Simple little radio question

[CHMMX]

I don't have my spider yet so I can't look for myself, but do they have radio and speaker mounts, or something you can use as mounts on them? if not, what would be a good way to install them?

[rlux4]

Your console should have two parts, bottom and top. the bottom (long section) will have the shift lever hole and an ashtray. The top section, which houses the heater core and air distribution box will have a cut out at the top of it for a radio. If your car never had one you'll have to decide where you want the speakers; doors, or kick panels. You may have to cut out for either location. The later years (I have an '82) had a cut out built into the kick panel/map pockets for 5-1/4" speakers. If you want rear speakers, most people put them in the rear side panels. These are the cavities that the hinges go into when the top is down. If you do a search of the forum you'll find quite a few pictures of installs.
Have fun.
Ron

[TJC]

oI don't have my spider yet so I can't look for myself, but do they have radio and speaker mounts, or something you can use as mounts on them? if not, what would be a good way to install them?

Spiders have a space reserved for a radio in the center panel. The early spiders actually have a provision for a small single speaker below the radio, but no other factory speaker locations. Later vintage Spiders have cutouts through the body behind the kick panel/map storage bin for small round speakers.

Some people who wish to install speakers in other locations will use the map pockets themselves, but some say the very thin plastic of the map pockets don't make good homes for a heavy, vibrating speaker. Some cut holes in the rear seats or just get rid of the seats altogether and fab a speaker panel in the rear. At the very least, some buy speaker enclosures and just lay them on the back seat (which is pretty much useless anyway). That's what I did, but I'm not happy with them flopping around back there, plus they take up space I could use for storage.

Basically, there is no real, easy, factory looking way to install large quality speaker system without making some modifications.

[CHMMX]

Your console should have two parts, bottom and top.

There isn't a top console on it, should there be? is it really important?

[mdrburchette]

Here's what you're looking for:


The silver panel houses a small speaker. I have my rear speakers mounted in the quarter panels. They have to be positioned just right to clear the top when folded down:

[mbouse]

Chris Obert told me when i was just getting started in Fiating that you should forget the radio, and just enjoy the beautiful Italian sound coming from your engine and exhaust.

If you don't have a radio console, you will prolly be looking at getting one. Quality used ones are commonly available on chat forums like this, and new ones are not too difficult to afford from our standard Fiat vendors.

What i have found is that <1979 vehicles, you may need to cut a hole in the sheet metal behind your front kick panels (map pockets) to accomodate those 5 1/4" round speakers. Later cars had the appropriate size hole already stamped in place although a factory fresh kick panel may hide that hole. Some folks have decided to NOT cut a hole in the sheet metal, and have opted to put a 4" round speaker in the map pockets.

Additionally, unless you kick it up a notch by adding an amplifier, a standard off-the-shelf aftermarket radio/CD player doesn't have enough power to generate sound quality at cruising speed. Even with my 4x6" oval speakers sitting on the rear seat, coupled with my 5 1/4" rounds under the dash in the kick panels....I don't have enough volume to overcome the wind buffeting at 60 mph.

When I installed a wind deflector behind the seats, this problem all but went away, since the buffeting all but stopped. But the best sound of all, is the twin cam two litre engine purring in front of me...and that dual tipped ANSA behind me! Chris was ultimately correct.

[mbouse]

GAWD! I cannot wait 'til spring !!!

[ventura ace]

This one is available, and includes the courtesy light, the hazard switch light, cigarette lighter, and speaker grill for a center speaker. It is from a 1976 spider, with molded aftermarket cover, very nicely done. The hole for the radio has not been cut out yet, so it could be cut to fit your radio of choice. I'm asking $75. A new console with these accessories costs in the neighborhood of $250, or $125 - $150 to make one like this one, if you can find an old donor console.
BTW, all the interior for this car is available. Located in Ventura, CA.
Alvon Elrod ________ 805-338-1767 ___________ ventura_ace@juno.com

[KillerB]

This is what I'm opting for next winter when I start working on the interior of my car....



Available at http://www.soundmove.com/secretaudio.htm But shop around, You'll probably see it cheaper on e-bay.

You can mount the radio in the trunk or under the back seat/shelf, and the faceplate can mount on the center console, or in the glove box. Why risk a valuable stereo and your car's soft top to some crack headed hoodlum's knife and wire cutters.

[So Cal Mark]

crack headed hoodlums? some of us just collect radios

[mbouse]

and some of us get lots of goodies real cheap from those crack headed hoodlums....don't interrupt my supply chain !!

hey, Mark. Don't you still sell those modular blank radio consoles?

[mdrburchette]

Alvon, I can't believe you're parting that car out. What, exactly, is wrong with it?

[ventura ace]

It had rusted floor panels (that the previous owner had done a fair job of repairing), and needs new rocker panels and a lot of body work. Bumpers are solid but have a top layer of rust. The top is minus the rear window. Other than that, it was probably a 98% complete car (meaning most all of the parts are there, and most of the interior had been reconditioned or replaced to nice looking and reliable condition). I tried offering it for sale several times over the course of a year, and nobody wanted it at pricing as low as $500. I'm guessing that the horrendous looking body was the turn off, and anything newer than 1975 can be a real problem in California to pass DMV smog testing.

Meanwhile, several people had contacted me wanting such and such a part from it, and I couln't continue devoting garage space to it. Rather than letting the crusher have it, I decided to sell stuff from it to help people keep other spiders on the road. So far, the cartpets, the drive shaft, the front brake calipers, then engine, and tranny are gone.

Alvon

[So Cal Mark]

yes, I'm still selling the modular upper consoles made by Coverlay. They're very cheap too, compared to most replacement consoles.

[CHMMX]

I don't have enough volume to overcome the wind buffeting at 60 mph.

Is this with the top up or down?