Those with a CD changer, where did you choose to install it?

[Pakrat]

I have to believe that under the seat is the easiest and most direct location, but just by the looks I question the fit potential, and in a vert I would think the trunk may be a safer location, but which is better then vertical or horizontal? I am concerned with drilling and fastening to something more than anything I think and if I have to remove the back seat and some carpet, I prefer to get it right the first time.

Any advice and/or pics would be appreciated.

Pak.

 

[Pakrat]

TTT

Awe C'mon, none of you guys have a CD changer???????

 

[66 BLAKE 96]

My changer is in the trunk, horizontally, drivers side next to the sub woofer. I've driven it since '96 with it bolted to a piece of cardboard holding it down (under the trunk mat) and it almost never skips and has been working fine for years.

I don't know that I'll ever secure it better than that simply because I don't want to drill holes in my trunk, and I haven't found a good reason to. Even with only 6 discs, I never fumble with CD's in the driver's seat, wanting to swap out CD's in the trunk. I just keep a spare magazine in the trunk loaded full if I get tired of the 6 I've been listening to. Then its a simple matter of popping out the old one, and slapping the new one in.

I don't see how you'd have room under the seat, nor would I want it that accessable in a 'vert.

 

[monk302]

I have an 8 disc Panasonic unit in mine and I attempted at first to put it under the seat but I really did not like the idea of it there since it was going to be such a tight fit. So what I wound up doing was putting mounting it on the package tray. I absolutely love it there for several reasons. It is in elevated position so it will not get hit by anything. It is very secure so it will not skip and lastly because when you look into the trunk you cannot see it. It tucks away very discretely where it is only visible if you stick your head in and look up.

Let us know what you wind up doing.

Mike

 

[Pakrat]

So Blake, you slid a piece of cardboard under the mat, then screwed thru the mat and into the cardboard? Am I understanding that correctly? Hmmm, I'd be a little scared of stuff smacking into it or the mat ripping loose. Of course, I have no idea how you subwoofer is set up in relation.

Under the package tray won't work for a vert since their really isn't one so to speak of, that's where the top goes. I had though about mounting it around that general location though, but what to mount it to becomes the question and I too am not too crazy about drilling holes if Idon't have to.

I had thought about a vertical installation in one of the fender wells maybe somehow, but haven't looked yet to see how it would work or not. I thought perhaps I could use some of that expansion foam and shape a removal shock absorber type of holder for it that fits the well area perfectly on the outside and at least 50% of the unit from the inside, then I could die cut a rectangular hole thru one of those cardboard extensions they sell so it sticks up and out of the floor a couple inches to access.

Keep any other ideas coming please, especially with any install pics.

 

[gp001]

I saw a unique mount once at a car show. They had made an "T" shaped mount out of acrylic. The base of the mount was bolted to the trunk area through one of the drain plug openings. They even drilled through the grommet to keep a seal around the bolt. They used a small piece of rubber and a large fender washer under the trunk floor to hold it down.

 

[66 BLAKE 96]

So Blake, you slid a piece of cardboard under the mat, then screwed thru the mat and into the cardboard? Am I understanding that correctly? Hmmm, I'd be a little scared of stuff smacking into it or the mat ripping loose. Of course, I have no idea how you subwoofer is set up in relation.

Basically, yes. The sub is one of those prepackaged "Bazooka Tubes" or whatever, and it's mounted the same way. The thing is, with my tiny 2+2 trunk, I have it set up where the spare is on the right side, the changer is on the flat portion of the trunk to the left, just before it drops off into that 1/4 panel well, the sub is toward the front of the car, against the flip up door into the interior, and anything else that might go into the trunk goes into a Rubbermaid type of container that fits so tightly among everything else, that nothing is moving anywhere.

Its a great system for me, but of course, I don't really use the trunk as a versatile storage space. Golf clubs (if I were a golfer) or something like that would go inside on top of the fold down seat.

 

[Pakrat]

Aha, got ya Blake, then yeah, in that situation sounds like it makes perfect sense. I don't have much in my trunk anymore either, not even a spare in fact, but there usually are a few loose items rolling around.

GP, very interesting. I suppose I could even use the bolts from the gas tank as a mounting point too then.

So any opinions on my packing foam encased wheel well idea?

 

[66 BLAKE 96]

So any opinions on my packing foam encased wheel well idea?

I think the expansion foam (like the kind they use to seal windows in houses) would be a great idea. The only issue may be air flow, as the changer would probably generate heat, and with little/no air space around it it may over heat.

 

[monk302]

I think the expansion foam (like the kind they use to seal windows in houses) would be a great idea. The only issue may be air flow, as the changer would probably generate heat, and with little/no air space around it it may over heat.

I completely agree with that Blake, I think if you encased it in foam it would kill it from heat. If you are really looking to shock proof it maybe you should use some rubber grommets or something inbetween the body and the mounting pedestal. Honestly as long as the unit is secure and not loose you really should not have any problems with it skipping. Of course you may have some over railroad tracks and real rough roads but that is about it. Mine hardly ever skips mounted to the package tray.

 

[Pakrat]

Mmmmm, good point guys, I hadn't really considered the heat for some reason, but you are totally right. I still like the idea of making use of some of that useless wheel well space. I'm going to hook everything up loose in the front seat this weekend to make sure it all works first anyway, so maybe I'll let it play for a while and see where it builds up the heat, if it is only on one end, I might be able to vent it properly. If I come up with something trick I'll document it for future reference. Thanks for the ideas!

Pak.

 

[GaPonyFarm]

I mounted my CD Changer on a piece of 3/4" fiberboard that I covered with carpet. It runs from the high point of the trunk across the gas tank and screws into place. I have the CD Changer, 2 Amps, and 1 Capacitor all mounted and hooked in with quick connects, so that I can remove it as an assembly. I think its good to be able to remove & store it in the winter, or when I know its going to be out in the hot Georgia sun for an extended period of time. It only take about 5 minutes to remove/install the assembly.

 

[bartman]

I don't have a cd changer in my 65 fb. However, I was toying with the idea of cutting a rectangular opening in the seat riser that attaches to the flooboard under the seat. I think there would be room and you could trim it out nicely to cover the hole you would have to make in the carpet. But, it may weaken the seat riser or whatever it is called too much. I suppose you could weld a little extra support around it. What do you guys think?

 

[mfp4073]

I put mine on the drivers side rear floor. Now hang in there with me on this one. I used several velcro strips that keep it from being all over the place. I then put my floor mat on top of it. I dont usally have 3 extra people in the car. But if I need to, all I do is unplug it and pic it up. Without the unit being screwed down its literally a 15 second removal. It has worked really well for the last 2 years that way!

 

[Pakrat]

Hmmm, I don't have alot of people in the back either, but I do get my dog back there just about everytime I take it to work in the summer. Also, the theft level I think would be pretty high in a vert, not to mention heat level with top down parked with a black interior.

I think I'm pretty determined on the trunk at this point, just a matter of where exactly.

 

[monk302]

I don't have a cd changer in my 65 fb. However, I was toying with the idea of cutting a rectangular opening in the seat riser that attaches to the flooboard under the seat. I think there would be room and you could trim it out nicely to cover the hole you would have to make in the carpet. But, it may weaken the seat riser or whatever it is called too much. I suppose you could weld a little extra support around it. What do you guys think?

I was actually contemplating doing the same thing in my car. Then since I have a coupe I figured the trunk would be just as good and a bit easier. I think it would work well though. What would be trick is if you had it mounted on a pair of sliders like that in a draw so you could pull it out to access it and then slide it back in after you loaded the CD's in.

 

[bartman]

I was actually contemplating doing the same thing in my car. Then since I have a coupe I figured the trunk would be just as good and a bit easier. I think it would work well though. What would be trick is if you had it mounted on a pair of sliders like that in a draw so you could pull it out to access it and then slide it back in after you loaded the CD's in.

If I decide to try installation under seat in riser I will post pics.
bartman

 

[SL 1993 R]

a 10 disc in the trunk, hanging from the package tray.. my unit also had a vertical mount set up.. with a vert, vertical might be the way to go and put it near the wheelwell, or stand it up by the tail lights...

 

[Qwik66-SD]

I am currently restoring my 66 but back in 97 when I was driving it daily I put a kenwood 10 disc changer in my glove compartment. The cardboard was tearing over the years and when I pulled it out, I thought that a changer would fit perfectly and it did. My buddy carpeted and mounted a piece of MDF in there for a flooring for the changer to sit on. I know not many people want to mess with the glovebox but it's really simple to take out the MDF and put a new glovebox back in although I doubt I ever will. BTW, I keep all of my car's paperwork in my center console.

 

[jcp123]

cd changer?? i'm getting an mp3-cd player, problem solved