Modify Dash Plate for CD Install

[poffenroth]

I'd like to install an aftermarket CD player into the Opel. The trim around the original radio is uncut at this point. I know on some vehicles this trim is a "hard to find" item if original and in good condition. Is this worth keeping original, or should I just go ahead and cut it?

[namba209]

Trevor, here's a thought, once you've cut the instrument panel, it cannot be uncut. Way back when, the cars were more plentiful and it was no big deal, but then we didn't know they would have such a short production run. Then agan it's you car do what you think best. HTH.

[jlthunder]

I'm sure there are pleanty of "cut" dashes out there. I'd suggest a swap or purchase. I'm sure OGTS has some used "cut" dashes they would sell to you. Some members here may have an extra one they would sell.

My suggestion is not to cut the dash, get another one and save the original.

Another suggestion is a Radio with a remote control. You can hide the radio, keep the original look but have FM and CD's

Just my 0.02

Jeff

[greensmurf20]

i agree with jeff and have done 2 of his suggestions. i had a CD player with remote at one time hiddin in the spare tire tray which worked pretty nicely, dont have the fear of somebody jacking your new 250 dollar deck. i have also just used cut dashes i had laying around to kep origionals from getting hacked up too.

another thing i have done is make a wooden box out of a nice wood to mount the CD player in, and fasten it underneath the dash on the drivers side. this puts the back of the sterio real close to the fusebox so your 2 power wires are short and you an ground it on the body or where the steering column bolts to the car.

[poffenroth]

Consensus definitely states keep it un-cut. Glad I asked!

I think I'd like to keep the head unit up in the original stereo location. So... anyone out there have a cut dash they want to part with before I call OGTS?

[benncojr]

I have some extra dashes inserts let me look them over, there may be one that is cut out. The trouble is I am in Atlanta and you are in Calgary, the shipping is going to be a little high.

[nbrcrnchr]

I don't know if these radios are any good, but there are places that will take your old radio and update it for am/fm and have the jacks so you can install a cd player in the back. It will look for all the world like an original am radio and only you will know the difference. less likely that it will be ripped out.

When I get ready to send off my dash to get it redone, I will probably do that.

[soybean]

Some of the newer CD players come with the option of taking the faceplate off and putting it in a carrying case rendering the whole unit usless. Another option is to get one that the whole CD unit pulls out using 2 U shaped rods. My Aplines 7854s faceplate removes and the Saabs pulls out entirely. While your there too, JVC and several others make a CD changer that would mount like jared was talking about, with a control unit that could be mounted anywhere, (1 x 3 in) Just a thought. Jarrell

[Dan-MI]

There is an outfit that makes radios for classic cars. They don't have a pre-made one for Opels, but from the looks of them, they might fit the old slot. They are AM/FM and look old, but the buttons work a remote cd player that you could put in with the spare tire. I was thinking of going this route with my GT. Check out customautosound.com

[greensmurf20]

poffenroth, i'll check when i get home from work tonight if i have a cut dash. have 3, 1 is broken in half tho and not sure about the other two.

as rick said, shippings a little high as your across the boarder, but if rick dont have one may.

[kwilford]

Trevor,

Before you spend a bunch of money buying and shipping a cut-up dash plate, have a look at how much modifying you might have to do to the one you have to fit a new stereo. I installed a Sony stereo with a standard DIN chassis, which required very little modifying, and has the advantage of leaving behind a metal box when the stereo body is pulled out. Which allows it to removed from the front, and greatly simplifies wiring and such.

Come by and see mine sometime and see what you think (maybe not this weekend, as I am recuperating from a bit of unplanned surgery). Measure up your existing dash opening (or bring it along if you have it out) and see how much needs to be removed. Frankly, unless you are looking for a "Concours" restoration, you will never be installing the old Opel AM radio again, and a decent stereo will always be living in the space.

JM2CW