MP3 Player installation
Installation in my 1969 MGB mostly involved some extra wiring. I
already had a cable route from the boot to the cockpit from the time I
installed the original radio/cassette and CD changer.
The CD changer was mounted on two pairs of studs that I fitted to the
rear panel of the boot, so I used these to fasten a larger plywood
panel. I installed four 3 1/2" coach bolts from the back of the panel
so they came through into the boot, to fasten the box to.
The connections to the box are simple. Power (hot), ground, serial and
audio. I could re-use the wiring that went to the CD changer, but I
only used the left and right audio inputs from that cable, and added
power and serial cables. I was concerned that the radio/cassette unit
would mute the CD inputs if there was no CD changer present, so I added
an extra audio cable, but that proved to be unnecessary.
Connections behind the dash are simple too. Power (hot), ground and
ignition to the LCD control board, then cables to the keypad, LCD, and
back to the PC via the serial link. The audio was taken care of by
wiring to the CD changer cable in the boot.
The target vehicle. Just think, this car is over 30 years
old, and it has more computing power in it than the lunar landing
module.
Not quite a "before" picture, I'd already
made a panel to bolt up against the back wall of the boot, with holes
in it to clear the speakers. The panel is held in place by four wing
nuts near the top of the panel, and two self-tapping screws near the
bottom of the panel. This picture also shows the four coach bolts
protruding from the panel, the CD changer cable, and the corrugated
cable guard I used to route the cables through to the cockpit
and the dash.
The box installed!
It is held in place with a pair of
metal straps and four wing nuts. I slid two aluminium tubes onto
the lower bolts to stop the box getting too badly scratched, but that's
probably not worth worrying about.
The '69 MGB centre console
(US version) has space for a radio. I fitted mine almost three years
ago, but of course the CD changer has been broken for a considerable
time.
I wanted to ensure I didn't modify the vehicle
irreversibly, so the LCD is mounted in a bezel I machined from a piece
of plastic, with a support bracket wedged into the gap between the dash
and the centre console. The keypad is just sitting on the tunnel. I
could have made a case with the LCD and keypad together and placed it
where the keypad is, but I didn't.
Next: Software
©2000 A M Errington
The target vehicle. Just think, this car is over 30 years
old, and it has more computing power in it than the lunar landing
module.
Not quite a "before" picture, I'd already
made a panel to bolt up against the back wall of the boot, with holes
in it to clear the speakers. The panel is held in place by four wing
nuts near the top of the panel, and two self-tapping screws near the
bottom of the panel. This picture also shows the four coach bolts
protruding from the panel, the CD changer cable, and the corrugated
cable guard I used to route the cables through to the cockpit
and the dash.
The box installed!
It is held in place with a pair of
metal straps and four wing nuts. I slid two aluminium tubes onto
the lower bolts to stop the box getting too badly scratched, but that's
probably not worth worrying about.
The '69 MGB centre console
(US version) has space for a radio. I fitted mine almost three years
ago, but of course the CD changer has been broken for a considerable
time.
I wanted to ensure I didn't modify the vehicle
irreversibly, so the LCD is mounted in a bezel I machined from a piece
of plastic, with a support bracket wedged into the gap between the dash
and the centre console. The keypad is just sitting on the tunnel. I
could have made a case with the LCD and keypad together and placed it
where the keypad is, but I didn't.