Looking for clean radio Install.....

[jay78fj40]

Hi-

I am considering adding a stereo to my 40', but am not interested in removing my stock AM radio in lieu of an ugly stereo. I would like to install an amp, speakers, and Ipod jack without a radio/cd player as I never use either. Has anyone ever seen on of these done nicely? I like the idea of putting the amp in the glovebox, but am open to ideas.

Reply to:
jay@chomeau.com

Thanks!

 

[dargreg]

Got no pics of install,but consider an amp that they use on motorcycles its small powerfull can put it any where you want and leaves your glove box empty and can hook satelite up to it as well,no need for a reciever.

 

[Toyo FJ40]

I was thinking of using secret audio
Secret Audio System Specifications


Kevin

 

[alkarich]

A recent thread:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/343612-oem-radio-speaker-ipod.html

 

[matty_sunn1]

I did this in my old mr2 after my deck got stolen get an amp and just run aux to rca from ipod to amp. you control your volume with your ipod no need for anything else, cheap and easy. now u just need to hide the wires shouldnt be to hard just right under the interior.... where do u plan on putting speakers, and running the wires? mine go with the heater hoses nice and concealed.

 

[grant5127]

Overhead....

The TUFFY folks have a pretty nice overhead consoles, 1 or 2 compartment drop-down access slots and more room for other stuff........

Its up out of the way and out of plain sight..........

 

[93TucsonCruiser]

Check out Secret Audio. They build radio's for classic cars. I will probably go this route in my FJ.

Secretaudio SST is a hidden audio system that offers great flexibility for mounting in any type of vehicle. The main receiver/amplifier unit is usually hidden under the seat, or behind the dash. A 10ft cord from the Tuner/Amp plugs into a LCD display.

Included with the system is a flush mount bezel for console or dash mounting. The small dimensions of the flush mount system allow you to install the LCD display almost anywhere. The LCD also comes with a bracket mount for easy installation in the glove box, under the dash, in the ashtray, sun visor, console, or wherever you choose. Since its only 1" deep its especially handy for custom or streetrod applications where there may be wiring or ducting routed behind the panels you wish to utilize for mounting. When your installation is finished you'll be rewarded with a quality professionally installed look.

 

[peiserg]

why do you want to keep the AM stereo? are you worried it will be stolen? or keeping the system looking stock for nostalgia?

you could have a small custom console built to go between the seats.. where the oem center console is. mount the deck there, amp under the driver's seat (mine was bolted to the floor), and i put the speakers in the door. you can buy new door interior peices on SOR or coolcruisers if you ever want to change speakers or go back to stock look.

i have a CD deck in my stock AM radio spot. the stereo shop slightly widened the hole laterally to accomodate the deck. it looks fine, as the molding around the deck covers any minor roughness of the hole.

 

[Bodean]

Tuffy console and be done with it. You'll love the console more than you think.

 

[IFORDJC]

I agree with peiserg that the Console between the seats is the way to go. You can get them from CCOT and other places. The console is lockable and hides the radio. Last night I installed a new Alpine head unit in the console and reinstalled all new speaker wires. I'll take some pics and post soon. The Alpine unit I installed was the first unit I have installed that did not have a CD Player but can be used for Sat, radio, and is made for IPOD control. I have the stock speakers in the door that I will soon replace and there are a set of Pioneer flush mount speakers attached to the rollcage just behind the seat at chest level.

 

[Volcano cruiser]

I was thinking of using secret audio
Secret Audio System Specifications


Kevin

Interesting stuff. However, unless you are going for a museum level stock restore, I'm not sure why you don't want to upgrade the stock AM unit with a tasteful looking, single Din unit in the same slot. I just dropped in a nice discrete Alpine head unit into my OEM single Din slot. Looks and sounds nice. I'll post up pics in my build thread. BTW , while I didn't buy a Tuffy I built a center console and they are right you will like it more than you know.

 

[brooklyn]

amp under the seat

I put an amp in the box under the driver's seat and then one wire for the ipod. Put a lock on the box under the seat. So much junk in the fj40, don't think anyone is going to go digging too much.

In the end, not much use as the noise level in the fj40 makes the stereo just one more noise unless I am stopped with the engine off - and then it is cool. This is the least favorite upgrade I have done to date.

 

[Toyo FJ40]

Interesting stuff. However, unless you are going for a museum level stock restore, I'm not sure why you don't want to upgrade the stock AM unit with a tasteful looking, single Din unit in the same slot. I just dropped in a nice discrete Alpine head unit into my OEM single Din slot. Looks and sounds nice. I'll post up pics in my build thread. BTW , while I didn't buy a Tuffy I built a center console and they are right you will like it more than you know.

Well the stock radio uses a shaft style mount so you would have to cut sheet metal to fit a standard radio. There are still radios avalable that will fit the stock opening but not with cd.

Dual XC4100 Cassette player at Crutchfield.com

 

[CruisinMT]

I have my cd player in my glovebox and ran the wire to my speakers into the back by following the rear heater coolant lines.

 

[FJinTegaCay]

I was in recently your same situation and after getting lots of advice and doing my own research, here is what I came up with. I should have photographed as I went along but instead below you'll find pics I shot tonight for your benefit.

Wanting to hear tunes off my old iPod, I purchased an old Alpine amp off Craigslist for $30 and the seller threw in all the wiring I'd need including: a wire with an in-line fuse to run off the + terminal on the battery through the firewall, under the floormat to the amp, a ground wire run from the amp to the seat frame (steel tub so no trouble finding a ground), sensor wire to run from the amp under the floormat to the fuse panel (4 down from the top on my '77 FJ40 runs so it turns on and off when the key is turned to ACC).

I screwed the amp to some plywood, drilled holes in the four corners and have it mounted under the driver's seat using zip ties. (There is still room for a first aid kit, the tools and jack.) I purchased boxes and speakers from Wal Mart and ran the wiring to the amp under the mat in the back.


I purchased a simple RCA jack that goes into the L & R plugs on the amp and into the earphone jack on the iPod. When not in use, the iPod is stashed in the console under some gloves while the am radio is still in the dash.

I hope this helps It was easy on my wallet and has given me even more joy as I ride around town, on the highway and on the trails.

 

[alumacruiser]

With the space that was left after the seats were bolted down I ended up having to build my own center console as none of the aftermarket units would fit. I also built the door panels inorder to get enough mounting depth for the magnets and at the same time trying to get the best possible sound stage. After I was happy with the fit of everything I upholstered the doors and console to match.

 

[AK Chris]

Speaking of the consoles that CCOT sells. I was wondering if anyone else has a 68 and figured out a clean way to mount theirs. It doesn't appear the mounting bracket they offer will work.

 

[RixFJ40]

I put an amp under the passenger seat. I ran a plug that I leave under the mat when I am not using that I plug directly into my ipod. I use two speakers that I leave under my rear seats that are not mounted but stay in place. I have two small toggle switches under my dash that power the amp and my rear heater.

Net net everything looks stock and I can have great music.