I spent months petering away on this stereo. I wanted to keep the factory look while improving the placement of the speakers. For the front speakers I decided that the stock placement was adequate. I was told to just put speakers in the doors, which would require me to throw away the map pockets and have the speaker firing into the front seat. Since I wanted an original look I decided to build custom brackets to hold 3 inch pioneer speakers. That is outlined in this post: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=38378&highlight=speakers

 

In the EA81 wagon, the rear speakers are mounted in the back door and fire directly into the seat coushin. This had to be remidied! I busted out the hole saw and built some speaker housings to hold 5 1/4 inch Sony xpold speakers. I had to source clean door panels to get rid of the original speaker grill and opening. Here are the pics of those:

 

 

 

To power the whole system a friend of mine donated a used headunit. The faceplate is partly held on with orange goo, so there was a reason it was free. This went in a slanted console from an early 80's wagon. Underneath the stereo is a guage panel that has morphed through about four generations. I know the paint doesn't match, but honestly, that was as close as I could get.

 

 

 

Anyway, let me know what you think!

dude NOICE, that is kick arse!

Nice one. How did you get that head unit in there???

 

When i tried that the heater box was in the way and the head unit would have to stick out!

Oh, I also forgot to mention that I tossed the dinky wagon rear door handles for a set from a sedan. I had to add a second plug in the door for the screw (The big door handles are longer), but other than that it fit in perfectly. It is MUCH more comfortable to use the armrest instead of keeping your arm in your lap.

you forgot to tell us how it sounds.

you forgot to tell us how it sounds.

 

Hahaha, I ran out of time to wire it since I had to head back up to school! I will let you guys know when its working.

So whats the trick in getting the HU in there???

At the moment im making an adapter for a remote face plate for mine cos there doesn't seem to be enough depth????

I used the slanted console from an early 80's car. At the angle its at, I think it is clearing the fan box just fine. It is also slanted more than the slant in the console if that matters.

Interesting, i might have to have another look at mine. CD player still work ok at that angle?

sweet

Interesting, i might have to have another look at mine. CD player still work ok at that angle?

 

mine always did, but hes saying he hasnt wired it yet so I dont know how he would know

Update: This system is the S**T!!! A friend and I wired in an amp and sub and it KICKS! The dinky front speakers leave me a little cold, but this is 100x better than the original 4w factory system.

nice looking stereo.

 

when i got a new HU, i had to make a spacer out of wood in order for the rca wires to fit back there without any grief. i also have a couple subs (unnessecary) and two 6x9's in a box on the back seat. i've built smaller boxes for them but not quite sure how to fit them in the car as it is a hatchback and space is limited.

now i just need a amp and sub!!!!!!!!

I have the same prob with my HU and i was wondering wat yr and model sub u used for the console coz my HU falls out every time i put my foot down. (it S**TS me off)

I believe that they are out of 80 to 81 GLs, but don't quote me on that.

Fits nicely:clap:

 

mine looks like crap:-\

looks good. this is how i did mine.

 

yes the heater box is in the way and i had to use this hunk of wood to bring the cd player out.