Hidden stereo install... MGB GT
Discussion
Ok, I've had enough of blasting around sans tunes!
I'm not sure I can afford to do a fantastic job on this, for one I can't afford a Becker Mexico, and secondly I don't think the car will ever be worth enough to justify a huge expense.
However, I don't want to end up with the interior looking like a saxo drivers wet dream!
My plan is to find the most subtle head unit I can find with an ipod connection in the back. Run some front components on either side of the central speaker box (suitably reinforced with MDF). Hopefully with black speaker grilles these should be pretty much invisible.
For rear fill, I was going to remove the useless rear seat and replace it with carpeted panels containing either 6x9's or a pair of coaxials and a small subwoofer powered by a small amp.
The rear seat as some of you will know, clips into place. That means I can make a template and build a replacement panel, carpeted the same as the floor but containing the new audio. That way, if necessary the original seat can just be clipped back into place and I will just need to buy a central speaker box to return to original (freely and cheaply available).
Or should I just put the equipment where it will sound best? After all, the interior panels are hardly rare or expensive.
The other alternative would be to mount the sub in the central speaker box, although that will require cutting the metal panel
I'm not sure I can afford to do a fantastic job on this, for one I can't afford a Becker Mexico, and secondly I don't think the car will ever be worth enough to justify a huge expense.
However, I don't want to end up with the interior looking like a saxo drivers wet dream!
My plan is to find the most subtle head unit I can find with an ipod connection in the back. Run some front components on either side of the central speaker box (suitably reinforced with MDF). Hopefully with black speaker grilles these should be pretty much invisible.
For rear fill, I was going to remove the useless rear seat and replace it with carpeted panels containing either 6x9's or a pair of coaxials and a small subwoofer powered by a small amp.
The rear seat as some of you will know, clips into place. That means I can make a template and build a replacement panel, carpeted the same as the floor but containing the new audio. That way, if necessary the original seat can just be clipped back into place and I will just need to buy a central speaker box to return to original (freely and cheaply available).
Or should I just put the equipment where it will sound best? After all, the interior panels are hardly rare or expensive.
The other alternative would be to mount the sub in the central speaker box, although that will require cutting the metal panel
shirt said:
does it already have a head unit? is radio important? i have seen a karmann ghia with no head unit, just an ipod cradle connected to an amp under the passenger seat.
It has a hole for one, looks to be DIN sized. Might as well fill it up.That might be a good idea if I can just find an MG logo'd blanking plate. I hate the thought of flashing pictures and neon blue buttons... I like driving at night in it, it's like being in a night fighter
wildoliver said:
6x9s will fit in the rear quarters.
A pair of decent door speakers and a small amp (which you can happily live without) and it should be plenty loud enough. Head unit to suit.
Well, I want it loud and clear. I listen to a lot of Indie/Rock stuff and I like it loud when I'm in the mood. Now I know I don't have to have a head unit at all that sounds ideal!A pair of decent door speakers and a small amp (which you can happily live without) and it should be plenty loud enough. Head unit to suit.
Also, that rear seat is fapping useless! I tried to squeeze in there once, I came out of there like the last bit of toothpaste in the tube!
Lol I have had 7 in a BGT before 
Serious note, if you start removing bits and making stereo builds then IMO the cars start looking very tatty, a neat "factory" look install though isn't noticable so doesn't.
I used JBL GTO 6x9 speakers and made a pair of MDF rear quarters to replace the cards, there was a bit of metal to remove behind but it was a simple job. I find Sony make nice clear yet loud door speakers (circa £20) and I'm a big fan of Kenwood stereos both on sound and quality (which is of importance in a potentially damp environment like a classic).
Nowadays I save the nice stereo for the daily drivers and the classics usually have an old tape player and one/two "vintage" speakers if anything at all!
Serious note, if you start removing bits and making stereo builds then IMO the cars start looking very tatty, a neat "factory" look install though isn't noticable so doesn't.
I used JBL GTO 6x9 speakers and made a pair of MDF rear quarters to replace the cards, there was a bit of metal to remove behind but it was a simple job. I find Sony make nice clear yet loud door speakers (circa £20) and I'm a big fan of Kenwood stereos both on sound and quality (which is of importance in a potentially damp environment like a classic).
Nowadays I save the nice stereo for the daily drivers and the classics usually have an old tape player and one/two "vintage" speakers if anything at all!
wildoliver said:
Lol I have had 7 in a BGT before
Serious note, if you start removing bits and making stereo builds then IMO the cars start looking very tatty, a neat "factory" look install though isn't noticable so doesn't.
I used JBL GTO 6x9 speakers and made a pair of MDF rear quarters to replace the cards, there was a bit of metal to remove behind but it was a simple job. I find Sony make nice clear yet loud door speakers (circa £20) and I'm a big fan of Kenwood stereos both on sound and quality (which is of importance in a potentially damp environment like a classic).
Nowadays I save the nice stereo for the daily drivers and the classics usually have an old tape player and one/two "vintage" speakers if anything at all!
SEVEN? Custard test!Serious note, if you start removing bits and making stereo builds then IMO the cars start looking very tatty, a neat "factory" look install though isn't noticable so doesn't.
I used JBL GTO 6x9 speakers and made a pair of MDF rear quarters to replace the cards, there was a bit of metal to remove behind but it was a simple job. I find Sony make nice clear yet loud door speakers (circa £20) and I'm a big fan of Kenwood stereos both on sound and quality (which is of importance in a potentially damp environment like a classic).
Nowadays I save the nice stereo for the daily drivers and the classics usually have an old tape player and one/two "vintage" speakers if anything at all!
Seriously?! My god, I struggled with two when things got frisky!
WRT the stereo - I don't really mind, that idea just appealed to me. I've noticed you can see the road/wheels in certain places/panel gaps behind trim panels! Noteably under the battery cover! So I take on board the comments about dampness!
I went for a US head unit on Ebay for $50 !
Ebay US Item Number 360213711688
Shaft volume and tuning means it fits a standard classic car dash. Has in ipod connector but also has a SANdisc in it .... no moving parts and really light. I'm just going to drive a couple of door speakers with it ...
KingRichard said:
I'm loving the idea of just the amp and speakers, then plugging in the ipod. Very discreet
I've done this in my B - just bought a cheap amp with master volume off ebay, fitted in a small tin and it sits behind the speaker unit on to of the gear box. (about 3" square). Then just one headphone jack lead to ipod which controls everything else. Total cost <10 quid. / totally invisible.
KingRichard said:
AJRH said:
I'll post a couple of pics of my set up later.
Yeah, that sounds brilliant. Cheers 
Still weighing up which route to take. Hadn't thought to mount the amp behind the speaker grille. Neat.
I did not have much room when building my Ultima, so I put an amp behind the seat.
Can't hear it very well with a V8 about 6 inches behind my head, but that's a different matter :-)
See here for a couple of pictures.
http://www.jouhar.com/ultima2/index_files/Page4379...
Regards
I had 6" speakers in the door panels and 6 x 9's mounted on the c posts, had a standard Din Kenwood head unit in until I put the car back to original and went back to a Motorola radio and the single original speaker. Didnt have a need for an amp but you could always convert one of the battery boxes under the seat with a fibreglassd MDF box. Only got a pic with the Motorola in.
Apologies for the poor quality of these pics.. The first is the little box I built the amp into, the second is how it looked after fitting, with the new blanking plate in place on the dash. ( the box sits jus behind the speaker grille and the ipod lead pokes underneath, and the third is how it was when I got it with a 80's head unit which was awful....
Gassing Station | Classic Cars and Yesterday's Heroes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff