Mounting 1DIN head units in early boxes

[kishy]

This has been kinda-sorta addressed in the past, but not really in a whole lot of detail...or, in photos that have ceased to exist in threads.

My 1983 Grand Marquis has probably the completely basest of base model stereos:


I have acquired the faceplate trim of a newer box to properly fit a 1-DIN stereo once mounted:


The problem I'm running into is that there is no real way to mount a radio in this hole that doesn't have appropriate brackets. I picked up a set of the factory Ford ones that adapt a Ford 1-DIN radio to mount in the same location with the same spaced screw holes, but there is no real way to mount them to my new stereo...

Kits such as this...

...are not "supposed" to be used for "mounting" the radio, e.g. the weight of the unit is supposed to be supported elsewhere.

What solutions are people using to actually support the weight of the head unit? If there was a straightforward way to reuse the giant metal hook thing on the bottom of the stock radio it would be awesome, but there doesn't seem to be a way to do that.



Any input is appreciated...

Also, as an aside, this system is common ground, but the grounds for the speakers are separate up to the radio itself. The connector on the radio is what bridges them together.

[85crownHPP]

I think most installers use a piece of 'plumbers tape' in this situation - it's thin/flexible yet somewhat sturdy metal strapping with holes in it. It might be tricky since you might have to do it with the unit installed - but most aftermarket units have a stud on the back you can attach one end of the 'tape' to, and find any good spot above or below to attach the other end to something.
I don't think I did this, and yeah, CD's skip over bigger bumps, lol....

[IPreferDIY]

How about taking the front plate off the old radio and figuring out a way to mount the new one in it? Cutting the right size opening would probably be a bit of a pain, but ...

A lot of head units have the thin metal cages that you stick in the dash. Do you have one of those? If you do, figuring out a way to attach that to the front plate of the old radio would seem to solve the problem.

I just saw 85crownHPP's post. One possibility for the strapping would be to find a way to install a piece horizontally in the opening so that when you insert the head unit, its ass end will rest on the strapping.

[kishy]

I like all suggestions given so far. I prefer a "clean" install, not a hack, but sometimes you've gotta work with what you've got I suppose.

Reusing the metal plate was part of my goals in getting the mounting hardware for later 80s radios. They are in fact the exact same mounts (2 holes spaced the same for screws with a male centering peg) but screw into the side of the Ford radio. The problem is there is no way to put corresponding holes on my Pioneer unit to mount it that way, even with the metal cage.

Hmm. Decisions decisions.

[sly]

I just reused the original bottom metal bracket that mounts to the back of the radio. That holds the majority of the weight allowing for the front bracket to just align it all.

[IPreferDIY]

Most of the head units I've seen have bolt holes on each side at the front. If yours has such holes, would you be able to drill holes in the side plates/brackets in the kit that's shown in the fourth photo?

[gadget73]

The original rear bracket is probably the cleanest, but honestly mine has been hanging from that plastic adapter mount for 10 years now without any problems.

[87gtVIC]

I used the original back bracket and fabbed up an aluminum panel that the sleeve of the new radio attached to. I then screwed that right into the dash utilizing the provided holes. Sturdy as can be.

[kishy]

I somehow totally overlooked the fact that the rear-mount large friction mount thing, whatever you want to call it, was removable! That, combined with one of the pieces from Metra kit 99-5700, got the job done (for completeness if someone finds this through Google: the wiring kit for the base model radio is Metra 70-1772).



Mission accomplished GMN!



FYI this is what I had been trying to make before:

[IPreferDIY]

[sly]

yup... that's EXACTLY how my Kenwood is mounted in.