How do I go about installing a head unit in an RA28?

[WHITCHY]

I have been waiting forever for Anna to get her alarm installed so I could put the CD player in so she got the alarm done yesterday, and I went to attach the CD player this morning, but I can't get it to sit right, and then even if I can manage to get it in the right spot I won't be able to put the little cover thingo back on that used to surround the old tape and radio?
What brackets did everyone else use when they installed head units in their RA28s?When I try to use all the brackets I have it sits too low, and I can't get it to sit any higher cause it doesnt fit in between the mounting points for the old stereo brackets! And what did you do about the cover bit and the demister switch? Is there any way to keep it all looking semi original without having to chop up peices of dash? Is there anything else I am overlooking?
Thanks heaps for any help and advice!
Cheers.
-Whitchy-

[WiLo]

not sure what the brackets and that are like but is it poissible to drill a new hole in the bracket so that the stereo will sit in the right spot? i know that i had to do that in my ae82

[gold28]

Make up your own brackets from some folded sheet metal, it ain't all that hard. I used the original surround and cut the pieces between the radio and switches then made a new stained timber veneer insert for it. If you take your time, there is no reason why you can't get it looking original. Getting a wallnut burl veneer is difficult though.

["Z" UTE]

Mate, number one thing, do not destroy your good console, if you have one. Remove it and put it safely away. Someone into rerstoring a Celica will pay you handsomely for a good condition unmolested centre console. Number two, construct your very own unique console. Braced plywood/MDF covered in your choice of materials, leather suede, vinyl. You can build in whatever support you need, and have places for A/C and demister switches.

cheers Chuck.

[river]

Hi,

Is there room between the steering wheel and the console? If so just get brackets and mount it there - under the dash. That way you don't need to touch anything or damage the console. Also, the head unit will be closer to the driver.

seeyuzz
river

[Hash_ra23]

I think most ppl that mounted it higher chopped off the original mounting brackets (that the cd player doesnt fit between) or bent them away to make room. and yeh try not to chop up ur dash. u cud just make a custom plate for the facia so u can sit it higher and also make a hole for the demister switch.

[Lambolica]

If the facia is in origonal condition and has the origonal hole for the factory wireless.

DO NOT DAMAGE IT

They are as rare as hens teeth and are harder to get that GT badges/grills etc.

My RA28 had the vertical supports bent slightly to fit the head unit in with some bent sheet metal to hold it in place. If I recall correctly there is a cross brace at the back that the factory unit screws into, it this is removed it gives you more depth to mount, I also ground down the bolting points on the verticals as these were the major reason the unit just doesn't physically fit. If the factoy facia has been cut up already ( by someone else hopefully) then by all means use it but you will lose the demister and the A/C buttons in the process.

These can be relocated else where it a little wiring if you can find a place that they look right.

Cheers
Simon

[DQIKST]

should install it into your glove box ( thats what i am doin this weekend)

no need to ruin anything then when old man river shakes your hand for not molestoring a dash facia every one is happy

if it isnt too late make a box out of 5mm MDF in the same shape and style of your glove box so as you dont ruin it either.

ohh and if you want to get tricky you could make a perspeks glove box lid so as the remote can still function with the glove box closed ( but all to ricey )

[Hash_ra23]

heres a few pics of my car:

I'm pretty sure u can take the original fascia off so its like this:

i'm not sure of this as mine never came with an original fascia.

i'm then going to make a new fascia for it. heres a little cardboard template i did for it:

still havent made it out of metal yet tho.

This is the opening where i mounted it:

i bent the mounting bits apart to make room for the unit.

Then made some brackets for it (altho not very strong atm so i'll prolly havta replace):


This should give u a few ideas

[gold28]

All these suggestions about not cutting up the original dash fine if you want a concourse car. And if you did then you wouldn't put a cd player in it, you would have the original radio.

You can all call me a vandalising scum sucking bastard if you want but I would much rather have the head unit in the original location with the trim piece neatly modified accordingly. That way you won't
A. kick it (per rivers suggestion) and
B. cause a car accident trying to change CD's (glovebox suggestion)

If you do it neatly, it'll look great and be practical.

Remember boys, these are old hairdressers cars that you are modifying in an attempt to make a nice road car. They are not valuable historics and never will be. I give exception to the few rarer versions floating around such as Rivers RA25GT and the occasional original TA22GT's or totally showroom condition cars. The rest are just old celicas and are far from collectable.

My 2c worth anyway.

Just remember to put it somewhere that is useable and safe.

[SilverRA23]

In my first one I took the original section of the console out that the radio sat in ( I recall it being a trapezoid shape) and replacing it with a piece of MDF cut in the same shape. covered that in felt and bob is my uncle..

[river]

Hi,

The handsome one (Gold28) has a good point.

Unless you are going for concourse, in which you will need to keep the original console and radio - and everything else - in original & immaculate condition, there is no reason why you can't do a tasteful and functional mod on your console.

seeyuzz
river

[Hash_ra23]

Yes gold28 does have some points there.
but the reasons i wouldnt do it is because.

1. The car is extremely valuable to me even tho i paid under a grand for it.
2. I like making things from scratch cos its fun, and i like the challenge.
3. I stuff up alot and i dont have the courage to work on orignal things.

[DQIKST]

very good point indeed,

my glove box idea

pros as not mentioned ( look at area or residency ( theft rate) ) if they do not see it they have nothing to take,

lastest CD players are either MP3/WMA/CD-R/DVD compatible so you could save a whole heap of songs on a DVD disc and play them ( dont put songs on a cd if your not going to listen to them)

also most cd players come with a remote,

and my car is very very valuable to myself not only because it takes me to work and back but because it was my childhood dream to own a 23 celica and after asking my neighbour for 8 years she finally sold it to me, so i will continue to look after it as best i can and if i can modify somthing instead of ruining something i will,

oh yea keeping everything hidden also makes people think the car is original but little do they know about the snail under the bonnet

DQIKST

[The Witzl]

I ended up removing the stock fascia completely and throwing it out (someone had hacked it to pieces and it was well munted).
To replace it I used some 18awg sheet aluminium bought from Jaycar (30cm x 30cm), cut to shape, and bent slightly at the bottom to meet up with the other panel a little better.

I then cut out the single DIN hole for the CD player, and below this cut out the holes for the stock rear demister and Aircon switches horizontally (rather than vertical).

I covered it with some furry material, and screwed it into place.... looks fine to me

[gold28]

Another option that hasn't been suggested is to use an I-pod with an external amp. Leave the original squawk box in the console looking very 70's and make a small docking station for your I-pod, or even run the headphone cable through your column where the horn button is and use velcro to stick the I-pod to the center of your original steering wheel.

There may even be a bluetooth option for an Ipod which would make it even easier but I am not "au fait" with the I-pod craze so someone else can figure that one out.

[river]

Hi,

Crikey Witzl, your dash reminds me of old 70s porn-style with that thick carpet. Couldn't you get a smaller pile cloth!

Oh, and have you got fluffy dice also?

seeyuzz
river

PS: Nice shot of the beer in the passenger side also!

[river]

Hi,

"au fait"

WTF!!!!! Bloody frenchies!!!!!

seeyuzz
river

PS: I'm gonna have to use that saying on whatthe!!!!

[airfireman1]

Were the TED's for after you had finished he console? """"""""""""Atleast you have good taste in beer but dont ever become an interior decorator.

[o_man_ra23]

I think that Gold28 missed the point on not hacking the centre console... people DO pay handsomely for an unhacked console and it is financially silly to hack it. You are much better off making a new one, cause then you can make it wrap the handbrake etc aswell and put a console well in to store your CDs. Can make it look quite nice with previously suggested coverings. Also, a basic MDF/ply frame with fibreglass over then 5mm ish foam them covering will make for a rather nice console.

Cheers, Owen