Help/Advice on Installing Aftermarket Stereo

[Diofix]

Hi all,

A few months back I posted on this website inquiring about the Mk4 Golf GTI and I am glad to say that after 2 months searching for a car, I finally got an 02 GTI this week It's certainly a huge improvement over my last car (94 Ford Laser) and I'm really enjoying it (the engine is wonderful and it handles really well).

Anyway I have noticed over the past few days that the stereo is... well quite poor. I assume this has to do with the fact the previous owners fitted an aftermarket headunit and left the stock speakers. Before I sent my old car off to the wreckers (major transmission failure, bloody autos) I pulled out the stereo I had installed and I would like to put it in the GTI.

So now to the questions:
- Do I really need to cut out the stock speakers?
- How should I mount the tweeters?
- Will I need spacers for the woofer?
- Is there a bolt of something I can use to easily ground for my headunit?
- Is there an easy way to route the iPod cable into the glovebox, or will I have to drill holes?

I've done some research and figured out some of the things I have to do but I cant seem to find answers to this stuff. I apologise if it has been covered elsewhere, over the past few days I couldn't seem to find anything on these.

Also for anyone interested, I'm putting in a set of Alpine Type-R 6.5" components in the front, Type-R coaxials in the back and a Alpine double-din head unit. I had an amp but I decided that I'm going to get another one (plus I may have already sold it to a friend.....).

Thanks in advance!
James

[MCiN7]

- Do I really need to cut out the stock speakers?
Yes or no:
You either cut the speaker out and use the plastic bracket to mount speakers (screws on an angle into the plastic)
Or drill the bracket off and use MDF spacers - the bottom spacer is tricky because of the shapes around it.

- How should I mount the tweeters?
However you want - maybe try cut out the standard tweeter and mount there

- Will I need spacers for the woofer?
See above
Edit: Generally if you go down the spacer path - you will need 2 (I think I used a 25mm and 10mm) spacer(s) to clear the window as it lowers onto the inner skin.

- Is there a bolt of something I can use to easily ground for my headunit?
There will be a wire in the factory loom - doesn't matter if they used an iso connector or soldered the previous head unit in - all wires should be there.

- Is there an easy way to route the iPod cable into the glovebox, or will I have to drill holes?
There's a hole somewhere - can't recall where.

[JustCruisn]

You need to drill out the rivets on the stock speakers. Use MDF spacers. The stock speaker is 6".
You can mount your tweeters in the stock location, it is easy. They are back filled with foam.
Use the factory power lines, maybe run you own speaker lines, although the speaker wires are pretty good.
The ISO connector is often hidden as it is wrapped in some foam material.
There is a perferated hole in the glove box toward the right side at the back, top. Pop out the hole if needed or drill one its only plastic.

Coming from a laser, you are in for a surprise when you take the door card off. no plastic sheeting with black sticky crap.

[Diofix]

Thanks for the info guys!

I did some reconnaissance by pulling out the old HU and taking off the door panel to get an idea of what I was in for. The person that installed the previous headunit has done all kinds of weird sh*t. The unit installed in the dash was just the screen so I had to follow with wires around the cabin to under the drivers seat where I found the screens processor. I think they've shoved the ISO connector under the heater controls so I'm going to have to figure out how to get access to that. :|

In terms of the door woofers, the plastic mount looks sturdy enough to just cut out the old speakers and mount the new ones in. Should I bother drilling out the rivets and making my own spacers? My speakers will easily clear the window but I might have to get some sort of rubber gasket to fill the gap between the speaker and door card.

The tweeter looks very easy, just going to pop it in the foam, they should hold.

I found a few other build threads which gave me some idea on where to mount crossovers and such so I've got a pretty good idea on how to go about that.

Unfortunately once of the torx screws on the heater controls is stipped, so I'm going to have to find another way to get down there to grab the ISO. Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can go about this?

Thanks again for the help!

[MCiN7]

The ISO connector comes from the top right - you should be able to grab it. If not, get yourself an old coat-hanger and make a hook, go fishing!

Here's the guide for plastic mount:
VW MK4 How to Replace Speakers With Aftermarket - TDIClub Forums
If I had the correct tools & factory speakers when I got the car, I would have done that.

You don't necessarily need to fill the gap between the speaker and the door card, but it will improve the sq via less resonance. If you can find some rubber gasket that works - just do that.

[Diofix]

Hi all,

Thanks for the help, installed the speakers with next to no issue today, the HU on the other hand was an absolute pain.

I ended up finding the ISO connector buried underneath the heater controls and I also managed to get the iPod cable through the glovebox (there was a little rectangle/circle combination thing which I just popped out) which was great. Connected everything up and it all worked great.

Then as I went to slide in the head unit after having checked everything, the HU lost power as soon as I pushed so that it was flush with the dash. Tried turning on/off my power but nothing worked. Ended up taking the HU out, tested again while it was out (all good) then slid it in again to find that just before it's completely in it cuts out. I have a feeling that the plastic bar across the back is messing with the wiring loom.

So when I find time this week I'm going to have to figure out how to remove the whole frame (HU + Heater Controls) so that I can cut out that piece of plastic. I did some research and it looks like I have to pull the whole centre console apart

Anyway thanks again for the help guys!

[Entropy]

So when I find time this week I'm going to have to figure out how to remove the whole frame (HU + Heater Controls) so that I can cut out that piece of plastic. I did some research and it looks like I have to pull the whole centre console apart

You've probably already got this sorted but I just did this myself last night. I cut out that back bit while the trim cage was still in the car, I did it the highly toxic way which was cutting through it with a hot soldering iron but if you have a dremel tool or the like its easy enough to do. Just make sure you've pulled any cables away from the area you're working on.

Although despite this I still couldn't get my head unit quite flush