After installing my new Pioneer 3-ways, I was dreaming about putting in a new 2000 GM radio. (I do not know if it is possible.) Then I thought of an idea! I went out and bought ($19.00) one of those tape cassettes that have the wire with a stereo mini plug hanging off of it. I then put the S.M.P. into the audio out of my G3 powerbook. I was listening to digital MP3's while driving. It was great.I hope summer comes soon.

Here's an idea that WT III came up with (it's in his '87). Instead of mounting your aftermarket DIN sized stereo in the middle of the DIN and a half size opening, raise it to the top and install an aftermarket 1/2 DIN size EQ under it. I haven't had the chance to see it in person yet, but it sounds like a great idea.

GM is comeing out with a new cd player that can play mp3's off cdr's. It will be great to pop in a cdr with about 150 mp3s on it and just let them play... imagine a 10 disc cd changer with 150 songs per cd.. lots of tunes... heheheh

Monkey, I always thought the Fiero dash didn't have the mounting depth needed to install an aftermarket DIN sized stereo without it sticking out past flush with the dash. Wouldn't your proposed solution look kind of goofy?

The depth isn't the problem. The little metal mounting tab in the back is. You can remove that if you use something else to support the back of the radio. I'm working on a mod that will make all of this possible. Look for something in a few weeks.

Eric,

I can verify that what what the monkey is saying is the truth. There is a metal triangular mounting piece that hinders full seating of a DIN radio flush with our dashboard. This piece is useless when there are so many other ways of locating a radio in the vertical direction. The hard part is removing it. Of course this is nothing that a standard BFH can't handle. I am sure that I went about it the hard way, with the dash in, but it took me the good part of two hours to get it off. Once I got it off, I found that I still had even had room for my three sets of RCA's, the standard DIN to GM piggyback harness and the antenna cable to run to the head unit. It is tight, but there is room.

Monkey,

If you need a hand with your product, I would be more than happy to lend some design services. As long as DWG files are an O.K. format. The payment that I require.... a couple of copies of your new product. Let me know,

William T. Thorn, III

That would be great. Thanx. But what are DWG files? I'm still having trouble figuring out how to unzip stuff. I'll email you.

Regarding the metal tab that supports the back of the Radio/CD deck...

Once you remove the tab, you can flush mount most standard depth units. Directly behind the area is a vertical hollow support pillar. My Denon deck came with a stud bolt that screws into the back of the deck. This in turn, is pushed into a rubber plug/grommet that came with the deck. I test installed the deck to determine where to drill a 1/2" hole for the grommet (mark carefully, you only get one chance). After installing the grommet, I installed the deck.

This gives a solid rear support and mounts your deck flush without needing all kinds of brackets.

[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 02-09-2000).]

My mounting kit came with an offset plastic plug that fits the metal triangle perfectly. Yes, the CD player sticks out but its not too bad, and the trim kit makes it look ok. In the future I may remove the tab and push the CD back but its not a priority at the moment.