Stereo system for a Defender

[VladTepes]

I am wanting to install a CD player/radio and 2 speakers into my Defender single cab.

Sound does not have to be concert quality (it's not a Range Rover after all) but I need to make it loud enough to be heard over normal LR noises. I am looking for a head unit with green illumination. MP3 playback would be great. A reasonable price is important (it might get pinched). Any ideas ?

MOUNTING: I understand the standard mounting place is above the cigar lighter/clock console between the vents. Apparently there is a special "box" to screw in, into which a standard single-DIN unit can be installed. Where do I get this whatsit ? How is it mounted ?

(Bugger! Reckon I'm gonna have to move the UHF now!)

SPEAKERS: Where do you good people (ie Defender owners) have your (front) speakers mounted? On the dash? In the doors ? And what speakers / speaker size is good in that situation?

Thanks - appreciate it.

VladTepes

[Phoenix]

I actually have 2 speakers in the seat box im my series 3, so they are behind your legs when you are sitting.

Don't know how good they are, because they aren't attached to anything :oops:

[VladTepes]

Originally posted by Phoenix

Don't know how good they are, because they aren't attached to anything :oops:

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif LOL

But they do a great job of filling up those strangely speaker shaped holes, don't they?! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

[Phoenix]

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif they sure do. At some point i'll attach a casette player to them.

I don't think that they will be too great because the backs are exposed to the elements. Translation ........... they get muddy :twisted:

[Defender200Tdi]

Hi Michael

The standard mounting point for the speakers is under the dash like this:

http://www.aulro.com/albums/album37/IMGP0215.sized.jpg

Don't put them there, it's about the worst possible place for sound quality & volume, unless your ears are on your knees! Since you have a trayback, you'd be better off mounting box style speakers above and behind you, facing forward. Alternatively, using the standard mounting possition to mount splits works OK as long as you mount the tweeters on the A pillars facing you because the high tones are much more sensitive to direction.

A copy of the original head unit mounting bracket can be had from Autopro or Strathfields for about $20.


Paul

[betty]

mine has two speaks mounted in the AC unit, but had the same problem, not loud enough, so replaced the landrover speakers with better quality ones and cut two additional speakers into the head lining at the rear (Defender 130). The whole system now works really well, good sound quality and plenty of volume if needed, (Drown the kids out in the back). running the cables was easy, up the door pillar behind the plastic trim, behind the head lining with the assistance of a bit of patience and an old coat hanger and connected up to the speaker.

[VladTepes]

Defender200Tdi has nothing to worry about as the left footwell is entirely taken up by 1. The aircon unit (mine's different to his) and 2. The wife's feet.

So.. no speakers going there.

He might, however, care to explain WHERE 'above and behind' me there is room to mount speakers ?! It's a single cab. I'm tall-ish (6ft). Not much room there.... :? style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif

Oh and betty: Landrover speakers not primo quality ?
They probably leak style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

[Phoenix]

I think that he means mount them to the roof above and behind you, but I haven't been in a single cab to see how much room there is.

[VladTepes]

I assure you there's not much.

Also what do I mount them in, or on, or to ?

And what size speakers ?

And can anyone explain the difference between a 2-way and 3-way speaker to me.

Ta muchly

[lewy110]

I fitted new speakers to the county and had to space the left one out as the standard landrover one is really thin and crap. If you have a centre console you could always mount the radio in there. I have a sony minidisc player mounted in my centre console and a remote that screws onto the outside of the console it works well and looks like you dont have a radio.

With regards to the speakers, 2way a woofer and midrange in one, 3way a woofer midrange and tweeter all in one.

[VladTepes]

Regarding mounting a cd-player in a centre console - I think most car audio CD systems have a Maximum mounting angle of 60degrees and some even less. Limits possibilities for mounting points.

[Defender200Tdi]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>He might, however, care to explain WHERE 'above and behind' me there is room to mount speakers ?! It's a single cab. I'm tall-ish (6ft). Not much room there[/b][/quote]

Hmmm...I was forgetting about the curved window thingies you have in a single cab. I was sort of envisaging sticking speakers about there on each side. There's not much room in the doors to mount speakers, at least on mine there weren't when I pulled the panels off to put the central locking in. Maybe Lewy's suggestion of sticking a couple of 4" jobbies in the centre console is the best compromise.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>Regarding mounting a cd-player in a centre console - I think most car audio CD systems have a Maximum mounting angle of 60degrees and some even less.[/b][/quote]

Depends on the type of system. I have a sepearte Kenwood CD Stacker that can be mounted either horizontally or vertically, so I guess different types/brands have different possibilities.


Paul

[VladTepes]

Talk to me about the central locking u put in. What brand and what was involved

[Defender200Tdi]

The central locking kit was one of the cheapies from Strathfields. They had them out for $34 for the four door set. Took me about a day to fit & wire up. It was all pretty strightforward really and it works really well. If you want to do the same sort of thing & want some photos, let me know & I'll take the door trims off next time I can nick the digital camera from work.

I also got one of the cheapie alarm systems from Strathfields for about $130. I only really bought it to interface with the central locking so I'd have a remote function. :mrgreen: A bit more fluffing around with the wiring, but it all works well and is terribly civilised this remote central locking stuff. :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Have a look at this link, it's where I got the inspiration from in the first place:

http://www.nicksjungle.co.uk/central_locking.htm


Paul

[incisor]

sounds like a good article for the AULRO newsletter!

you watching young phoenix?

8O

[Defender200Tdi]

Forgot to say, Nick's doors in the link above are of the earlier Ninety / One Ten type (County to us), and dont have the push button handles. On my Defender locks there were alreday holes in the mechanism to fit the control rod from the central locking solenoids, so it was even easier. Also the Strathfields kit had mounting straps long enough to mount the solenoid from the inner frame to the bottom rail and pop rivet at each end, once again easier than what Nick had to do. Anyway, have a look at the pictures, you'll get what I'm waffling on about. 8O

Paul

[Phoenix]

Originally posted by incisor
sounds like a good article for the AULRO newsletter!

you watching young phoenix?


Yes I am, Defender200Tdi looks like he volunteered for the 4th edition in 2 months :twisted:

[Gidget]

i put my pioneer cd player where the standard tape deck came out. works a treat. I cut a bigger hole for bigger speakers but regret it as you bash your hand when winding the window on the passengers side. ahh well.
but I have another question about the photo that has been posted, is that standard that the middle seat folds down, as in my 96 model I for the life of me can't make it fold down. I was thinking of removing it & having a centre console made & fitted.I have just been & double checked there is no latch like the one in the pic.??????????????????

[VladTepes]

Which photo do you mean.
If its a wagon maybe their middle seats fold down. The one in my ute definitely does not. I'd rather have a console too.

I didn't have a standard tape deck but I know where you mean (I'd have to buy the box/slot thingy to put it in). Plus thats where my UHF is so I'll have to move that I guess. style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif

Are you looking to get a genuine console or have you something else in mind :?: . I was thinking that if I could have a look at/measure a genuine console (how are they attached?) I could make one up from MDF and stuff, to suit exactly my requirements, not Land Rovers' idea of them style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

Are your speakers in the underside of the dash? I think that was right for the later models. Not an option for me as air con in the way. I reckon I could fit some round 5" speakers in the cab corners just behind the seats. Should work ok.

[Gidget]

yer I was going to get a bloke i know (cabinetmaker) to make the console up to what i want.The pic i was talking about was the one from defender200tdi. Thats where my speakers are mounted, I just made the hole bigger( i have a/c as well).With the stereo i just removed the old one out of the plastic case that it sits in & (the new one had a cage it sits in) it just slid in, then i folded out the tabs that holds the cage in place then wired it up & in she went. Was pretty easy.