How I spent my Spring Break

[datachicane]

I am such a total geek.

This is a factory AM radio for my '65 Mustang 'vert, modified to AM/FM stereo, 180 watts RMS through four channels, with a USB host mp3 decoder which will play from thumbdrives in the ashtray. All of the mp3 playback functions (prev track, next track, prev folder, next folder, toggle radio/mp3) are controlled by the radio preset buttons, which continue to function normally when in radio mode.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jr9cq3pJg6k/T3QM4P92LfI/AAAAAAAAEF0/39peqAWSvgo/s640/P1300192.JPG

Auxiliary input and USB port in the rear:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8q6R8n-LJ-A/T4u0h58WT7I/AAAAAAAAEIg/l_k766UznUM/s640/P2180207.JPG

Microswitches mounted on alignment rack ready to go in. Each microswitch is activated by one of the preset buttons and operates a function on the mp3 decoder board. Threaded rack allows for precise alignment over preset plunger.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6691gHO36jA/T3QM38HxM5I/AAAAAAAAEF0/tHpyA8HMtaM/s640/P1270189.JPG

Complete, ready to button up the case. From lower left to right: AAR AM/FM conversion board (sold through installer/dealers, so I farmed this part out), yellow impulse relay, 5v power supply (I wasn't happy with the sound quality of any of the 12v mp3 boards I found, so this is necessary), and just above that is the mp3 board itself feeding the bulkhead USB port through a pigtail. The impulse relay makes it a snug fit, but I really didn't want to locate it remotely. The relay toggles power to the mp3 board in response to momentary input from one of the microswitches. RF interference not an issue as none of the additional components are powered when the tuner is active.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SeMWNmpXqFY/T4u0anse01I/AAAAAAAAEHU/EThXxz8kpA4/s640/P2180199.JPG

Now if I could just get the car back on the road... :\

[Methanolandbrats]

^^^just bring the battery in the house and then you can listen to it.

[EDwardo]

Where do you put the coat hanger?

[dando]

:cool::thumbup: :thumbup:

(And here I...and my neighbors...was happy w/myself getting my Weed Eater running this past weekend after adjusting the carbs myself) :gomer:

-Kevin

[Hard Driver]

That is very cool

I guess you really wanted the stock look... I can guarantee you that won't be stolen.

[chop456]

That's super, SUPER cool, and the kind of thing that I fear is becoming a lost art.

Well done. :thumbup:

[mapguy]

:thumbup: Beautiful.

[datachicane]

The whole car is full of modifications, but everything looks stock (or at least period). The dash opening is adamantly non-standard, and cutting the dash is Not Done. There's a couple of aftermarket pieces that fit, but they're either the wrong look (IMHO digital displays look nasty in vintage cars) or, like CAS and their reproduction of the factory option AM/FM, crappy quality and $$$ with seriously limited mp3 capability.

I probably could have had the thing back on the road a couple of years ago if I didn't keep obsessing over this kind of stuff. :saywhat:

[Methanolandbrats]

^^^ post many fotos of this project, it sounds incredible. :thumbup:

[datachicane]

Here's a link to my Picasa album of the car, last dozen shots or so are of the radio build with some detailed descriptions.

Link (http://picasaweb.google.com/wfteoslh/Mustang)

[G.]

That is pretty damn awesome!




That's super, SUPER cool, and the kind of thing that I fear is becoming a lost art.

Well done. :thumbup:

Not completely related, but there are thousands of "hacks" here, at instructables (http://www.instructables.com/index).

You might have to dig for some cooler stuff - don't be deterred by a crappy homepage. It changes pretty often.