Stereo Install Questions...

[Nathan in MI]

Yeah, stubby was too long, but I found one at Menards for a buck and a half.

I talked to Jim and he told me that there's an adapter I can get for mine...I'll have to see what wally world has.

[P72Ford]

First, I'm trying to figure out how the thing is supposed to physically mount in the hole. The factory radio has brackets on either side of the front...the new radio doesn't have any provision for remounting those brackets on it. I took the big clip thing off the bottom of the old radio and stuck it on the new one, so it's mounted at the back, but it's just sorta hanging there in the front.

I was trying to figure this out myself. I ended up putting the radio in the glovebox though, as I didn't want to move my gauges (where the radio should be). I know they sell little compartments (for lack of a better term) that you can mount the radio in, that will slide into the factory slot. My friend did that with his '97 CV (has the huge radio opening). Perhaps you could try that. You may be able to buy such things at Best Buy, if there is one near you.

As for the offset screw driver: Craftsman makes very cheap ones (s shaped, flat head at one end, phillips at the other). You should be able to pick it up at Sears for cheap (under $3). I'm assuming the little stubby screw drivers won't work; too tall?

Good luck with the rest of your install.

[Nathan in MI]

i would need to take my dash apart to get a pic of how it is in mine.

If you can do that, it'd be mucho appreciated.

[87_crown_vic]

for the dash speakers...i went low tech. i used a pair of vice grips and a phillips bit. now for the radio install... it gets tricky. did you get the stereo install kit to mount the stereo? if i remember right, you need to use 2 of the plastic surrounds to have it stick out enough from the dash. there should be one that is a rectangle shaped one and the other is the one taht looks like it is used to install a knob type stereo. cut the inside of it ou so you just have the surrounding bracket. i would need to take my dash apart to get a pic of how it is in mine.

[Nathan in MI]

Dash speakers must be 4.5", huh? Crap.

[Nathan in MI]

Okay, so I got that Pioneer DEH-4900 head unit along with wiring kit, dash/door/rear speakers and an amp...went to install the stuff today, and ran into a couple little snags.


First, I'm trying to figure out how the thing is supposed to physically mount in the hole. The factory radio has brackets on either side of the front...the new radio doesn't have any provision for remounting those brackets on it. I took the big clip thing off the bottom of the old radio and stuck it on the new one, so it's mounted at the back, but it's just sorta hanging there in the front.

Then, I was trying to get the dash speakers out, and I realized that I can't get at the screws because the windshield is in the way...I suppose I need an offset screwdriver? Where do I get one of those, anyway? Never seen one in the tool aisle at wally world....