Odd request!

[Turk]

I bought an ERA for their commitment to authenticty. It looks like the original car, etc.etc.

Now I am about to deface it. I want to install a radio in it.
Have any of you installed one in your car, and would you mind sharing some pictures if you have.

I want to use the space right behind the Dash Support bars.
Nothing permanent. I want to build a box that can sit on top of the tunnel, right under the dash, and have two 4" speakers pointing to the driver and passenger area. I want to install a radio into the same box. Radio I bought has no face so it doesn't have to be visible, it is both infrared and RF remote controlled.

CD changer will go in the trunk. I have some idea how I want to do this, without mounting in to the glove box. Speaker installation is the most challenging so far. I haven't figured out what to do with the antenna yet either.

Any ideas, photos would be greatly appreciated.

TURK

[Dominik]

Turk,
are you serious?

Try to find an antenna that is glued onto the front window.
I do not know if they are available for the aftermarket, but various production cars feature those. Shop around.

I wold use the space behind the pass seat for the unit, if there is any.

My stereo has 477000 Watt ...

Dominik

[Bill Wells]

Turk, check out the Custom Autosound web site: www.custom-autosound.com/ They make radios converted to fit into many old/classic cars . HOWEVER, they have a "Secret Audio" radio that allows you to place the unit in the trunk etc and control it by a wireless remote (on their web site Secret Audio is a pick on the left hand side of the home page) . You can get a hidden swing down / hinged 'face plate' as well that would tuck up under your dash out of sight when you want it out of sight. A fiberglass stubby boat antennae can be placed under the dash or in the trunk and several companies make 'swing down/hinged' speakers that could be stored under the dash and swung down when needed (used on many boats). The Hot Rod folks frequently use the Secret Audio radio set up in their rods . Good luck hearing anything over those side pipes but when in high gear and loping around or at stop lights etc you could at least have sound. I have seen other radios mounted in glove boxes and some actuall put it in the dash just like modern cars (duh). I have seen speakers everywhere imaginable . At least today you can get some decent quality speakers in small sizes. Enjoy the tunes. Bill

[Bob Putnam]

Turk, Turk, Turk...

Most of the radios we "Factory Install" are in the glovebox, but here's one mounted on the tunnel. I kinda' like it except for the theft exposure.


It may be too late to put speakers in the back panel -



but they can be put in the footwells too.



P.S. I hope you don't mind that I stole a few of your pictures and created "Turks Page"

[Dominik]

I like "Turk's page"!

Even the car - well almost:
Lower it in the rear that the wheel arches cover the white letters from the tire manufacturer and repaint the car flat-black ...

Just kidding, there have been pictures posted by Turk before that were absolutely flawless.

Especially the one showing the engine. Bob, add it to the page please. ("Where is it?")

Dominik

[R U YELLA]

Hey Bob! Are those another option for the ERA? I thought if you had the battery Box option behind the seats (where the battery can be installed or the "secure storage area") you could install the antennae there or even the radio unit with remote control. I like the speaker mounts behind the seats in the second pic. I was thinking of that but how thick is the carpet. Won't it muffle the sound?

[Dominik]

That was too easy, just one thread below:

http://clubcobra.com/forums/showthre...threadid=10052

[Bob Putnam]

R U,

I think that the antenna is installed under the front cowl, just in front of the dash. Seems to work all right.

[Turk]

Bob Putnam
I built a box similar to the one in the photograph. I put a 1/4" foam padding on the outside of the box to hide the sharp edges and then covered it with vinyl to make it look like an extension of the dashboard.

Only thing I did differently was building the box as wide as the tunnel itself, so I was able to install the two speakers in the same box. Came out loooking good, and I will be able to remove the entire setup within minutes if I wanted to.
Few questions.

The radio calls for the following coonnections.
1-12V supply that is energized ALL THE TIME
2-12V supply that is energized IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION of the ignition key switch.
3-12V supply from the ILLUMINATION SIGNAL.

Since you are far more familiar with the schematics can you specifically tell me where exactly to connect the above three wires. Giving me the numbers as depicted with the wiring harnesss would help a lot.

I think I figured out the (-) GROUND wire all by myself!

TURK

[Bob Putnam]

Use these terminals:



More stuff for the next iteration of the wiring instructions...

[Turk]

Bob Putnam
Thanks a lot for such an immediate and detailed response.
It is easy enough, even I can hook it up now, without any fear.

I wish all the other manufacturers would learn a thing or two from your helpful ways and your customer support.

This is what makes you guys so unique. It is not like there is a Cobra garage we could go and have things fixed where we live.

We are more dependent on you guys than most manufacturers realize. Especially those of us who don't have a clue on things mechanical and electrical.

TURK

[Bob Putnam]

Turk,

Don't forget to put an in-line fuse in both power lines from the switch. They are only protected by the main circuit breaker.

[Satanpez]

From what I hear, fiberglass is more or less invisible to radio waves. (Altho I presume the thicker the glass is, the more it takes out the waves)

If that's so, you can run a normal inexpensive radioshack antenna under the cowl I would think, or under a fender...behind the back seats in the trunk under the fiberglass maybe?

-steve in nj-

My experience with the antenna on the window wasn't a great one. I used the back window, and it looked stupid, it can never be a totally clean installation, and it's a really thin wire that can break easily.

[Turk]

Bob P
Will do. Thanks. There is one alreadt built into the chassis in the back of the radio also,

TURK

[excelguru]

Turk,

You need to talk to Mr. Dan Sliski (call me at 803-243-8220 for Dan's phone number). He installed a stereo in his ERA.

Keith

[Turk]

excelguru
Keith,
I don't need to bother Dan. I kind a got something done.
It will fit under the dash right behind the dash support tubes.
Thanks for the offer.

Satanpez
I had a hidden antenna in my boat, and it worked pretty well. Major difference was being out on the water without too many obstructions. Also the ignition noise maybe a problem. I will give it a try with the hidden antenna, it should be good enough. With a CD changer in the trunk I should be all set.

Bill Wells
I have seen those line of radios. They serve the purpose on Hotrods etc. I did not like the electronic quality of the components offered. I wanted a bigger selection to choose from, and there is no other way other than to look at all the conventional items offered in aftermarket.

Dominik
I have access to "glued to the windshild" type of antenna. As small as our windshields are, it would be a distraction. I am going with a "rubber Duck" or a convential 34" AM/FM mast, under the dash or in the trunk even if I have to srap it in plastic or tape.

TURK

Thanks to all who offered help.

[Frank]

Hey Guy"s why not utilize the windsheild frame as the antenna, I have been doing this for many years on F/G dunebuggy"s&boats works good.

>>>Frank<<<

[Dominik]

Using the windshield frame as an antenna!!
Sounds too simple to be used in daily life.
What a great idea!

Optional to this just throw an antenna inside the trunk.
I had one placed on my dashboard for a while because the outside mounting called for too many break offs in the (bad)neighborhood. I'm talking about the stdents parking lot ...

Obviously that car wasn't my Cobra...

Dom