Re: Replacing the Stereo-system (quite long)

[Jan van de Wouw <Jan@xxxx>]

Andy wrote:

> i would like to get in contact via private email with anyone out there who 
> has replaced their entire stereo system in their D - at least all four 
> speakers and head unit. i specifically need confirmed mounting depths,
> rear speaker size, and what can be done to make it sound GREAT. 

I did my system 3 weeks ago, between X-mas and New Year.
It took me 3 days, but I DID take my time, so I would'nt screw it up.
I now have a Kenwood KRC 259R Radio-Tape Headunit (4x35Watt) installed, 
with a 6-disc CD-changer (Kenwood KDC-C461) mounted onto the rear wall 
under the window, horizontally just above the parcelshelf. 
This gave me enough space to put my Fire-extinguisher above the changer 
and leaving the luggage-net in place.

I mounted the Kenwood by removing the original bracket and cutting its'
slot to DIN-size. I also used the opportunity to put in a handsfree system
for my Cellular phone. I mounted the phone holder with a braket behind the 
radio, so I wouldn't have to cut anything more.

In front I replaced the original Craig Speakers with fitting 2way Pioneers,
but I also had the problem with the short studs. I thought I'd solved it
with some spacers and other nuts, untill I saw a slight bulge in the dash 
yesterday, so I'm going to have to solve it again. 
(Like allways there's 2 ways to do something: "The right way" and "Again")

Since the rear speakers have such an akward size (4x10") I decided to leave 
them where the were too. Especially since I read a post by DMC Joe in a 
BackIssue about baffling and some other audio "Do"s and "Don't"s.
He also suggested putting speakers ON the rear wall; I put mine IN the
rear wall. There's about 2 incehs of room between the wooden rear wall
end the GRP firewall, plenty of room for my speakers. ( I even found out
where they'd put in the alarm-unit. Yes it's behind there too!)
I put in 2 Kenwood 5" 2-way speakers. On one side there allready was a
round hole in the foam on the back of the wooden panel, 
on the other side I cut it myself. The speakers are put in behind the seats 
slightly towards the middle of the car.

With the speakers IN the wall instead of in front of them, I still have 
about 2/3 of the parcel shelf for putting away stuff. As long as I don't 
pile anything up to high this has very little efect on the sound quality.
(Mind you, I'm not a real audio-nut, I just want some decent sound)

I use the original right rear speaker for my handsfree now, works perfectly.
The mic is mounted on the driver side A-post, with the wiring underneath
the door seal. In the passenger side knee pad I had just enough space to
put the blackbox for the car-kit.


> i would also like to know if there's anyone out there who has installed 6x9 
> boxes on the parcel shelf or 8"/10" subs back there. any comments on the 
> sound, amount of room it took up, is it worth it?

This is a pure coincidence, but I visited Jack and Virginia Stiefels'
website yesterday and noticed that Jack has a custom box on the parcelshelf
you can see it on <http://www.geocities.com/stiefel.geo/new/page2.html>
He has 2 6x9"'s AND 2 10" in there...

I wouldn't know how it sounds, I think it fits in quite nicely,
but to my opinion you loose too much space inside...

That's the reason I did my set up like I have it now...
I'll be posting pics as soon as I get them back from the photolab.

JAN van de Wouw
Thinking Different... Using a Mac...
Living the Dream... Driving a DeLorean...

#05141 "Dagger" since Sept. 2000

check out the Delorean-Files at:
http://www.deloreanfiles.nl/
------------------------------

PS. the Kenwood System is 2 years old; I took it out of my other car, 
as I put a new system in that one (yes, a Kenwood again ;-)