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First post, so here we go. I am fitting a Sony 10 cd auto changer in to an MY99 turbo five door (sport wagon, hunchback, what ever you want to call it) and would like any comments if people have found a good plan for doing this i.e. location, securing the unit down, tips or tricks. Its being mated to a new sony head unit if that sets off any suggestions.
I have a 10 disc Kenwood changer and that fits nice and snugly under the passenger seat. It'd be a right git to get out, and also means that it's easy enough to get access to to change discs, so I don't end up with the same ones in the car for months on end.
Bolt it down firmly.
Note that I'm assuming the Sony unit is around the same size. You may want to try it first
I've got a 4 door MY00 and I put my Kenwood 10 CD changer in the spare tyre. Cuta 16.5" MDF circle, sits nicely in the tyre with changer attached to underside. Keeps boot space completely free and changer hidden from view.
Idea was from another post regarding CD changer positions and a pro(?) ice installer suggested this method.
I can provide more details if interested and piccies as well, now that I have a digi camera.
Thanks for your replies chiark/Steve. I would be interested in having a look at some piccies of your install, Steve. The shop where I bought the head unit and changer from advertise free intallation with the purchase but I think I would rather do it myself. It may be done before xmas!!
I'll get the pics done this weekend when there is some daylight so that it will give a better image. Just need to scan the BBS to find out where to put images so that I can post them on here (never done it before as you can probably guess )
Whole job took me about a morning. Main problem was running the cables through the centre column under the back seats. Could have taken the cables down the passenger side trim but thought I would go the more direct route.
I'll put some detail about what was done when the pics are posted.
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Hanslow:
<B>I've got a 4 door MY00 and I put my Kenwood 10 CD changer in the spare tyre. Cuta 16.5" MDF circle, sits nicely in the tyre with changer attached to underside. Keeps boot space completely free and changer hidden from view[/quote]
I did the same with my Sony 10 disk. Ran the cables under edge of centre console (passenger side), pop out rear ashtray blank to gain access, feed cables under carpet, take out rear seat ( 2 bolts), under seat back (driver side) hide behind boot lining then drop into tyre well. Changer requires careful positioning so leads don't foul wheel rim. Placed draught sealing foam onto surface of MDF to prevent vibration from wheel to player - works fine.
Was fitting an Alpine Changer to my car yesterday.
Thet show the cable run through the centre console, under the carpet, under the rear seats and through into the boot.
It was an easier job than I thought, omly taking about an hour or so. Biggest hassle was feeding the cable under the carpet, until I took the fixings keeping the carpet in place.
Stefan
[This message has been edited by ozzy (edited 16 February 2001).]
[This message has been edited by ozzy (edited 16 February 2001).]
The first series of pictures were supposed to show how to remove the centre console, gear lever trim and the trim around the had brake. Ran out of light last night, so will try and get them down tomorrow.
The top pic just shows the (unfinished at the mo) MDF sat in the spare tyre. Obviously with the carpet on top you have a completely empty, free to use boot.
The second image shows what I had to do with the butterfly bolt. Basically turn the 'dome' holder thingy (ooh I'm so technical ) upside down and rescrew the butterfly bolt in. This just gives an extra bit of room. Screw your changer into the MDF and then drop it in.
I haven't yet put draught sealer round like Buzz, but I intend to as this should provide some shock absortion.
Nick (chiark), do you still want me to email you the images or are you OK grabbing them from here?
Steve
Edit:
Haven't put details of fitting head units and running cables as Stefan (ozzy) seems to have done an excellent job already, and it saves me a job
[This message has been edited by Hanslow (edited 16 February 2001).]
That MDF thingy looks the biz. Was going to bolt mine onto the back seat, but I think I'll pop down to my local Homebase for some MDF. Wonder if you could replace the board that comes with the car as well?
How are you going to hold the unit in-place and stop it rattling about - especially when you get all 4 wheels off the ground
I think the MDF was 12mm and it was cut as a 16.5" diameter circle. Two wholes drilled through to let air circulate and also so you can pick it up
Unit is pretty much held in place by the wheel cover and the carpet...golf clubs help! Wondered about constructing a cross brace sort of thing to hold it more secure, but then thought sod it
As for when all four wheels are off the ground....I'll be screaming so loud I won't hear it skip
The pictures are great guys. I have had the installer ring me to arrange to fit the head unit and changer on Monday. I'm still a bit nervous about letting someone loose on my car interior but I have printed off your picies (if thats ok) and will prepare a piece of MDF for the installer to use. I don't want to have to redo someones work because I don'tlike how they have done it but as I don't have much spare time at the moment it would be one less job to have to fit in. Anyway cheers for all your advice
It most certainly is. My cars' an RB5, so it came fitted as standard. All the scoobies I've driven have had them fitted, so I can't really describe the difference from a std one.
The only cars I can compare it with are other manufacturers VW, Audi, etc..
I'd certainly not want another scooby that didn't have one fitted.
I also changed the gear knob recently for a Momo one to match the steering wheel. The gear lever fits much further up into the gear knob, so it makes it a lot shorter adding to the quickshift feel.
Don't worry too much about the installer, just make sure he's careful removing the centre console trim - it's oh so easy to scratch. Also be VERY careful when running the cable underneath the rear foot well carpet. You need to remove the 3 fasteners holding the carpet down and it's again far to easy to tear the carpet when trying to prise out the fasteners.
Well, I'm afraid that impatience got the better of me on Sunday and I fitted the head unit and autochanger myself. Every thing went in ok after I removed the center consul and rear seat. Got the MDF board sorted out, put everything back in, all trim etc and then wondered why I could hear the changer working but no music. Dooh! I hadn't plugged in the audio leads.
After re-removing all the trim and seat ( Iwas getting good at it by now) evrything finally worked.
Just to say thanks for all your help and now I can't hear the heated rear screen cables rattling so much.
Must admit, I've had to remove the trim a few times after forgetting something myself
Have you any more to add about the MDF thing or has it been covered enough in previous posts? Haven't got round to it yet, so looking for as much advice as possible - especially with my DIY skills.
I copied Hanslows design to the letter and it went fine. I happened to have a 44mm hole saw about so I used that. The only thing I had to do was cut off the top of the butterfly bolt that holds the spare wheel in to clear the changer. It was proud of the highest point of the rim. Well I think it was as I was in a bit of a rush by then. The good lady wife was wanting to go out Hope that helps.
)
I hadn't plugged in the audio leads. 
