I just picked up a 12 disc changer from e-town yesterday and I'm at a loss as to where to put it. I know the usual spot is the storage compartment in the back but I have so many discs that I'm gonna use like 2 or 3 cartridges and swapping them is gonna be a PITA. Its too big to fit under the seats and I'm trying to maintain functionality of the little storage I have in the car.

Is it possible to mount it under one of the panels that line the hatch and cut a removable door in the plastic to gain access to it? Thats the only feasible place I can think of... I need some suggestions...

P.S. has anybody got one to fit into the passenger side dash area? or is the ECM and vent ducting all in the way? another thing, its too big to even try to get it into the console...

------------------
~Luke
'91 Firebird :: L03/700R4 ::
Mods: Catco cat - Flowmaster 80 series - B&M Shift kit - TA tail lights - GTA rims - K&N - MacEwen guages
Stereo: Pioneer DEH-P8200R - Cadence 4x6's - Pioneer 6x9's - Kicker amps - Kicker 10" CompVR
Firebird parts - Selling an '80 Firebird for a friend
Moderator of tranny board over at TransAmGTA.com

 

I think you should seriously consider the rear glove compartment... it may be hard to access, but are you really going to use more than 12 CD's at a time? If you're on a longer road trip you'll be making pit stops and I would doubt if you find it inconvenient in any way... If you're really concerned, you could get a CD player in the front with CD changer control, so you could change that one CD if you get really bored of the disc you're listening to. Other than that you should investigate the pasenger side dash area.

 

I'm contemplating this the compartment in the hatch but theres another thing... when I first bought the car a year and half ago, the things I put in there seemed to get wet when I drove it in rain. So I don't know if its the hatch seal or something near the wheelwell thats leaking water in. Something else that complicates this further, is that the cardboard box that makes up the walls and floor of that compartment is in such bad shape and isn't actually attached to anything so I would have to find another way to securely mount the changer in there.

When I was replacing the 4x6's the area behind the map pocket didn't look too inviting. Alot of plastic and ducting, so I'm not sure thats very feasible. If anything it would require alot of frabricating....

 

I had the same problem, so I put several hook velcro strips on the bottom of the changer and just placed it horizontally on the trunk platform. The benefit of this is that you can just pick it up and take it in the house when you park up, and if you are carrying some awkward items in the trunk you can shift the changer to accomodate. Hey, it works

 

when my camaro was up, i had mine in 2 places.... either bolted to the back of the back seat, or just to the side of the plastic molding on the drivers side... standing up. you couldnt even tell its under their when the privacy covor is rolled in place. i couldnt find anywhere else to put it either....

the good part about bolting it to the back of the back seats is that if no one is back their, you can lay the seats down, then just reach back if you wanna change magazines....

anyways, just my 2 pennies

later

jon

 

mmm, indeed... but check my system out in my sig for the reason why that's not feasible something else taking that space up...

------------------
~Luke
'91 Firebird :: L03/700R4 ::
Mods: Catco cat - Flowmaster 80 series - B&M Shift kit - TA tail lights - GTA rims - K&N - MacEwen guages
Stereo: Pioneer DEH-P8200R - Cadence 4x6's - Pioneer 6x9's - Kicker amps - Kicker 10" CompVR
Firebird parts - Selling an '80 Firebird for a friend
Moderator of tranny board over at TransAmGTA.com

 

Inside the rear hatch well, on the passenger side, is a small ledge. Its a perfect space to mount one

------------------
92 Camaro RS, LO3, 5-spd, T-tops

Performance:
K&N Open Air Filter, Edelbrock performer TBI intake, Fastchip Prom, Timing +4 degrees, Centerforce clutch, Xact 8mm wires, SLP 1 3/4" Headers (coated), Flowmaster Catback Exhaust, Z28 Grille w/aftmkt fog lamps, MacEwen white-face guages
Electronics:
Alpine 8030 Alarm System, Valentine One Radar Detector (How did I ever drive without one?), Pioneer DEH 7450 Head Unit w/6-pack CD changer, Pioneer DEQ 7600 Sound Processor, 2 Kenwood KAC-846 Amps powering 2 12" Pro Red subs, 2 Pioneer 6x9 and 2 MTX 4x6 speakers.
NEXT UP: TBI mods, 3.42 gears w/Torsen posi

 

I've thought about that one but then again, its also a perfect place to steal one too I know I'm being pessimistic here but I really appreciate the suggestions.

EDIT: Thats probably the best spot so far, even though I have plans to change my system by adding the second 10" CompVR I bought and the new box would take up that location, but if I can find a way to strap it down real good and just be smart about where I play my music loud and who I show it to...

[This message has been edited by pianiy (edited October 01, 2001).]

 

I just recently (2 days ago) realized the problem with stuff getting wet... I bet you can get it to work though... maybe you could make a water proof cover of some sort.

There may be something sneaky you can do with the area under the pasenger side dash board (under that pad) Cut out a hatch and mount it in there some how.

 

NIX the changer...Swap into a MP3 playing head unit...then you burn approx 200 songs on 1 disc. you can keep thousands of songs in a small cd carrier.

 

You're talking about a massive investment in time and probably more money than originally planned... the only way to get a good amount of MP3's is if you sit in front of the burner and mix'n match all your CD's or download them... in the process you end up with worse quality songs (I can tolerate this, but...) and there's that time and money you spent of course...

Capital investment: CD burner, Mp3 Player, computer, high speed connection.... etc.
Time: Downloading, ripping and burning... not worth it!

AIWA makes some good head units with a plug for external devices... do any units actually double as actual Mp3 players?

 

i know this is off topic, but all i gotta say is, awsome install on those amps man.... how comfortable is it to sit in those seats?

and how good do those little fans work at keeping those amps cool?

damn good install man!

jon

 

Well, the changer's been installed for about a week now. I had to put it in the storage compartment and it even left me enough storage space for the little things I needed to keep in there.

I have a burner and I make my own CDs, thats why I have so many of them. As far as being able to put the changer on top of the amps, that wouldn't look good, isn't along my lines for a stealth install and the seat wouldn't be functional.

I may someday in the future go with an MP3 head unit, if more companies start making them. I'm not too fond of the brands out there right now... somewhat partial to Pioneer, always have been. And if I ever get a head unit made by Pioneer that plays MP3's I'll probably be able to reuse the CD changer as well.

Thanks for the compliment on the install! The amps have not overheated yet so the fans must be doing their job and the seat is only slightly more uncomfortable than it used to be (who's is truly comfortable??). I updated the page last night.

------------------
~Luke
'91 Firebird :: L03/700R4 ::
Mods: Catco cat - Flowmaster 80 series - B&M Shift kit - TA tail lights - GTA rims - K&N - MacEwen guages
Stereo: Pioneer DEH-P8200R - Cadence 4x6's - Pioneer 6x9's - Kicker amps - Kicker 10" CompVR
Firebird parts - Selling an '80 Firebird for a friend
Moderator of tranny board over at TransAmGTA.com

[This message has been edited by pianiy (edited October 08, 2001).]