Need ideas for installing an 8 track tape player
#1
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Member Since: Oct 2016
Location: Way too effing close to the city.......NRA Life Member!
Posts: 3,606
Received 268 Likes
on
172 Posts
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Need ideas for installing an 8 track tape player
I'm trying to install a mini 8 track tape player in my 1976 and never realized there is not too much room to hang one under the dash and not too much room anywhere to put one. I'm working on the stock radio to see if I can make it work and really wanted the mini 8 track to hang under the dash on the passenger side right next to the console. I thought about mounting it behind the seats on the deck somewhere but then I might have an issue with storing the T-tops back there. I thought about hanging under the rear window but then, I'm also working on making the removable rear window conversion and I do have the complete storage tray for the window. I guess I could just wrap the rear window up and lay it on the T-tops and sell off the complete rear window storage tray!
I was thinking about normal (roomy) 60's and 70's cars while I was planning on doing this. If anyone has photos of where they put their 8 track recently or back in the day, please post. I'm putting a larger Craig 8 track in my 1972 442 when I get it done and want the ambiance of an 8 track in both of my toys so I'm on a mission!! Thanks for any thoughts or info you can provide.
Thanks,
OLE442
I was thinking about normal (roomy) 60's and 70's cars while I was planning on doing this. If anyone has photos of where they put their 8 track recently or back in the day, please post. I'm putting a larger Craig 8 track in my 1972 442 when I get it done and want the ambiance of an 8 track in both of my toys so I'm on a mission!! Thanks for any thoughts or info you can provide.
Thanks,
OLE442
#2
Drifting
i think it was 78 the corvette got the factory optional 8 track. I dont know, but is there any way to modify the center gauge/radio bezel to the 78+ so you could use a factory radio?
#4
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Member Since: Oct 2016
Location: Way too effing close to the city.......NRA Life Member!
Posts: 3,606
Received 268 Likes
on
172 Posts
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I may just pull the stock radio out and I believe I have another NOS in dash 8 track with radio I might try to see if it fits. Any thing I remove on the car I save in a box just in case for the future.
#7
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Member Since: Oct 2016
Location: Way too effing close to the city.......NRA Life Member!
Posts: 3,606
Received 268 Likes
on
172 Posts
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Yeah, they mounted below the dash, right in the middle of the dash and just above the center console. There was a housing for them that looked like part of the dash. They are VERY EXPENSIVE, at least to a commoner like me, and working or non-working they are expensive. That's why I'll mount my 70's Craig Power-Play 8 track with a slide in mount..... just under the dash on the passenger's side (Just like the old days). Cost effective and period correct.
Last edited by OLE442; 03-17-2019 at 08:39 PM.
#8
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Member Since: Oct 2016
Location: Way too effing close to the city.......NRA Life Member!
Posts: 3,606
Received 268 Likes
on
172 Posts
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
My cousin, who owned the car since the early 80's until he passed away a few years ago, had his CB radio mounted on the back wall. He used the mounting point for the T-Top hold down strap as a point for the CB mount. The CB was the first thing to go. I actually thought about buying one of those center console armrest pads and doing some surgery to the bottom of it to make a hollowed out space for the Mini 8 track on the console. It might work!!
#10
Le Mans Master
Do you need to play actual 8-Tracks, or just want to listen to classic rock? Perhaps a hidden Bluetooth amplifier would be easier to install and sound better?
I may have the 8-Track player that the PO took out of my wife's 79. If a picture helps, I'll see if I can find it.
I may have the 8-Track player that the PO took out of my wife's 79. If a picture helps, I'll see if I can find it.
#11
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Dec 2009
Location: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Posts: 6,397
Received 640 Likes
on
463 Posts
Yeah, they mounted below the dash, right in the middle of the dash and just above the center console. There was a housing for them that looked like part of the dash. They are VERY EXPENSIVE, at least to a commoner like me, and working or non-working they are expensive. That's why I'll mount my 70's Craig Power-Play 8 track with a slide in mount..... just under the dash on the passenger's side (Just like the old days). Cost effective and period correct.
#12
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Member Since: Oct 2016
Location: Way too effing close to the city.......NRA Life Member!
Posts: 3,606
Received 268 Likes
on
172 Posts
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I have a couple boxes of 8 tracks to use in my cars including a new in the wrapper copy of "Grand Funk Live". The Craig Power Play has AM/FM and I even have the amp for it. No Bluetooth crap for me. Grandpa is old school!! LOL
#13
Drifting
Member Since: Nov 2013
Location: Loud, Raw and Dangerous 1968 327 4S in Southern California
Posts: 1,316
Received 387 Likes
on
278 Posts
Yeah, they mounted below the dash, right in the middle of the dash and just above the center console. There was a housing for them that looked like part of the dash. They are VERY EXPENSIVE, at least to a commoner like me, and working or non-working they are expensive. That's why I'll mount my 70's Craig Power-Play 8 track with a slide in mount..... just under the dash on the passenger's side (Just like the old days). Cost effective and period correct.
Redvette2
#15
Melting Slicks
Member Since: Oct 2006
Location: hebron IL
Posts: 2,920
Received 167 Likes
on
141 Posts
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
The 8 tracks do degrade over the years so don't expect all of them to play anymore. When I had my '77 with stock 8 track player I would hit garage sales and buy 8 tracks . Only about 50% of them would play, and they physically looked fine.
#18
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Member Since: Oct 2016
Location: Way too effing close to the city.......NRA Life Member!
Posts: 3,606
Received 268 Likes
on
172 Posts
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
OK, I m mounting he 8 track to a place close to the rear package storage area.
Are there spots where I can ground the unit back there? Not sure what's fiberglass or metal.
I'm going to run a wire up to the fuse box and connect a clip somehow to the radio port on the fuse box so the 8 track will only be on when the ignition is on. Does this sound OK? I haven't done this kind of thing since back in the late 70's so I want to see if I'm doing something wrong!
I'm also putting a Soundbar speaker system in the back of the storage area behind the seat up against the rear bulk head. I was trying to install without drilling holes but every way I can think of could be dangerous in the event of a wreck. One other member mounted his Soundbar in the back and used self tapping screws into the rear bulkhead. Is tha safe and is there anything close behind the bulkhead I can eff up? Any thoughts on the procedure? I assume I'd need to drill a small pilot hole and then drive the self tapping screws in. Any tips on drilling through the carpet without unweaving the pile carpet (did that once hen I was younger)?
Grandpa is a real nervous person and don't want any new things to work on this winter??
Any helpful advice will be appreciated!!
Thanks
OLE442
Are there spots where I can ground the unit back there? Not sure what's fiberglass or metal.
I'm going to run a wire up to the fuse box and connect a clip somehow to the radio port on the fuse box so the 8 track will only be on when the ignition is on. Does this sound OK? I haven't done this kind of thing since back in the late 70's so I want to see if I'm doing something wrong!
I'm also putting a Soundbar speaker system in the back of the storage area behind the seat up against the rear bulk head. I was trying to install without drilling holes but every way I can think of could be dangerous in the event of a wreck. One other member mounted his Soundbar in the back and used self tapping screws into the rear bulkhead. Is tha safe and is there anything close behind the bulkhead I can eff up? Any thoughts on the procedure? I assume I'd need to drill a small pilot hole and then drive the self tapping screws in. Any tips on drilling through the carpet without unweaving the pile carpet (did that once hen I was younger)?
Grandpa is a real nervous person and don't want any new things to work on this winter??
Any helpful advice will be appreciated!!
Thanks
OLE442
Last edited by OLE442; 02-11-2019 at 02:28 PM. Reason: additional thoughts
#19
Melting Slicks
My bad, didn't realize the year of the car w/ no glovebox. I am doing a restomod on my 78 and I refuse to put anything in the glovebox, anxiously waiting for the day when I can fill it up with 8-tracks. You can ground your system to the birdcage steel behind the trim behind the passenger seat. Not sure of the clearance on your 76 but on the 78 the gas tank is back there a few inches away from the bulkhead. If you go high enough you shouldn't have any issues, but it's worth knowing that it is back there. Good luck and have fun.
#20
Le Mans Master
OK, I m mounting he 8 track to a place close to the rear package storage area.
Are there spots where I can ground the unit back there? Not sure what's fiberglass or metal.
I'm going to run a wire up to the fuse box and connect a clip somehow to the radio port on the fuse box so the 8 track will only be on when the ignition is on. Does this sound OK? I haven't done this kind of thing since back in the late 70's so I want to see if I'm doing something wrong!
I'm also putting a Soundbar speaker system in the back of the storage area behind the seat up against the rear bulk head. I was trying to install without drilling holes but every way I can think of could be dangerous in the event of a wreck. One other member mounted his Soundbar in the back and used self tapping screws into the rear bulkhead. Is tha safe and is there anything close behind the bulkhead I can eff up? Any thoughts on the procedure? I assume I'd need to drill a small pilot hole and then drive the self tapping screws in. Any tips on drilling through the carpet without unweaving the pile carpet (did that once hen I was younger)?
Grandpa is a real nervous person and don't want any new things to work on this winter??
Any helpful advice will be appreciated!!
Thanks
OLE442
Are there spots where I can ground the unit back there? Not sure what's fiberglass or metal.
I'm going to run a wire up to the fuse box and connect a clip somehow to the radio port on the fuse box so the 8 track will only be on when the ignition is on. Does this sound OK? I haven't done this kind of thing since back in the late 70's so I want to see if I'm doing something wrong!
I'm also putting a Soundbar speaker system in the back of the storage area behind the seat up against the rear bulk head. I was trying to install without drilling holes but every way I can think of could be dangerous in the event of a wreck. One other member mounted his Soundbar in the back and used self tapping screws into the rear bulkhead. Is tha safe and is there anything close behind the bulkhead I can eff up? Any thoughts on the procedure? I assume I'd need to drill a small pilot hole and then drive the self tapping screws in. Any tips on drilling through the carpet without unweaving the pile carpet (did that once hen I was younger)?
Grandpa is a real nervous person and don't want any new things to work on this winter??
Any helpful advice will be appreciated!!
Thanks
OLE442
I can't recommend drilling holes in your car, but if your soundbar replaces the rear speakers, there should be brackets where the speaker panels mount. These were, I think, riveted into the body a the factory, but you could perhaps tie into the brackets, too.
If you really want to drill through carpet without pulling threads, you can burn a hole with a hot awl or soldering iron. But I really wouldn't recommend it.
Good luck!