In the next month i will be installing a new sound system into my beetle, I have noticed some guys mount them in the original radio position and some mount in the glove box.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of both?
How difficult is it to install a sound system into the originally radio slot on the dash? How do you cut the dash for a larger opening?
Photos of your installed sound system would be great
71-BEETLE-SEDAN ·
When you say cut the dash for a larger opening do you mean a double din stereo?
I thought it was only the late bugs with plastic dashes that needed to trim for head units.
I have my stereo mounted in the original location, but then mine isnt a original bug, its custom. If you want the original look then put it in the glove box.
Glove bix would be easier to reach wires etc but then further to reachfor driver, Original spot is a bit of a pain to run wires but if you do all the connections first and feed the headunit throught enough to hook wires up its quite easy.
Thanks well since my car doesn't have original front seats removing the original radio isn't a problem.
Will be a bonus if i don't have to cut the dash as well
mickey_0789 ·
I comes down the personal preference I think.
To install it in the original spot, all you need to do is put the unit in the rough spot you want it, mark it out and get a dremel to cut it out. The disadvantages doing it this way is it can get hot fast and easy and can brown the paint, this isn't a problem if you have the frame to go around the to unit as it hides all imperfections. The plus side to mounting it here is that if something happens to your ground cable the unit is still going to be grounded out because of the dash and because it should be touch the bracket for the wiper motor. Just remember when cutting it out always go SMALLER than what you have marked, its easier to take out more then to put more back in.
As for having it in the glove box, the only problem I have heard about units in these places is they bounce around a lot for some reason. What I like about hiding cd players in classic cars is that it keeps that classic car feel and look. I'm a fitter for most things electrical, I mostly specialise in car-pcs and custom installs, however in my 1 year working for autobarn I had my fair share of Beetles and Buses coming in. I would have to say beetles are the easiest to install simply because of the access to the wires.
And don't forgot to wire the acc wire to an accessory wire. I don't know how many people wire there constant and accessory wire together to have there battery flat over right. Even if you turn your cd player off it is still using the battery's power.
Heres a pictures of mine. Close up and what it looks like from the back seats. I show what it looks like under the bonnet but the vents are in the way.
Paulc1964au ·
thanks great pics, do you have the system work off the ignition or straight from the battery? Do you get any engine noise in the system?
mickey_0789 ·
Its off the accesorry. If you bridge the constant and accesory wire together you have to turn the cd player off, and it's just not in habbit to do that when you leave a car, even IF you turn it off the battery is still getting drained as there is a relay in the unit which opens the circuit when the ignition is off.
You won't get engine noise, the only possible way to get engine noise is if you install an amp and run the RCA and power next to each other, or if you're running some serious gauge speaker cable next to a 14volt line (the line going back to the battery for charge).
Paulc1964au ·
Ok thanks I figure easiest way to run speaker wires is under the carpet then drill a hole under the dash to go into the hood?
Paulc1964au ·
The family like the original look of the radio that being the case how difficult is it to mount it in the glove box?
mickey_0789 ·
Haha yeah. It's the way I did it, I'm really anal about wire placement but at the end of it all that was the easiest way of doing. You can't see my cables unless you lay on your back and look for them under the dash.
I can't wait to see the final product of it all.
Finky ·
I put my cd player in the glove box. The main reson being is that I wanted to keep the origenal look of my car, Plus its away from sight in the gove box for security resons. And remember once you have cut the hole in your dash there is no going back. You have a very well looked after Beetle I wouldnt chop it up.
There are Two ways of mounting it in the glove box, you can buy a special fiberglass face plate that fits in the glove box, so it mounts in the same way as it would in the dash. Or just cut a hole in the cardboard in the back of the glove box push the cd player in and fix it to the metal strap that holds the glove box in, It worked for me.
Paulc1964au ·
thanks for the heads up any idea where i can purchase the faceplate?
Finky ·
Try vintage veedub supplies in Sydney or you can see pics of what im talking about at www.vwheritage.com under beetle then go to interior parts
Paulc1964au ·
thanks finky i will have to go and visit Vintage since they don't have an online catalogue but the other site did have a pic so i may go that way providing the head unit i purchased has a remote so i can take advantage of the bluetooth for my phone
Joel ·
Paulc1964au wrote:Thanks well since my car doesn't have original front seats removing the original radio isn't a problem.
Will be a bonus if i don't have to cut the dash as well
front seats can be easily swapped back to original but once a dash is cut its cut forever, you would have to weld in a donor section to get it back to stock
glovebox isnt the only alternative, i dont like them there cos of the accessabililty or lack of
its not hard to make a consol or buy one of those aftermarket ones and put it in that or just mount to the underneath of the dash, still looks ok and is in easy reach and best of all no dash cutting
in my first bug which was a flat screen i made the mistake of cutting the dash for the headunit but i did also have a DSP which is same size as a standard headinuit mounted in that area under the ash tray
looked fine and was easily read and/or adjusted
Paulc1964au ·
Joel,
Are you suggesting maybe mounting under the dash in some sort of enclosure?
Joel ·
oh yeah one other point is in the factory radio spot the headunit can get very easily water logged
many flat screen beetle owners have had headunit failures from water damage.
can get in a number of ways, washer nozzel can leak, but usually its the fresh air grille in the hood or the fresh air box itself not sealing
Paulc1964au ·
I think you have convinced me lol now where to put it instead? Any pics ?
Joel ·
yeah something like this works well
that ones been modified abit, there not normally as funky looking as that one
mickey_0789 ·
Haha that is pretty funky.
Not sure if I'm a big fan of it.
Paulc1964au ·
I think I will go with the glove box Idea, I will take some photos tomorrow of where i will go and post here
Paulc1964au ·
Here is an option i found from a car in VMA
I could have a panel made and mount the head unit underneath the existing dash?
Would i be able to buy a cover if I were to remove the standard unit?
The advantage of this is i can keep the existing dash standard yet still have access to the head unit
djnee ·
Paulc1964au wrote:I think I will go with the glove box Idea, I will take some photos tomorrow of where i will go and post here
You might have read it already, but if not...here's how i mounted my headunit in the glovebox etc if it helps.
Awesome that is certainly an option i'm thinking of although the down side of course is the loss of storage space.
Thinker ·
just to add to it my bug is stock as they come and didnt want change that so i put my unit under the dash about 6 inches back from the ash tray.
most new unit come with a cradle which you can screw under the dash and then just slid the deck in.
very hard to see the unit from outside of the car and not to far away that you cant turn up the volume
Paulc1964au ·
thanks thinker would you have a pic? I see your not far from me?
Paulc1964au ·
Can I purchase a fill in plate for the existing radio or will i need to make one up? Or i could install a digital clock in the space without modifying the dash?
mickey_0789 ·
I have a radio you can that will fit in the spot. You don't need to wire it up but it will remove the hole there. Can I see what the space looks like?
Paulc1964au ·
thanks for the offer Mickey but i already have a radio in the spot but thinking of removing it when I install the new head unit somewhere lol
pod ·
i think i have a block off plate if you need it ,will have a look tomorrow after i come back from our club run for you👍
Paulc1964au ·
pod wrote:i think i have a block off plate if you need it ,will have a look tomorrow after i come back from our club run for you👍
Thanks Paul that would be awesome
Joel ·
Paulc1964au wrote:Here is an option i found from a car in VMA
I could have a panel made and mount the head unit underneath the existing dash?
Would i be able to buy a cover if I were to remove the standard unit?
The advantage of this is i can keep the existing dash standard yet still have access to the head unit
that ones a standard oval dash hacked out to fit a headunit
totally different to a late beetle
Paulc1964au ·
thanks Joel I have pretty much decided not too cut the dash once i get the head unit I will either put it in the glove box or under the dash. I will remove the existing radio and blank out the spot but keep the radio in storage.
If i can make a panel to take the top half of the glove box will still allow me to store a couple of things. Also if the head units remote allows me to answer the phone then the glove box is probably the best place if it needs a button pushed to answer the phone i may need to install the head unit nearby under the dash
barls ·
if you do put it in the stock position make sure you put a deflector above it so if the water jet does leak it wont stuff the head unit.
Paulc1964au ·
I took some photos of the dash I think the two options other than in the actual radio is either in the glove box or under the dash under the ash tray
Rural Baja ·
Joel wrote:many flat screen beetle owners have had headunit failures from water damage.
can get in a number of ways, washer nozzel can leak, but usually its the fresh air grille in the hood or the fresh air box itself not sealing
You bloody legend Joel! Thats why my cd player wont work in the morning. Bit of tape on the fresh air vent all good i hope! 😂
Rural Baja ·
Paulc1964au wrote:I took some photos of the dash I think the two options other than in the actual radio is either in the glove box or under the dash under the ash tray
Love the steering wheel and the radio. Looks smick 👍
jeremyluke ·
Does the radio work? I'm interested in either putting in an original radio or a RetroSound radio which fits in the same slit and is made to look lyk the original except has Aux and USB inputs for a iPod which are seperate and you can hide that in the glovebox. Doesn't hav a cd player tho which isn't a concern cause I think iPods will be the future anyways.
rob53 ·
i installed mine below the ash tray, I figured drilling 3 holes is better than mutilating the dash. If you install it in the glove box, is there any fire risk? Namely cause the glove box is made of that cardboard-y stuff?
On a side note, I saw at show a while ago, someone had a stereo recessed behind an old stock radio face (knobs, buttons and all) which would flip down. It was really nicely done.
Paulc1964au ·
Thanks rob don't suppose you have a photo to post?
vw54 ·
put mine in the glove box
vw54 ·
again
Paulc1964au ·
Thanks for posting the photo the glove box is certainly an option. Did you brace the glove box or is it rigid enough to support the head unit?
pod ·
Paul i have that radio blanking plate ,will put it in my Kombi and you can get it off me down at Berry Show if that suits you👍
Paulc1964au ·
ok thanks hmmm how will i recognise you????
pod ·
i will be in a yellow and black shirt(Flat Four Cub shirt) with Pod on it and my Kombi is a multitude of colours at the moment (blue green white black and primer),this one
Paulc1964au ·
No probs should be there around 11
Paulc1964au ·
As I will be mounting the back rear speakers on the back shelf i purchased. Should they be covered if the car is left unattended? It would be quite easy to steal them including the shelf?
jjwebb123 ·
mine is in the glove box.I did not want my original look changed.and it doesnt bounce around it is held by Velcro 😂 the only disadvantage to this is,it is a distance away from you when driving.There is a possibility it could be dangerous.its just personal choice.Another thing i thought of was resell value.I really dislike it when i go to look at a car for sale and there is a big,ugly not straight, hole from where a system used to be.But you can do it properly and it looks pretty sweet.like i said ts up to you.😎
Paulc1964au ·
Thanks to fellow veedubber Pod I received a radio blanking plate. My mate Eric paint stripped it and undercoated it now all I need to do is match the paint and it is ready to install once I remove the current radio
tom325 ·
Hey paul. I bought an under dash mounting surround from stageco for $20. I reckon strathfield car radio or any similar place also sells them. Then i mounted the unit underneath the dash below the glove box because there is more space there and still easy to reach. I found mounting it there to be the best of both worlds because you dont lose storage space and it is still well hidden. I'll post a photo tomorrow arvo.
Paulc1964au ·
thanks tom really appreciate the advice would be great to see a photo of the mounting as i am planning on installing next weekend
Paulc1964au ·
Any recommendations on how i would install these fibreglass kick panels for the front speakers. Currently the car does not have carpet however it will be installed later in the year.
Do I screw these side panels onto the body or glue them?
Finky ·
I instald a pair of these in my beetle about 3 years ago. First I lined the back of the fiberglass kick panels and the metal panels of the car where they mount on to with sound proofing material. If you dont your speakers will sound drummy and rubbish. Then I screwed the front of the kick panels on to the door piller with 12mm button head screws and a small nut and bolt threw the top back corner of the kick panel threw to the inside of the wheel arch. My new carpet kit went straight over top for a stockish look. The result is that they sound grate with my pioneer 6'' speakers and have a good solid bass sound with no vibrations or distortion.
Paulc1964au ·
Finky,
Thanks for the info what did you use for sound proof material?
barls ·
i did the as finky and used dyno mat
Paulc1964au ·
Where can i get it from Clarke rubber? how thick is it?
barls ·
i got mine from autobahn
Paulc1964au ·
Finky,
When you said the back of the fibreglass panels did you mean just around where they mount or the whole back of them inside?
Paulc1964au ·
If I did decide to install the new unit in the original radio position what is the easiest way to cut the dash? I guess using a file is the less destructive instead of a grinder?
barls ·
i did the whole back of the panels. as for the dash i used the a body saw. but i have seen a dremel used as well
Paulc1964au ·
The more i think about the more I feel i will install it in the dash, will take out the old radio on Saturday and decide as to which way to go
Finky ·
Paulc1964au wrote:Finky,
When you said the back of the fibreglass panels did you mean just around where they mount or the whole back of them inside?
I covered the whole back of the fibreglass kick panel with a 10mm foam adhesive stuff with a silver foil back of ebay for about $40.00. its like dynomatt but cheaper and thicker but dynomatt is still good
Paulc1964au ·
So you basically filled the whole cavity?
Finky ·
If could go back and tell the previous owner of my low mileage 72 beetle not to cut the dash. I would offer him a grand not to do it. now I need to weld in a replacement section and reck the shiny original paint on the dash. but im only being this fussy about this car because its very tidy and untuched apart from a more modern radio. I do like the cd player in the glove box of my 74 daily driver, but it would be easyer to reach if it was in the middle of the dash.
barls ·
ill post some pics of what i did shortly when i get home
Paulc1964au ·
Well i have thought about it and as mine wont be fully original like different seats and wheels i think i will mount the system in the dash because i want it to be accessible especially since the unit has bluetooth for my phone etc
barls ·
the panel
where they were fitted before panels were in place
and fitted
Joel ·
i still say under the dash
best of both worlds, not cutting the dash, but still within reach
like this one but under the ash tray instead of under the glovebox
DylanTheDubber ·
Nice Bug Joel , Who's is that.
From Dylan
Paulc1964au ·
Barls,
Thanks so much for the photos i really appreciate it when you posted the pics I was mounting the speakers to the side panels already for installation tomorrow. I will go to autobahn and buy some dynamat.
Did you glue it too the side of the car?
barls ·
dyno mat is actually self adhesive, so you just roll it on. the panels are held in place with 3 screws.
i put it everywhere in my car apart from the floor pan.
Paulc1964au ·
barls wrote:dyno mat is actually self adhesive, so you just roll it on. the panels are held in place with 3 screws.
i put it everywhere in my car apart from the floor pan.
did you use self tapers into the side of the panels? Also did you use a washer or eyelet? Once the carpet is installed you wont see any of it but i want to make sure it is secure
barls ·
from memory its self tappers but we are talking over 4 years ago when i first did it and havent had them off since then
Paulc1964au ·
thanks for the advice tomorrow i will go to autobahn and buy some
Paulc1964au ·
Have worked all morning on installing the new sound system in Rosie.
First i removed the old radio
I then drilled three pilot holes which then allowed me to use a hacksaw blade and cut approx 7 mm from the top of the cutout.
I then had to remove approx 5 mm from the left side. I also noticed the wiasher tube from the wipers was leaking so i pulled the wiper switch out and pushed the tube on further although i'm not sure that has fixed the issue. As a precaution I have place a sheet of plastic over the cutout to protect the sound system
Here is a shot of the cutout after hacksawing the cutout
Shot with the bracket installed into the cutout
I have also run an terminated all the cables to the unit so all i need to do now is connect the speakers and see how it goes, more photos once I have finished
71-BEETLE-SEDAN ·
whats the black lever for in the last pics
pod ·
71-BEETLE-SEDAN wrote:whats the black lever for in the last pics
opens the front vent in the heater channels
Joel ·
a 69 only feature 😉
Paul, you need to head to supercheap or autobahn and grab a packet of rubber grommets for those speakerwires where they run through the sheetmetal under the dash
Paulc1964au ·
thanks joel i have used a number of layers of insulation tape to protect the cable
mickey_0789 ·
Looking good mate 👍
I used to love installing systems, but after working for autobarn it really turns you off it, not to mention it makes you lazy...
Can't wait to see the final product.
Remember.. wire it to the accessory 🙂
Paulc1964au ·
Well the system is all finished and sounds fantastic actually I am really surprised how good it sounds. The only issue i have is when i start the car the system drops out which caused the bluetooth to the phone to disconnect. As I have a switch I will just not turn on the sound system until the car is running
I would like to thank everyone for their advice and help without you guys i would not have been able to install the sound system in the car
mickey_0789 ·
Looks a million bucks mate!!!
As for it turning off when you start the car up, its something they all do, it's just so that there is enough cranking amps going to the starter.
tom325 ·
Looking good there. I know its late now but heres a pic of my underdash setup
