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My VIC was the victum of yet another stereo jacking!!!

I would like to put the stock radio back in the dash, but are looking for ideas to do a stealth install in the glove compartment... yes , I searched.

Do you guts know anyone that has done this?
What would it involve? (parts, gadgets,wires)
Do you think it would work?
Would it keep the thieves away?

They broke in at my appartment building and I'm scared to put the new HU in the exact same place, they will notice when everything is replaced and probably just do it again, but if they see the stock radio that might put them off, right?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
thanks

 
Rep Power: 328

You could always mount the new radio recessed into the stock location, then take apart the face of the OEM radio and when you arent in the car put the OEM face over the aftermarket HU.....or yeah, you could just extend the wiring harness into the glove box and mount the HU there.

 
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How would you install the HU so that it is recessed into the dash?

Do you know anyone who have done that ? or anyone know of someone that put it in the glove box?

I will get my new HU on friday ,but would like to start today if I could find some ideas, thanx

 
Rep Power: 328

PM or IM BHAZ413. He took apart his OEM radio and used the false face trick. It's easy to mount it recessed, you just dont use a dash kit.

The glove box is easy....just mount some 1/2" MDF in the glove box opening, make sure there is a DIN sized cutout for your radio, either carpet or vinyl the MDF, extend the wires, and mount the radio. You might also want to use some stereo strap to stabilize it as well.

 
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http://home.att.net/%7Eerik.maloney/faceplate.html

you use the stock mounting location. its recessed about 1/2"

 
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how would you mount it in the stock location without the mounting plate that we usually buy for our radios?
Do you need to make brackets or does the metal HU sleeve simply screw into the stock location?
I'm kinda lost right now!

 
Rep Power: 328

You dont need a dash kit at all to mount the radio. You just take out the OEM radio, and put the new one in its place. It will automatically be recessed in the hole.

 
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where do you screw the new HU in then?

does it just screw into the old oem HU holes and kinda floats in that space?

 
Rep Power: 328

Yeah, except it doesnt float...its a perfect fit. Theres just no trim ring on the front of it. Then you can put the OEM face over it.

 
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that is the tightest thing i have ever seen.........

 
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thanks everyone for all the advice, i'm going to do it for sure this weekend , take a few pictures, diy if you guys want.......I know its a simple one but we all have to start somewhere.
I will probably ask more Q's as I run into problems!
thanks again.

 
Rep Power: 337

ive installed radios in glove compartments before, its just a matter of making the wireharness long and running the RCA's there. i dont know about fitment issues in the 2k1 civic box, as my relocation was a volvo, but in my experience, its more of a pain than its worth. you have to look way over, use a remote, and forget about changing cd's easily.

i wouldnt put it in the glove box, if ergonomics is a concern.

 
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My HU I installed it as a ISO mount instead of the DIN style...just don't use that mounting sleeve that comes with the HU... plus with the face on it's recessed and look pretty good.. without it looks like there is nothing in there

 
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why dont you just buy an aftermarket cd player with a detachable face plate ??

 
Rep Power: 328

Because the would-be thief can still see that you have an after-market unit, and steal it, then get a faceplate on ebay for cheap. With a false OEM face it looks totally OEM, and they wont give your car a second glance, unless you bump the music loud around where you park and/or leave valuables on the seat. Plus its something cool for show.

 
Rep Power: 434

Couldn't you also put it in the little compartment next to the handbrake/e-brake? I've seen someone's sig at this forum with that and it looked really cool. You can just pull the top back up and it's completely hidden.

 
Rep Power: 328

That requires quite a bit of work....especially since that opening isnt big enough for the faceplate...you have to do a lot of modding to be able to have enough room to get the CD in and have enough room for buttons. Definitely doable though...I know WhiteRabbit and at least one other member have done it.

 
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I finished the project this weekend!!!!

I decided to put it in the dash, ( recessed ) and made a FALSE FACEPLATE from the factory HU.
It turned out great, looks very stock and inconspitious.
I will post pictures later.....

Thanks for all the help and ideas and answers to all my questions, I LOVE tHIS SITE and all ofyou guys and gals!
thx

 
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Ditto here too. This hidden HU via modified stock faceplate is so easy to do and I highly recommend doing this. Just requires you cutting/sanding pieces off the OEM faceplate you take off to get a perfect fit, don't bother sending it to that guy mentioned in a previous post and do it yourself (only takes a few hours tops and can be done to most indash lcd's too).

 
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Can this be done with an oem tape deck or does this have to be an oem cd deck?

 
Rep Power: 328

I don't think anyone has done it with the tapedeck, but i'm sure it's possible. Why dont you give it a shot, and let us know?

 
Rep Power: 283

this actually seems like a great idea! i cant wait to do it. im always worried that my headunit speakers and subs are gonna get stolen but more so the Hu. my car has been broken into twice and vandalized once so its only a matter or time.

 
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I e-mailed the guy and he said he's never done it with a tape deck but he's certainly willing to try. I'll probably try it when I get a better HU. My sony xplod's volume is out of whack and scared the heck out of me when I switch from FM to CD.

 
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The theif steals your cd player without face plate. Then you realize that the faceplate is useless and sell it on ebay.... to the guy who stole your cd player to begin with. it's the circle of life.