Radio / CD / Cassette Wanted

[Larry Witherspoon]

Hello List Members

I have a 1992 Turbo Legacy that came with a combo radio/cassette/CD all in one pull out rack, though the radio/cassette appear to share a separate chassis from the CD

The doggone CD player is on the fritz for the third time

Here's a picture http://members.aol.com/ssspoon/cdradio.jpg

The parts list I have seems to list only two radio / cassette combos for that year make model, either a Clarion or a Matsushida. Mine says Panasonic on the front and a Subaru parts guy says that's Matsushida

I don't see a reference to CD

Anyhoo, seems like parts lists and salvage yard parts exchange lists don't recognize many direct replacements from other models or years other than 90-94, and the listings on ebay talk about additional wire harnesses for the 95 and newer stuff.

I find it strange that something as generic as a radio/cassette/CD would only fit the BC-BF 90-94 body.

Does anybody out there have knowledge of units from other models which will plug and play without any wiring hassle please ?

[azn2nr]

most any cd and radio will fit into the cage. the radio/casset is din.5 while the cd is just a din size which is standard stero size. if you want you can get a doubble din size combo from the stero store or best buy. you can go to places that offer instalation.

all the cd players that are oem afik fritz out at this age.

wiring isnt a problem really if you have ever done any wiring. all radio companies make their wire colors universal. so if you get a deck from ebay or a store and want to install it yourself, get the instalation kit which is the harness and a bunch of wire pinch clips. match the colors on all the wires. ( there will be 2 harnesses in the install pack.) and pinch them together with the clips/butt end clips/electrical tape. pull your stock deck out line up the cage to the holes on the deck, plug in the harness and reinstall cage.

btw, theres no such thing as pnp decks these days. everything is wire in a harness and go. its really not hard.

[subawhatsubawho]

Even with using an aftermarket deack and after market harness to plug into your OEM harness...it's still really plug and play.

Take you time, read the instructions, DON'T USE ELECTRIC TAPE, and match all the colors coming off your new decks harness to the aftermarket harness. They come with instructions for a reason.

din.5 = 1 and a half DIN

In case you didn't know "DIN" is the thickness of most aftermarket radios. Most Panasonic units that came in our cars are 1.5 DIN. They sell kits at most electronics stores to install a DIN into a 1.5, or 2 DIN space. Subaru makes a larger cubby (pocket with door) so you can retain the stock apperance yet use the DIN stereo of your choice. You have to do some hunting but they are out there. I have one in my car and I just sold one.

LEt us know how it goes.

[IronMonkeyL255]

The PO of my car got one of those 1.5 din pockets.

[magicmike]

just to make a small comment here. Our radios are referred ISO din which means they are mounted with screws to brackets and the brackets then mount to the dash. All aftermarket radios come with a din "cage" which normally slips into a din pocket and the radio then locks into the cage. when installing in a subie the cage is discarded and the radio must be supported by the old radio's brackets. The trim ring on the radio is also in most cases (depending on manufacturer) discarded. I have seen that really cheap radios cannot be mounted in this way.

[BiggiePauls]

I am an installer at best buy, pm me if you need details or part suggestions.

[magicmike]

I am an ex installer I also offer my assistance if need be.

[subawhatsubawho]

I am an ex-installer too....

best buy....(Retaining vomit)

Me and Mike worked in real shops that did real installs. I installed all the Nakamichi audio equipment on Shaq's very first whip when he joined the Orlando Magic. I've also done all the equip on Cecil Feilders cars and his sons too...(spoiled brat)

Mike is right about the ISO mount. If for some odd reason you have a cage in there you will need to remove it. If you purchase a new head unit be sure to look for ISO on the side of the box. 99% of the time it will come with the screws you need to ISO mount it. You might even have an option of how you want it as some radios give you up to 3 different mounting depths. You simply choose the depth you want by matching up the holes in your bracket to the holes on the side of the unit and screw them in.

I repeat....do not use electrical tape.

[magicmike]

I did a few systems in a few different NE patriots car's but I dont usually mention that because the work your shop brings in has more to do with location than your actual skill level. not to mention some guys may have just vacumed the car after the full system was installed and then claim they worked on the install. I'm not saying anyone here would be that way I'm just simply siting from my experiences

p.s. I also am holding back some vomit...
p.s.s. dont use electrical tape and believe it or not I even need to say dont use wire nuts (yes people I have seen it all lol)

[subawhatsubawho]

<---not the cavuum guy.

Don't use wire nuts. I've seen that and scotch tape too. I saw a guy cover his connections in silicone RTV. What really sucks is I bought the car from him.

[magicmike]

<---not the cavuum guy.

am I dislexic or are you? lol