e36 Radio

[BMWRacing15]

I upgraded my aftermarket stereo to an late e36 unit in the e30. The sound and everything works, however, I cannot get the front of the radio to sit flush with the console. Anybody who has done this do you have to trim around the console to get it to sit flush or am i just a idiot who needs to force it in more?

[bmw325csi]

you have to trim the console and make new brackets further back to mount the radio. There are a couple people on here that have done it, just wait and one of them will respond with better details

[BMWRacing15]

Thank you very much.

[Wh33lhop]

The deck you are referring to is called the CD43. If you search around a little you can find flush-mount installs.

[dogsbark26]

Bringing this thread back from the dead.

It has been long enough that you should have yours installed by now BMWRacing15.

Where are your e36 head unit in e30 install pictures?

[blueapplesoda]

http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11617

[dogsbark26]

Thanks blueapplesoda. That has got to be the greatest CD43 thread ever! bmwman91 rocks. I've spent many hours looking at that thread already.

I'm just looking for more different photos of how folks have modified their HVAC panels to hold the radio in place.

Is this something you have done?

[blueapplesoda]

No, but I have plans for it.

I can't find the thread with another dude who did the cd43 flush mounting...

Basically, he used one hvac panel as a donor to donate the recessed mounting lip for the head unit, and he then ground off the mounting lip of a second hvac panel, leaving some of the mounting lip in place to be used as an extension. He attached the donated mounting lip to the second hvac panel with epoxy.

Hopefully this is understood haha. I though this idea was more robust than two little brackets glued to the side, although that will work.

[dogsbark26]

Wow, that is an interesting idea.

I have several HVAC panels, one I have removed the lip and am working on "two little brackets".



I found a crosscut file to be most effective to remove the lip.

[StereoInstaller1]

I ground the inner lip off, then glued and "Plastic Welded" (melted with a soldering iron, basically, and added more ABS to "fill") a molded DIN trim ring that I cut to fit. The lip is part of a dash kit, most any install shop will have a box of leftover kit parts to scavenge from. Basically a rectangle, I left off the part that you just cut off...but since I extended the depth about 10mm, there is no issue shoving the deck too far in, there just is not depth.

Next time I do it, I will post pics. Takes me under an hour once the panel is in my hands.

[dogsbark26]

Now I want to change directions. I've never heard of doing it like that. Sounds like a MUCH better solution because it avoids the issue of having light showing through from the back, around the edges of the radio where I've cut off the lip.

So if I understand you correctly, you are removing the original lip (like I did) and then affixing a new lip - extended back into the dash - by attaching to the walls of the HVAC panel where I cut off the lip. Right?

How much do you charge for an hour of your time Luke?

My apologies to you OP for hijacking your thread. Are you finding this discussion useful or would you rather I took it elsewhere?

[cbouchez]

Luke,

Maybe we can do mine?? Let's see what else we can find out about the touring...

[StereoInstaller1]

the birch is getting the bezel out! Cutting the lip off is no big deal, I use an airsaw.

[StereoInstaller1]

Haha, birch...autocorrect!

[blueapplesoda]

Yes Luke, that was what I was trying to get at! SO it was DIN bezel that was used.. I was under the impression he used the bezel out of a second e30 hvac panel, but that just seems like alot of work.