ICE ICE Baby - MK1 question

[Markyboy]

My roadster came with a Panasonic cd player (skips on any bump in the road ) and below that the original tape deck that does not appear to be connected.

What do you have in place of your original cd / tape double din stereo?
I don't mean makes, models, watts etc but just what fills the gap a single din stereo and the tape deck like mine or a cubby or a double din stereo?

[malcolm]

I have a plastic Cubby hole, like a small rectangular plastic bin lying on it's side, or like a small glove box without the lid.

[Wesly]

this is what i have... love it

[Markyboy]

I think I'll probably get a cubby but then I prefer not to have anything visible inside the car for security. Mind you just cause I fit a cubby does not mean I have to put anything in it.

I see that mx5parts have them reduced at the moment to £18 but it's not on my list of priorities.

I may well source a new stereo with a USB port so I can just load a memory stick and have skip free music.

[malcolm]

It;s ideal for mobile phone and sunglasses, but it might be a while before you need these.

[Gordon]

You could get a clock/cubby out of a BMW E36, fits nicely into the lower slot. Mine cost about a fiver off eBay. I'll take a snap of mine tonight if you want to see it.

[Markyboy]

Gordon - A photo of that would be great - I think I maybe saw one on ebay the other week but it would be good to see it in situ

Malcolm, I had my sunglasses out on Monday - glorious day in Edinburgh and the top was down at lunchtime

[Markyboy]

Gordon,

is this what you fitted?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-E36-CLOCK-AND ... dZViewItem

[MichaelG]

Ive also got a pop out monitor in my other din!

I have the cubby hole with the digital clock just lying around.....its yours if you cover the postage PM me if interested

[filgreen]

To expand on this a bit does anyone know of an outside temperature gauge fitted in a cubby like the clock discussed here??

Would actually like a clock and a temp gauge if possible.

[Markyboy]

Put the top is down - you'll soon know if it's cold or not

Sorry - couldn't resist. But no I don't know. You can buy blanking plates on ebay so I guess if you can find a temp guage and clock you could do a custom job.

[Gordon]

Yes, that's the thing. Hang on, I'll just go get my camera. The neighbours are used to me taking snaps of bits of cars at all hours

[Gordon]

Quick in situ snapshot. Let me know if you want more.



Phil kindly sent me the correct wiring, it takes a feed from the ashtray light to work the light in the clock and a feed from the ignition for the clock itself. The cubby is surprisingly useful.

[Markyboy]

Thanks for posting the photo Gordon.

Is that a standard size then? I ask as I see that there is a gap between the clock/cubby and the stereo.

Michaelg is sorting me out with a mazda digital clock/cubby but I'm guessing it will be the same size. I'll need to think about the gap if it exists with the mazda one and come up with some simple solution.

[Tom]

Excuse the installers fingerprints on the polished clock surround

[Markyboy]

Thanks for the photo Tom,

Now I just need to dig into my service manual and figure out the proper way to get in about the centre console.

[the_frozen_penguin]

MichaelG you have a PM.

[Gordon]

Marky, the units are standard DIN sized, but my console seemed slightly bigger
The gap is filled by a small piece of black perspex which is glued in. Not all cars have this odd DIN2 + 4mm hole.
You don't actually need to take the console out to fit it, at least I didn't.

[Markyboy]

Will I be able to take out the stock tape player without taking out the centre console?

Also does anyone know what kind of tool I need to remove the orginal tape deck. I'm familiar with using bent coat hangers on some stereos but thought I should at least ask the question before I start poking around.

I must find that service manual cd...

[malcolm]

Here's 2 pictures of my cubby