Removed the dash.... couple questions. ***PICS***

[Cuda Cody]

Well, my wife and I removed the dash in the 70 Challenger today.  What a splice happy mess! 

I have a couple questions.....

~Does anyone make after market radios that have the factory conectors?  My radio has had the wires spliced so many times I'm sure each wire change colors 4 time before you get to the end of it.   

~The whole reason we took the dash out was to replace the wiring harness beccause we saw & smelled smoke when using the blinkers..... GUESS WHAT!!!!! No burnt wires .....  argh!     But I did find a burnt conector on the engine side of the harness.  My question is..... Since it looks like I am not fixing the problem with what I'm doing, what would be the most logical place to look next for the short?

[GoodysGotaCuda]

That burnt connector. Is it the wire to the amp gauge? aka alternator output? either way, three words - Amp. Guage. Bypass. Highly recommend it, you will have to run a volt gauge however, i'm not sure anyone out there converts amp gauges to voltmeters. I smoked some wires when my alternator went and overcharged for a bit, quite a scary experience seeing a cloud of smoke from under the hood, i now carry a fire extinguisher in the car. 


http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/amp-gauges.shtml

[Chryco Psycho]

the firewall plugs corrode & create resistance  , clean the connectors , coat them with a dielectric gease & reassemble

[Mopar73340]

   Clean and coat all connections, not just the ones at the bulkhead.

[ROMI]

CODY ! What ever else you do, before you put that dash back, cut the speaker holes so that you can mount newer style speakers in those outboard openings.  You have a nice 3 speaker dash, make the most of it and cut those holes even if you don't put the speakers in right away.  It's nearly impossible to cut them while in place with the windshield in place too.  You won't regret it.

[Cuda Cody]

That brings up a good question.  I was going to replace all the front speakers and either fix the original or get a new radio.  Where's a good place to look for speakers?  And do you have a picture of what should be cut out?  I'm sure it will make more sence when I get the dash further apart, but right now I'm not sure what to cut out?
 

Of coarse I'm documenting the whole process and will post a very detailed "how I did it" when completed.

CODY ! What ever else you do, before you put that dash back, cut the speaker holes so that you can mount newer style speakers in those outboard openings.  You have a nice 3 speaker dash, make the most of it and cut those holes even if you don't put the speakers in right away.  It's nearly impossible to cut them while in place with the windshield in place too.  You won't regret it.

[Cuda Cody]

I will not drive this car without a fire extinguisher too!

Thanks for the link...

That burnt connector. Is it the wire to the amp gauge? aka alternator output? either way, three words - Amp. Guage. Bypass. Highly recommend it, you will have to run a volt gauge however, i'm not sure anyone out there converts amp gauges to voltmeters. I smoked some wires when my alternator went and overcharged for a bit, quite a scary experience seeing a cloud of smoke from under the hood, i now carry a fire extinguisher in the car. 


http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/amp-gauges.shtml

[ROMI]

That brings up a good question.  I was going to replace all the front speakers and either fix the original or get a new radio.  Where's a good place to look for speakers?  And do you have a picture of what should be cut out?  I'm sure it will make more sence when I get the dash further apart, but right now I'm not sure what to cut out?

You can get good 3 1/2" speakers just about anywhere, (if you put in a new radio just make sure that the power rating of the new speakers match the rating output of the new radio).  The newer 3.5" speakers will bolt right in except that they have a much larger magenet and therefore the metal inner structure of the dash that is about 1.5" below the surface where the grill sits must be opened up to let the larger magnets fit.  When you take off the speaker grills you'll see it.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

You can get good 3 1/2" speakers just about anywhere, (if you put in a new radio just make sure that the power rating of the new speakers match the rating output of the new radio).  The newer 3.5" speakers will bolt right in except that they have a much larger magenet and therefore the metal inner structure of the dash that is about 1.5" below the surface where the grill sits must be opened up to let the larger magnets fit.  When you take off the speaker grills you'll see it.

   

  I've heard others say that about making the 3.5 inch speaker fit. A little modification is in need there. I have to ask you Cody if you have or are planning to have rear speakers too? In that case, you could put an after-market amp in your car. Have the front speakers wired to the radio, but have the rear speakers going to the amp. That's how I did it. Of course on the fader control  of the radio, I have it favoring the rear speakers. At least I can now hear music over my exhaust sound at hiway speeds... on those rare occasions that I choose. 

  Mike

[ShelbyDogg]

I used some 3.5" Rockford Fosgates from Best Buy, but used capacitors in series so they only pass the highs.  Talk to the guys in a stereo store as to which caps to buy. Different microfarad (ufd) ratings allow different frequencies to get through.  Buy the speakers, then trial fit them. You'll see right away how much metal to trim. Then as you trial fit, keep blowing out the grindings or your speaker magnets will pick them up for you.
Oh by the way,  I wired the new style MOPAR stereo connectors into my wiring harness.  Got them from MCM Electronics.  Not the stereo end but the CAR ends.  I also bought the STEREO ENDS that would connect to any aftermarket stereo that you would buy with all of the correct color coded wire for every speaker, power, and antenna.  That way I can unplug the complete head unit just like any newer car ouit there. Saves time changing stereos since all of the wiring is now done on a table instead of under the dash.
 
Cody,  How about a couple of specs on the pretty lady holding the dash?  
You know, make, model, year.

Rob

[Cuda Cody]

Here's is my stock radio.

The fender tag has R22 listed for a radio and the car has 3 front speakers (stock speakers) and 2 rears (not stock for sure).  Does the code R22 come with rear speakers?  Since the radio was all cut and spliced, I do not know what wires are what.  The red wire from the radio (i'm guessing power) had another wire spliced in to it leading to the floor shifter (was a column shift car originally).  I'm guessing to power the light on the shifter.  There are 3 other wires (Black, Purple, and Green) on one side (I think they are speakers) and an Orange wire on the other side.

Can anyone tell me what wire is what?

I'm also going to go back to a stock system.  I'll have the original speakers reconed and use them.  Just easier to keep it stock and try to find out what is shorting this car out.

Also, is there anyone who rebuilts stock radios?

Thanks! 

   

  I've heard others say that about making the 3.5 inch speaker fit. A little modification is in need there. I have to ask you Cody if you have or are planning to have rear speakers too? In that case, you could put an after-market amp in your car. Have the front speakers wired to the radio, but have the rear speakers going to the amp. That's how I did it. Of course on the fader control  of the radio, I have it favoring the rear speakers. At least I can now hear music over my exhaust sound at hiway speeds... on those rare occasions that I choose. 

  Mike

[ShelbyDogg]

Usually,  Red is hot, black is ground, Orange is for the dash/dimmer dial light, the 2 colors are for left and right speakers.

With the 3 speaker dash, you have to have the crossover box.  That's still there right?

[Topcat]

.

Also, is there anyone who rebuilts stock radios?

Thanks! 

Have you checked out Hemmings? I'm sure there are a few guys in there that restore radios.

[Cuda Cody]

I have not look in there yet.... I'll get a copy and see if there's someone close.  Thanks!

Have you checked out Hemmings? I'm sure there are a few guys in there that restore radios.

[Cuda Cody]

This is how the car was wired.....

1st pics is of all the wires. and in the bottom of the picture you can see the red and yellow wires that were spliced in to a factory conector that went to the rear speakers.  The two wires that are in the one connector that sits just to the left and at the bottom of the pic was not connected to anything... At least I didn't label it, and I labeled everything I took apart.

The 2nd pic is of a silver box that was under the dash.  the speakers are connected to it.

The 3rd pic is of that wire that was not hooked up to anything.

Rob,What can you make from this?

oh ya, that is my wife in the picture.  She's a great helper.  We met when she was 9 and we started going out a few years later.... been together ever since.  20+ years now.  She's 30 years old and treats me great... or I should say puts up with me. 

Usually,  Red is hot, black is ground, Orange is for the dash/dimmer dial light, the 2 colors are for left and right speakers.

With the 3 speaker dash, you have to have the crossover box.  That's still there right?