Tuscan mk1 radio removal

[desperately sad]

Hi everyone
More desperate today than sad !
Really struggling to fit a new pioneer radio in my mk1Tuscan (2003) and cannot believe how awkward it is. Really cursing tvr !! It really should be quite a simple job - shouldn’t it ?
I have had to take the radio console and the facia out to try and fit the wires in behind but still cant get everything to fit.
In order to take out and refit the radio console is it really necessary to take off either the shelf or the silver (structural ?) support above ?
There seems to be no easier way of doing it as the “sump” on the radio console makes refitting almost impossible - not enough room.
If I have to take the shelf off how is it fixed ? I have investigated but nothing is obvious !
So far about 4 hours into a 30 minute job !!
Many thanks for any input or help

[Curdster]

OK so the following advice will not ease you pain but does offer a solution. Rather than take the radio bin off, take off the dashboard top. There is a plethora of room behind it for all you cables, and will help with running ariel and tweeter cables.
The downside is you need fairly small hands to access and undo the bolts hold the dash top in place. There are several posts on here which will give you bolt locations. But be warned, it requires patience but worth the effort.

[S6PNJ]

Dash removal threads here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[desperately sad]

Thanks very much for the replies. I have however already taken off the dash facia (sorry if I didn’t make that clear) and it is still virtually impossible to get the radio in properly and secure the bolt in the bottom of the radio console. That is why I concluded that it must be necessary to take either the shelf or the aluminium strut out - that is the only way I could see that there would be enough room to set the radio console back in its correct position. Is it really necessary to take out the shelf or the strut and how do you do it ?
The dash facia was an absolute b****r to get out on the drivers side. I am definitely modifying that before it goes back in - just to be certain for the next time !
Again thanks for all suggestions and help from those who have suffered in the same way !

[Konrod]

I achieved it in my Tuscan without removing anything but it was tricky. The bolt holding the pod is a red herring, the pod can stay where it is I had to make sure of the cable routing before the radio slid in i.e. the connectors had to be in one place only or it wouldn't work. I ended up making the wiring hole in the back of the "pod" bigger with a flexible dremel extension (being careful not to snag the wires). choosing a headunit that is not too deep helps.

[desperately sad]

Thanks Konrod. I have finally done it but it was very difficult indeed. Yes, buying a much shorter radio would have made the job much easier. Iif you have to take the radio console out it is the sump shaped bottom of the console which is the big problem.
I have modified the facia removal by making up two 5 inch long bolts which can be fed up to bolt the facia in place. There are 2 locknuts about 25mm down which go tight against the underside of the facia. The bolts do not show when in place. I have drilled a 25mm hole through the shelf (underneath the carpet) so that the 5 inch bolt can be fed up very simply with an extended 10mm socket. The hole is simply covered under the shelf with a grommet. Removal of the facia will be easy next time I hope !!