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240 parts[ALL/1998] posted by Steve Baxley on
Tuesday, 18 November 1997, at 8:19 p.m.
Can anyone recommend a good source for 240 accessories such as an updated radio or an arm rest. Thank you.
Re: 240 parts[ALL/1998] posted by Stoney on
Tuesday, 18 November 1997, at 11:22 p.m.
Armrests can be gotten from HUSCO see link below, and other goodies can be mortgaged from ipd.
TrackTop Arm Rests (HUSCO)
Re: 240 parts[ALL/1998] posted by Jarrod on
Wednesday, 19 November 1997, at 11:57 p.m.
Yeah ipd is good for frills, say if you want an armrest with a cupholder or seat warmers.
Also, peruse the resources listed on my connections page.
-jarrod
Re: 240 parts[ALL/1998] posted by Fletch on
Wednesday, 19 November 1997, at 3:05 p.m.
Radios are pretty much your choice...K Mart/Crutchfield/Best Buy/Wherever
Installation kits... Crutchfield/ Best Buy/ others (most kits allow low or high mounting) Higher is safer and allows better access if you install a CD.
Re: 240 parts[ALL/1998] posted by Dirk Mooibroek on
Thursday, 20 November 1997, at 6:51 a.m.
For the money and ease of installation I would recommend Crutchfield.
For the mere fact that if you tell them you have an 88' 240 and need a stereo when they ship it to you you get everything free; wiring harness, install kit full instructions for your car etc... I have never used Crutchfield because I used to work at a car audio shop and I still get much better deals and I am familiar with most cars and installations. I prefer Alpine but all manufactures make a decent head unit.Just do your self a favor and get the highest power one available. I would select the JVC 40w x 4 in either the cd or tape version. It has by far the best internal amp of all brands and sounds like an external good sized amplifier.
Good luck. Dirk.
p.s. if you radio is in the lower location LEAVE IT THERE!!!! VW's have always had major radio theft problems because of their high mount radio's. Even though it is easier to changes cd's high up your radio is much more visible for theives.
Re: 240 parts[ALL/1998] posted by Fletch on
Thursday, 20 November 1997, at 10:23 a.m.
...IMHO, the low mount location is just too difficuly to operate and requires you to take your eyes off the road for too long--too dangerous....... I have and will continue to install radios/ CDs "up high". (But then, that's why they make both Coke and Pepsi!)
Re: 240 parts/Radio Top/Bottom?[ALL/1998] posted by Stoney on
Thursday, 20 November 1997, at 10:41 a.m.
IMHO There are good/bad points to each installation location.
Upper Dash- Good Visibility for both you and Stereo Thief! Heat from Amp can aid in premature dash cracking! Less likely to shift into PARK and sent that"Carpenters" tape thru the cassette unit into the heater core.
Lower Dash - Visibility sucks, Cassette unit/CD Player will succumb to Ash Tray Disease! You will probably trash Cassteet unit by leaving a tape 1/2way out and When shifting to PARK send it into the guts of the player!
Plus you have to pull the console forward to connect it and then you disconnect all those lovely wires behind the switch panel! Fun, Fun, Fun!
There is plenty of room behind the Upper Dash unit for wiring, get one with a removeable faceplete, the ones with the flip to plain plastic faces say "STEAL ME"! And for God's Sake take the faceplat with you, Stereo Thieves aren't stupid, their first stop is the glove box to see if the face plate is there!
Crutchfield Mail Order
Re: 240 parts/Radio Top/Bottom?[ALL/1998] posted by Fletch on
Thursday, 20 November 1997, at 11:07 a.m.
All excellent points....... another point... since many (most?) of us have cracked dashes (and the resulting $29.95 covers) you can remove the speaker grill in the dash for some additional cooling and access (in case you have to remove some of the foam under there to install your radio). I've always been able to "scoot" the console without "de-wiring" the switch panel.
BTY, It was "The Best of the Carpenters"
Re: 240 parts/Radio Top/Bottom?[ALL/1998] posted by Stoney on
Thursday, 20 November 1997, at 1:55 p.m.
The "Best of the Carpenters" was only available in 8 Track, so you must be talking a 140/160 here!
I have seen a few 240's with 2 3.5 in speakers mounted in the dash grille location.
The Upper Dash mount also requires the use of a brace arm that attaches to the Wiper Support Bolt and supports the rear of the Radio/Cassette/CD Player. The Lower doesnt need this as the Radio is bolted in from the sides, not slid into a frame that is supported only by the front edge. I have retrofitted a support arm that bolts to the side of my Kenwood unit and ties into both the support arm and the front faceplate. This also prevents the easy removal of the unit by the representatives of "Midnite Auto Supply". The use of TORX or Security TOEX fastners will also slow this process down. A Metal faceplate can do the same.
If you can delay the thief for 1 minute they will usually move on, The average Smash & Grab takes 90 seconds, I've seen Alpines, Denons, Eclipses removed in 30 seconds with factory "keys" and have seen a guy struggle with a proper bolt in and quit the car for another. The dude with the bolt in Job had lost 2 radios before deciding to negate the quick removal feature in favor of TORX Screws and an added set of bars to secure the head unit. (A couple of us hang out in th Home Depot lot to "aid" the security force, it's amazing just how many Guilty Verdicts you can get with a few witnesses with walkie talkies.)
For install goodies, Crutchfiels is good they include a free hook up kit and install kit with instructions pertinant to your Volvo. The hook up kit means you don't have to cut your harness, et the metal METRA Plate instead of the plasti one, and use crimp connectors instead of tape, it's much easier and will not cause a short later on.
Happy Tunes!
Car Stereo Wiring Color Codes
Re: 240 parts/Radio Top/Bottom?[ALL/1998] posted by Fletch on
Thursday, 20 November 1997, at 2:13 p.m.
I've never found it necessary to use a rear support on an installation in the upper dash....... You usually have to "wedge" the thing in between the foam on the underside of tha dash and the ducts for the center vents!
I do sometimes use the bolt or stud on the back of the units to attach a security strap, cable or bar. You are correct that anything you do to slow a thief down really helps. Sometimes, however I think it's better to leave it unlocked.... I dont know how many VW GTI/GLIs I have seen with $700 screwdriver damage done to the door latches because the owner was "protecting" his $49.95 KRACO tape deck. ...but then some cretan "keyed" my 81 GL that has the original factory (..read as dead and ugly) silver paint job so you can never tell....
(thinking back, the tape must have been the Iron Butterfly.)
Re: 240 parts/Radio Top/Bottom?[ALL/1998] posted by Ed Lipe on
Thursday, 20 November 1997, at 6:11 p.m.
Personally, I leave the doors unlocked, keys on the floor, and Jason and the Scorchers in the Cuh-set player. My diesel is still untouched. Who whould want a diesel?
Re: 240 parts/Radio Top/Bottom?-What No Wyndam Hill Cassettes?[ALL/1998] posted by Stoney on
Thursday, 20 November 1997, at 8:35 p.m.
Not one New Age Music Troll among us......Aw Rats! No one to pick on!
Anyway I leave my version of "Davy Crockett" as sung by Tim Curry of Rocky Horror Fame. (Imagine Dr. Franknfurter workin for the Mouse!-Ole Walt's probably doing his impression of a Makita Screw Gun and really loosening up the soil at Goofy Acres)
Actually you should put your $45,000 system in a Saab and park it in Oklahoma and it'll be safe as houses!
Re: 240 parts/Radio Top/Bottom?-What No Wyndam Hill Cassettes?[ALL/1998] posted by Dirk Mooibroek on
Friday, 21 November 1997, at 6:09 a.m.
O.k here is one idea with out any pros or cons place the radio in the lower compartment but get a radio with a remote control like I have and you will never take your eyes off the road. You can get a remote control unit for about 250.00 these days.
Re: 240 parts/Radio Top/Bottom?-What No Wyndam Hill Cassettes?[ALL/1998] posted by Fletch on
Friday, 21 November 1997, at 9:57 a.m.
If I could afford a radio with a remote control, I wouldn't be driving '81 240's......( on second thought, maybe I would anyway..)
Re: 240 parts/Radio Top/Bottom?[ALL/1998] posted by Evan on
Thursday, 20 November 1997, at 2:15 p.m.
I went low budget to move the radio from bottom to top.
Hacked up a spare dash pocket, yanked some parts from the junkbox and mounted a correct vintage //Alpine shaft-mount into my '83. I really like the vintage '83 radio in the vintage '83 car. Also, my total out of pocket cost was $0!
All I had to do to get the radio in place was bend/jam some of the ductwork for the center vents.