Need tunes

So I recently got a stock '75 complete with a non-working AM radio. So I'm trying to decide what to do for tunes. My plan is to build a center console complete with a deck and speakers-probably 2 6x9's and 2 6 1/2s. I may wire an amp and store that in the tool box. I already have a plywood box/armrest that is bolted to the frame, so I'm not planning on drilling any extra holes. I'll also probably use a bracket to attach the box to the bars that the seats sit on (I'm a newbie and don't know the technical terms for all this stuff). Anyways, in order to power all this stuff I'm planning on running a jumper wire from the current power to the AM radio to the new "box." I'd rather do this than go straight to the battery (I've heard bad things about doing this) but want to make sure that I'm going to have enough power for all my gear. Any thoughts?

 

IMHO anything you put in the dash will get ruined by the elements so your box idea is a good one.
You have to remember that you are in an open vehicle so sound quality will never be up to par with a Lexus so get a decent head unit and try some 6x9's in the side of the box 1st.
On my wifes 7 I hid a small 200 watt amp that powers 2 marine box speakers from west marine.
The amp has rca jacks to her I-POD,no head unit at all.
Donnie

 

The other thing ot look into, which will be my plans is going to a marine store (ie:boaters world, etc) and getting a headunit mounting kit that is waterproof. the reason i like it is that the remotes still work through it so you never have to open it unless you want to. Of course if the :v6: is loud enough it wont matter what you do with sound

 

If you think the stock powerwire is not going to provide enough power you can always use a solenoid, that way you won't kill the battery. Most auto parts stores have them available and they're easy to install.

 

Don't even got to go thru THAT much trouble! Those marine stores and catalogs can be a little pricey but I am looking into the same set-up and Best Buy and Circuit City both have marine units and speakers! I plan on using the marine application as well because I plan to Rhino-line my interior so it can be washed out with a hose! My biggest hurdle is speaker placement. I've seen some pod assemblies that are mounted "on the hump" in front of the shifter. Anyone have any experience with these?

 

I have had a pioneer tape deck and now a Pioneer CD player and have yet to ruin either one by the "elements". Now I don't leave the Jeep topless in the rain, just the bikini, but I haven't had any problems. I looked at putting a console in with a spot for the deck, but after researching more I found out that CD players don't function right at over 60 degrees of angle. From what I have seen, the console spots are over that. I also have 5.25 inch Cerwin Vegas in the dash and they still work well. They have been there for ten plus years. I am thinking of upgrading them when I get the subs boxed and installed.

High5

 

so, with the Marine speakers, where would you suggest mounting them? I'm trying to avoid drilling a bunch of holes and such. I also am planning on the spray-on liner so I like where your mind is with this one...
And thanks for the head's up on the deck's angle...my whole project would have started off badly

 

so the dash fits 5 1/4's huh? That's great to know. Are there any decks that will fit in the spot which holds the AM now? Anybody know?

 

Do not use the stock powerwire it will not give you enough juice. What I would do is a fused 2 gauge cable from the battery to a small amp( around 200x2watts) two 6.5in speakers and plug it an MP3 player. Very clean install with almost nothing that can be stolen if you take the MP3 player with you.

BTW why 2 gauge? because the bigger the gauge the cleaner the voltage that goes to your amp and the better the sound quality. Also don't skimp on the connections they are what separates a good sounding stereo from a horrible one.

 

I concur doctor:iagree:

 

Holy crud! You can do that?! I thought you had to have a head unit to plug into! It's getting bad with radio these days with all the "talk radio" and hip-hop bleeding into my rock stations. I haven't listened to a radio in a couple of years. I just run my iPod via one of those cassette adapters to my head unit in my truck. So... the iPod can plug directly into the amp? :?

I'm still going with the marine grade speakers as the cone is made of waterproof material, but I'm all about this idea of foregoing the head unit. Tell me more!

 

I wanted something cheap for my CJ5 - maybe a few of these ideas will help. I mounted 2- 6 1/2" speakers into the side of my Durango center console. They are completely hidden from the top and the seats actually fit snug against the console and deflect 90% of the water from above. I did think they would sound well in that position but I was very suprised! I also had an old 10" free-air 300 watt subwoofer floating around my garage so I made a quick release mount out of my favorite material - PVC - for around $3. I don't leave it in if I need to leave the vehicle for more than a couple minutes. I also picked up a cheap $60 Sony AM/FM/ CD reciever from WallFart (yes, I waited almost 30 minutes...don't get me started). The system sound VERY good, even without the sub.

 

Okay, thanks for all the ideas. I actually took out the factory radio and the assembly last night and was thinking about playing around with an old cd deck I have sitting in my basement. The other problem that I have is that the cig lighter doesn't work so I have no way to maintain a charge on an IPOD. I was actually looking at those portable satellite radio tuners/MP3 players. I LOVE the sat radio. But I like the idea of plugging the player directly into an amp. I think somebody said in another forum that Jeep stands for Just Empty Every Pocket. Too true.

 

Alright, so we're in business...so far. I got some basics and we'll see how this all turns out and then I'll get some better stuff. I went out tonight and got some used stereo equipment off a guy I found on Craigslist. I purchased an old Sony cassette deck (but its got changer controls so I can make it work), an older 4-channel Kenwood amp and an 8" Kenwood bass tube. I got all this stuff CHEAP so I can play with it. I am also going to use speakers from an old bookshelf stereo that I have and see how that works. The only thing I don't have to make all this work is some 2 or 4 guage wire for the amp.
So I cut up the harness for the deck and connected it to the wires from the factory radio that I took out last night. I hooked up the antenna and one of the home speakers and I HAVE SOUND. I feel like Dr. Frankenstein.

 

Just to add my 2 cents, I have the iPod/cheap amp/cheap marine speaker combo in my Jeep.







I got the speakers off froogle for $25, the amp at a creepy discount shack for $19, and the iPod (1st generation, everything I own is old!) off eBay for $7(owner thought it was broken, I reloaded the software and it has run since). I mounted the speakers on the roll bar on top of the fenders using plastic ties. They are plenty loud, but I still have difficulty hearing them because they are behind the seats. As I redo my interior I'm going to try to get them up front somehow.

 

Hey Bardp, thanks for the info and especially the pics. Can you do me a favor and measure the center console? It looks like you built it and I had the same type of thing in mind. I have a plywood box in there now but its way too small. I was also probably going to build it out of MDF and maybe put speakers in it. I like everybody's idea about the ipod but I have a hang-up 'cause the cig lighter doesn't work to power it once the battery runs out, so I bought a cheap deck (with changer controls) for $35 bucks.

 

Actually It's just an ammo box.



I'll measure it tonight. I'll be taking it out this weekend though, you are welcome to it if I decide not to put it back in. I'll let you know.

 

That is a perfect fit, thanks for the offer. Remember where you picked it up?