Stereo Installation Part 1 - Overhead Console

[Rockets2000]

It's been 5 months since I bought my 40, and my list of wants now exceeds my list of needs.

First up for the wants is a stereo. I got some great ideas from fellow members and much research. I finally decided to build my own overhead console.

Not being a fabricator, I needed to find an inexpensive solution that I could purchase and modify to fit. Hence the logical choice of a humble mailbox - $30.

I removed the brass colored lid with tin snips, rounded the hinge points, and drilled some mounting holes. This unit comes with a lock and pre-formed vent slot!

Looks like it will fit pretty well!

I wanted to shock mount the console to reduce the vibration experienced by the HU, so being a cheap ass I improvised. Some fuel hose cut down the middle for the back where it rests on the cage, and some garage door weatherstripping from Lowes - $10

It's not a 16 ga Tuffy, but it serves the purpose and has all the features for 1/4 the cost. Plus it's custom....

I'll be installing the HU and amp this weekend.

 

[Pauly]

That is creative! I like the built in vent.

 

[LittleMan]

I'm diggin the ingenuity . Way to think outside the... or use the.. er... you know what i mean. Nicely done.

 

[Rockets2000]

I'm going to cut some more vents in the bottom and replace the screws with bolts. Those two little pieces of weatherstripping on the top are covering up holes. I'll build them up so they rest on the spreaders.

 

[rusty_tlc]

I love this. You could even use one of those for a simple lock box. Someplace semi secure to keep your sunglasses etc. when running with the top off.

 

[chocolatelustboy]

Love the ingenuity - that's the sort of thing us Kiwis are known for. Take my hat off to you, sir - looking forward to seeing more pics

 

[chicago]

That is a GREAT IDEA!!!!

Is it installed yet?

 

[Rockets2000]

Thanks for the encouragement guys! It's not installed yet but if all goes well, that will happen this weekend. I still have to mount, pad, and wire the HU and amp (and buy them). Will definitely post pics as progress continues.

 

[khan74fj40]

That's pretty slick bro!

 

[pc4400]

That is awsome!

be sure to drill some ventilation on the top and/or rear. head units can warm up depending on make/model.






subscribed

 

[Rockets2000]

Update

I bought my system, so now it's time to get the mailbox ready to receive the goodies. I used a Dremel Tool, ruler, drill, and file.

Mounting holes drilled and vents cut out of the rear

I decided to make a DIN mount from scratch - some 22ga aluminum sheet metal and lots of little homemade L brackets. I would recommend 16ga for this, but I didn't have the means to cut it accurately.

Amp installed and the lower foam piece for HU support and shock suppression. I still listen to CDs so shock suppression is important in a 40....

 

[nicholastheczar]

Looks good. I have been wanting to do something like to for mine, I may have to "borrow" your idea!

nick

 

[antFJ]

i missed the part where you said you're not a fabricator.. that is freaking awesome!!

i like this alot

 

[nspctr1]

Awesome, I thought about doing something similar but ended up buying a bunch of consoles from police cars. They fit great between the seats and have all of the room needed for the HU, CB, AMP etc. If anyone wants one lemme know. I gotta get rid of the extras.

 

[DSRTRDR]

 

[SFROMAN]

Intrested to see how you run your wire. In the process of insalling my radio in an ovehead console. Did you have to lengthen a radio harness or did you buy one?

Thank you.

 

[Rockets2000]

Thanks y'all. The reason I posted this is for others to use some of it, so please feel free to borrow whatever you want. I got it all installed today and took a few pics, but my computer and camera decided to stop speaking....I'll get them posted as soon as I can get them off the camera.

I'm happy with the install. It was very time consuming getting everything lined up and in place, but when I snapped the HU and DIN sleeve into the aluminum mounting plate, it made a resounding thunk - tighter than a gnat's ass! I'm afraid to admit that I mis-drilled every one of the 8 holes that hold the mounting plate to the box so I had to individually hog out the holes so the screws would go in.

The wires run through a 1.25" hole (for the 20-pin plug) I drilled in the top of the box, along with a grommet I got from Lowe's. I have ample wire to run across the top bar along windshield frame and the harness tucks in nicely behind the wiper motor. The XM tuner and antenna are mounted to the top of the box between the speaders.

 

[Brian in Oregon]

Now junk mail will be delivered to your Cruiser.

 

[Rockets2000]

Pics as promised! I didn't get any of the HU install or final close out - sorry.

From the back

Side view

Wire harness, antenna wire, and fuse which hangs right by the wiper motor when installed.

New antenna

Teaser pic of the Bazooka 6x9 Marine speakers

 

[Rockets2000]

Continued here: https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-seri...ation-part-2-speakers-wiring.html#post6565020