Electrical Overhaul (Stereo, Lights, etc)

[JonnyRock]

So this Monday, I'm headed down to Dave's (Zs-ondabrain) place to overhaul the electrical system in my 1970 240.

What we've got planned:

Headlight upgrade kit (Dave's product)

Parking light upgrade kit (Also Daves)

'81 Alternator swap

Kenwood Head Unit

MTX Thunder Elite 4 channel amplifier

Polk Audio DB5251 5-1/4" component door speakers

Polk Audio DB691 6x9" 3-way rear speakers

MSA sourced rear hatch ported speaker panel

MSA LED Domelight conversion

It'll be an all day thing, but I've been planning this with him since November! Can't wait to throw it all in there!

Right now I'm rocking some circa late 80's Alpine tape deck, 2 4" pioneer door speakers (only one works), and probably the the stock rear speakers. Parking lights are near non-existent they're so dim, and severly lacking headlight illumination. I've posted a picture of most of the components, and will put up before and after shots soon.

[Arne]

I've done most of this myself, only without the modern stereo. I have Dave's headlight and parking light relays, the ZX alternator and the sidemarker conversions. I'm using H4 headlights similar in power to the ones you pictured, although mine are more vintage looking. Dave's stuff is great, you can't go wrong with any of it.

Similarly, to maintain the vintage look, I have a '70s Pioneer Supertuner mounted in the dash, and a few totally hidden speakers. Doesn't sound anywhere near as nice as yours will, but it looks right and is totally reversible if I should ever want to go back to stock.

[ktm]

I am using Dave's headlight relay (great product!), a 90 amp GM alternator, Performance Technique 500 watt 2 channel AMP, Pioneer 6x9 3-ways, and Alpine 6" kickpanel speakers.

I had to go with a 90 amp alternator as I am not stock and running an electric fuel pump, electric fans, ECU, LS1 coil on plugs, injectors, etc. The turbo alternator was not keeping up.

[JonnyRock]

Well I'm glad you all like Dave's stuff. I've heard great things, and have already sent him $210 sight unseen. He's been really generous offering to do all of this work with me, and I'm grateful for it. I've installed one head unit before, but it was a fairly simple job.

Arne; I thought about putting the stock AM radio back in and putting the head unit in the glovebox, but decided I can always do that at a later time. I'm not sure if it even works, but I do hope to maintain a relatively-close-to-stock car.

Bo; Yea, I'm not going that far. I'm trying to keep most of the mechanicals stock. I just wanted a few creature comforts. So the ZX alternator will work for my job I think.

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I totally forgot to mention the Autopal H4 MSR's. Theyre non-DOT approved, but hopefully if aimed right, I shouldn't have any problems.

[Arne]

I totally forgot to mention the Autopal H4 MSR's. Theyre non-DOT approved, but hopefully if aimed right, I shouldn't have any problems.

I've been running non-DOT headlights here in Oregon in every car, truck and motorcycle I've owned since I first discovered H4s in 1976. Never had a lick of trouble. And a lot of the later (non-standard shape) lights in modern cars have cost me a pretty penny. But being able to see at night is worth every cent.

[JonnyRock]

I've been running non-DOT headlights here in Oregon in every car, truck and motorcycle I've owned since I first discovered H4s in 1976. Never had a lick of trouble. And a lot of the later (non-standard shape) lights in modern cars have cost me a pretty penny. But being able to see at night is worth every cent.

Good to hear. I don't want to get into any trouble, but I need to see better at night. I probably could have just switched to a more powerful bulb, but figured "oh, what the hell" and sprung for these since I was getting the HLH anyway.

[JonnyRock]

Arne;

Here are the old lights. The 2 scratches are on the protective plastic covers.

[JonnyRock]

So here are some pictures of my current audio setup.

Yea, that's an ALPINE tape deck. y'all are jealous

[Arne]

Yea, that's an ALPINE tape deck. y'all are jealous

Actually, I do like the Alpine. But not quite as much as my Pioneer...

[JonnyRock]

Niiice Arne.

haha "MW"

[Pop's Z]

Arne, That's the exact same tape deck I had in my '73 in '74. It had real good sound IIRC. I rigged up two small push-buttons to raise and lower the antenna. I had them mounted just above the unit on each side. I wasn't jealous of your car before, but now I am. I have real nice JVC tape deck in my current '73. It's mounted in a marine housing behind the passenger seat. I've got JVC 6X9s in a MSA box. It sounds real good. At least good enough for these old ears. Cheers, Mike

[Arne]

Arne' date=' That's the exact same tape deck I had in my '73 in '74.[/quote']Exactly why I wanted one of those, because they are so "period correct". Looks even more typical than the factory AM radio I packed away for safekeeping, as most owners back in the day replaced those AM radios after a while with similar units.

I rigged up two small push-buttons to raise and lower the antenna. I had them mounted just above the unit on each side.

The Pioneer has a modern power antenna lead, so I replaced the factory antenna with a similar-looking chrome/stainless fully auto antenna. No separate switch anymore. Turn on the radio, antenna goes up. Turn it off, antenna goes down. Works great.