Music in a 69 Spider

rsj · #1 (**permalink**) 02-23-2008, 12:39 PM

Moving this post from Restoration to here at Biba's suggestion.

Any suggestions for alternatives to mounting a larger CD unit in a 69 dash (necessitating cutting out a significantly larger hole in dash) to replace a cassette deck coming out. On the one hand, covering with a blanking plate (and hoping it would cover the current slightly-enlarged hole) and putting the new unit elsewhere would be the way to go, but just not sure how that would work.

Has anyone installed in the glovebox or elsewhere under the dash?
I could also use the blanking plate dimensions to help me decide.
Thanks!

sh0rtlife · #2 (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 02:54 AM

IMO this is the ONLY way to go when you dont want to hack a dash..as you do NOT need the face section in view, as the whole system can be operated via RF remote ...when i get around to my 58 ford..this is the system i will be running

Secretaudio

there are however a few new head units running RF remotes.....but you have to weed thru every unit 1 by 1 to find the RF over the IR remote units..IR need line of sight or the remote fails..and "most" head units are IR

**Geezer** · #3 (**permalink**) 03-08-2008, 06:00 AM

SecretAudio makes a great unit. I considered one but decided to hack the dash anyway.

**Zunige** · #4 (**permalink**) 08-21-2008, 04:13 AM

Spam by kungfu888 reported.

**Dan Walker** · #5 (**permalink**) 08-21-2008, 06:56 PM

I had the same dilemma with my '67 Duetto- solved the problem (sort of) by acquiring another dash to hack up on eBay so I could mount a DIN style CD/ Stereo unit in the car. When I disassembled the dash for painting, had both dashes painted so I could keep the original dash with the Pininfarina radio delete plate, just in case I ever wanted to convert it back, or if I ever sell the car, the next owner will have the option of converting it back. It was the right time to do this, so the dashes could be painted to match the exterior while I had the car stripped down for paint and body work. I just decided I wanted tunes in the car on the rare occasions when the song of the engine isn't enough (that doesn't happen too often!), and the installation of a Sony stereo/CD worked out to my satisfaction. I've seen stereos installed behind the glove box door, but that wasn't the way I wanted to go- I also like having a functional glove box! I know some won't approve of what I've done, but it looks good and sounds good, and enhances the car for me- that's what should be important, anyway.

NikosF · #6 (**permalink**) 08-22-2008, 04:44 AM

I went with a slightly different approach since most of my music is on my iPod.

My car had an old AM radio with two speakers in the footwells already. I removed the (small) radio and covered the hole with the Pininfarina blanking plate. I found new speakers that were the same size as the cutouts that had been made in the footwells and were all black (so are esentially invisible). I mounted an amp in the rear of the passenger compartment under the vinyl cover. I then bought a small plastic box from an electronics supply store and 4 RCA connectors (2 for in and 2 for out), a volume control and a small power switch. I wired the little box so act as a volume control, put it under the glovebox with some double-sided tape and extended a small lead to where my ashtray is, and rigged the switch to drive the amp's power on and off.

Now I can attach the iPod to the headphone output, flick the switch on the box and listen to my iPod. I bought Infinity speakers and an Alpine amp, and despite their modest size it plays more than loudly enough to listen to music with the top down at 80mph in my Duetto. And best of all, it's invisible and with the ipod in my ashtray - it's near to hand to change tunes, or reach over under the glovebox to adjust the volume.

**chuck** · #7 (**permalink**) 12-18-2008, 09:02 AM

I have a similar problem with music in my 69 Spider. The car is completely stock, including the original am/fm pushbutton radio and mono speaker mounted under the dash in the passenger side foot well. I'm not interested in any outward changes to the car but would like to be able to play music from my ipod.

I found a company called RediRad that makes a unit than plugs in between the antenna cable and the radio and allows for an ipod hookup without any other changes to the audio system. The unit is small and would hide away under the dash with just the stereo mini plug routed out. I haven't bought it yet, but it sounds like it will do exactly what I need. Has anyone tried this device or know anyone that has?

Here's the link:

Home of the RediRad car radio adapter.

Thanks,
Chuck

Engine-Ear · #8 (**permalink**) 01-01-2009, 12:38 PM

Guys, here is a link on youtube to the RediRad radio adapter Chuck is referring to...

YouTube - A must-have for the classic car guy.

...the video is low-buck and the fist 10 or so seconds has the sound muted, but when you get past that, it demonstrates how it works.

cheers!

**chuck** · #9 (**permalink**) 01-04-2009, 11:16 AM

I think that should work. Thanks for finding the YouTube clip! I'm thinking of installing a jack for the ipod and 12v socket just under the dash so it won't be visible. The cigarette lighter in the car is an odd style where the cigarette is inserted to light it and is useless for running electronics.

Thanks,
Chuck

**Dan Walker** · #10 (**permalink**) 01-04-2009, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck

I think that should work. Thanks for finding the YouTube clip! I'm thinking of installing a jack for the ipod and 12v socket just under the dash so it won't be visible. The cigarette lighter in the car is an odd style where the cigarette is inserted to light it and is useless for running electronics.

Thanks,
Chuck

**chuck** · #11 (**permalink**) 01-04-2009, 12:39 PM

Thanks Dan. Was it the heater core and the floor pans you redid? It's nice to see the car is back on the road. Mine's still in too many pieces for my liking, but in time it will be back together.

Chuck

**Dan Walker** · #12 (**permalink**) 01-04-2009, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck

Thanks Dan. Was it the heater core and the floor pans you redid? It's nice to see the car is back on the road. Mine's still in too many pieces for my liking, but in time it will be back together.

Chuck

**jarrington** · #13 (**permalink**) 01-06-2009, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck

I think that should work. Thanks for finding the YouTube clip! I'm thinking of installing a jack for the ipod and 12v socket just under the dash so it won't be visible. The cigarette lighter in the car is an odd style where the cigarette is inserted to light it and is useless for running electronics.

Thanks,
Chuck