85RX7GS

iTrader: (1)

I've got the 85 interior with the three-piece Mazda Factory Radio, Tape Deck and Equalizer. I bought a new head-unit a week ago that is single din. . My question is: Can anyone recommend a nice looking/closely matching trim plate/adapter for going around my newer single din head-unit? I know that you can get one from Wal-Mart, but it make me want to ! I'm looking for a nice one that will fit in nicely with the older style interior of an 85. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!!

brownmound

OK for real, there ain't **** out there. I guess there are some "kits" that you can buy at Target, Best Buy, whatever but they are real cheap and look like ****. Mazda fucked us by making the stock stereo so goddamn beautiful and double din. Any head unit with a black face just looks bad in my opinion, but any of the head units with gray/silver faces have freakin' Seaworld screensavers on em or 1056 band eq in equal as many colors. As far as head units, I like the naks, simple, elegant, and amber display. They're black but it's what it's gotta be.

So, getting back to the trim issue-avoid the kits if you can. There is always custom fabrication. I haven't done it yet (I just can't let go of the beauty of the stock stereo, even though it sounds like *** now) but I am toying with the idea of either plexiglass spraypainted silver or black on the back, or maybe CNC machined custom aluminum spacer. Still, I think it won't look right with 1.5 DINs of nothing there, so I might add a few gauges etc. I just need to bite the bullet and do it.

For those who read this post and have any pictures of the aftermarket installation, let's see em. I'd like to see some good discussion here similar to that in the "i just finished designing my sub box" thread. Shouldn't somone rate that sumbitch?

Right on.

Fire85GSLSE

iTrader: (29)

Good luck. I searched all over with no luck.
I bought a glove box off of E-bay and was thinking about mounting my new CD unit in there and leaving the stock unit in. That way to a theif, he might pass up my ride, and also since it is a GSL-SE I dont want to really mess up and of the OEM look.

theNeanderthol

iTrader: (1)

my friend works for a car stereo installer and i got mine from him. I think it looks good so far i can send you a pic when im fininshed if you want If you like it I may be able to get him to order another so I can send it to you.

85RX7GS

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the input guys! theNeanderthol, please send me a picture so I can see how it looks. Thanks.

BrownMound, I couldn't agree with you more. Anything you try to use will look weird compared to the nicely colored stock unit. I too like the way my stock unit looks, but the sound and reception is terrible!

Let me know about those pictures. Your help is appreciated. Thanks again.

brownmound

Yeah, post some pictures please!!

Right on.

smnc

Well first off, we determined back in the "Updating the Stereo" thread that the 84-84 stereo is in fact 2 1/2 din. The tuner and eq are 3/4 din each and the tape deck is 1 din.

And yeah, most of the stuff out there is FUGLY. If I were to replace my stock setup tho, I'd probably get a Rockford Fosgate. Still need somthing to fill the other 1 1/2 din tho...

brownmound

I've thought about that for a bit. Will it fit in there?

Right on.

gump

Ok folks, you asked, now you receive. This setup came with my GSL-SE when I bought it. I took it out so that I could put in the stock 3-piece unit. It appears to be a homemade job but it's very sturdy. It consists of 2 pieces, a bracket and a cover plate. They are both sheet metal. The bracket mounts using the original holes for the stock stereo. The aftermarket stereo (with metal sleeve supplied with stereo attached) slides through the cover plate and you bend the metal tab thingy's to keep it held in place. It's a very sturdy setup. The cover plate just barely overlaps the plastic center console on each side. It did look a bit odd with the black cover plate on the silverish colored center console. If and when I ever use it again, i'd probably paint it to match the center console, but for now, I love my stock Clarion!!!

Bracket Pic 1
Bracket Pic 2
Cover Plate Pic
Side View Bracket

brownmound

I failed to recieve. Check them links again?

BTW, you guys ever go to a car audio place and try to explain to them your situation with the first gen. First I spell out my criteria - 2.5 din, silver surround, something simple, amber display. Show them my existing setup. "yeah you got a double din - we got this kenwood cd +cassette that will go in there...." Shows a fugly brite light display monstrosity. "I'm trying to keep the stock look" "You can't" This from the place that supposedly is the only shop in Austin that does "custom" work. How custom is a piece of plexiglass spraypainted black on the reverse? Yeah it's not a kit, but it doesn't meet me needs you GODDAMN COCKY ****." Sorry had to rant. no offense to those car stereo gurus who have been helping us out in here, btw. just my few bad experiences.

The head unit and the difficulty of adding a sub has got to be the achiles heal of the FB design.

Right on.

Directfreak

iTrader: (2)

Actually...

The best option is an RF-Modulated CD-Changer that will work with the stock stereo, and everything else aftermarket (amps, crossovers, speakers, etc).

I am looking for probably a blaupunkt or other CD-changer made for the BMW's, and some Pontiac's and Chevy's, as they usually have pretty orange-lit dashes as well.



I used to have one in my old Pick-up with a beautiful orange dispay and remote control that I mounted in the non-existant Passenger side airbag. Would look pretty good on the glove box, since it is pretty much a flush install.

Also, check out the one attached, and YES, I DO SUCK at Photoshop, but you should understand what I mean from the pic.

85RX7GS

iTrader: (1)

Gump, I can't receive your pictures. Are you sure the links are correct?

gump

Sorry guys, I guess I can't link to geocities on here. I tried another image hosting service for the pics, here's the link.

Radio Bracket Pictures

brownmound

It is the best option as far as stealth, ease and stock look are concerned, but as far as sound quality? We are talking about car stereo here, we cannot forget the ultimate goal, ie good sound.

Thus I've all but ruled FM modulation out.

Right on.

Directfreak

iTrader: (2)

I guess I wasn't clear enough, (it was late )
I know an RF system will not win any Stereo competitions or satisfy a true audiophile who must have the best.

However, my previous pick-up (1985 Ford Splash Extended Cab) had the stock OEM cassette radio, a Pioneer RF-CD-Changer, a Sony 5 Channel Amp (with built in crossovers), Pionner Pairs (components with seperate tweeters) in the doors, STOCK 6x9's in the Rear, and a Kicker Solo-Baric 10" in a bandpass enclosure behind the driver's seat.

One Thing - It FREAKIN ROCKED. It was CRYSTAL Clear, Very Loud, and the Bass would make people's neck hair stand up while standing anywhere near it.

I used it constantly at the beach (Hobie Beach to you Miami Guys) where I would back it up near the water's edge, open the doors, and have people constantly come over to see what the hell was in there. Nobody could believe it came from a "stock" head-unit with a Sub-Box. (obviously I didn't get into the details of the amp, crossovers, speakers, etc with strangers)

In my present truck, (2001 Ford Supercrew), I have basically the SAME system, only with a 12" Solobaric in a
bandpass instead of the previous 10" Box (it was stolen)

I am telling you - it sounds better than 95% of the cars out there, and definately better than ANY OEM radio in ANY New car.

I am not a Stereo installer with XX years in the business, but I have done all my own systems. The RF systems of today are not what they where 10 years ago.

I personally like the Changer with the OEM Radio because it will give you the best of both worlds.
Stealth, Good Looks, and Amazing sound.
HOWEVER, as I previously stated, the rest of the system (Speakers,Amps,Crossovers) MUST be upgraded to hear it sound right.

brownmound

Maybe I will reconsider the FM modulated route. I just don't like the idea of reducing a cd to fm frequency range, especially on an 18 year old (albeit wonderful) stock Clarion stereo. It would definitely look the best, though, and the passenger storage bin seems like the ultimate best location for a changer. (acessible while in traffic sans passenger, easy to route the controller, etc.) Also good is the fact that the stock stere has line out speaker outs to make it easy to hook up to an amp. Them FM modulators are cheap so it wouldn't hurt to try one.

Any other opinions on these beasts?

Right on.

Pele

iTrader: (28)

I have the Metra kit that's supposed to fit many Mazdas in my car. It looks like ***. Perhaps some bondo sculpting and spray paint would help... Personally, I don't mind the graphical headunits or the black faced ones... I'm going to be playing with the interior anyhow, so it'll match... I just want everything to fit together without those gaps.

Directfreak

iTrader: (2)

This one looks pretty good..

Matches the Silver face of the 84/85 and could probably mount real nice on the glove box.



JVC - RF- CD Changer

RotorMotorDriver

iTrader: (1)

Ok guys, heres the head unit thats controlling my "custom sub box" . Its not the prettiest thing in the word I'll admit, but the silver trim on the HU looks really good with the silver interior trim IMO, and the deck lights are in fact RED which match the stock lights REALLY well IMO. I should try to get a shot of it at night...Also, the install kit I used was in fact one of those s**t target ones, but I got it at Schucks. So I guess that makes is Schucks s**t . Anyway, enjoy.

~T.J.

PS - For those interensted, its a Sony CDX-CA650X. Sony also makes one thats identical to this but it has MP3 playback. Would've gotten that one, but it wasnt out when I bought this .

TheAMAZINGNorad

Dude, thats EXACTLY what i have in my car, the sony radio AND The cover plate. This is what i did. Go to maztrix and get the pocket you can get for replacing that ugly thing. Then pop out the MIDDLE part of that black spacer on the bottom, do a little sanding, and it fits right in. THEN, get some silver paint and paint it all to match the radio's silver faceplate. Looks pretty good IMO. Also, did you have it put in? I got a crack on my trim there where you did and made best buy replace it
So, i paind like $180, but got a new ashtray and trim piece. over a $200 value

peejay

That's the headunit a friend of mine just stuffed in his Dodge.

It sounds "okay" but the ergonomics just plain SUCK...

You know, some Miatas had a nice factory Pioneer setup with CD player, it looks to be the same height (2.5 DIN) as the GSL/SE radio, and it's the proper silver color.

RotorMotorDriver

iTrader: (1)

lol, I bought the stereo at Best Buy, but I installed it, and the cracks were there from the previous owner. He had tried to persuede a 3 DIN stereo from an 88 maxima into the 7 with a hammer . Anyway, its ok cause I salvaged some "new" parts from the scrap yard I plan on putting in after im "done" tinkering. I still have to run new wires for all my speakers, and I also have to do some other misc. wiring for the power wires and redo the power antenna which the guy tried to replace but didnt buy the right one and so on. Basicaly I dont wanna risk breaking the new panel, so im not gonna put it in until im done .

~T.J.

RotorMotorDriver

iTrader: (1)

BTW...I like you pocket idea, I would love to see some pics of it if possible.

~T.J.

MIKE-P-28

iTrader: (1)

On my 85, I used a double din kit for an older mitsubishi eclipse... I had to have a 2 DIN opening for the dash, I had a DEHP730 and a DEQ9200 full DIN DSP EQ.

What I did was take the kit, and cut the mounts of the side and then I painted the kit, the the stereo sourrond panel, and shift plate all siver metallic. Then I put thre plate behind the factory panel, and locked it in with the tabs from both DINS sleeves, and then remounted the panel in the dash, works a looks great. Except I got the SOB all apart now for the transplant Im doing in the engine bay

Directfreak

iTrader: (2)

This is some cool ****..


CAVE - Compressed Audio for Vehicle Entertainment