sick of replacing radio

[greengoblin2011]

Ok so in the past month and a half I've had my car broke into twice and my radio stolen. I've pondered solutions and have finally come up with my next project. Its probably been done 100 times but its new for me. Ill be installing my radio under the passenger airbag cover and constructing a panel where the radio is suposed to be to hold three gauges ( oil pressure, water temp and voltage. Got em for free.) The radio being there shouldn't be a bother as I don't even own cd's, I just plug in my ipod and go, so ill be routing the cable for that in the console up into the ash tray, and I can tuck it away and close the lid. Going to hinge the airbag cover so ill still have access the the radio, its the best spot I can think f that thieves wouldn't.

 

[91-GS]

If you have a small amplifier you can mount it somewhere in a hidden location and plug the MP3 player directly into it. Could even take a bigger amp and mount it under a front seat, hiding wiring under the carpet.

 

[spydaski]

Isnt it cheaper and easier to get a good alarm?

 

[StarionGSX]

Sounds like you need to move to a safer neighborhood.

 

[greengoblin2011]

I agree I do need a nicer neighborhood, trying to make that happen, but even the nice neighborhoods have break ins here. My parents live on a real nice end of town and moms car has been broke into a few times. An alarm is in the works along with keyless entry. I don't have an amp now, that will be a future add on hidden behind panels in the trunk. This is a project I'm doing to be different and preventative, and a place besides the a pillar for the gauges I have. The pillar is reserved for boost fuel pressure and wideband gauges when I turbo the car. Plus I already have what I need for this project so its a no cost deal.

 

[Breezio69]

A deck with a faceplate? Sounds like a lot of work and lack of safety to play a few tunes.

But hey, a kenwood probably has as much give as an airbag.... whats a few buttons to the face?

 

[greengoblin2011]

My airbags are non working due to changing my stock wheel out.but I guess its ok to compliment others who put gauges where the airbag was and bash someone who tries to be unique and different. Maybe if everyone just left their car the same plain jane boring every other person has one car then everyones car would be "cool" but oh well, not looking for approval, just throwing out unordinary ideas. Dare to be different

 

[Breezio69]

I get your point. And can say I've only seen a screen or dvd player in the airbag location on show cars, or a screen where its not the main source of interaction...

Nothing safer than changing the song reaching all the way across the car... dare to play "lane roulette"...

I'm not trying to be rude, but an alarm, faceplate, tinted windows etc. Seems much safer than controlling a radio across the car.

You can still put gauges below the radio, its not common so I guess that's "different". Just looking out for safety, bud.

 

[WES_393]

If they're attracted to a stereo, wouldn't a cluster of aftermarket gauges be just as much incentive to break into the car?

 

[StarionGSX]

Yeah, gauges etc draw unwanted attention. They may break into your car thinking there are performance parts they can sell. I say get yourself and ipod or something similar and use earbuds when driving. I know it looks bad but an empty radio slot with some dummy wires hanging out will make thieves pass on your car.

 

[greengoblin2011]

I get the safety issue of reaching across the car, but I can cotrl volume and song sellection from my ipod, which will sit in the console. Earbuds just aren't loud enough for for me. Around here they want radios, they'd have no interest in gauges. Plus the gauges are all black when off, on a black panel, and windows are already tinted. This is just a way to hide the radio in a place they'll never think of and yes they'll think of under the seat, had an amp stlen from there befre, but still allow me to have tunes, and still safely control volume and song selection via ipod.the gauges were just to fill the void. Lane roullete sounds funny by the way, made me laugh.

 

[Beaubo]

Just attach razor blades to the sides and back of the new stereo, when the thieves go to steal it and pull the stereo out of its location they will find an unpleasant surprise.

 

[Colt4G63 also]

Better yet, load the car with explosives, and put a hidden switch somewhere that you need to turn off within three seconds after any door is opened.

 

[Breezio69]

My buddy always wanted to figure out a way to wire up a switch that put 12v at the door handles. I think that would be a fun project. Put a small push button switch in a fender well and just shock the hell out of people... I'd probably have two switches, one for both, and one that's pass side only to get my gf at random when she's being a bi***.

 

[greengoblin2011]

That would be funny. Wonder if rather than 12 volts configure maybe a spark plug in the mix like they use for flame thrower set ups. Got hit by a plug once, quite a jolt.

 

[TSiAWD666]

Keep in mind an alarm is really only a deterrent. If they really want to steal something they will. You can make it most effective though by:
1) Having a nice bright flashing indicator for the alarm being armed so it's obvious there's an alarm system. Usually a nice bright red/blue LED in the dash that flashes showing the alarm is armed.
2) Having a removable face plate and actually removing it when you leave the car.
3) Park somewhere the alarm can be heard/seen. If the alarm's noise and flashing lights are somewhere to attract attention the thieves are less likely to break into your car.

Others are right though that if they're stealing stereos, they're very likely to steal any visible gauges too. You should consider means to conceal the gauges visibly too so as not to draw their attention (perhaps as simple as an abs cover you lay in place when you leave, or a rag or something, or perhaps something more elaborate like a panel that conceals the gauges.

 

[greengoblin2011]

Yea through the course of this I have begun considering some form of cover for the gauges. Though they mostly steal items they can ditch real quick at pawn shops for drug money assuming, I'm considering mybe recessing the gauges and having. Tinted panel in front of them. The gauges are black face digital blue led lit, so behind a tinted panel they'd still would still be visible while driving but at night just appear to be a black blank panel. Mind is wondering now. Maybe even put the radio there behind the blank panel and make the panel removeable.thanks for the new idea

 

[slidesidwayz]

That tinted window over the gauges and stereo sound sick. I had just thought about it before I read the post. I have never seen it before so that would be cool to see.. What would you use to hold the gauges behind the tinted screen?

 

[Twinturbo120]

I have always wanted to use a train horn as an alarm. If you don't press the button within x amount of time that ####er will blast. Or a flamethrower =D

 

[casperfast]

you can rig a capacitor up the the door handle via a relay when locked. but you might kill someone hahaha. i did this on my old datsun b210... cost me a girlfriend... totally worth it

 

[iiNFAMOUSCHRiS]

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[mike96]

i have toyed around with the idea of doing something like this mounted in the sun visor.

Stereo remote mounted face plate

 

[TaLN91tsI]

Sad we live in a society that people can't keep the nice thing they work hard to earn! also sad how much time, effort and money you have spent to try to prevent future theft.