Hi,
I'm new to car modifications and learning from all of you and this great forum.
Im thinking of installing a stereo system into my 71 Spider. Theirs no place for speakers and the consul has an empty spot for a stereo receiver. Not sure if this car ever had a stereo. The only loose wire i see in the consul in the empty spot is a red wire.
My question is how do you wire for power to the stereo receiver? Do i install a new power cable with a fuse directly from the battery to the stereo or some how wire from the car fuse box? If i use the car fuse box can some one provide pics or diagrams? Hope this makes sense.
Thanks,
Cam
Stereo Installation 1971 Fiat 124 Spider
-
toplessexpat
- Posts: 1183
- Joined: Fri Aug 31, 2012 2:29 am
- Your car is a: 1976 Spider 1800
- Location: Houston, TX
Re: Stereo Installation 1971 Fiat 124 Spider
There's a whole host of options for you.
Firstly, speakers. The original speaker was behind the grill underneath the stereo slot. They're occasionally available on eBay etc. You can also fit speakers into the map pockets in front of each door. Both in the pocket itself, or or in the outside wall of the pocket. Speakers can also be put in the panels that are either side of the rear seat, or removing the rear seat and boarding it out gives a great place for speakers to be fitted. When fitting speakers elsewhere than they were intended to be fitted, make sure that they don't foul stuff that's behind the panel you're cutting in to.
For the head unit. Make sure you get one that isn't too deep - it's a tight squeeze back there. Most head units work best with an always on feed and a switched ignition feed. Get out your multimeter and behind the console you should be able to tap into the lighter feed for the always on, the lighter illumination for the auto dim function on the head unit, and see if that red wire is a switched 12v feed. If it's not then you may need to run one from the fuse box.
Hope this helps
Andy
Firstly, speakers. The original speaker was behind the grill underneath the stereo slot. They're occasionally available on eBay etc. You can also fit speakers into the map pockets in front of each door. Both in the pocket itself, or or in the outside wall of the pocket. Speakers can also be put in the panels that are either side of the rear seat, or removing the rear seat and boarding it out gives a great place for speakers to be fitted. When fitting speakers elsewhere than they were intended to be fitted, make sure that they don't foul stuff that's behind the panel you're cutting in to.
For the head unit. Make sure you get one that isn't too deep - it's a tight squeeze back there. Most head units work best with an always on feed and a switched ignition feed. Get out your multimeter and behind the console you should be able to tap into the lighter feed for the always on, the lighter illumination for the auto dim function on the head unit, and see if that red wire is a switched 12v feed. If it's not then you may need to run one from the fuse box.
Hope this helps
Andy