Stereo installation problems (Electronic and Physical)
 

So, my first post on this board, try not to be to harsh ; )

I have an 85 RX-7, bought it a few months ago for $3000, which I think was a steal since the car only had 15k miles on it, but then it's got the lowest trim level (you'll have to excuse me, but I don't know the letter specification for the trim levels, I didn't pay much attention to that being that it was a low budget first car). Since it had the lowest trim level, I got the standard reciever-only radio package, not even a cassette player.

Being as such, I decided to spend a little money on the stereo system. The thing was, I had the short little radio and the receiver I ended up getting was about twice as tall:

http://www.lameindustries.org/brandon/old-and-new.jpg

Not a unique problem, I'm sure. In any case, I ordered my receiver from Crutchfield, and they sent me a spiffy little installation bracket to use.

http://www.lameindustries.org/brando...id-support.jpg

So, problem number 1. The bracket. It's too big to fit under the trim, it's ugly as sin, and I'm not sure how to mount the DIN sized receiver in it. I've looked all over the web for a different trim/installation kit, and I can find none. Even if the bracket fit under the trim, my reciever's outside bezel butts up against the side of the trim, which means I'd have to get creative with a dremel... if this could be avoided, I'd really take the other route no matter how expensive. If anyone knows of a cleaner way to install this, I'd be really really thankful.

Onto problem number 2. My power antenna. I know about Mazda's eccentricity with the power antenna, and how you need a little relay to make the reciever work with it, but that's not the problem at all. In fact, I have an SPDT relay (came with my receiver), but the motor/lowering mechanism on my antenna is broken. I can manually raise the antenna by applying the right charge to the antenna wire with a multimeter or even a testlight, but the thing won't retract. I decided I'd just go ahead and spend some cash on a new one, but I can't -find- a new one. Parts for the first gens seem to be sparse on the web. I read about a radioshack antenna (part # 120-1330), but it's been discontinued. I read about a Metra antenna here on the board, but I only found fixed antennas for them. If anyone knows of an antenna that will fit in the normal hole and where to get it, again, I'd be much obliged.

Problem 3, this one is electrical. The reciever needed a switched power wire and an unswitched power wire. I couldn't find a live switched wire ANYWHERE behind the trim panel. Now, being that I'm impatient, I got upside down in the driver's seat, spliced into the wire on the brake-light switch at the brake pedal (not very much fun), stuck an inline fuse on my new unswitched power line, and ran that up with the numerous other wires to the reciever-gap behind the trim. It works fine, and it's a permanent solution, I was just curious as to if I missed a live wire somewhere. What I've got now will work, I suppose, but curiousity holds.

As final note, if this is signifigant, the hardware I'm putting into the car is as follows:

Blaupunkt Las Vegas CD32 CD/Receiver
Polk GXR4 4" Kickpanel Speakers
Polk GXR6 6.5" Rear Speakers

I'd really appreciate any help at all guys, thanks again
-Brandon

There once lived a man named Manntis....

Manntis (a member here) has designed a device to help you in your journey...Here is a link.

http://www.wigglepup.com/RX-7/detail.php?adid=3

His idea also incorperates either a pocket under the radio, or a tri-gague unit. Both units also include a slide out cup holder for those ice cold beverages after you finish your install and are crusing the roads :).

~T.J.

PS - Welcome to the board, you'll find some good stuff here :). Also, from what you describe, you may have an S model. the common ones are (from lowest to highest), S, GS, GSL, and GSL-SE.

http://www.wigglepup.com/RX-7/products/stereomount3.jpg
http://www.wigglepup.com/RX-7/products/stereomount4.jpg

Oh yeah, and there are constant +12 volt wires behind there...Like for the clock and stuff. Even if you dont have a clock, there should have been power wires run for it...RX-7s are weird like that...All of the wires in all of them are basically the same. Id be willing to bet that you even have the wires for the power windows under your center console too :).

~T.J.

Perfect
 

TJ:

Thats an awesome cupholder/bracket, I'm definitely going to invest in it.

My question is: Is the triguage one more? What are the gauges for? I like the look a lot, and it'll fit great with my grey interior. I'm just curious as to what they're for.

As for my clock, that's something I forgot to mention! It's dead. It happens to be on my hazard light curcuit which is shorted out. Far as I know, only the clock and hazards are on that fuse, so I'm okay untill I can get the car to an electrician to check out the shortage problem. The clock also has a cracked plastic plate... I'm looking into purchasing a new one. I REALLY appreciate your help, guys.

The Radio memory circuit (The one that requires constant power) is also on the Hazzard fuse. Fix that and you'll have a constant live wire.

You can put whatever gauges you'd like in there.

Boost :)
Oil pressure &/or temp
Water temp
Volts
Fuel pressure
Air/Fuel ratio
Clock
Vacuum
EGT
Blah, blah!

There is a constant on Live power wire iin the rear hatch, where a light normally goes in the higher models.

The wiring is there.

I made my own bracket to install my cd player, some might say Im "ghetto" but I dont care cause I like it, but I took the diamond plate aluminum off my dads mud flaps for him then cut them down to what I need to fill the gaps. Then I painted it red to go with my car, its looks good and people like it

Welcome aboard!

The radio shack power antennas are still available, but you have to call RS directly. I got one, it works great.
Here's the thread:
https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...ht=radio+shack

Good Luck!

My first gen had abunch of electrical probs when I bought it and it had NO wiring in the dash so I just ran my constant and my switched wires from my head unit to the fuse box And that worked fine........as for the antenna I went and bought one from pep boys for $39.99 and it bolted right up......As for your install prob I cant help you I have an '83;)