Compact Disc player in 71 LeMans dash. What are you installing?
 

I pulled the Cassette player that I installed back in the early 90's from the dash yesterday. I hacked the dash back then to fit the unit so it is not like the dash is perfect. I have several CD players here that I can install, but I am thinking I am going to have to enlarge that opening again to fit the units.
Anyone have any other ideas? What have you done?
Is that piece of the dash where the radio goes replaceable or am I going to have to replace the entire dash eventually if I would put the stock AM/FM back in?

Thanks all !!!

The Cassette player was a Panasonic Super Tuner, is anyone interested in buying it?

I put in a single DIN and found a JVC unit online that had bluetooth (music and handsfree phone) and also a small video screen that I hooked up a back up camera. Happy with the installation and it does not look out of place. Car in storage no great picture.

Like others, the dash I am using was hacked for a cassette deck. I really struggled with repairing the dash opening and going to all the trouble of making it look original so I could install a factory radio, but then planned to install a single DIN Alpine unit under the dash or in the glovebox...I refuse to drive a car without a decent sound system :)

My wife pointed out the waste of time and money it would be to restore the dash to add a stereo underneath. What is done is done..so I did as Paul E, and cut the hacked opening to fit the Alpine and will have no regrets once it is on the road. I did have to cut some metal and used a fine saw blade and kept the pieces in case I ever go crazy and want to revert to stock.

While I was detailing the dash, I repainted the raised edges that were originally chrome/shiny with satin black and the Alpine blends in much better. Yes, it isn't correct or original but made sense to me as I like to try and hide things!

Note that by the time you get the opening enlarged for the single DIN chassis, the only part that the chassis will be secured to is the plastic trim, which is not sufficient to support the head unit. I bent up a small bracket and replaced the screw that secures the back of the ashtray with a fine machine bolt/nut assembly that the bracket will attach to.

The unit I am installing is an Alpine HD149BT. Has bluetooth, USB port, handsfree calling for cell phone, external mic, possibility of steering wheel controls, single CD player, SiriusXM upgradable, etc. Pretty much the most tech I could find in a single DIN.

Rear deck has 2-way 6x9's and a 10" sub. Front kick panels are Q-Logic with component 6.5" mid/woofer and 1" silk tweeter. 5 channel amp with 75W x 4 and 200W for sub.

Function over fashion....LOL

More pics

those pics are great!!! My wife and I have been kicking this around now for a few weeks trying to go either way on the dash. I got permission to buy a good replacement dash to put away in storage and finish the one in the car to fit the new stereo. We decided we are going to use this car and enjoy it, not baby it. I have owned the car since 1977 and to do a restoration on it now would be ridiculous. BUT ya never know, I might hit the lottery one day.

Thanks again everyone

I put mine in a box under the dash 12 yrs ago with a fake in place of the original. Couldn't bring myself to cut up the dash like I did to all my cars back in the 80s. We must be the last 3 people with CD players in our cars. When this dies I'll probably get one of the aftermarket stereos that fit in the original dash holes.

wow that looks great also. I have so many discs laying around I just have to put the disc player in. Nostalgia I guess.

I was using a single DIN that had a USB port on the face, but I upgraded to a model that didn't and used a port that has both a USB and AUX on it, can either cut a new hole, or use the lighter hole to mount.

I used an aftermarket insert, so cutting wasn't a concern for me. I added a second USB port so I can use it for my efi ecu interface.

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There are a couple options available now that seem to often get overlooked, or maybe even forgotten.

One is what I installed in my '70 Formula in the early 2000's;
It was a remote operated disc changer that was in the trunk, and it played through a wired connection at a preset frequency. Unlike other players that use a radio frequency, this setup eliminated interference by essentially having the "broadcast" being pumped in.

The other one is either a factory radio, or vintage aftermarket radio with a 'redi-rad';
I am quite incline to go this route when I get my car back on the road.

Now someone reading this might think, "why did this guy seem to go off tangent considering the question?!" - well I did because even good single din radios will require more cutting of your dash than what may have been done to accommodate the aftermarket two post tape player.

I haven't heard much good about the aftermarket "factory appearance" radios;
And the 'redi-rad' is created by one in our community.

https://redirad.com/

Does anybody even have CD's anymore?

Sure do...I keep buying them all the time. Have a 300 disc CD changer at home and it is full of classic rock and other stuff from when I was younger...think I am up to 240 discs now. Just got the latest AC/DC CD and loving it. Nothing better than spending a weekend in the garage with the machine on random play and rocking out!

I may be a contrarian, but I want to physically own my music and not download a compressed MP3. There are tons of people that don't mind the reduction of sound quality in exchange for the storage ability, but I'm not one of them. :)

Having said that, I doubt I will play many CD's in my car, but still want the option. I plan to copy my favorite music tracks as WAV files in full CD quality on a big USB stick and just random play them.

On second thought, I recently bought the soundtrack to Dazed and Confused on CD...that disc just may end up staying in the car...killer tracks!

You are not the only one.
I have a pretty good cd player that I used in my '73 Firebird with the custom 8-track adapter (think a cassette adapter modified with the guts swapped into a dead 8-track cartridge) to play physical media.
I like being able to play real music, and not need wifi (ect) to play it.

Mine was a serious question... I literally didn't know you could still get CD's. I too prefer to "own" music, but thought that wasn't done anymore. I also think I'm the last Netflix customer to actually have DVDs mailed to me.

I guess I need to get out more.

You are not the last Netflix person, we still get them now and again. Not everything is on the Netflix channel. I have a Terminator film from 2019 here now.
Back to the disc player, I have not started to cut the dash yet. But the thing is the dash is probably not repairable for where I cut the cassette player in. I am still thinking about other ideas.

I just looked at the RediRad site. I really wish that was around in the 80's before I cut the dash.

I could put the Super Tuner back in and hook one of these up and listen to Sirius App thru the phone. Decisions. Decisions.

Here is what I did. I installed a Kenwood head unit. Bluetooth iphone control etc. The dash was out years ago by my uncle. So no loss on the dash there. Installed new kick panel speaker mounts and speakers. Mounted 6x9 speakers in the parcel shelf. Built and installed a rear panel for the trunk and installed 2 12" subs. Installed 2 Alpine amps and a power cap. Battery has been moved to trunk. Sounds great good clear highs and nice sharp bass. Might in the future change the fronts over to component speaker set ups.

I’ve gone through this a few times with various results:

In my 70 GTO I bought the $400 factory looking radio that had a USB port in the back. Lasted a year and a half and then dead.

My 68 LeMans I installed a single din and 6x9’s - basically worthless with the top down.

79 TA- single din CD player, two 6x9’s and a 12” sub amped pretty good. Sounds great and very happy with it.

75 K5- I went with a single din media player. No CD player- weighs less than a pound. It’s so light you can mount it directly to the plastic housing. Two 12”s and four 6x9’s. Jams pretty hard but no capability to play cd’s.

At this point I decided to drop $400 on a Sony Bluetooth speaker that has two subs. I throw it in whichever car I want and use it in the garage. Has a 12 hour battery and charges my phone. Throw in the back seat and roll.

I never gave a thought to a bluetooth speaker. The Lemans is a convertible, anywhere you put speakers in the rear and put passengers in there the speakers are useless. Years ago I cut a set of plate type speakers into the rear armrests, they have to be REAL thin or the pistons for the top hit them. I think I am going to get new armrest bottoms and eliminate them. Maybe go with kick panel speakers and the bluetooth for extra sound.

Thanks again everyone!!!!!

I was asked in a PM about the Q-Logic kick panels and what mods are required to use them.

You will lose the function of both kick vents, and there is no mounting provision for the cable to control the dash vents. I am converting to aftermarket A/C and had already lost the passenger side kick vent for hose routing, so this was not a problem for me.

The dimmer switch is not reachable with speakers installed if it is left in the stock location. I had to move it to the right by around 1 3/4" to make it accessible (best done BEFORE cutting hole in new carpet :) which I caught in time).

Finally, the parking brake pedal and arm must be modified as it will hit the speaker. My car is a manual trans so parking brake not optional.

I cut my arm, bent it to the required angle, welded it back up, then cut off the pedal pad and re-welded at the correct angle.

These extensive mods are not for everyone...I knew what was required from reading reviews on the Chevelle site before purchasing and would rather go this route then cut holes in the door panels for smaller speakers.

The Bluetooth speaker (or two) is by far my favorite choice. You can link multiple Sony speakers together and have one in front/one in back if you want.

It’s far too simple and easy for me not to do. Plus, I buy one set for all of the cars and use them in the house, backyard and garage all the time.

Highly suggest it as an alternative to cutting anything or adding any wiring.

Do you have pics of your sub install? Curious how you did that.

I cut out my rear deck, used MDF for the whole shelf, and build enclosures for a pair of 10" subs. If you wanted, you could buy a replacement rear shelf and seat brace, they are available.

My amp board I put all the way against the rear seats.

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Do you have a pic of the Q-Logic kick panels?

I didn't have to move the dimmer switch with the ones I got from Ames, it was totally accessible.

For the brake pedal, I trimmed about a 1/4" from the pedal pad, and used an aftermarket (Lokar) billet pedal pad, mounted slightly to the right. Clears the speaker just fine.

On A/C cars, the kick vents are inoperable anyway, so no loss.

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Post #3 shows a pic of the passenger side.

Below are pics of the driver side, also of relocated dimmer switch.

those Q Logics do look real nice in there no doubt at all. Gonna have to think some more about this option also.

Thanks everyone

I wonder why the Q logic ones fire more towards the firewall and under dash? I would think one would design them to fire the exact opposite direction, like towards the center of the cabin and up?

If you look at some of the other Q logic ones they actually do fire in the more optimum direction.

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This may be related to the less than optimum space on the driver's side and an attempt to make them fit without too many mods, which you still need to do. In comparing the passenger and driver side panels, the passenger side points the speakers towards the passenger much better than the driver side towards the driver.

The tweeters are pointed better than the woofers, and the ones I am using swivel to provide better alignment, so at least the highs will get to me :)

Michael, how thick were the 6.5 inch speakers you used for the QLogic enclosures? I have been out of the stereo scene so long that I did not realize that there are really great speakers made now in 6.5 inch size. Just got to get them thick enough for the base response.

Mark

The Alpine SPR-60C units I used had a mounting depth of 2 3/8".

The Q-Logic kick panels are listed as working with max speaker depth of 2 3/8" :)

When I mock them up, the magnet just touches the sheet metal around the hinge/vent area. Due to the way the speaker is tilted towards the driver, the larger the magnet, the more interference you will run into. It is not possible to gain any clearance by tapping in the sheet metal with a hammer as there are several strength members behind the panel that the speaker touches.

My advice for anyone considering the Q-Logic kick panels is to shop for speakers first...if you can't find a 6.5" unit you like that has a small magnet and depth of 2 3/8" or less, it is a nonstarter.

If you find speakers that will work, then be prepared for the parking brake pedal mods, relocation of dimmer switch, and loss of kick vents as well as control knobs for dash vents.

Pics of DS peaker and where it touches.

No I forgot to get pics of that when I did it. It's 2 sealed enclosures. angled to fire through the seat. Then I made the amp board and it is flush against the back of the sub enclosures. Next it going to use some more MDF and make side panels to finish out the trunk and hide the battery. Then make a false bottom or just carpet the floor.

The sub enclosures I had already built for a Jeep. So I just shortened the box on the width by removing material in the middle where there used to be the amp mounting.

Edit: The sub box sits on the upper part of the trunk floor.

The 6x9 are in isolation chambers as well. The subs were making the trim rings come off.

This is excellent info!!!! Friday morning I am going to the place that just installed a remote start in the wife's Sooby, they are the best stereo place around. Now that I have a ton of info to help make decisions I can talk to them with confidence of what I want from a purchase from them. I would like to do the install myself and make any mods myself. Ya can't learn without trying.

Thanks again everyone, I will let you know how I make out on Friday.

Mark

I used Kenwood KFC-X174 6.5", pretty sure my kick panels are the RetroSound ones. They are 3 5/16" depth, here are full specs:

https://www.kenwood.com/usa/car/exce...x174/spec.html

They clear the body.

After I went thru the install, I realized I could have used the shallow subs, and pre-made enclosures that were half the size/cubic ft., and just screwed/glued them to the underside of the MDF in the deck.

I carpeted the enclosures, and used PV amp corner protectors.


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nice speakers!!!!!!

Went to a lot of trouble 35 years ago to install a newly introduced Sony disc changer, two small amps, an FM module, & a pair of Kenwood 6x9's under the package tray of my modded '80 turbo T/A. The controller for the stereo was hooked up via its cable & came through the carpet under the passenger bucket seat. When not in use, my GF & I made sure the controller was tucked under the seat. For the last 25 years, there have been wireless controllers. Specifically went the hidden route as I desired to not mount a front end unit in the stock radio opening which I reinstalled it's block off plate. I only lived in apartments for less than 3 years but it was a challenge. Owning a TransAm that appeared to not have any factory stereo equipment definitely saved it from being broken in to. Removing the t-top handles & leaving the console lid open w nothing in it also helped keep the car from being broken into. For 20+ years I've had a Pioneer CD changer & F/E unit in my Cummins Dodge. Both The Pioneer & the Sony changers have worked well.

There is no way I'd cut up the dash in any of my '71's or 72's to go to a F/E unit with a CD player. Have actually repaired 2 of their steel dash structures due to owners from the 70's & '80's previous hack & whack jobs. Desiring a CD player, would suggest the rear mounted CD changer route. '68-72 A-body's have a ton more room behind the rear seat making it easier, & any weight adding aftermarket pieces mounted above the rear axle is good for weight distribution.

Thanks Pinion Head, I do have a spare CD changer in another vehicle that I have never used, I could always remove it and install it in the LeMans.

Just curious, how did you repair the hacked up dash in your 71? I thought someone made a repair kit for the hacked radio space at one time, but it was for GTO not LeMans.

Thanks, Mark

For '70-72 dashes, no avail radio area metal repair kits are out there. Have been hand forming pieces metal pieces & grafting in.

does anyone know if there is a kit to repair the radio surround for the 71-72 LeMans? I am talking about the plastic part.

Thanks guys

There was a repair piece sold years ago for GTOs that came with the engine turned decal. The decal did not match the original engine turned pattern very well. I read somewhere that the mold broke so they stopped being made.

In comparing one to the factory piece, it appears a bit long on the end near the steering column and the curve is also off a bit.

That is what I thought, but I had not heard about the mold and other problems with it. I just remember that there was not one made for the LeMans.
I am researching slim profile Sub woofers right now. I see that there ones made to put under the front seats, might work real nice with the Q Logics.

Thanks everyone again, Mark

Interesting, don't remember the swirl covered plastic repair piece. From a few boneyard finds & own parts cars have saved the intact lower rh corner of several dash bezels that were damaged up high. Its very time consuming fitting & plastic welding the lower quadrant into a damaged bezel.

Thanks, I figured it would be a real pain to do the restoration. I am going to keep an eye out for a good dash just in case I want to do a restoration one of these years.
It would have been a thought that someone would start to make these again, these years seem to be getting a bit popular now and just about all us kids in the 70's and 80's cut the darn thing.
Heck I have been trying to find an Endura nose for my car for a while now, Looks like it would be cheaper to buy an entire car than to just buy the pieces to put it together.

I bought those subs that go under the front seats for my 69 Charger and they were junk. Expensive junk. I would not buy them again.

Can you remember what the make was? I was looking at KIcker and Harmond.