Installing Becker Europa

[lgowin]

I want to put a vintage Becker radio into my 1750 GTV. Does anyone know how these are held into the dash? Are there tabs that are bent up to hold it in place or is there a metal sleeve that goes around the radio to support it against the dash?

Also, I believe that the Europa/Europa II will fit into the 1750's dash. Can anyone confirm this? The link below shows the radio in question.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/70s-M...46647508QQrdZ1





Regards,
Lawrence

[Tito]

I just bought this exact radio for my spider. From the looks of it you will have to fabricate some sort of grounding/mounting strap for the bolt in the back to support it. The front of the radio should fit pretty snug in the din opening so it wont move around too much.

[1750s]

Remember the black lead is Power not ground. Learned from experience! It's nic they have the speaker interconnects.

[jackr]

1st of all you should have a din size opening (rectangular with no round holes for the knobs. You should also have the mounting plate which fits in the hole. Install the radio onto the plate by securing the knob shafts to it. Now do all your wiring and slip the radio in from the front. Then install the 2 mounting tabs(these are 2 thin pieces of metal with screws in the center of them ). The faceplate snaps onto the mounting bracket.

After looking at your link it doesnt look like that radio has the mounting tabs shown. Make sure you get them from him. These tabs slip into the rectangular slots on the top and bottom of the mounting plate

[Ish-Man]

The only Becker Europa II AM-FM Stereo radios I've seen, have required the amplifier module, attached to the main radio by a DIN cable, to support stereo. It is possible that these radios were updated where the stereo and amplifier elements were integrated into the radio. I have not seen this application in a Becker. The Blaupunkt Frankfurt model was a full FM stereo, integrated unit, and may make a better install than the Becker.

The Becker typically requires that a fader control and radio impedance balancer be installed. It is not included in the radio itself, nor is a left-right balance. Mercedes still offers the fader and wiring harness for the Becker Europa II. A bit pricey, but worth the money for a professional, clean, functional install. I may only conclude, the amplifier must have some adjustment on install, to get the left and right balance set up, or it is just "German," and right just the way it is... No changes, it's already perfect. The unit shown on E-bay looks to me like the Becker radio without the amplifier and stereo components.

My recent installation was done using a strap attached between the back of the radio, and the firewall area behind the dash. The installer must have used some generic installation parts for the front of the radio, beyond the manner in which the face plat was attached using the nuts, which tighten over the on-off-volume and tuning posts. The DIN cord connects to the power/stereo unit, which is tied behind the vertical part of the center console.

I also used speakers in the front locations on the sides of the console, and a 2-way plate speaker (Infinity with 4 " woofer), mounted from below the rear deck, with speaker grilles separately sourced, and attached to the top of the deck.

I think the Blaupunkt Frankfurt is easier to install, and more versatile. If you want a battery in the trunk, watch you speaker depth! Some photos follow.

Becker Radio

Stereo/Power Module

No Bal/Fader

Speaker Install
Bottom of Rear Deck

Speaker Grille - Top

[Ish-Man]

Am I mistaken, or do you need the amplifier/stereo module, attached by the DIN cord, to have a stereo Becker radio? I guess, if it's mono, you don't need a balance control, because the radio pictured, as well as my own, does not have a balance control. Fader was addressed by the wiring harness of the manufacturer, with a control on the center console for front/rear.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lgowin I want to put a vintage Becker radio into my 1750 GTV. Does anyone know how these are held into the dash? Are there tabs that are bent up to hold it in place or is there a metal sleeve that goes around the radio to support it against the dash? Also, I believe that the Europa/Europa II will fit into the 1750's dash. Can anyone confirm this? The link below shows the radio in question. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/70s-M...46647508QQrdZ1 Regards, Lawrence

[lgowin]

7 months on, and I bought a Europa MU off of Craigslist recently. It doesn't work. I assumed that when I forked over the cash, but still had a bit of hope. Anyway, when I turn it on I hear a little static through the speaker, but it isn't loud like a normally operating radio without a signal. The light behind the scale doesn't illuminate and I hear nothing as I move the tuner up and down the dial.

Are these difficult to troubleshoot and repair? How much does it typically cost to have one of these reconditioned through Becker or an independent shop like Continental Imports ?

I've debated keeping this as a dummy unit in my dash and installing a Secret Audio system . I'd feel like I'm cheating a bit with that, but I would benefit from some modern technology with that solution. That said, I would like to make the Becker work.

Regards,
Lawrence

[Dr.G]

Look for a Becker Europa Universal. The "Universal" faceplate is the same look as a Blaupunkt Frankurt USA. Be sure the faceplate comes with the radio, although they are available elsewhere, it's still a pain to find the parts.

I have a Blaupunkt Frankfurt USA and it's still chugging away after 37 years.

Good luck.

Wes