TheYeti

Nice find!

The head unit is in and everything works. The console is just a little more blue than I would like, but not too bad (the camera light makes it look REALLY blue). I was able to use part of the old stock harness, but as posted in other threads, a wire for constant needs to be run to the battery or tapped somewhere. I ran a wire to the battery along with the power cable for the amp. I will post these details when I get around to building the enclosure for the sub.

Updated the post above to include wiring that can be used for your stereo installation.

Here is a picture of the stock harness. I know there is no constant since the stocker is an old push-button. Here is the information: The top harness in the picture is for speaker line-out and nothing else. Bottom harness in the picture has the following: Red with blue stripe- Illumination (when lights are turned on). Red with green stripe- The test light would dim and brighten with the dimmer knob, so I think this is the wire that will dim the stock radio with the dash. Blue- switched/accessory (+12v) Black- ground

Spent the weekend with the '86 hatch. I am posting this to create a thread with details for not only my hatchback, but also for EA81 owners. Please feel free to use this thread to post details about your own stereo install. I only ask that it be specific to the EA81 genre. The hatchback has the usual front speakers for the EA81 bodies; 4x6 on the passenger vent side, and an odd 2x3ish on the drivers side of the dash. The rear is like a 4-4.5" pair located above the rear fender area. All run via a "common ground" wiring set up. The above said, here are some pictures of my current project. The rear speakers have been replaced with 5.25" speakers. The fronts use a 4x6 and a 3.5" (I simply did not want to fight putting a 4x6 in on the drivers side). All have new wires running to the head unit. I also installed Raamat as I went along to help improve the acoustics and sound deadening. There will be an 8" Image Dynamics sub installed in the rear.

I took the dash apart around the steering and gauge cluster to remove the light dimmer and switch. Somehow the wiring for the switch managed to wedge itself between the steering and crash-bar (or whatever it is around that area). After how ever many years of being squished in there, the insulation had worn from one of the wires. This was causing a short. I replaced it with another unit (thanks Sucker King) and everything works again.

The cutouts will be there. I do not know if the wiring will be there. Just pull off the trim panel and you question(s) will be answered.

It is a shame all of the pictures for this thread are gone. I have 5.25" speakers to mount in the factory rear location of the hatch. Can this be done without butchering the factory panels? I assume it can be done, but any guidance is appreciated here. Thanks, The Thread Necromancer.

Tell us what vehicle you have. Is it an EA81 or EA82? What year? Etc...

Sent you a PM.

So I planned to start tearing down the interior today, but it was too cold. Instead I decided to attack the center console and get it ready to accept the new head unit. I will paint it to match the blue interior when it warms up. Anyway, here are a couple of pics just to show the space a slanted console can create behind it.

If this doesn't fix the issue, check your axels. Axels/worn CV joints can also cause some shaking in the wheel as well.

I don't believe there will be any problem swapping them out. As far as I know, the front grill and headlamp fittings are the same.

The new head unit should be here today; Clarion CZ702. Hopefully I get some time to start gutting the old and installing the new speaker wire, speakers and such over the weekend! It will be nice to get some decent sound into the car. I have been listening to the stock AM/FM stereo for the past several years. Bleh!

This. And check to see that your plug wires are hooked up in the correct firing order. It is a simple mistake that bites us all, myself included.

Nice work! I am excited to see your speaker project.

I am going to start removing the back seat, carpet and rear panels tonight. Once it is all out, I will install some Rammat, speaker wire, and the rear 5.25" speakers. Does anyone have some hints for removing the back seat? I haven't done it for an EA series. j.

Thanks for the help. Gloyale and Skishop were dead on. I was able to adjust the pitch and ~poof!~ no more wind noise or leaks.

Check the vent just above your glove box. That is the factory location.

My sound system will not be anything fancy. I plan to pick up a Clarion CZ702 head unit, which has built in hi and low pass crossover set up. This is good since the head unit will be powering the four main speakers. I have an 8" dual-voice Image Dynamics sub for the lows. It will be powered by an old Alpine amplifier I had sitting around. I do plan to use the factory location for all speakers and also plan to Rammat the entire car. The sub is already mounted in a custom built enclosure I made from fiberglass and some cardboard concrete tube.

Well... Alrighty then If I had the powers that be I would change the title of this thread to fit all hatch owners.

Well, it has been a few years since I updated this thread so... I am finally getting around to the stereo:

Awesome.

Thanks for the information, guys. This is very helpful! I have not removed the trim lip for fear of breaking it. Is it held in place with clips?

I am trying to adjust the window on the driver's side of my hatchback. After removing the interior panel, I found the two stops at the top of the door. I know these stop the window from going up too high. I need to adjust the pitch of the window so that it can get a better seal with the gasket when closed. Can anyone help? j.