How do I get my new stereo to fit?

[romamor4]

I just installed my new Sony stereo in my 2000 beetle, replacing the factory installed one (not the monsoon). My problem though is that there is not enough room in back of it to store the wires, which causes the stereo to jut out from the console. How can I fix this? It looks really bad.

Thanks!

[MiG]

Pictures?

[Supercharged98]

It can be done. You have to pull out the glove box and panel, and you are going to have reach up behind the radio and pull the wires to fit behind the heater controls, as you push in the radio. Sometimes you have to pull it back out and try again.

[sean_fabanich]

u can do what was suggested....but really...
in my own opinion...theres only one good fix

take out your radio.
on the top of the dash slide the middle hump forward. that will show 2 or 3 torx screws..remove screws. 2 screws on the sides of the radio compartment. remove. and then i believe 4 or 6 more on the bottome part of the dash that covers the heater controls, and the radio.

remove 10 screws total...i think. remove entire middle panel. then cut everything off behind the hole for the radio on the panel. use a hacksaw. its all just flimsy plastic that just gets in the way of the radio harnesses and rcas and ant. adapter. plus itll give you more air space around the heat sync on the back of the radio for proper cooling. basically...if it doesnt have to do with the vents..which are self contained in the dash peice....then cut it off. its really just stupid plastic that doesnt need to be there at all. i took half measures multiple times...but never got my radio in as secure as i liked til i did this.

for the stock radio it was kind of needed to suppor the radio and lock it in...

however with an aftermarket radio that uses a cage it really just gets in the damn way.

cut it out....do it...itll take ya an hour...and never again will you be frustrated or irritated with this issue.

[SMG]

[sean_fabanich]

haha...awesome pic.

i used a cheap hand hacksaw...but that would do too....probably reduce the time spent on the job quite a bit.

[simonsi]

I just reached in, pushed out the two black plastic rivet-type connectors holding the black plasctic to the upper metal piece. Then push/break the black plastic piece off by pushing back and down.

Remove the black plastic bit(s) and push the new head unit (an Alpine motorised screen in my case) fully home. Took 5mins tops to carry out this mod, no giant hacksaws required or removal of the upper dash...

[bridgeway11]

I just installed a Jensen 9212 in a 99 beetle the radio and wires fit. I had to remove the plastic part of dash that radio goes in and install radio in it using the back plate and a screw and washer to hold radio then i stuffed all the wires in and down and it worked out fine ill post a pic later