I haven't done it, but I have thought about it. And I had my dash off last week.

The biggest problem I see is with the hoses for the heating ducts. There isn't much extra room. But if you can live without heat from the passenger side dash vents, I think you might be able to mount a radio over the glove box (and just a little to the left). You would need to find a way to support it, as the plastic of the dash cover wouldn't be strong enough.

I have also thought about building a metal radio box or even using a surplus ammo box.

How about the diamond plate guy on ebay? Though, I'm not sure I want a diamond plate radio box either.

 

The only heat that I need to worry about is the defrost. I dont get heat through the front vents 86 sammi. I wanted to see if anyone had done it before I go cutting my dash. The radio box is probobly the worst design on an otherwise awesome designed vehicle. Thanks for the input.

kama

 

I am using the ammo box idea....and you can bolt it to the support bar and to the dash so no wiggles.

 

Those vents don't push hot, just outside air, so there won't be any problem with heat. Any pics of a finished product would be good. I bang my knee on mine all the time.

 

How about just swapping to a newer dash with the radio integrated into it?

~daxe

 

Now there's a thought, and I have access to a 95 model dash. Reckon how much trouble it would be to swap them out? Are there any other benefits to a newer model dash?

 

I dunno how hard they are to swap, though I have heard of it being done before. The difficulty of taking out the whle dash varies with who you are listening to. Some folks say it takes 1/2 an hour, some folks suggest putting aside a whole afternoon.

Without any actual knowledge, I would guess the hardest parts to upgrading might involve wiring issues, but that is totally a guess. The tub on the samis didnt change any over the years, AFAIK.

I am probably going to be swapping dashes on my 88.5 ST with the dash from the 88.5 HT. The old dash is in better condition (less weathered...bonus from a hard top!!) so I will be better able to address how hard it is to pull a dash, anyways. Plus I am going to Herculine the tub while I have it out since the rest of the interior is out, also.

~daxe

 

hey man, i have cut out the dash on my old zuk (87) n mounted it in the dash. i can get ya pics, but wont be till sunday. leavin first thing in the mornin for a show. drop me a email or pm n REMIND ME, or i will forget it.
later
BiLLy bOb

 

Re: Anyone Mount a stereo IN the dash?? Not radio

I am going to mount my radio & cb in the glove box. I am going to fab up a bracket that will come from the lower support bar into the glove box. This way there is really no vib's when playing a cd. HTH.

David

 

Re: Anyone Mount a stereo IN the dash?? Not radio

heres a pic of my glove box hidden radio. it's in the best spot! think about it, the rig is so small i could of put it in the back seat area & still reached it. BUT, in the glove box...NOBODY see's it! it's a very smart idea...considering the cost of a top replacement or window? just thought i'd share.

 

I put one in the dash but not in the middle. I put one in my friends sammy inbetween the Samurai symbol and the middle vent. I turned out nice. The only thing I had to do was push in on the corner of the defrost vent. I would put some pictures up but my friend got rid of his sammy.

When I get my samurai done I'm going to make a new dash pad out of aluminum and then put the deck in the middle where your talking about.

 

Re: Anyone Mount a stereo IN the dash?? Not radio

How did you mount yours in the dash? Thats what I want to do

 

Billy you da man! That drop pitman worked out great also.
Rock on!

James

 

Re: Anyone Mount a stereo IN the dash?? Not radio

Are you asking me, If so all I did was mark out roughly where I wanted it, then drilled a hole in each corner, slide a hacksaw blade in one of the holes and cut the dash out. Then I slid the mountng plate in the hole and bent all the tabs over and then slid the deck in, and wired it up. Just remember, "Measure twice, Cut once".

 

Re: Anyone Mount a stereo IN the dash?? Not radio

OOps..I was asking ZukiPirate (said "dash", meant to say "glovebox"), but thanks

 

Re: Anyone Mount a stereo IN the dash?? Not radio

to mount radio in dash; run all wires into the glove box from the rear...there should be a small hole in the back. your radio should have a removeable wire plug...(meaning you can unplug the wire harness from the radio.) even the stock antennea wire reaches. depending on your radio? it should fit into the glove box, without cutting the back out! i have a standard pioneer cd deck & it fits. with the door closed. wire everything up, then mount the deck inside the glovebox. i used a small piece of foam under the deck for shock absorber. i used two screws & a thin piece of flat metal to secure the radio. i can still reach the hood puller handle, but it's ock'ward as hell. i plan to replace the cable hood puller with j@@p hood releasers & a hidden cable lock set-up. but i like the idea that MY radio is hidden. i do not listen to it on the trail rides & it stays hidden from others views. i almost cut the (nice) stock dash...wheew' glad i didn't do it! here's a pic of you looking into the rig. most (THIEVES) would see the cb or stuff laying around for a quick grab & go. less visible to the eye.

 

Re: Anyone Mount a stereo IN the dash?? Not radio

Or you can move your hood puller to the area by the passengers door....super simple to do.