Section : Radios, Speakers and Aerials

Gearstick impedence

Posted By : Timothy Light, 21-Sep-2006, 08:54pm

I knew a fancy word would get your attention folks!

My problem is this: due to the proximity of the gearstick to the radio aperture my choice of radio station changes when gears one and three are selected.

I've fitted a plastic storage tray in the radio aperture (which looks splendid) and by means of various brackets have fitted my cd player verticaly in the passenger footwell next to the centre console.
First run out tonight has, of course, resulted in cds skipping all over the place. The obvious solution is fo fit either in or below the glovebox BUT before I resort to this - is there any way round my gearstick problem?

Thanks.

Followups :

Gearstick impedence

Posted By : Jonathan Binnington, 21-Sep-2006, 09:12pm

drive in second and fourth

simple when you know how
- Gearstick impedence
  
  Posted By : Michael Charlton, 21-Sep-2006, 09:32pm
  
  Now here is a novel invention , sounds as daft as the rest of the offerings but it is fantastic.
  I made a raised deck that sits on top of the rear deck behind the seats.So it is about 8" high , as deep as the rear deck and as wide and shaped to go around the wheel arches
  It is carpeted and looks part of the car.
  There is a speaker on either side just like the rear parcel shelf(modern car) speakers, but mounted flush with the carpet.
  The CD player is mounted , in effect facing the radio mounted in the normal place and the facia of the CD is actually in the space between the two seat backs
  I have a Panasonic CD with infra red remote control so all I do to change chanels is have the remote in my right hand, point it under my left arm pit(phwaw!) and change chanels/tracks.
  The beauty is that it is wired in with a jack and can all be lifted out, CD speakers and all if we need more luggage space .
  Took me a morning to manufacture and I still have a period radiomobile in the normal place
  
  Want a picture ? Then you will have to wait until morning!!
  
  Night, night
  Mike
  - Gearstick impedence
    
    Posted By : Timothy Light, 22-Sep-2006, 09:17am
    
    Yes, photo please Mike!
Gearstick impedence

Posted By : Mark Stradling, 21-Sep-2006, 09:19pm

How handy are you with an angle grinder and a welder?

You could cut the stick in half near the bottom then weld it back at a (very) slight angle.
- Gearstick impedence
  
  Posted By : Jonathan Binnington, 22-Sep-2006, 07:22am
  
  gearstick bends under the right conditions, don't cut and shut, bend it. you know it makes sense
- Gearstick impedence
  
  Posted By : Mark Stradling, 22-Sep-2006, 09:18am
  
  Or play around with different ways of mounting the new stereo in the H-frame apature so it sits a little more deeply recessed.
Gearstick impedence

Posted By : Colin Wake, 21-Sep-2006, 10:35pm

If you fit the corect period AM radio, and forget about this modern CD type mumbo Jumbo thing you are trying to fit you won't have any problems!

Or do as others have done, fit the period radio in teh hole, and put a modern one in teh boot / rear shelf, you know it makes sense.

Colin
- Gearstick impedence
  
  Posted By : Timothy Light, 23-Sep-2006, 00:23am
  
  Tried to fit a 78 player but the needle kept slipping - anyone know of a good wax cylinder supplier?!
  - Gearstick impedence
    
    Posted By : Mark Stradling, 23-Sep-2006, 10:34am
    
    Here you go... http://tinyurl.com/fzdva
  - Gearstick impedence
    
    Posted By : David Rumens, 23-Sep-2006, 10:35am
    
    Don't go near those wax cylinders, you can only use the things in the winter as the wax melts in summer heat!
Gearstick impedence

Posted By : Jon Morton, 22-Sep-2006, 11:05am

Its seems very strange you have that problem. I've fitted two different CD players in my spit with no clearance problem.

I mounted the cage to a piece of wood behind the stereo frame, very basic skills needed and it works a treat. In fact some on tried to nick it some years ago and couldn't get it out (they did break the plastic surround though).

Jon
- Gearstick impedence
  
  Posted By : Jon Morton, 22-Sep-2006, 11:55am
  
  I've just whipped up a quick drawing of how I did it...please don't judge me on the terrible quality of the graphic!!
  
  Fix wooden block No1 to the bottom of the cage, this does three things. It lifts it up to the right height, stops the stereo from flying forward and allows you to position how much you want your stereo recessed (paint the block black as you may be able to see a slither of it).
  
  Placing wooden block No2 in the top of the tunnel, inside the hollow, under the carpet raises the height of the back of the stereo to keep it level and traps it in place.
  
  With the stereos I fitted once the stereo slid into place it locks it there so get all the positions right first.
  
  I know it looks like a bodge, I looked into fabricating an alloy bracket, as i have alot lying around and the means to weld it, but this works well and took no time at all
  
  Hope that helps
  
  Jon
  
  Gearstick impedence
  - Gearstick impedence
    
    Posted By : Timothy Light, 22-Sep-2006, 12:01pm
    
    Splendid diagram Jon, missed vocation there surely.
    
    I believe my main problem is the siting of the gearbox - other Spits I've looked at seem to have a greater distance between stick and aperture - if it decides to stop raining I'll post a pic later.
    - Gearstick impedence
      
      Posted By : Michael Charlton, 23-Sep-2006, 01:45pm
      
      Tim
      Do you still want a photo?
      Just waiting for the battery to charge
      
      Mike
      - Gearstick impedence
        
        Posted By : Timothy Light, 24-Sep-2006, 11:53am
        
        Yes please Mike - I'll pop out and take a pic of the problem.
Gearstick impedence

Posted By : Jon Morton, 23-Sep-2006, 02:03pm

The point of the diagram was to say you can recess the radio back into the frame, depending where you mount cage, mine is flush if not recessed, which would make contact with the gear stick difficult.

I would be more worried about why your gearbox or frame is in a different position to other spitfires

But failing that you could opt for a pair of these... I do mean the radio head phones!

Jon

Gearstick impedence
- Gearstick impedence
  
  Posted By : Timothy Light, 24-Sep-2006, 11:54am
  
  Ridiculous suggestion - only two seats, remember?!
Gearstick impedence

Posted By : Martin Wood, 09-Nov-2006, 10:56pm

Easy - tune all the middle buttons to Radio 2 or whatever and then you hve no problem -well thats what I do anyway!