Head Unit in the center console

[pegase747]

Hi to all,

has anyone tried to install the head unit into the center console ? I mean horizontally, just below the HVAC panel.

I am thinking about doing that to put some VDO gauges in the original radio location.

I basically just like to know if there is enough space there, because I am pretty sure it will be wide enough.

hope anybody can help.

Regards / Pierre

[maxfield]

I doubt there will be enough space as there's a heater matrix and transmission tunnel there...

[pegase747]

horizontally above the tunnel ???? Dont know about the heater matrix though....

Anybody got a pic of a 30 interior witht he center console removed ??

Pierre

[Eddie25]

I'm sure i've seen this done at some point.

Although my favourite is the VDO gauges were the ash tray should be, seem to remember there was a facia for this at some point. I'd be interested as well if these are still around.

[springer]

Hi early last year i fitted a Dvd player in the centre console it is tight but can be done

[maxfield]

You can just see the heater matrix...

[miniblob]

You mean behind the ashtray, right at the bottom of the centre console?? Easy peasy!!

I've had a full size (single din) digital eq in there before!!
Just took out the bottom centre console thingy, used a stanley knife to cut the hole out, fitted the cage and slotted it in!! There was plenty of room for wires - i had at least four sets of phono's and the usual power/ground/illumination and i'm pretty sure i squeezed a plg1 line driver in there too!!

Not sure how hot it would get in there, but it can't be any worse than the standard position - if anything, there is more scope for the heat to rise away for the unit - and i suppose you could always drill some small vent holes in the sides of that panel, that would hardly notice!!

Short answer: Yes

[pegase747]

Hi early last year i fitted a Dvd player in the centre console it is tight but can be done

HGi Springer,

would u have a picture of your setup ?

Pierre

[pegase747]

You mean behind the ashtray, right at the bottom of the centre console?? Easy peasy!!

I've had a full size (single din) digital eq in there before!!
Just took out the bottom centre console thingy, used a stanley knife to cut the hole out, fitted the cage and slotted it in!! There was plenty of room for wires - i had at least four sets of phono's and the usual power/ground/illumination and i'm pretty sure i squeezed a plg1 line driver in there too!!

Not sure how hot it would get in there, but it can't be any worse than the standard position - if anything, there is more scope for the heat to rise away for the unit - and i suppose you could always drill some small vent holes in the sides of that panel, that would hardly notice!!

Short answer: Yes

Miniblob any pics ?

pierre

[cass1_5503]

i have got a single din dvd in there and also my ipod adapter is there. quite abit of room there to be honest.

[cass1_5503]

heres a pic i just found of mine

[pegase747]

Thanks,

was it exactly the same length/depth as a standard head unit ??

Cheers / Pierre

[cass1_5503]

yeah it was

[E30_Jatt]

cass I've just been looking at that pic of your install and was thinking to myself something seems odd, out of place, and I've just realised now what it is. It's the fact that your OBC/Clock and your stereo are the opposite way round to any normal UK spec car, how did you achieve this? because it's not a LHD dash as then it would be angled towards the left for a LHD car.

I think it's quite cool how the OBC is just at finger length and easy to access then when your driving.

[cass1_5503]

cass I've just been looking at that pic of your install and was thinking to myself something seems odd, out of place, and I've just realised now what it is. It's the fact that your OBC/Clock and your stereo are the opposite way round to any normal UK spec car, how did you achieve this? because it's not a LHD dash as then it would be angled towards the left for a LHD car.

I think it's quite cool how the OBC is just at finger length and easy to access then when your driving.

it was actually quite easy its just the heater panel from a lhd car, the finish aint the best but with a little work should look good

[fowler]

it can be done i have also had a single DIN DVD player in this space. fits nicely
Heat in this area is less than in the standard position for the stereo.
you can actually fit a DIN size stereo and a 1/2 DIN equaliser in this postion but with both units wiring gets a tad tight

[pegase747]

Hi Fowler,

Do you have a picture of your setup ?
Also Do you have aircond fitted ? I heard that the space behind the console is less on cars with aircond...

Cheers / pierre

[fowler]

no i don't mate sold the car a couple of years back.
IF aircon is fitted forget about it mate TBH just take out ashtry and put VDO guages there