[Alfafannj]

Hey Alfa Nuts...
My car doesn't have a radio (but it does have speakers and an antenna), and I am thinking I might like one. I see that most cars have the radio installed under the three gauge pod. However, I kind of like the clean look of the three gauges with nothing underneath, so I was wondering if anybody installed a radio under the dash or somewhere else?
Another option I was thinking was to install Blue tooth speakers and just play everything from my phone. Thoughts?

Also how do I remove the Cigarette lighter...I want to replace the lighter with a USB port.

Thanks!

 

[stasha]

HEY! Get one of the half-chassis single DIN radios from China for about $18, that have BT, USB, SD, 50-60W per channel and WITH A REMOTE! The sound is GREAT.
Install them in your glovebox, out of sight.
You can use the radio without opening the glovebox.
I have now installed two of these in two different cars. The options and functions are amazing.

On a classic Mustang I had, I made a rack out of bendable steel, although aluminum is fine. (I kept the original radio in place just for originality's sake.) The radio unit is so light weight that it probably could be suspended by a rubber band!
The rack elevated the radio off the glovebox floor so that it could still be used for maps, paperwork, etc. underneath.
I cut ONE rectangular hole in the back just large enough to slip each connector through, individually to minimize the number of holes. (The back is usually cardboard, so easy to cut with a razor.)
In fact, I would suggest you just cut 3 sides of a rectangle so that the 4th side flap can held cover the hole -- although it is NOT visible, but just in case you revert back to "stock". (See my pix showing the Mustang example -- but YOU CAN IMPROVE ON THAT INSTALLATION!!)

Here's an example of those radios (I have absolutely no benefit from this link!)
Do not be deterred by "Made in China"! The sound in a sports car/convertible is much much more than adequate -- I swear you cannot tell the difference from my high end Clarion when driving or even with the engine running.
And if it craps out, heck, buy another!!

EXAMPLE: Car Stereo Audio BT In-Dash FM Aux Input Receiver SD USB MP3 Radio Player | eBay

 

[Alfafannj]

wow...that is exactly what I was looking for. Great advice. Thanks for sharing.

 

[vintagemilano]

Or leave it as is and enjoy the clean dash and the sounds of the world around you. I have a radio in my spider, it's rarely if ever on. Use your radio money to buy a stinger exhaust. I would also leave the original cigarette lighter as is. If you want a USB port, then maybe wire something into the glovebox separately for that.

 

[DPeterson3]

Another solution.

I bought a JBL GTR102 remote amp. It has built in Bluetooth, and gobs of power. The power is a major factor in getting good sound even when it’s not loud.

I mounted it entirely behind the console. It comes with a pre-wired remote panel that I installed in the area you would like to leave blank. The GTR operates fine without the wired remote, or you could put it in the glovebox.

I never use the radio anymore. Waste of time, with bad reception, crap music, and constant advertising.

Now, I get in the car, the GTR auto syncs with my IPhone, and I can listen to what I choose.

The wired remote adds two functions. You can turn on the amp without starting the car, and hands-free telephone.

As for USB port.

I found an aftermarket “console” that slips down in the gap between the passenger seat and the driveshaft tunnel. It includes a small tray for change or whatever, a CUP HOLDER, and a two-port USB outlet. It comes with a cigar lighter plug, but I cut that off and ran the wire under the Alfa console picking up power from the wires feeding the original lighter.

 

[stasha]

Regarding thecCig lighter vs USB port, don't change anything. Instead, they have a plug-in dual USB port that goes into your present cig light without any mods.
Better yet, I have one that has dual USB ports plus amps as well as volts (see attached pix)(I could not find the one that also does amps, but search EBay).

 

[stasha]

Or, at Dollar Tree!!!! $1.

 

[Mousetrap]

Personally I think the panel looks a bit bare without a period radio like a Grundig Weltkland. I fitted one that had been upgraded to receive FM and Bluetooth.

However, if you don’t want that I would recommend a hidden Bluetooth amplifier. I fitted a Caliber ca75.2bt under the dash in my Stag because it can power a decent pair speakers that means you can hear it in a convertible.

I will probably fit one in the Spider as well because the converted Grundig just doesn’t have the power output to hear well at speeds.

 

[stasha]

How about an "Alfa Romeo" metal script in the blank space?

 

[Alfafannj]

Or a nice badge like this:

 

[samakijoe]

This is what I did to my non-smoker car.

 

[samakijoe]

So sorry for the faux-pas I have to quite using Picasa... I'll try to remove Trumps picture tomorrow..

 

[CafeM]

I have heard this system before and it sounds great and links to you phone very easy.

http://www.outofsightaudio.com/

 

[DPeterson3]

So sorry for the faux-pas I have to quite using Picasa... I'll try to remove Trumps picture tomorrow..

Nah. Diggit. Explains a lot.

 

[David O'D]

samakijoe said:

So sorry for the faux-pas I have to quite using Picasa... I'll try to remove Trumps picture tomorrow..

No prob . . .

Outstanding!

David OD
Laguna CA

 

[bianchi2]

Hey Alfa Nuts...
My car doesn't have a radio (but it does have speakers and an antenna), and I am thinking I might like one. I see that most cars have the radio installed under the three gauge pod. However, I kind of like the clean look of the three gauges with nothing underneath, so I was wondering if anybody installed a radio under the dash or somewhere else?
Another option I was thinking was to install Blue tooth speakers and just play everything from my phone. Thoughts?

Also how do I remove the Cigarette lighter...I want to replace the lighter with a USB port.

Thanks!
View attachment 1660851

What ? no radio... it's...karaoke time...

 

[bianchi2]

my stereo system.... i can install and remove the cd player for safety.. just plug it into the plug in rear of the head unit.. found out that alfavulcan has this unit in his motor home,, he said it works great