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Technical Fitting a radio

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Technical Fitting a radio

thisisburdett

thisisburdett

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Afternoon all,

Has anyone fit a radio in their little Fiat?
And if so, how did you go about it?

I actually removed some dodgy old speakers from the back panels when I bought my car, there was no wiring, just the speakers, and no radio.

But now with the prospect of a 6 hour drive I'm thinking it might be nice to have some music, even if I can't quite here it over the engine!

I've just bought an old Blaupunkt radio but has yet to arrive. I was thinking about putting a speaker box in the front rather than recutting out the back panels for speakers there.

Any ideas?

Dan
 
Hello Dan,

I've been thinking similar things and actually have a power feed to fit one but what with the din from the engine, lack of speaker back volume for decent bass and not wanting to cut the panels I have chosen plan B......... my phone and headphones.

Sorry to not be more help but it may be solution
 
I used to have a radio before I rebuilt the car it sat next to the glove box and was held in place by two L brackets. You can get a console like Hugh Jarce has and I had two speakers that sat on the parcel shelf and held in place by some double side tape.

As Ozza suggested a phone is another solution connected to a Bluetooth speaker.

I use an iPhone to stream music to a Veho 360 speaker that is small enough to sit in the centre console and it's one of those gadgets that simply shocks everybody by its sound quality. The usual reply is WOW I am getting one of those. It has a battery life of 5 hours. Just read the reviews here it won't disappoint.

Veho VSS-009-360BT M4 Portable Rechargable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker with Track Control: Amazon.co.uk: Audio & HiFi

Tony
 
Last edited:
thisisburdett said:
Afternoon all,

Has anyone fit a radio in their little Fiat?
And if so, how did you go about it?

I actually removed some dodgy old speakers from the back panels when I bought my car, there was no wiring, just the speakers, and no radio.

But now with the prospect of a 6 hour drive I'm thinking it might be nice to have some music, even if I can't quite here it over the engine!

I've just bought an old Blaupunkt radio but has yet to arrive. I was thinking about putting a speaker box in the front rather than recutting out the back panels for speakers there.

Any ideas?

Dan
Click to expand...

Hi Dan

Here's what I did as mentioned by Tony

Cheers
Hugh Jarce (aka Gary)
 

Attachments

  • Stereo Fit.pdf
    90 KB · Views: 99
Hugh Jarce said:
Hi Dan

Here's what I did as mentioned by Tony

Cheers
Hugh Jarce (aka Gary)
Click to expand...
That looks great mate, very posh!

I wondering if I should pick up one of those centre console pieces too. Does it fit on to the existing plastic stuff in the middle of the 'L'?

What's the sound like coming from the back, sufficient?
Nice one.
 
Vitesse said:
I used to have a radio before I rebuilt the car it sat next to the glove box and was held in place by two L brackets. You can get a console like Hugh Jarce has and I had two speakers that sat on the parcel shelf and held in place by some double side tape.

As Ozza suggested a phone is another solution connected to a Bluetooth speaker.

I use an iPhone to stream music to a Veho 360 speaker that is small enough to sit in the centre console and it's one of those gadgets that simply shocks everybody by its sound quality. The usual reply is WOW I am getting one of those. It has a battery life of 5 hours. Just read the reviews here it won't disappoint.

Veho VSS-009-360BT M4 Portable Rechargable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker with Track Control: Amazon.co.uk: Audio & HiFi

Tony
Click to expand...
Thanks for the tip Tony!
I actually did an hour long journey with a similar speaker, a Jabra Soulmate which did a decent job. But it didn't quite fit in the current centre console, so was bouncing about in the passenger footwell.
I'm also useless at remembering to charge things which would be my downfall.

I purchased one of these :

http://www.chromelondon.com/ekmps/s...3-seevideo-fully-working-with-warranty-lotus-[2]-1632-p.jpg

to keep the period look, but just trying to figure out the best way to install speakers.

I spotted this fella who has stuck 1 box in each footwell.

http://californiaclassix.com/images/c124-fahr-thumb.jpg

Not half as posh as Gary's though!
 
I use an Iphone and bluetooth jambox which has a really nice sound. It can be turned up very loud over the noise of the car. For some reason the guy who rebuilt my car put a antenna on the car but no radio or speakers. In the end, I may just mount the jambox under the dashboard out of site.

I also bought this: Amazon.com: Battery Tender 081-0069-8 Female Cigarette Adaptor for Quick Disconnect: Automotive

which was really easy to install and has tons of attachments including a USB charger to keep your speaker charged.
 
ImageUploadedByFIAT Forum1429888703.605495.jpg
Hi
I fitted a radio. I had looked at the attached one on eBay which was made to fit into the ashtray. However the speaker is only 3/4 watts, and couldn't figure how to upgrade it.
So I bought an original auto box radio for €50ish and an old speaker for about the same, picture attached.
I sent the radio and speaker off and had 2 40watt speakers inserted into the old speaker and had the radio converted to FM and Bluetooth. I absolutely love it. I can listen to the radio, ( the fitter never put the aerial on which he was supposed to, the the signal is a little wavy) however I usually stream music from my phone and can clearly hear above engine and can also make hands free phone calls. I will send photos in the car later when I get home.
DarrylImageUploadedByFIAT Forum1429888889.192064.jpg
 
Giardiniera1969 said:
I use an Iphone and bluetooth jambox which has a really nice sound. It can be turned up very loud over the noise of the car. For some reason the guy who rebuilt my car put a antenna on the car but no radio or speakers. In the end, I may just mount the jambox under the dashboard out of site.

I also bought this: Amazon.com: Battery Tender 081-0069-8 Female Cigarette Adaptor for Quick Disconnect: Automotive

which was really easy to install and has tons of attachments including a USB charger to keep your speaker charged.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the reply.
Does that loom of cables attach directly to the car battery?
 
dk500 said:
View attachment 153831
Hi
I fitted a radio. I had looked at the attached one on eBay which was made to fit into the ashtray. However the speaker is only 3/4 watts, and couldn't figure how to upgrade it.
So I bought an original auto box radio for €50ish and an old speaker for about the same, picture attached.
I sent the radio and speaker off and had 2 40watt speakers inserted into the old speaker and had the radio converted to FM and Bluetooth. I absolutely love it. I can listen to the radio, ( the fitter never put the aerial on which he was supposed to, the the signal is a little wavy) however I usually stream music from my phone and can clearly hear above engine and can also make hands free phone calls. I will send photos in the car later when I get home.
DarrylView attachment 153832
Click to expand...
Love that speaker Darryl, where did you mount it?
Also, did you install it in the car yourself?
 
ImageUploadedByFIAT Forum1429890926.773663.jpgImageUploadedByFIAT Forum1429890939.116947.jpgImageUploadedByFIAT Forum1429890967.058611.jpg

I have attached photos of radio and speaker, excuse the smurfs ! But I attached that to show the microphone for handsfree.
I didn't fit myself, but I gather it is not that difficult. I am sure one of the others should have a few pearls of wisdom.
 
dk500 said:
View attachment 153834View attachment 153835View attachment 153836

I have attached photos of radio and speaker, excuse the smurfs ! But I attached that to show the microphone for handsfree.
I didn't fit myself, but I gather it is not that difficult. I am sure one of the others should have a few pearls of wisdom.
Click to expand...
Nice one!
That radio looks suitably period eh?

Maybe the footwell speaker box is an option then.
Thanks for taking and sending the photos!
 
The autovox radios are on eBay all the time, there are a few very small styles that would not clutter the dash, they are Italian and correct period.
 
Yes, the terminal harness connects directly to the battery and I fed the wire right under one of the holes in the dashboard. Also, what is a nice attachment to this device is that you can plug a battery charger right to it. Just type battery tender in Amazon and you can see all of the attachments.
 
Hi Dan
Sorry for delay, the console fits direct on to the tunnel, I modifed the glove box by reducing its overall depth too. You lose the hand throttle but I don't use it anyway so.

The console reaches right back to either side of teh gear lever, it doesn't interfere at all. The clutch pedal is obscured but is not interfered with and my size 11's have no problem operating it. The speakers combined knock out 220W so they don't lose against the engine noise either. All in I like it, cost a bit but hey ho the car is worth it.

Cheers
HJ
 
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