Hidden Stereo write-up.
Let me be VERY upfront, I am NOT a stereo guy, none of this would have been possible if it had not been from input by several members here and on the faq board (Micah, Marshall, Stereoinstaller, Andrew, ken, and others).
The goal, completely hidden, ipod controlled stereo setup that retains a Becker head unit.
The speaker, wiring, and amp specifics is on the wiring diagram, if someone wants it (a lot larger and legible file) please email me.
MATERIALS.
...were mostly from Jo-Anns (my wife loves pointing that out to me everytime she gets in the car).
-marine-grade black vinyl which surprisingly matched the original vinyl perfectly. (for front console and front speaker panels)
-open-cell foam (for rear speaker shelf)
-Headliner foam (for front speaker insolation)
-speaker cloth (for rear speaker shelf and front speakers)
-black micro-suede (for center ash tray)
-dynamatt (for rear speaker shelf)
-wood (for amp shelf and rear speaker shelf)
-interior carpet (for amp shelf)
CENTER CONSOLE:
Re-wrapped in vinyl, on the center ash tray I used a dremel to whittle away at the retention clip to allow clearance for the ipod. Wrapped the inside with micro-suede/
Made a hole in the backside for the ipod connector.
Enlarged the stereo opening for becker and made backside support arm (ran a new cheap speaker for the becker).
Finished off with this beautiful hand-made shift knob by David (I think it’s proportioned perfectly to the car, not diminutive like the alpina knob).
(http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/...opic/t,379457/ )
FRONT SPEAKERS:
Driver’s side, I used the stock under dash panel, (Thanks to Ken Blasko). Cut out speaker hole wrapped it in vinyl, insolated the backside and stretched over some speaker cloth.
Passenger’s side, made new panel as the stock piece was warped to badly. Repeated same steps as driver’s side.
REAR SPEAKERS:
Basically copied what Marshall did, new rear panel attached speakers. Layered the dynamat, foam and speaker cloth. Micah gave me the idea to use bang matts for the rear speakers to sit in. The bang matts help to seal the rear panel keeping out fumes, plus you can’t see the ugly speakers jutting into your trunk.
AMPLIFIER
I made a little wood shelf that fit in nicely (covered in carpet), mounted the amp and signal booster to it. Drilled a couple of wire access holes and was set!
Wired everything up according to the diagram…..
The volume control knob is the old choke-cable knob on the steering column. Welded a piece of the old threaded cable end to the JL-supplied supplied adjuster, and wah-lah!
The interior looks better than it has in a long long time, now it sounds better too!
Let me be VERY upfront, I am NOT a stereo guy, none of this would have been possible if it had not been from input by several members here and on the faq board (Micah, Marshall, Stereoinstaller, Andrew, ken, and others).
The goal, completely hidden, ipod controlled stereo setup that retains a Becker head unit.
The speaker, wiring, and amp specifics is on the wiring diagram, if someone wants it (a lot larger and legible file) please email me.
MATERIALS.
...were mostly from Jo-Anns (my wife loves pointing that out to me everytime she gets in the car).
-marine-grade black vinyl which surprisingly matched the original vinyl perfectly. (for front console and front speaker panels)
-open-cell foam (for rear speaker shelf)
-Headliner foam (for front speaker insolation)
-speaker cloth (for rear speaker shelf and front speakers)
-black micro-suede (for center ash tray)
-dynamatt (for rear speaker shelf)
-wood (for amp shelf and rear speaker shelf)
-interior carpet (for amp shelf)
CENTER CONSOLE:
Re-wrapped in vinyl, on the center ash tray I used a dremel to whittle away at the retention clip to allow clearance for the ipod. Wrapped the inside with micro-suede/
Made a hole in the backside for the ipod connector.
Enlarged the stereo opening for becker and made backside support arm (ran a new cheap speaker for the becker).
Finished off with this beautiful hand-made shift knob by David (I think it’s proportioned perfectly to the car, not diminutive like the alpina knob).
(http://www.bmw2002faq.com/component/...opic/t,379457/ )
FRONT SPEAKERS:
Driver’s side, I used the stock under dash panel, (Thanks to Ken Blasko). Cut out speaker hole wrapped it in vinyl, insolated the backside and stretched over some speaker cloth.
Passenger’s side, made new panel as the stock piece was warped to badly. Repeated same steps as driver’s side.
REAR SPEAKERS:
Basically copied what Marshall did, new rear panel attached speakers. Layered the dynamat, foam and speaker cloth. Micah gave me the idea to use bang matts for the rear speakers to sit in. The bang matts help to seal the rear panel keeping out fumes, plus you can’t see the ugly speakers jutting into your trunk.
AMPLIFIER
I made a little wood shelf that fit in nicely (covered in carpet), mounted the amp and signal booster to it. Drilled a couple of wire access holes and was set!
Wired everything up according to the diagram…..
The volume control knob is the old choke-cable knob on the steering column. Welded a piece of the old threaded cable end to the JL-supplied supplied adjuster, and wah-lah!
The interior looks better than it has in a long long time, now it sounds better too!
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