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Mconant Samba Member
Joined: March 15, 2010 Posts: 9 Location: None
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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:52 am Post subject: Need Radio |
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I need a new radio for a '90 vanagon. Some radios I found on the internet will fit in the radio slot in the dashboard size-wise, but I need one that will connect to the wires in the back of the radio specifically for a VW vanagon. I want a radio that has a CD player and possibly a way to connect my Ipod.
Thanks! |
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PDXWesty Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2006 Posts: 6235 Location: Portland OR
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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 8:56 am Post subject: |
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Any radio you buy can be made to work with the wiring. You will not find one that just plugs straight in. You either need to buy a model specific wiring harness/adapter for $25-$30, or cut and splice into the old wiring. It is common to do this so you shouldn't worry about it. If you don't feel comfortable installing it that way, any stereo store will do it for you. When you buy a stereo, many stores even offer free installation.
Go to this link and you might find a harness that will work for you.
http://www.crutchfield.com/app/car/carselector.asp...3d736& _________________ 89 Westy 2.1 Auto |
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buildyourown Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2009 Posts: 1668 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:52 am Post subject: |
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From a physical standpoint, you will need a "shorter" unit. My Pioneer was a tight fit. Any longer, and it woul hit the air duct.
The wiring is easy. You are just matching colors and crimping wires.
The only funky part is pulling a switched signal off of the fan so you can leave the stereo "on" all the time and not drain the battery. |
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hiram6 Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2006 Posts: 1880 Location: Beautiful South
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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 12:58 pm Post subject: |
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The plastic housing of the heater box can be "shaped" in the area where it interferes with a slightly deeper radio. It's just plastic at that spot with nothing metal, moving, or fragile behind it. Use the heat implement of your choice, I found a common blow dryer got it hot enough to mold with the rounded end (the non-business end) of a large Craftsman screwdriver. I didn't think it wise to be waving a MAPP torch around inside my dash.
Heat it up till the plastic gets soft, gently push in with the blunt instrument, move over a 1/2 inch, repeat until you've carved out a little more depth for the bottom edge of the back of your head unit.
For most head units, you only need another 1/2 inch or inch of clearance. _________________ 1985 Westy, 1.9L automatic (Daisy)
1996 Mazda Miata
1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited
You can't lie around on the beach and drink rum all day.................unless you start first thing in the morning. |
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Gauche1968 Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2006 Posts: 1518
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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 1:23 pm Post subject: |
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You may have to run an additional wire to the rear speakers to get a higher powered head unit to work in stereo. _________________ 1984 Vanagon GL
1984 Vanagon Westy |
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Classicvibe Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2009 Posts: 743 Location: Salt Lake City
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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 1:53 pm Post subject: |
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An "install kit" is something that allows you to accommodate a new head unit to your specific car. For the Vanagon, a generic install kit will provide a nice little frame that allows the unit to push out a bit from the "flush" position, which means you can use any standard size unit. This is extremely common, so don't get caught up in the sizing. The install kit looks at least as good as stock in my opinion. Here is a picture of mine:
You will notice that the kit bumps the head unit out so it is not tucked so far under the dash protrusion above. It is a win-win! Choose the deck you want, and get better access to the buttons and read out!
This pic also shows the installation area for my future surround sound center channel! Woot! _________________ On a mission, the destination is just an excuse.
Syncro Solstice 2022...see you there!
1986.5 Wolfsburg Syncro Westfalia Poptop Weekender Transporter |
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buildyourown Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2009 Posts: 1668 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 1:58 pm Post subject: |
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Gauche1968 wrote: |
You may have to run an additional wire to the rear speakers to get a higher powered head unit to work in stereo. |
Shouldn't be an issue on the OPs '90.
I had no issue with the original wires on my '91 |
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Gauche1968 Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2006 Posts: 1518
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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 4:21 pm Post subject: |
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buildyourown wrote: |
Gauche1968 wrote: |
You may have to run an additional wire to the rear speakers to get a higher powered head unit to work in stereo. |
Shouldn't be an issue on the OPs '90.
I had no issue with the original wires on my '91 |
Right, might be the case for older vans. _________________ 1984 Vanagon GL
1984 Vanagon Westy |
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koolmoe Samba Member
Joined: November 15, 2008 Posts: 382 Location: Annapolis, MD
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Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:16 pm Post subject: |
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I echo the crutchfield suggestion. Found a unit that would likely fit (Clarion), also got the conversion/install kit, and all went pretty smooth.
Yeap, fortunately the newer vanagons don't have the shared grounding wire for the speakers. Hardest part for noobs like me is finding the proper hot wire(s) to splice into.
Definitely get a unit with a USB port! Allows for simple USB keys as music media, or usually allows direct iPod/etc hookup.
KM _________________ --
Current: 1990 Westy GL (Savannah. Good to be back!)
from '95 til 2008: 1995 Pathfinder (frame rusted out, charitable parts donation)
from '91-'95: 1982 Westy Diesel (Smokey. Traded in for far too little!)
from '87-'91: 1980 VW Rabbit (my econoPorsche - passed on) |
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Dogpilot Samba Member
Joined: October 03, 2005 Posts: 4205 Location: Flagstaff, AZ
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Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 9:40 am Post subject: |
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One other design feature I liked is a tilting head. The angle of view for the vanishingly small writing they use on units today makes them a bit hard to read. So a head that tilts on turn on is a nice feature as well. _________________ Geology with a Syncro rocks!
86 Syncro Westy AKA "The Bughunter"
98 Disco I
08 Range Rover SC
08 VW Rabbit S
1951 O-1G |
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RGS Paul Samba Member
Joined: April 20, 2007 Posts: 662 Location: Los Alamos, NM
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Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 10:44 am Post subject: |
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Radio plugs from VW are standard Blaupunkt plugs from what I've seen. My new Blaupunkt would have just plugged in to the stock harness if some idiot hand's hacked it at some juncture to put in a crap tape deck.
No guarantees but of a random sample it would have worked.
Paul _________________ '87 Syncro 7-Pass. Adventure Touring Vehicle
"Simplicate, then add lightness." Colin Chapman |
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DAIZEE Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2010 Posts: 7552 Location: Greater Toronto Area Ontario West Side
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Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 11:12 am Post subject: |
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Classic Vibe; I need to know what that aluminum circle just to the left of the head of your shifter knob. Nobody has ever been able to tell me.
Okay back to the thread's business. I'm watching this as I have the Kenwood AM/FM with Cassette plus a 10 CD changer. On the Country Home I hope to buy when S'sWWs is sold I'd like to add a thin radio/CD player that I already have that has a single CD slot. 10 is great for the road but not driving around. So I am getting some ideas from this thread. I'm not concerned re the wiring (altho I did get the vehicle end of the harness as well.
What the heck is that aluminum hole that apparently was on buses and some Westy's??? If I stick my pinky finger in there will I get a charge _________________ '09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold) |
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powderedwaters Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2009 Posts: 117 Location: Victoria, BC
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Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 11:20 am Post subject: |
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Simba'sWestyWings wrote: |
Classic Vibe; I need to know what that aluminum circle just to the left of the head of your shifter knob. Nobody has ever been able to tell me. |
The Cigarette Adapter? _________________ 89 VanagonGL Hannover Edition 2.1 AT |
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Vanagon Nut Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10347 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
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Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 11:31 am Post subject: |
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I got this one
http://www.kenwoodusa.com/Car_Entertainment/In-Dash_CD_n_DVD_Receivers/1-DIN_CD_Receiver/KDC-MP342U
Fits fine in my '81. I wired the Kenwood plug to existing wires.
In searching for a new receiver, it seemed to me that on some brands/models, the heat sink might be too close, or up against, the plastic (heat exchange box)
One feature I miss is no on/off on remote. Wish I had that!
Crutchfield is a great resource.
Neil. _________________ 1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
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DAIZEE Samba Member
Joined: January 26, 2010 Posts: 7552 Location: Greater Toronto Area Ontario West Side
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Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 11:34 am Post subject: |
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Sorry now I see that in the picture it is a lighter hole. The one I'm talking about is in addition to the lighter outlet. It was manufactured in some buses and some vanagons but nobody seems to know what it was meant for. Its hollow with an end. I'll try to take a picture tomorrow or Friday. _________________ '09 2.5L Jetta 5 cylinder, 5 spd, super turbo, see thread in H2O Cooled Jetta, etc...
83.5 Vanagon L Riviera Model with 98 1.9L TD AAZ 4 speed Daily Driver 3 out of 4 seasons (sold)
84 Vanagon GL Wolfsburg Westy WBX 4 speed (sold)
Last edited by DAIZEE on Wed Mar 17, 2010 11:36 am; edited 1 time in total |
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buildyourown Samba Member
Joined: March 01, 2009 Posts: 1668 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 11:35 am Post subject: |
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Definitly get one with a remote.
I think they are silly for 99% of cars, but they are sweet in a van. |
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jefalia Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2010 Posts: 9 Location: San Diego
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Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 8:25 pm Post subject: |
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I picked up a Sony stereo - detachable face, plays CDs, plugs directly into your ipod and charges it or can play via a usb port. Can also plug into the headphone jack and play anything. Has a remote also, which is an invaluable tool.
I strongly recommend testing a few out in the store and bring your ipod with you to attach it so you can get a good feel of how you can navigate the ipod through the stereo. The Sony I have is actually easier and quicker to navigate the ipod through the stereo than manually - even with using the remote. Some of the stereos have very complicated interfaces and that was a turn off for me.
Mine was about $150 last year. _________________ 1982 Westfalia
2005 Subaru Outback |
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RCB Samba Member
Joined: September 05, 2005 Posts: 4143 Location: San Francisco-Bay Area
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Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 6:20 am Post subject: |
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Simba'sWestyWings wrote: |
Sorry now I see that in the picture it is a lighter hole. The one I'm talking about is in addition to the lighter outlet. It was manufactured in some buses and some vanagons but nobody seems to know what it was meant for. Its hollow with an end. I'll try to take a picture tomorrow or Friday. |
Simba, I have that plug in my Westy and from what I understand its for some European type accessories.
After having a set of tires installed the tire guy tried to use it as the ignition switch and he ended up shorting out the fuses to my radio and alarm system.
I pluged it up by installing a small plastic spring clip into the hole and I keep my gas receipt attached to it.
That "plug" has confusamated a few people, dont feel bad |
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squeegee_boy Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2008 Posts: 758 Location: Langley, BC, Canada
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Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 10:25 am Post subject: |
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Simba'sWestyWings wrote: |
Sorry now I see that in the picture it is a lighter hole. The one I'm talking about is in addition to the lighter outlet. It was manufactured in some buses and some vanagons but nobody seems to know what it was meant for. Its hollow with an end. I'll try to take a picture tomorrow or Friday. |
It's a 12v accessory socket. The type of plug is used on BMW motorcycles, a few models of busses and Vanagons, and John Deere tractors, of all things. The cheapest way to get a solder-on plug for it is at a tractor store for about $10. Or $50 from BMW for the same thing
http://www.vanagon.com/info/faq/index.htm#silver_socket
My '84 had it. I drilled out the hole and put in a standard 12V North American socket.
Robyn _________________ 1984 FrankenSyncro Westy. EJ25 RMW kit
1971 Super Beetle with an EJ22. Oh yes. Daily driver |
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squeegee_boy Samba Member
Joined: April 27, 2008 Posts: 758 Location: Langley, BC, Canada
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Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2010 10:33 am Post subject: |
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Classicvibe wrote: |
An "install kit" is something that allows you to accommodate a new head unit to your specific car. For the Vanagon, a generic install kit will provide a nice little frame that allows the unit to push out a bit from the "flush" position, which means you can use any standard size unit. This is extremely common, so don't get caught up in the sizing. The install kit looks at least as good as stock in my opinion. Here is a picture of mine:
[...snip...]
You will notice that the kit bumps the head unit out so it is not tucked so far under the dash protrusion above. It is a win-win! Choose the deck you want, and get better access to the buttons and read out!
This pic also shows the installation area for my future surround sound center channel! Woot! |
Hi Classicvibe,
Which install kit did you use to mount the head unit out slightly? Got a part number or link? I need one for my '84.
Thanks,
Robyn _________________ 1984 FrankenSyncro Westy. EJ25 RMW kit
1971 Super Beetle with an EJ22. Oh yes. Daily driver |
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