Changing the stereo - is it a conventional fit?

[Chris71]

Hi,

I'm thinking about changing the rather retro Minidisc-only stereo currently installed in my Chim. I'm guessing it's already an aftermarket unit rather than a factory option, so would it be a fairly conventional procedure to change it (standard cage fitting etc)?

Basically I'm wondering if some spotty oik at the local branch of Halfords will be able to do it or whether any specialist tools or TVR knowledge will be required? I'm guessing not, but you never know...

Many thanks,

Chris

[4Lmike]

it's a conventional fit. easy job

[JonathanT]

I've read on here in the past that you should take care over removal of the existing cage, so that you don't damage the dash veneer.....

[BliarOut]

Halfords, you are joking right?

The only thing you may need is an ISO converter lead if your car hasn't currently got one.

[miniman]

Write-up of my install.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Chris71]

BliarOut said:

Halfords, you are joking right?

The only thing you may need is an ISO converter lead if your car hasn't currently got one.

I thought you'd need a specialist 'key' to remove the old stereo?

Connecting up a few plugs and pushing the new one in isn't an issue at all - I've done so on a previous car, but I had an empty hole in the dashboard to start with.

I thought you needed to be a hooded youth, skilled in the use of coat hangers, if you wanted to do it without the keys?

[BliarOut]

Chris71 said:

BliarOut said:

Halfords, you are joking right?

The only thing you may need is an ISO converter lead if your car hasn't currently got one.

I thought you'd need a specialist 'key' to remove the old stereo?

Connecting up a few plugs and pushing the new one in isn't an issue at all - I've done so on a previous car, but I had an empty hole in the dashboard to start with.

I thought you needed to be a hooded youth, skilled in the use of coat hangers, if you wanted to do it without the keys?

You can buy the keys from any decent ICE shop

[Chris71]

Ah, that would make sense.

Can anyone recommend a good-value suplier for a basic head unit?

[v8s4me]

I fitted thisa to my V8S

http://www.clasohlson.co.uk/Product/Product.aspx?i...

http://www.clasohlson.co.uk/Product/LargeImageView...

Good value at £34.99 and only 88mm deep, and with a USB & SD memeory card insert & socket to plug in the i-pod;

It's a bit basic but with the SD card in it has huge music capacity.
The track info on the screen is basic but for the money you can't go wrong and because it is so compact it's a doddle to fit.

Interstingly, I contacted a number of so called specialists who told me there was no such thing as a compact head unit.

[Chris71]

v8s4me said:

I fitted thisa to my V8S

http://www.clasohlson.co.uk/Product/Product.aspx?i...

http://www.clasohlson.co.uk/Product/LargeImageView...

Good value at £34.99 and only 88mm deep, and with a USB & SD memeory card insert & socket to plug in the i-pod;

It's a bit basic but with the SD card in it has huge music capacity.
The track info on the screen is basic but for the money you can't go wrong and because it is so compact it's a doddle to fit.

Interstingly, I contacted a number of so called specialists who told me there was no such thing as a compact head unit.

I'm having trouble viewing the links, but cheap and compact sounds good! I've got a USB port on the stereo in my daily driver and I swear by it - 4GB of tunes should keep me happy for a couple of thousand miles of road tripping.

Is the size a major issue? I assumed it was just a regular single-slot head unit.

I'm guessing it was this one: http://www.clasohlson.co.uk/Product/Product.aspx?i...

What's the sound quality like? ... I realise that's going to be a relative question (in my case) with stock speakers and 110dB of V8 humming away in the background.

Edited by Chris71 on Tuesday 8th February 17:18

[v8s4me]

The sound quality is quite good, not in the hi-fi bracket, but with the road, wind & V8 engine noise it's a bit academic. Sounds fine at traffic lights!

I don't know what the set up is in a Chim but in the V8s there is very little space behind the radio for all the wires so this works perfectly. Perhaps a bit more "design" went into the Chim?

[miniman]

There's a fair bit of space in the Chim, but nonetheless that looks like an excellent solution.

[hiltonig]

anyone know what size the speakers are in the doors as I wouldnt mind updating mine, cheers

[Chris71]

hiltonig said:

anyone know what size the speakers are in the doors as I wouldnt mind updating mine, cheers

I believe the stock items are 16 cm. The speakers in mine mount on what appears to be a 155mm pcd (they're 7" total diameter), but it's not a very neat install. I think it's quite difficult to get decent speakers in the original size.

BliarOut said:

You can buy the keys from any decent ICE shop

Got a set of Clarion keys off eBay last night! I'm assuming there are ISO converters on there already - and it's no great hardship to get them if not. Is there anything else I'll need? I presume the 'cage' that's already in there will be re-usable so the new unit should just slot in?

I checked last night and it's a standard size single-slot head unit; the same as I've got in my daily driver.

Edited by Chris71 on Wednesday 9th February 10:18

[Ribol]

Cages are mostly the same size but the slots that lock into the head unit are in different positions depending on make/models, best use one that come with the new unit if you want it "locked" in.

BTW there are loads of different stereo keys, they are not even all the same for one make

[Simon says]

Hello Ivan not changed my speakers in the doors myself so cant say for certain as I understand they are standard 16.5cm units its the depth of the magnet on the rear of the speaker chassis that's the problem it fouls the glass if too deep into the door

[Ribol]

Simon says said:

Hello Ivan not changed my speakers in the doors myself so cant say for certain as I understand they are standard 16.5cm units its the depth of the magnet on the rear of the speaker chassis that's the problem it fouls the glass if too deep into the door

No easy answer really, you need to take the old oneS (not all cars are the same both sides) out and see if what you fancy fits, not a lot of room to play with depth wise or width wise for that matter (door panel fouls), go to a proper audio place and try a few for size. At least with the back ones you have the option of moving the fuel tank back

Just make sure you check all the speakers fitted are in phase ................ or change you name to Silicone Simon and accept you are a bodger

[Simon says]

Ribol said:

Simon says said:

Hello Ivan not changed my speakers in the doors myself so cant say for certain as I understand they are standard 16.5cm units its the depth of the magnet on the rear of the speaker chassis that's the problem it fouls the glass if too deep into the door

No easy answer really, you need to take the old oneS (not all cars are the same both sides) out and see if what you fancy fits, not a lot of room to play with depth wise or width wise for that matter (door panel fouls), go to a proper audio place and try a few for size. At least with the back ones you have the option of moving the fuel tank back

Just make sure you check all the speakers fitted are in phase ................ or change you name to Silicone Simon and accept you are a bodger

WELL... how very dare you I don't need a stereo I have this

Edited by Simon says on Wednesday 9th February 11:46

[Chris71]

Ribol said:

BTW there are loads of different stereo keys, they are not even all the same for one make

There only seem to be two patterns for Clarion (pre/post-2006), so I just got a cheap set with a pair of each. It's hard to imagine anyone fitting a Minidisc after 2006, but I thought I'd go play it safe with both.

It was £2.54 inc p&p if I remember correctly, so it's not the end of the world if they're not right.

Rather amusingly it seems there's actually a second hand market for car Minidiscs, so I might even make a profit on switching to the new stereo if I go for the Swedish one linked above!

[Ribol]

Chris71 said:

It's hard to imagine anyone fitting a Minidisc

EFA