I was getting ready toput my cd player in my dash the other day and I noticed it is held in by, not so secure means. Anyone fabricated any brackets that are welded in so the stero can be bolted in from the sides and not from the front where it can easily be lifted?

 

Well. Mine is sitting in the Deck rack but yeah it just kind of hangs there.

I would recommend to get a piece of metal(I use the small pieces with holes cut down the middle of the strip)

and bend it into a U shape and mount it to the bottom rear of the deck and then to the back of bottom of the ground there. Shoudl make it pretty stable.

 

why don't you just use the factory radio brackets and a trim ring???

The factory radio brackets at least screw into the dash metal behind the plastic

 

The best aftermarket radio installation kit is sold by www.crutchfield.com. Fit's very nicely works with a 2 DIN (dual tuners), 1 + 1/2 DIN (small EQ), or just 1 DIN.

 

thought i might save a little searching
http://www.crutchfield.com./cgi-bin/...=1&cc=01&avf=Y

 

That's what I have but it's still not very secure.

The leverage on the back is a little unsettling.

 

Damn, thats a nice install kit. The fool who owned my car before removed all the factory bracketry and just rigged it in there. The damn deck is actually attached and supported by the plastic radio surround.

 

what kind of decks do you guys have on your FCs?

 

does that crutchfield one have the little pocket slot thing underneithe the head unit where the 2nd din is? could always use another stash place (no not for that you potheads).

Madrx7racer-i have an Alpine CDA9805.

 

I think the pocket comes with it, it's been a while.

I mostly liked the quality of the install kit, the "tightness & strength" is has to hold the stereos, and the harness adapters at the speakers & behind the head unit (stereo) so you don't have to cut anything.

 

I have that kit, with an Aiwa head unit. Works pretty well, but since I didnt' have the DIN sleeve for the stereo (my old car didn't need it) my stereo isn't quite in there properly, I only have it screwed in on one side of the kit, and I love the stereo too much to part with it (or I'm too cheap, take your pick)

It does have the little storage pocket, but damn if I could figure out how to mount it, I just put the flat black piece over it.

The install looks nice, with the exception of the stereo being a little off balance (due to not having the DIN sleeve) and ou can see a little piece of broken plastic at the top where you tear the plastic apart.

Also that pic makes the kit look more complicated than it actually is, you only use a couple of pieces on the RX7. That kit is used for a lot of other mazda cars too, so it has a lot of extra crap.

 

Install is a breeze! Follow the supplied instructions- I did

 

I picked up an Alpine from Crutchfield. Their install kit is very nice, mounts up fine, and is very snug.

 

I guess my thing is I dont want someone to rip the surround off then unscrew the mounts then take the radio and brakets out.

 

Does anyone actually use the detachable face feature?

 

I did when I blew my engine and the car sat fopr 3 months. Other than that nope never removed it unless I was in a dangerous area.

 

I use the detachable face all the time on my Alpine...

But then I have a 'vert and don't always put the top up.

 

I pull the face every time I leave the car in a "questionable" neighborhood. At my apartment or my parents house, I don't worry about it. I figure they'll go for the 500 dollar Kenwood in my GTP parked next to the RX7. And that's got spring loaded blades behind the mounts....

Oh, and don't do the blades... they're illegal... and I could easily get sued (yeah, bring it ) After all we'd hate to hurt a theif.

If you want to mount it MORE securely, just buy some aluminum sheet and fab a strong bracket (probably your best bet). Just look at it for a while, there's a lot of metal in the surround areas you could anchor to.

 

I just put a block of wood under mine and it is secure and dosent slide or hang or anything

 

I have this old nasty Sony:


In fact, I took out the fairly nice JVC which was in the car when I bought it and installed this Sony I've had for years. I did this for one reason: The Sony does not automatically start playing the radio whenever I eject a CD. The JVC did. it pissed me off so much - just because I'm changing CDs doesn't mean I want to listen to whatever HAPPENS to be on the radio during those 8 seconds.

The old sony is also very clean and simple, no useless graphics or preset sound schemes. only thing I wish it had is an attenuation button... but, no matter. it has an off button = )