MADMAN installs radio

[Bullitt-]

Anyone interested in  an easy & solid way to install an aftermarket radio read on. Last fall before getting involved with CC.C(sorry no pictures) I was installing an AM/FM CD deck in my Challenger (no A/C). For a short time in the '70s I installed aftermarket radios professionally but had never done a real good job putting a radio in the Chally. It always seemed that I ended up with a shaky setup at best. I had just finished building some custom shelves using 1 /12" Slotted Steel Angle (heretofore referred to a SSA). SSA is available at just about any hardware store in 2,4,6 &10 ' lengths for $5-$12.00. I was playing around with some scrap & discovered that the SSA fit perfectly in the lower dash  under the radio. I then took another piece reversed it & bolted them together & when sat in the dash came very close to being level with the bottom of the cars radio opening. I did ultimately have to elongate the holes so the pieces could be a little shorter but it was like it was made for the purpose. I then went about piecing together a Frankenstein "CAGE" to hold the deck. Over the top of the deck I forned a strap, using Slotted Flat Steel, to clamp the unit in place. There happened to be one good size hole already in the underside of the dash I was able to line up with the SSA holes to put one bolt. An extra piece on top on the right side mated up with the stock radio support. Two bolts hold this in & it is as solid as a Mopar. (couldn't bring my self to say rock) See pictures & diagram below. Any questions? 

[MyMopar]

How about a pic of it installed in the car?

[Bullitt-]

I tried to get some pictures but it was so tight that there was very little detail. Here is the best, also my kick panel creations.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

     

  Looks great!!! I thought about trying something behind my kick-panels, but you can't go too deep there.  It would be a great place to put a sub-woofer, but I'm dreaming. 


  Mike

[Bullitt-]

I'll make a post on the kick panels soon.

[Robb]

re kick panels;

please do !

[Bullitt-]

re kick panels;

please do !

YOU GOT IT 

http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=21575.0

[Bullitt-]

The long awaited pics of Cage Frankenstein
Key to getting everything  in is raising the rear of the radio to get under the dash frame as the bottom support has to clear the lip of the lower dash.








                         All that gets you this




This is why you DONT want a motorized face....this installation does allow removal of control panel
which would still be a problem on a CD only model..........I can eject & insert a CD in this configuration

[Bullitt-]

 Great little invention is the plug adapter, the 1st player I put in 3 years ago came out of a '91 Jeep Cherokee which had necessitate an adapter to be added to the head unit. If your like me the worse part of an install is laying in the floor splicing speaker wires so to remedy that I added a reverse wiring plug to the car so that to remove or replace the radio it is a single plug.

For the new head unit I purchased an another plug adapter making the connections in the comfort of my den.




Existing reverse adapter in the car.




Never have shown you the  MADMAN  dome light.

[nivvy]

I put them in my kick panels also. not to hard really.... 

just use the bezel for a template and come about 5/8" off the kick panel and about level with the bottom curve on the kickpanel...

[ROMI]

Nice job Bullitt..
Hey, why don't you change your name to MADMAN ?

[Street_Challenged73]

Haha, I know where you pulled your dome light from.   Nice job with the retro-fit of your newer head unit.