Headunit options

[jabbo]

Hey all,

I'm just starting to plan some stereo equipment for my bay and I'm trying to decide where to locate the headunit. The dash comes with the original sized hole and a blanking plate, so I don't really want to go cutting that up, and the glovebox doesn't have a lid so I'm not really fancying that option.

Any other EBs running aftermarket headunits which aren't dash mounted. Any suggestions would be appreciated (pics would be even better).

 

[Guest]

you can buy an underdash mounting bracket/housing, although youll have to find a useful spot as the bay dashes are quite short underneath but it shouldnt be a problem. Im not sure where you can buy them, Im still trying to source a bay glove box with the stereo cut out bit, can find them no prob for the bug but not the bus.

 

[easy]

my pioneer head unit mounts straight into the original hole

You can always mount it behind the passenger seat with the face up, easy to get at then and out of site from the stinking thieveses :wink:

 

[speedwell68]

my pioneer head unit mounts straight into the original hole

You can always mount it behind the passenger seat with the face up, easy to get at then and out of site from the stinking thieveses :wink:

So does my Sony MiniDisc player.

 

[jabbo]

you can buy an underdash mounting bracket/housing, although youll have to find a useful spot as the bay dashes are quite short underneath but it shouldnt be a problem.

I've got one of those in my Ghia and it's ideal, the only problem like you say is the underside of the dash is basically just a lip. I'd have to mount the front two bolts to this and th eother two through my glovebox, which I'd rather avoid if possible.

You can always mount it behind the passenger seat with the face up, easy to get at then and out of site from the stinking thieveses :wink:

Unfortunately dude my panel isn't a walkthrough, I've a three seater up front, so getting behind the passenger seat is out of the question.

 

[jabbo]

I did check to see if it fits the dash hole, but the hole is way too small unfortunately.

 

[speedwell68]

Why not put a front on your glove box and make up some solid brackets.

 

[Loxy]

I made a couple of brackets and mounted it using the existing holes on the lip on the underside of the dash just to the left of the where the steering column bracket meets the dash, its easily reachable/viewable from drivers seat but tucked out of the way, my description probably doesnt make much sense - will try and get some pics.

 

[jabbo]

Why not put a front on your glove box and make up some solid brackets.

Looks like the best option at the moment.

I made a couple of brackets and mounted it using the existing holes on the lip on the underside of the dash just to the left of the where the steering column bracket meets the dash, its easily reachable/viewable from drivers seat but tucked out of the way, my description probably doesnt make much sense - will try and get some pics.

I get what you're saying dude, unfortunately my washer button is mounted in that area.

 

[willi76]

my pioneer head unit mounts straight into the original hole

You can always mount it behind the passenger seat with the face up, easy to get at then and out of site from the stinking thieveses :wink:

Mmm i've seen that done somewhere before :wink: It also means that you can run the wires for the amp and any wiring to it under the floor without having to worry about wires across the floor in the cab 8) The remote control works from outside the van too when it's mounted here if the slider's open and as Ez said there's nothing to see from the outside apart from a radio blanking plate in the dash Very stealth :wink:

 

[jabbo]

Similar to the behind the seat thing I'm also contemplating mounting mine in the r'n'r bed base then using the interior mirror and remote to operate the headunit.

 

[easy]

you could mount it in the glove box? just make a plate/box to fit in it and then you still would not see it from the outside as the glove box lid would be shut 8)

 

[Clem]

After my last van was an ice-fest now I have nothing .... I cant cut it!
I run a stealth system of some hi-quality 12v pc speakers mounted in an old stylee cooler box.
If I had speakers within the bus, Id be amping them and feeding the amp direct from an iPod .... my digital radio could also feed an amp if required too.
In short - scrap the head unit idea!

 

[andewilson]

there is a mint beetle kicking about that was on the front cover of volks world. it has a head unit type thing above the rear view mirror. and a mass of r fosgate stuff elsewhere. sorts the dash cutting issue and wont be to obvious to the theives about.

 

[Guest]

what we need is an after market stealth stereo bay glove box like the beetle ones .

Could we canvas the right company to make it? im sure there is a market for it. why hasnt anyone thought of making it before?

I may eventually make a fiberglass one of my own if i cant find one online, its not too hard once you've done the right moulding.

I certainly wouldnt cut the dash as if you have a stockish bus it will really devalue it.

 

[Airtime]

I have been thinking about this too and what I'm going to do is to mount a small car amplifier somewhere out of sight (probably in the spare wheel bay under the seats) and attach a portable MP3 player to it. One of my friends has this in his split and it works great! 8)

 

[dubberdaz]

My head unit is in the glove box along with the CB. I have a retro 70's radio in the dash and 70's speaker pods mounted on the kick panels in the front and a couple of 6x9s mounted in a box i have made, this sits where the westy stool would be. Gotta keep the retro look 8)

 

[Scampi]

Dude, go with the Billy big nobs!

Old school is definately the way forward :wink:

 

[8ballbug]

chop the hole out and stick this beauty in there

i can get them trade price!!!

 

[andewilson]

some guy was selling an original 1970's alpine stereo on ebay last night. looked the biz and probably the best you could get at the time of making. run an ipod through it and amp it up and youve got a top system