Ever modified the dash to accept single cd player?

[97/SHO]

I recently sold my car and bought a 97 SHO. I have a complete stereo system from the previous car with amps, subs, component speakers and a killer cd player. I HAVE to get that cd player in the dash!! Has anyone ever done this? I know the regular Taurus has a kit made for it but not for the SHO. I would like some ideas on this before I do it myself. I'm thinking of making a overlay for the top area and removing the factory radio. Ugly or not, its going in there! Any information would be appreciated. I'll post pictures when I done.

Rick
____________
1997 Toreador Red/Saddle. Welded cams. Trans Cooler.

 

[MilTownSHO]

People have custom fiberglassed one in it and there is a kit in the works!

I hooked up my system to the stock stuff, I like the stock look, and less chance of theft!

 

[luigisho]

What he said. Either custom fiberglass somewhere, wait for whatever kit is in the works for however long it takes to make it, or try to retro fit a manual climate control config to replace the auto cc and then use the readily available dash kits on the market to fit your head unit. I think the custom fg is the easiest option of the three at this time. I'll be doing that soon myself.

 

[97/SHO]

Thanks guys. I thought about retrofitting it with a manual control but wasn't sure about the cables that would be necessary and I also verified that a different wiring harness is used. My father in law owns a company that makes products from stainless steel and he has offered to help make something to act as an overlay and have it made in the shop. He is a handy guy to have around because he also knows how to make technical drawings for something like this. One way or the other, it IS going in there!

 

[Vroom]

Never seen one in place of the factory one, but I have seen a few put in place of the ash tray.

Here's an example. http://filebox.vt.edu/users/migilles/cdinstall.asp

Also, Tunez had a really nice setup and he was trying to sell it. Whatever happened to Tunez? Haven't seen him on here for quite a while.

 

[MilTownSHO]

Also, Tunez had a really nice setup and he was trying to sell it. Whatever happened to Tunez? Haven't seen him on here for quite a while.

I thought of his setup right away also, I was wondering were he was myself. I believe he got rid of his Gen III for a Mustang GT IIRC.

The kit that is being designed looks incredible (saw it firsthand), still uses the factory setup for climate control but removes the ford radio, looks 100% stock. Many people will want it!

 

[Vroom]

The kit that is being designed looks incredible (saw it firsthand), still uses the factory setup for climate control but removes the ford radio, looks 100% stock. Many people will want it!

Sounds really cool! Any idea on when it might be done, or at least at a point where we can see pics?

 

[MilTownSHO]

Sounds really cool! Any idea on when it might be done, or at least at a point where we can see pics?

It's almost done, but is only in fiberglass right now and will be going in the test car. The kit will go into professional production (molding) if there is enough interest to warrant it, which I have a feeling there will be since there is no other replacement option with climate control that looks factory/takes the place of the factory radio with reverting to manual controls.. I will ask about pictures!

 

[mcgilles]

wow my install made it on here!

I would like to see pics of the kit. I can't wait for something like that to come out. until then, my setup will work. here's what it looks like now:

although its usually cleaner than that.

 

[SHO#7]

wow my install made it on here!

I would like to see pics of the kit. I can't wait for something like that to come out. until then, my setup will work. here's what it looks like now:

although its usually cleaner than that.

Good creativity. But that is just not attractive to me.

 

[luigisho]

Here are pics of another install in the ashtray area. http://www.superford.org/registry/vehicles/detail.php?id=3660&s=14563#content Something I'm thinking of replicating. I would like to see the kit in the works. I hope it is available soon before I have to start on the home fiberglass work.

 

[mcgilles]

yeah, brad's install is a "cleaner" look than mine. I really want to know how he did it, although I'll still take mine over his, for these reasons: mine allows you to insert and remove a CD even with the shifter in park (well, not on this reciever, but on the one I designed it with, it could) it brings the head unit up some, its pretty low and away from the driver, so the higher the better. it retains the security that it won't come out of there without the shifter being moved. it has room for my crossover, and it doens't..."hide" the deck under that fiberglass hood thing. but still, a very clean install, I want a writeup on it!

 

[MilTownSHO]

Trust me the kit in the making is well worth a wait!

 

[luigisho]

Considering how ****** off I get at the stock system every time I'm in the car, that is only if the wait is not very long. The damn cd changer only holds 6 and they skip all the time. I don't use cassettes anymore. This thing is worse than useless to me.

 

[Vroom]

Considering how ****** off I get at the stock system every time I'm in the car, that is only if the wait is not very long. The damn cd changer only holds 6 and they skip all the time. I don't use cassettes anymore. This thing is worse than useless to me.

That's why I disconnected the speaker wires that lead to the cassette player and connected them to a wire for my iPod. Direct line in, perfect quality, no skips, 5000 songs. And I added an extra lighter socket so that I could have my iPod charger plugged in and hidden at all times. All I have to do now is turn my Star Wars style cup holders into a flip-out dock for my iPod, as soon as I get some bondo.

 

[MilTownSHO]

The damn cd changer only holds 6 and they skip all the time. I don't use cassettes anymore.

Yeah get this, the 98's CD changer broke with 42k on it, got it back, froze my butt of reinstalling it in the high wind and cold, cut my hands on the metal, get it all back together, start going through all the slots to make sure it works right.... jammed between 5-6!

Gotta pull it back out again!

 

[luigisho]

Am I assuming you actually paid out of pocket to get the factory cd changer fixed? That would be just crazy! Those things are a POS!

 

[MilTownSHO]

Am I assuming you actually paid out of pocket to get the factory cd changer fixed? That would be just crazy! Those things are a POS!

Yep, $150 bucks! I like the stock setup, no one will screw with it. **** my 97 with 154k, the cd changer works fine! The 98 is a stock MINT SHOwcar, not something I really wanna change things on. if the 97's broke I'd probably put something different in.

But whoever decided to put a CD changer over a wheel well is on crack!

 

[JSIL1]

take a look at my setup. if you check the bottom of the "New System page I am working on molding a ne face and back that will accept a screen I can only assume that a single din unit would be easier bucause you won't have to relocate some buttons and the digital climate control readout like i need to.

 

[luigisho]

That head unit install is nice. I'll have to pick your brain soon if I decide this must be done (ie the kit takes too long). I don't suppose you'd want to make another face to accept DIN while you're making your screen setup for a couple a bucks?

Another thing. If I have to go with the panel in the ashtray area I am interested in relocating the lighter outlet as well.. maybe even one on each side. Is there a particular reason you went in the carpeted area over having it in the side of the plastic?