. Lows just for Sub(s) and it's dedicated amp, highs for upgraded interior speakers and their dedicated amp.

ya thats the way to go, a deck under the seat or glove box in a late model benz or beamer is just lame... alot of late model stuff you just plug your ipod into the aux input...if theres no aux or no blue tooth then ipod makes adapters for almost any car out there

 

[AAP]

oh, and LOL at comparing the dash from a 2005 ford taurus to that of a bmw or benz.

that was the only quick image I could find, the bmw and benz site had flash and I didn't want to wait for it to load this slow ass computer.

 

[miplank]

that was the only quick image I could find, the bmw and benz site had flash and I didn't want to wait for it to load this slow ass computer.

fair enough

 

[digimon7068]

The kind of dash I am refering to doesn't just take mods to it like that. you would have to hack it up.

are you sure about that?? modern automobile assembly lines being what they are, componentization kinda rules the day. . .

 

[miplank]

The kind of dash I am refering to doesn't just take mods to it like that. you would have to hack it up.

i know exactly what you're talking about. You have to basically buy an entire new "dash" bezel that relocates everything so that you can install a headunit it into it. They're not cheap.

 

[digimon7068]

i know exactly what you're talking about. You have to basically buy an entire new "dash" bezel that relocates everything so that you can install a headunit it into it. They're not cheap.

oem's still make stuff like that? wtf do they install in it, a solid state am radio??

 

[miplank]

oem's still make stuff like that? wtf do they install in it, a solid state am radio??

A lot of newer cars are making them to where the head unit, a/c controls etc are all one piece.

Few off the top of my head

Mazda 6
Honda Civic
Toyota Prius
Nissan Murano

 

[digimon7068]

A lot of newer cars are making them to where the head unit, a/c controls etc are all one piece.

Few off the top of my head

Mazda 6
Honda Civic
Toyota Prius
Nissan Murano

jeez. . .that kinda sux, no??

 

[gstacker]

Yo miplank..I can send in my factory navagation head unit to get it programmed to play movies??? What else can they do to it an what's the cost like?

 

[miplank]

jeez. . .that kinda sux, no??

only sucks if you plan on replacing it with an aftermarket HU.

 

[miplank]

Yo miplank..I can send in my factory navagation head unit to get it programmed to play movies??? What else can they do to it an what's the cost like?

go here for more information.

Mobile video mobile tv mobile video system mobile satellite tv mobile video systems nav tv car tv dvd car video car dvd car tv car video system car satellite tv video interface car navigation system car video navigation car navigation gps car tv scre

 

[digimon7068]

only sucks if you plan on replacing it with an aftermarket HU.

. . .which has occurred with pretty much every vehicle that i have ever owned. . .i likes my tunes. . .LOUD.

 

[miplank]

. . .which has occurred with pretty much every vehicle that i have ever owned. . .i likes my tunes. . .LOUD.

yeah, the best "cheapest" option for vehicles with those types of set ups is to get the interface box that adds preouts to the back of the stock head unit. Allowing you to add amplifiers and uprgrade your stock speakers while keeping the factory cd player.

 

[digimon7068]

yeah, the best "cheapest" option for vehicles with those types of set ups is to get the interface box that adds preouts to the back of the stock head unit. Allowing you to add amplifiers and uprgrade your stock speakers while keeping the factory cd player.

yeah. . .manufacturers have all gotten pretty progressive with regard to factory installed sound systems. . .the last two that i have replaced have just been a result of failures on the part of the oem head unit. . .of course, i took the opportunity to do a few other upgrades too

 

[kx250rider]

The best bet is to install another complete unit, and leave alone the factory components. They make universal DIN boxes that are sold at most stores which carry car audio, and definitely at trucker supply and RV delaers. Or, as others said, you can mount it someplace out-of-sight, as you might want to with a classic car that has the original AM radio for show. Just get one with a full-function remote. Or if it's a later model car, somebody probably makes an adaptor plate for it. The GM full-size trucks & Suburbans were a big problem for aftermarket stereos in the late 80s to mid-90s, since they were "control head" style with the radio box down deep, and only the controls & faceplate up on the top face of the dash. Most newer car & truck stereos, even if they have a weird-shaped face, have a DIN or double DIN chassis right behind. In those cases, you can usually get an adaptor face from eBay or a stereo shop. Lexus has a very weird setup, but in that case, it's a great factory stereo and no reason to upgrade, IMHO. Same is true of our Silverado 4x4 Diesel. It has a great factory system in it with backseat DVD player and all.

Charles