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MG TD TF 1500 - Stereo Installation

I just have to have a radio and music when I drive, so I spent some effort working out how to install a modern system in our TD. I realized a while back that ipods have made CD's obsolete in cars, so I went with a so-called "mechless" system. The one I chose based on on-line reviews is the Pioneer MVH560 BT, which has too many features but good sound quality. I liked the ergonomic feature of having horns to "bump" to the next song or station.

http://pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Car/Digital+Media+Receivers/MVH-X560BT

Next, I wanted the system to have a low profile, so I realized I needed to separate the faceplate from the main unit. Also, I wanted the faceplate to swing out of the way. I ordered an extra faceplate and backing plate from Pioneer, along with release mechanisms and such, found some flat ribbon cable,and pretended I knew how to solder.

The faceplate is mounted on wood attached to a cool locking hinge:

http://www.rockler.com/double-locking-bi-fold-door-hinge

A photo showing the faceplate in position is attached.

J Barry

The faceplate swings and locks up out of the way:

J Barry

Under-dash photo showing the ribbon cable and locking hinge.

J Barry

Finally, the main unit is mounted on the roll bar behind the glove box. Mounting bracket is made from pipe hangers.

I used 4-inch speakers, and they seem to work well. The sound doesn't really compete with the wonderful motor sounds, but is quite audible and pleasant. I've also got an ipod mounted back up there, so I'm set.

Jim

J Barry

very nicely done Jim quite ingenious



Regards


George
G Mills

Great job. Esp. the cable extension is a bold move.
Would be interested to see where and how the speakers are mounted.
Rgds, Mike
Mike Fritsch

Nice job! I also intend on having music; my plan is to install stereo speakers in my rollbar. I also may go mechless but use my phone and a Bluetooth amp.
Geoffrey M Baker

Turns out I don't have a great picture of the speakers, but the attached photo shows one of them. I put them up as high as I could to be less obtrusive. The Moss panel was strong enough for support without a backing plate. I purchased some 4-inch mounting plates on ebay for the front that helped stand them off and give some room extra mounting room. I think they look better too.

The bluetooth connection on this unit works really well - I was surprised at how well the songs sounded from the phone in my pocket. If I had to do it over, I would think seriously about using a phone and BT connection to supply the radio and music, and just use powered speakers, as Geoff suggests.

Jim

J Barry

Jim, do the speakers have any type of enclosure on the backside? How well can you hear speech or music at 50 MPH? I mounted a pair of 4 inch speakers with plastic can type enclosures from the "roll bar" that I thought would help the sound but it is still unsatisfactory. I am still looking for a better set-up. The MGAs have space for a speaker facing the occupants but no such space on a TD. :>((
Jim Merz

Jim - No enclosure, but I stuffed the cavity with dacron pillow filler for damping. My understanding is that this helps the speaker response. I kind of crammed the stuff in there. I might experiment with taking some out to see how that changes the sound.

I used good speakers (Infinity) and they are very clear, with a reasonable bass response for the size. A little more low end would be nice, especially during low rev driving, but it is not bad as-is. I haven't done the freeway test yet - still in shakedown/break-in mode - but the sound seems to cut through just fine with volume to spare. I had some ideas for a 6-in sub in a pvc pipe elbow, but so far have not been able to come up with a satisfactory mounting arrangement. 6-in speakers in the panel might produce a better sound, but that is getting kind of big for the space.

In my limited experience, I've noticed that Pioneer and Infinity seem to always put out good car speakers.

Jim
J Barry

Thanks for the feedback Jim. Please keep us informed as you learn more from your tests. I sure am not happy with my set-up.
Jim Merz

Jim -

The padding may trap and hold moisture. A previous owner of my '54 Chevy pickup stuffed carpet padding to improve the sound of the speakers that he mounted in the doors. Bottom of the doors are rusted through. That was worse filler and wetter location than yours, but both locations won't show damage until it's too late.

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

Jim, I'd be interested to see your setup on the rollbar...
Geoffrey M Baker

Geoffrey, the fourth photo above is the only one I have that shows the head unit installed on the roll bar. The clamps are pipe hangers purchased from a local plumbing supply - but they were hard to source on short notice and we just got lucky. Probably better to go on-line. I found this source, but I'm sure there are more:

http://www.anvilintl.com/products/pipe-hangers-and-hardware/pipe-rings/138r-figure-extension-split-pipe-clamp

A piece of aluminum bolts to the hangars and attaches to the head unit. You can see that in the photo. This head unit is tiny, so it fit nicely behind my glovebox (full disclosure: I cut about an inch off the glovebox to refurbish it).

Lonnie, your point is well taken, I did not think about a corrosion issue. However, the dacron batting doesn't absorb water the way other fibers do, and I also have the metal covered with foam heat and sound insulation, so I think it will be okay. But I will keep an eye on it.

Jim
J Barry

Very nice install & system!

I went the "easy way" using Cambridge SoundWorks Oontz blue-tooth speakers.
First attempt was with the Oontz XL.
Just the right size to fit in a TF glove box ...except I forgot about the wiper knob in there. That one did not fit.
Next I went with the OontZ Angle. Small enough to fit in the TF glove box. (Bass is not as good.)

Haven't done it yet, but going to run a line for dc to the glove box to keep it charged. I am using an old Tracphone LG 800G I had laying around as a source for mp3 files. Both of the Oontz speakers have a usb port to keep the phone charged.

If you are looking for cheap & easy (I was) this works fairly well.
OontZ Angle $30.00
LG 800G $12.00 (Amazon prime/no shipping cost)

It won't knock your sock off...but for under $50 I have some tunes and can lock it in the glove box out of sight.
I'll post a pic later when I get out to the garage.
David Sheward 55 TF1500 # 7427

This thread was discussed between 04/12/2014 and 09/12/2014

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