Minimalist stereo installation?

[82JEW75]

As my van project moves slowly along, thoughts turn to non-essentials.

I might like some music while driving.

However, the cab is 100% factory original and I'd like to keep it that way, no cutting of dash or doorcards thank you very much. Also, every modern radio I've seen looks hideous, or at least completely unsuited to the van.

So how can I have some sounds without messing with the cab and without spending a fortune?

Speaker locations will be the rear bench kickboard and possibly in a box under the middle front seat.


I'd thought of the following:

1. Just a 2 channel amp (hidden) with a discretely positioned volume control wired to the input, then to a 3.5mm jack for MP3 player / phone etc. Don't see why this shouldn't work.

2. Get a horrible glowing neon car stereo with a remote control, fit stereo in rear of van (rear seat kickboard) and use remote over shoulder to control it / mess with IR sensors on following traffic.

3. See if I can cram the internals of one of the modern "mechless" car stereos into one of the "period" sets I have lying around.

4. Sing?


Any ideas?

I'm trying to do this cheaply if possible, I know there are some very nice "retro" head units around, but they're a little out of my budget I think.

[LeeME3]

If your phone / mp3 device is A2DP capable mount a bluetooth capable head unit in the rear and stream to it via bluetooth.

I've just fitted a BEAT 550 - granted mine is in the dash but it has bluetooth streaming (and hands free phone kit), DVD and CD playback (handy for the back as well), SD card reading etc etc. Not the greatest brand on earth but with an external amp its fine and they're about £80 on a well known auction site.

[Zebedee]

If you aren't too bothered about recieving radio stations then the mp3, an amp and some cabling (oh and speakers ) is probably the cheapest option.
You can fit a couple of small speakers under the grill on the top of the dash if you make a bracket to mount them from so theres some soundstage in the front.

[82JEW75]

Thanks.

I visited my local "chav car accessories shop" (well, what else do you call a motor factors that dedicates 80% of it's floorspace to stereos, speakers, neons and bling?) and picked up a cheapo head unit with remote and some speakers, total cost was under 80 euros.

I know these cheap head units don't exactly offer the best in terms of sound quality or volume, I've got a couple in other cars so I'm familiar with their issues, but it's an Aircooled T25, sound quality isn't really going to be an issue!

Had to go and buy something as I'd got to the point where I couldn't really continue with the interior until I knew what I was going to be doing with the rear seat kick panel..