240Z orig. radio - no brackets?

[71orangecrate]

I got my 2nd 240Z (the 1st was in the '70's) last year. It is one of those factory authorized restoration cars (Z-Car). It had a stereo radio in it that I have pulled out and am trying to install an original Hitachi am/fm radio. I have gotten past the huge problem of removing the Heater Controls and Faceplate and finding the proper wires/connections to power the old style radio (the stereo people did a number on the wires). I also believe I have to replace the "automatic" antenna with an old style manual one.

Now my latest problem is that the radio has brackets on both sides but behind the '71 dash there are no corresponding side supports/brackets/hangers to attach them to. The radio will be just "hanging" there unsupported (albeit it is crammed in amongst all the wiring harnesses). This does not seem to be an ideal situation as I can see the weight of the radio moving while under way and putting strong forces on the fragile faceplate and eventually destroying it. Any suggestions?

Thanks, Phil

[kenz240z]

Perhaps you could use some metal strapping, or even a few tiewraps, to secure the brackets on the radio to the underside of the dash?

[EScanlon]

Can you post pictures of those radio brackets you say are on the side of the radio?

There were a couple of variations on the support bracket for the radio, so knowing what you have would help in telling you what / where to go.

As far as the antenna, there IS a way of wiring a FULLY automatic antenna to work with our Manual Electric antenna wiring.

E

[71orangecrate]

Here is a picture that I got off of e-bay that shows the side bracket and the threader hole for a screw to fasten the radio to a support behind the dash. The others side is the same.

Phil

[26th-Z]

Phil,

Have a look at the tabs welded on the tunnel and see if it looks like 26th. The radio should have a bracket with threaded holes on each side of the radio case to mount on to these brackets. Perhaps you have a later style arrangement requiring a sub frame. Depending on the year of your car, you may have the vertical antenna switch on the side of the radio face plate or the horizontal switch on the top of the radio face plate.

Sent you a PM

[26th-Z]

Ok, you have the later style with the antenna switch on top. It should fit between the supports welded to the tunnel.

[71orangecrate]

Ok, you have the later style with the antenna switch on top. It should fit between the supports welded to the tunnel.

there are supports welded to the tunnel? When I slid the radio in, I couldn't see anything that was close to either side of it that I could secure the radio to. Would there be brackets that maybe are pushed aside and I couldn't see them for all the wires in the way? I'll look again but it is a huge mess under there. Your picture #1 is that the bracket sticking up in the foreground that you are referring to?

I'm sure you saw that my radio is like your picture #3 that has the antenna switch on the top.

Phil

[moonpup]

Hey there 71orangecrate , I'm posting an image of the radio installation from a 73 manual. (looks bacisally the same as my 72 had) Not sure when the radios changed from the early ones to this model, but since your radio's the same as I had, this is the way I believe it is suppose to mount.

In the first pic, the bracket circled should have a hole near the back on both sides that a screw goes thru to the bracket on both sides of your radio, that is shown in pic #2.

Hope this helps you.

[EScanlon]

Sorry guys, his radio requires the "U" shaped bracket that goes around the whole sides and back of the car.

Chris: The two tangs (one not seen) on the left side of your picture, on either side of the fuse box support, are for the forward legs of the dash. Directly behind the fuse box support you can see the Heater Plenum support. Those on the firewall are for the heater box / fresh air vent / motor.

The diagram posted by Mike, showing the 73 support bracket is one that is welded to the dash's frame and used to help support the dash frame, not the radio.

Phil;

Look on the side of the dash's center console towards the accelerator pedal / heater water valve. Right in front of the support for the front leg of the heater plenum, you should see a brace coming back from the dash. THAT'S the support for the radio. It is very similar to the one shown in Mike's diagram, except that it is much longer (deeper). It actually ends just in front of the heater plenum. This bracket is usually mounted to the sides of the legs on the dash, that mount to the support tangs on either side of the fuse box.

I'll have to see if I have one lying around, or if I have a picture.

E

[moonpup]

OPB: EScanlon

The diagram posted by Mike, showing the 73 support bracket is one that is welded to the dash's frame and used to help support the dash frame, not the radio.

It is very similar to the one shown in Mike's diagram, except that it is much longer (deeper).

Enrique, I think the support bracket I pointed out in the illustration from the 73 manual is the same bracket you're talking about, I just think the illustration makes it look smaller and not as deep.

Here's another pic, what do you think?

[EScanlon]

THAT'S IT EXACTLY!

When you look at that bracket from the side you'll see two holes in the bracket that will line up with the side screws on the radio.

The radio gets grounded by those screws by the way.

E

[71orangecrate]

THAT'S IT EXACTLY!

When you look at that bracket from the side you'll see two holes in the bracket that will line up with the side screws on the radio.

The radio gets grounded by those screws by the way.

E

Guys,

Thanks for all the tips and pics. the bracket shown in E's pic I don't recognize, I was so concerned about all those wiring harnesses being pushed back out of the way that I may have not seen the forest for the trees (unless the stereo people ripped it out). I will look again.