Moving radio down?

[iovaykind]

I remember seeing this once before and now I want to do it. Instead of putting the radio where the usual double din location is, how can I move it down to the box area underneath?

Here's the picture of where I want to move it to:

[tacomonkey69]

looks like that would be a little low. why move it?

[uibalnme]

^+1

what would be the point?

[iovaykind]

Planning to put a nice touch screen there but I still want the same radio I have now. I've seen it done before just wondering how it's done. If I can't figure it out I might go with the rear view mirror LCD monitor

[tacomonkey69]

Originally Posted by iovaykind

Planning to put a nice touch screen there but I still want the same radio I have now. I've seen it done before just wondering how it's done. If I can't figure it out I might go with the rear view mirror LCD monitor

why not have an all-in-one unit?

[uibalnme]

A touch screen, with a stock cassette deck?.....Sorry, that combo just doesn't make any sense to me.

Thats like a pairing a tuxedo with swap meet sneakers.

[werkit217]

yea having the radio that low isn't such a good idea, my 89 celica has its radio about that low and it is very inconvenient (and dangerous) if you trying to search for songs or switching the radio when you looking down that low.

Do you wanna keep the stock radio for theft purposes? If not, yea really recommend you get an all in one touch screen n replace the stock unit

[Chris Crash]

I like the idea! BUT other members bring up strong and good arguments. It's a little low, and hard to reach, and probably dangerous.

But props for getting creative.

[chronoti]

i think the cup holder has to be removed and the mounting points for the holder should hold the radio, but you need to ope space for wiring and custom up some bezel

and in a few days i should have a aux in diy for that deck!!!!! wish me luck at the junk yard tomorrow

[iovaykind]

I don't have a stock radio, it's an aftermarket Naxa.. just thought I'd move it down and then put a nice touchscreen there for a backup camera or regular LCD screen there. I never really touch the radio unless I'm turning up or down the volume, for which I wouldn't have to look. And my ipod is really all I touch while I drive anyway. (I guess it was confusing cause I didn't use a picture of my dash, but a random one on the internet)

Anyway, I guess I'll keep you guys posted if I actually do it, the only thing that makes me weary of doing it is heat dissipation problems.

[LittleWhiteBubble]

If heat really bothers you, you could wire in some computer tower cooling fans. It's a weird install and would take some special wiring, but it would make you feel more confident in the cooling. Or run one of the ducts from the ac, like the floorboard outlet, and snake a tube from that to inside the center console.

How would you wire in both head units? Would you splice both harnesses together?

[iovaykind]

I looked more closely at it today and it seems that the din size radio is not going to fit into that area. It's about half an inch too long and an inch or two too deep. If anyone has done it though I'd still like to know how! I went with a monitor in the sun visor though so install should be in about two weeks!

[4Cyl'erThriller]

Its gonna be pretty awkward to reach all of the buttons if you put the tape deck in the lower location. I do like the lcd rear view idea tho. Just my 2 cents.

[Creeps228]

+1 with the all-in-one. Install and double din touch screen radio with rear view camera. It makes no sense to have a touch LCD just for back up purposes.

[Mike Gerber]

That's where the factory cd player goes, so the 1 din radio should go there without any problems. Both units should be a standard 1 din size. Just remove the U-shaped trim piece by pulling it out from the bottom at each of the sides. A dental pic or a j-hook tool works nicely for this. Then it unhooks from it's top portion. Pull it down slightly and out. Disconnect the electrical plugs to the lighter and the light ring for the lighter. Now remove the 4 screws that are holding the radio cage in to the dash. They will be pretty tight if the cage has never been out of the car. Disconnect the radio's wiring and the antenna cable, making sure it doesn't fall behind the dash. (You might want to tape all this together temporarily with some electrical tape to play it safe.) Now there should be 2 screws on each side of the radio/cage that hold the radio in to the cage. Remove them and drop the radio down to the lower area. Reinstall the 2 screws on each side. Reconnect the radio's wiring and antenna. Now slide the cage back in to the car and reinstall the 4 screws that hold it in. Reconnect the lighter wiring and light ring and snap the U-shaped trim piece back in. This whole procedure should not take more than 15 minutes.

Mike