After 2 years I'm finally getting around to thinking about changing the original radio cassette in my Townace. Nothing wrong with it, if you like radio 2 and only radio 2, but I really want a CD player. I would like to keep the facility for playing tapes as well. This would mean installing a radio cassette with CD autochanger. Problem is where to put the 6 or 10 disc autochanger as they are obviously meant to be hidden in a car boot. Also, non oem kit is single height so if I remove the double height original, what to do with the gap? I know David has said about a blanking plate from older models but getting hold of one is a bit unlikely. I would be interested to hear what anyone else has done when changing units.
Thanks
Ian - (#1981) Ian Dunse, 29 Jan 02

CD changer is definitely out for me. I am thinking of installing some sort of MP3 CD. Since I am into 50 rock'n'roll, I cannot be bothered with stereo, hence huge space savings. Just transfering my old vinyls. Would you believe it? Over 600 songs and 24 hours of non-stop music per disk!
I have 3 Options
1. Take the radio out and put a radio MP 3 unit in place (problem
may need to change the casette player as well to keep consistent looks)
2. Buy a DiskMan style MP3 player and put it on the dashboard, using a cassette adapter.
3. Customise an old pc and put it on the floor between the driver's seat and the middle bench, which I usually keep in reverse position (problem
I need a PSU with 12V input, found a manufacturer in the States already, but they don't sell abroad).
I may go for opton 2.
Holger - (#1985) Holger Laux, 29 Jan 02

There is the odd dual height unit available- Longmill do one cd-tape-tuner. Might be dear though. try some of the web-based ICE wholesalers, or Extreme. - (#1986) david miller, 29 Jan 02

Holger, option three could work with a laptop easier, although you can now buy mains inverters inexpensively from Maplin and the like... - (#1988) david miller, 29 Jan 02

Yes Dave...
I used to work at Maplin in Bristol, and we had a lot of dead inverters come back with displeased owners. Just my 2 pennorth, nothing too libellous (I hope:-)).
You think you've got problems - I've got to fit TWO radio cassettes into our new F reg 220000 mile taxi, one in front for me & Sarah, one in the back for the kids! (yes we've still got the glass in it) - (#1992) SteveFE, 29 Jan 02

I changed my unit as soon as I got the bus as the radio didn't work ( I got an extra £25 off the bus for that !!) it was only a single unit, but there was a gap under it so I just got a blanking plate from a motor-factors & glued it in.
I put a 6 disc changer unit it ( under the back seats) the only problem was the cable.....not very long & a new extra piece of cable was about £45 , So I just run the cable along the floor pan , Taping it down & having to make a hole in the carpet to put the cable through...
It was worth all the messing around !!
good luck fitting it..
Paul - (#1993) Paul Morgan, 29 Jan 02

I got rid of the radio and cassette units fitted when I first brought the Liteace last year, and replaced with a single radio/cd player made by Blaupunkt, I didn't want the hassle of the extra wiring of the cd changer. I have to say it works really well and I am pleased with the sound quality. As for the extra gap, I just used a standard blanking plate and it looks OK!
HTH,
Neil - (#1995) Eagleneil, 29 Jan 02

I had mine replaced with a radio/MD
I bought it from Halfords at the same time as the imobilizer
usually any unit over £200 has free fitting by them (as is the imobilizer) and it took the engineer a day to fit both as he had no wiring diagrams, but they did both jobs perfectly.
he used a double height holder - placed the player in the botton slot and the top slot is used for storing bits and bobs - works well - (#1996) skippy, 29 Jan 02

Thanks for all the replies. I must say I'm disappointed that no-one took the piss out of my awful pun (was it so bad that it wasn't worth a mention?). I'll have to give the solution more thought. Unfortunately I can't put an autochanger under the back seats as they are on a base that slides and swivels - no clearance. Wherever I put it would be in view. Unless of course I put it in the cool/hot box but then where would I put the pasties?
regards
Ian - (#2001) Ian Dunse, 30 Jan 02

I know, but this is a rather long way round. I have just been in contact with a British distributor who has two 12V suply units, one for £ 112 and one for £40. I'll let you know how I am getting on.
I have been thinking about a laptop as well, but to get one with cd and sound and car adapter will get me into serious money. I already have this pc hanging around doing nothing. It has a nice black (!) case). - (#2003) Holger Laux, 30 Jan 02

If I go for the pc option, I have to thake the PSU for £112, as this gives me 230 W, the other one only 70.
Hm, but for this price, I can almost get two MP3 CD DiskMans. I'll have to investigate if any of these models is good enough for me.
Holger - (#2007) Holger Laux, 30 Jan 02

Hi Ian.
When i changed my radio/cd 10 changer i put the cd carrier under the rear heater/aircon space from the floor wedged under the ledge.Hope that makes sence but it will fit and my daughter's change there cd's ok.
For the gap you leave below the radio i bought a part no fp-006-h, volvo v/s 40/70 facia/pocket and the installations instructions show the toyota. Fits ok price I can,t remember exact but about £11.
Hope this is some help.
Phil Cook - (#2012) Phil Cook, 30 Jan 02

Sony CDX-MP70,
Pioneer DEH-P7400MP,
Blaupunkt Los Angeles MP 71,
three CD-players that can play MP3-discs.
Blaupunkt costs about £300 here in Sweden,
I havn´t seen any prices on the others.
I sure that more MP3-capable CD-players will or has come out. - (#2018) Kapten Zoom, 31 Jan 02

I too have taken out my Toyota unit and replaced with a Pioneer CD turner unit.(it is just a single unit.)
The blanking plate given at time of purchase for the bottom section does not fit.
So I have left inplace the bottom section of the old Jap unit.It does not switch on or do anything,just looks better.
On the subject of Alarms. I have fitted by cert'd fitter etc a Cat 2 cost about £100. al is well and working fine.
Regards - (#2020) Barry Thorogood, 31 Jan 02

Phil
Not sure what you mean. Do you mean inside the van, on the floor above the battery access panel? Not sure what you mean by a ledge.
regards
Ian - (#2021) Ian Dunse, 31 Jan 02

Hi Ian
Yes you are right on the floor over the batt access. It's not fixed by any means except the side panel juts out about 10 inches from floor and it sits just right. Firm fit.
Depends what model cd changer i have a Blaupunkt A 05 holds 10 cd's. I have tucked the cable under the carpet so it's got some slack to pull unit out to get to battery. If you find somewhere to fit yours it may be better than mine could you let me know please. I have plenty of cable to move anywhere inside. Only thing i did not put right in the back was sometimes i need full boot space to carry computers that i build.
Regards Phil - (#2032) Phil Cook, 31 Jan 02

Phil
Trouble is I have captain's seats that slide right forward and then swivel thru 180 degrees. An autochanger there might restrict access as well as legroom for my clumsy 6 year old who would no doubt kick the hell out of it (accidentally of course dad!). As you say, anywhere at the back restricts the load carrying area and I do tend to carry loads of stuff at times. The only place I could think to place it is directly on top of the engine bay bulkhead behind the driver's seat but then it would be like an advert to car thieves. May have to rethink the autochanger idea.
Many thanks
Ian - (#2047) Ian Dunse, 1 Feb 02

What about roof- mounting the autochanger? Or do you have a TV or switches in that area behind the heater vents?
Also, are you aware that you can connect the changer to the standard deck via a modulator, and that switchable band converters are available now, to give full UK frequency coverage.
If you don't want to change the standard deck, that is... - (#2048) david miller, 1 Feb 02

David
There is a sensor on the roof for the compass. Not that it works mind you. I think there could be problems with mounts, weight and would probably be obtrusive. Then there's the issue of routing the cables. Disturbing the headlining could be tricky. If you were to connect a changer to the current deck, how would you control the CD functions?
Ian - (#2049) Ian Dunse, 1 Feb 02

The modulator-equipped changers have a small display/ control unit that you basically stick to the dash somewhere... About the size of a remote control. - (#2050) david miller, 1 Feb 02

David
Sounds good, expensive no doubt, I'll look around.
Ian - (#2051) Ian Dunse, 1 Feb 02

Shouldn't be too dear- I've seen a changer c/w modulator& controller for £165+ vat, and that's not the cheapest place... - (#2052) david miller, 1 Feb 02

Ian, can you tell me if you have moon rooves or skylights, if you have skylights, then you have a perfect place to put a CD changer, in between the driver's & passenger's skylights, screwed through the headligning and mounted hozontally, power & earth for the changer could come from the interior light unit, with just the control & on/off command wire coming up the side of the screen behind the trim from the dash, then put your radio/casette in the dash, which will control the changer in the ceiling. If you have the moon rooves, then there might be room behind the front roof, but I'm not sure as mine has skylights. HTH. Regards Rob. - (#2053) Rob Drinkwater, 1 Feb 02

I put a Kenwood KDC-MP6090 CD/Tuner/MP3 player in mine, £249.99 from caraudiodiscount.co.uk. I don't need a CD changer; I can get 10 cds' worth on one CD; the Kenwood plays CD-r & CD-RW. I keep 3 or so CDs' in the glovebox and that's more music than I'l ever need!!!
- (#2067) Rob, 2 Feb 02

Ian
whats wrong with the space immediately behind the drivers seat alongside the pillar, you can cut the carpet, and mount inside a cover, disgised as a first aid cabinet, if you are worried about prying eyes, this area is solid and on mine, the access points underneath are 2 removable panels - (#2083) John Collier, 4 Feb 02

Just a thought about location
Could it be mounted vertically in the space for the wheel jack? If so it would give build in security! - (#2335) john, 24 Feb 02