TheSamba.com :: View topic - A modern radio that fits in late bay with underdash A/C

Mon Jul 29, 2013 8:14 pm

I wrote about this last night in my build thread , but wanted to post it in its own topic so people that need this solution can find it.

If you have a late bay with the type of underdash KCOOL Air Conditioner that uses accordion hoses to connect between the two sides, the short hose loops over the ashtray housing and this severely restricts the depth available for the radio. What I'm about to say ONLY applies to this configuration.

If you're thinking of installing a new(er) radio, you're 99% sure to run into a problem. Nearly all modern radios are about the same depth, and that depth will not fit in the available space.

Now, if you're bent on having a CD player in-dash, well good luck to you. There's simply not enough depth available. But, if you're willing to leap fully into the modern digital age (MP3s on USB or memory cards), there's an inexpensive solution that may be one of the shortest depth units out there. It's a Clarion FZ150 and it's only 3 1/4" deep. *Link to mfgr info* *Link to Amazon*

Like any modern DIN radio it won't quite fit in the stock dash hole, but careful work with a dremel cutter on the dash opening can make for a perfect fit.

Yeah, I know ... you can always keep an old radio or blank plate in the dash and an iPhone/iPad/Android in the glove box. I present this as an excellent alternative.

[EDIT: fixed broken links]

Tue Jul 30, 2013 8:32 am

The link to the Clarion product is inoperative.

Tue Jul 30, 2013 9:22 am

NASkeet wrote: The link to the Clarion product is inoperative.
Thanks for pointing that out!

Tue Jul 30, 2013 11:56 am

I never knew anyone made a radio that size! Thanks for linking it. Looks like a deal - wonder if it sounds good?

>Edit>
Do you have a pic of it installed?

Tue Jul 30, 2013 1:03 pm

Nice looking radio. What are the wiring connections like, was that part easy or no?

Tue Jul 30, 2013 1:33 pm

Months ago someone mentioned a similar sized radio. I bought it and liked it a lot; easy to install and very lightweight. The short size is great.

My mother needed a new one in her Honda and wanted one with preset station buttons so I took it out of the Bus and gave it to her.

I did a search for radio in this forum and found it, so I just bought another from Advance Auto. (and even got a 30% discount)

Dual XR4110 Digital Media Receiver

Tue Jul 30, 2013 1:55 pm

This is my same radio in my VW van brands Denver. Best price here in Zagreb, Croatia.

Tue Jul 30, 2013 8:14 pm

scrivyscriv wrote: I never knew anyone made a radio that size! Thanks for linking it. Looks like a deal - wonder if it sounds good? Do you have a pic of it installed?
Yes. in my build thread Scroll down a little from there and you'll see it installed.
I only have it connected to the door speakers the bus came with so can't say what it's capable of sounding like, but it's rated at 40W x 4ch.

type2much wrote: Nice looking radio. What are the wiring connections like, was that part easy or no?
It comes with only about 6" of wire coming out of two connectors, one for power, one for speakers. Built in fuse. Obviously the first thing I had to do was extend the wires. It's not any easier/harder than installing any other radio in a bus I'd think as there isn't a factory harness you can just plug into. The hard part is deciding where to tap into power/memory power/ground. I got lucky that the A/C relay provided connections for both powers.
LeeE wrote: Dual XR4110 Digital Media Receiver
That looks like a less expensive alternative with a bit less output power. Dual didn't show that on their website, so might be last year's model (nothing wrong with that).
Elvin_hr wrote: This is my same radio in my VW van brands Denver. Best price here in Zagreb, Croatia.
Yep, that looks like the same one alright. Never seen the "Denver" brand here in the USA.

Wed Jul 31, 2013 5:16 am

Will this radio also fit in a 69 bus without modification to the dash opening?

And was the dash opening stay the same from 68-79?