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Installed an el-cheapo Walmart CD/MP3 deck in the 'ol 245 200 1981

Since I decided to keep the old beast, I needed some tunes. The factory analog push-button AM/FM stereo didn't cut it, and those tiny speakers are a little anemic.

So I checked ebay and online electronics stores, and there are some cheap stereos out there, but add shipping and the wait and the fact that they have no preset buttons and I started looking locally.

I found this Durabrand (e.g. made someplace even less concerned with quality than Malaysia) that also played MP3s which I have a bunch of for my motorcycle trips, on clearance for $80. Off I went to the checkout with some $20 6x9 speakers for the tail end.

I installed it last night. Not as much bass as I'd like, but loads better than what I had. Digital tuning is nice, as you can actually tell what station you're listening to. Cool.

Turns out, the deck I bought was the only one they had and had been sold and returned sans power plug. So I just cut off the power plug on the new radio and put some bullet connectors on the wires. They plugged right into the stock plug, which also had the speaker connections.

Then I wired the rear speakers and installed them, one in the spare tire cover (had to turn the spare around so the offset of the rim allowed enough room for the speaker) and the other in the right side panel. Now I have tunes in quantity and quality. I can hardly hear that dang in-tank pump now.....








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    Installed an el-cheapo Walmart CD/MP3 deck in the 'ol 245 200 1981

    You should have been like me and "upgraded" to an 8-track player!

    heh heh heh...

    I'd be interested in seeing where you put your rear speakers. Post pictures if you can.

    Some people like digital tuning, and it's all fine and good for FM listening, but I personally don't like it much for the AM radio... Most newer AM radios are narrowband anyway, but I still like being able to fine tune with the analog dial.

    Then again, if you don't have any AM stations that play music in your area, I suppose you won't be missing much with a narrowband radio.
    --
    If you listen to the radio in Portland, OR, you may know me as "Portland's Favorite Soul Brother!"








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      Installed an el-cheapo Walmart CD/MP3 deck in the 'ol 245 200 1981

      Here are some pics of my finished install of this cheap setup. I paid $200 for the car, and $100 for the stereo setup: $80 for AM/FM/CD/MP3 deck, $20 for 6x9 speakers.











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        Okay, maybe I got it right this time...all the pics in one post.... 200 1981











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          Okay, maybe I got it right this time...all the pics in one post.... 200 1981

          Couple of questions.

          Is that white fastener on the passenger side rear panel something you added because of the new speaker?

          Does that that 3rd brake light set off your bulb warning system?

          Nice looking wagon. I have one of the same color (both inside and out).

          Here's a picture of my stereo set up in my '80 245:



          My most recent radio project was adding AM Stereo to my 8-TRACK player in the wagon. Here's a picture of the radio, tuned into KBPS-AM, in Stereo. The "STEREO" light is lit:



          You can read all about this conversion here:

          http://www.brickboard.com/RWD/index.htm?id=864201

          Now, as for whether or not this was a good idea, well...

          (It would be a great idea if there were a few more AM stereo stations here.)

          --
          If you listen to the radio in Portland, OR, you may know me as "Portland's Favorite Soul Brother!"








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            White fastener/bulb warning light 200 1981

            I think the white fastener might be from the right-side panel. I thought the tire cover had one, but I could be mistaken.

            Yes, the third brake light made the bulb warning light come on, and before I put the third brake light on, my trailer made it come on when the lights or brakes were on.

            Solution: Remove the freaking warning light bulb. I check my lights often enough not to worry about a bulb failing. How often to bulbs fail, anyway? Seldom.








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    addendum on deck installation 200 1981

    An added note: I just removed the plastic faceplate and left it out with the old stereo in case I sell the car and want to reinstall it.

    The cubby for the stereo has this fuzzy fabric stuff in it, so I didn't even use a spacer to fill it. I just screwed the deck in from the sides like the original, but tilting upward at the front so it's easier to see and operate, being so low on the console. Looks fine.

    I can't even tell that I lost any horsepower with the added wattage requirements of this unit! Horsepower is precious when driving one of these old things.








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      addendum on deck installation 200 1981

      you dog you

      nice work







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