Console Removal

[spocksbrain]

Hi guys, must say the forum is great. Just picked up a 94 es300 and am trying to get it back in shape. I need to remove the center console in order to route cable for a cd-changer control. Any advice on how to do this or where to get the procedure would be greatly appreciated.

[Lex3486]

Welcome to the forum! Don't know exactly how to remove the console, but I can give you another option. I put my cd changer in the glovebox. It's an Alpine 6 disc, and it fit perfectly, with room to spare for the owners manual. It's really easy to wire up too; just bore out the hole for the light in the glovebox a little and run your wires straight to the radio. This also cuts on time, b/c you have to remove the radio to connect the changer anyhow. Then if you're feelin really frisky, you could remove the cigarette lighter and ashtray and put your CD changer control in their place (providing that you're not a smoker). All your friends will think it's cool how you can pop it in or out, thanks to the cool design of the ashtray. :P Good luck, whatever you do! ;)

[SKperformance]

removing the console is a pain in the !Removed!

route the wire around either side of the car by the carpet

it is much easier

[spocksbrain]

Thanks for the responses guys,

Lex3486 your idea intrigues me. Were there and mods other than the removal of the ashtray and the cigarette lighter socket to get the display to fit? And was there enough depth in the glove compartment to mount the changer without having to cut out the sides of the glovebox? My glovebox angles from the front to the rear.

This idea also brings up another thought, which may require a thread of its own. Has anyone tried to install additional power ports. If so where, and where did you draw power and source the parts?

[bbsal]

by saying power ports do you mean extra sockets like for a ciggerete lighter?if so im not sure were you can put them but maybe inside the arm rest would work.you can run the power from the battery or the fuse box.

[PIONEERSUBY]

i think an fm modulated changer is poor choice. the factory changer runs through the headunit diectly with much better sound. the amp under the passenger seat doesnt turn on to its best internal equalzer sound to full fidelity unless the cd button on the radio is pushed. you are wasting a 3000.00 new price sound system by playing cds through the fm antenna which does not trigger the amp. also you are subject to fm interference even on your cds. the best fm changer in the world still only plays low end fm sound.a used made in japan es300 changers will outlast any new fm changer. most are still playing 10 years later. your fm changers lucky to last a year or 2. i dont get it why anyone would install an fm changer when the factory changer is such high quality. if you need a new engine someday are you going to in stall a new hyundai 2 cycle engine or a used lexus 6 cyl engine.. that is the anaolgy that comes to mind what owners putting fm changer in an es 300. the fidelity is onr third that of the factory changer.

[spocksbrain]

With all due respect to our comrade here, I believe that he is assuming a number of facts not in evidence. Let us not forget that many 94 es300s did not come equipped with a head unit that would support a changer, nor the amp designed to adjust its equalization to a cd source. Now assuming that I was able to find a used head unit for about $300.00 - $400.00, and scored a refurbished changer, which is just an OEM model built by pioneer and using a pioneer transport, for about $600.00, and I'm sure a couple of hundred dollars for a compatible amp I would still need the interconnects and harnesses to properly install them. At this point I would have consertavly spent over $1000.00 dollars for a 10 year old sound system, which all be told was probably only above average sounding at best, when it was new.

Now granted, an fm modulated changer does have its shortcomings, there can be no denying that. But the newest models do have good fidelity which does exceed the fidelity of broadcast radio, which is artificially clipped at 16,000 hz by the broadcaster to comply with FCC regulations. Since the signal is directly transmitted to the antenna leads no clipping occurs and a fuller range exceeding 20,000hz is available for playback. While this is not perfect it is very good. Also, there can be a problem from braodcast interference, and on the new changers a new frequency can be selected and the radio retuned in about 30 seconds. And assuming the stated reliability information is accurate, please cite your source, at 229.00 for a decent changer I could replace an aftermarket changer 5 times while continuing to upgrade its capabilities over the same period of time. And speaking of capabilities, the changer I have in mind also will give me mp3 support, and solve the problem of playing an extensive mp3 library while traveling, without having to pass a signal through a cassette adapter, can you say poor fidelity, and having a mess of wires in the front seat.

These are trade-offs, but they are trade-offs that I and many others are willing to accept, and many times embrace.

As for the analogy, well lets just say its a bad analogy try and think of one thats a little more relationaly accurate.

[steviej]

I had an FM modulated CD player in my last car for one weekend. It was returned the following Monday.

I would get too much radio static in the background. None of the possible stations that could be programmed were clean enough for a good signal in the Greater Boston area. Have they changed that much in 2 years?

However, this is just my experience with one brand, one model. Didn't bother to try any others. Was told it would happen regardless.

steviej