Installing a new CD player in m 74 Buick

Okay guys calm down, I am NOT cutting my dash up, I am not removing my factory AM radio. What I am wanting to do is make some sort of a removeable console that goes on the floor with speakers mounted into it so I can have an all in one removable piece. Has anyone done something like this before? I am thinking of making it out of oak and staining it and making it so it fits on the tunnel. I would just make an extension for my antenna lead and have a seperate power and ground wire harness that I could just un plug and then remove the entire console. I am wanting to do this so I can use my ipod but I want to be able to remove it and keep my interior completely stock appearing when I go to car shows.

Anybody have any input they would like to share?

 

What about putting it in your glove box? Use the speakers you have?

 

I do not want to cut any wiring, splice any wiring, or modify my glovebox. My car is completely unmolested besides wheels and tires and someday IF I sell it someone MIGHT like an all original car that is untouched. Thanks

 

At least you are keeping everything original or at least restorable. I have a modern stereo which looks stock in the 55 Chevy but there isn't much original left inside anyway. Still, I can't listen to the radio, my wife, and the exhaust at the same time.
Just drive over to Kewannee and listen to the hogs squealing.

 

Couple of ways you could go with this.....
- A fully 'portable' CD unit that you would just 'place' on a console, or
- An actual in-dash unit that you would install 'built-in' in your home-made console.

- 3/8 plywood framework, 3/4 stick framework; space for extra CD's etc. Heck, maybe even space for a couple of cupholders.....

You might also get some ideas from this guy, who used to write for Jalopnik, who built his own boombox.....
http://jalopnik.com/265438/turbo-ii-junkyard-boogaloo-+-part-2-how-to

You've also got a large transmission tunnel to work around. It might help to fab up a rough prototype box before you do the final build. Your dash sticks out further toward the right, so your box amy not be the same from one side to the other..... Hard to show in this little drawing...

 

I have an aftermarket unit with USB port/Ipod port, and a remote control. I am thinking along the same lines as your drawing with cup holders but no CD storage as I will be using my IPOD for my own music and not using the CD unless its not downloaded on my Ipod. I have 6 inch round speakers that I plan on installing into the "console" and all wiring will be inside the console with a quick disconnect plug for the power, ground, and memory wire. I just have to start with measurements and go from there. I am thinking about how to make the cup holders and adding a slot to hold the remote control. By doing it this way I can just unplug it and remove and no one will never even know it was there. Only problem is where to hide it when I remove it at car shows.

 

Actually I don't have to drive over there, I can here them from my house without leaving..............Have you ever been around for Hog Days? Are you from around here originally?

 

Yes and Yep! Kewannee Square Dance and Hog Festival. Gimme a porkchop samwich and watch me smile! Camped Francis Park and State Park. ya hoo and do see do!
From beautiful downtown Pekin.
Good luck on your console build. Son had one in his 1976 El Camino that was bought someplace around Gainesvile, Fl.
That's why you don't make love to a pig. They'll squeal everytime!

 

They do make fiberglass consoles for that with a place for the radio and speakers and whatever else you want.

http://www.classictruckconsoles.com/

If you build one and want to fit it to the hump pick up a pair of pencil scribes so you can scribe in the bottom and make it fit like it grew there., probably have to with the fiberglass one too.
I'm a carpenter and I'd buy the fiberglass unit, the shoemaker's children never have shoes.
Have to build a storage box for it for car shows with an umbrella stand and cupholders.
People at car shows have a ton of stuff sitting behind the car when they judge trunks, no big deal.

 

Just put it between your lawn chairs while you're sittin' at the show.....Heck you can even power it up so you can have your own music.

Look around for something you can use as a cupholder - houseware stores, etc.....maybe some place like Camping World.

 

I was thinking I could cut holes in the wood and then glue PVC pipe caps on the under side of the console lid. Cheap easy and effective

 

Most PVC caps are too thick and bulky! Maybe wander through the junk yards and get some cup holders from newer cars or vans to adapt.
Or just drink bottle beer and toss the empties along the roads like the rednecks do here.

 

Place it in a Buick (or Oldsmobile) mini console.

I have made after market gauges in it, but a CD/MP3 player will fit as well.

My player is in the glovebox.



Unfortunaly I don't know the 74 ash tray sizes...73 and earlier models had the size to hide a player in it.....you need a complete ash tray with housing from a parts car cause you have to cut it.
That trick can't be done in my 75 (ash tray much smaller)... what about the 74?

In my 68 Wildcat I cutted out an original (under dash) 8 track player and put a CD player in it: once closed you can't say it hides the player; but since 74 had an in-dash player it is not an option here.

 

My friend has this set-up in his 63 Impala. The box is plywood with a couple speakers and a Pioneer CD player. He just ran some extra wires under the dash and has it hooked up with some sort of connectors so he can remove it if he wants.

 

Here you go, problem solved.

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