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Does any one know how much of a pain in the butt it is to install the empeg in a 1996 celica??
Yea, I've done the install. Never got around to posting pictures and install guide.
It isn't the most straightforward install, but isn't horrendous either. The install does require some competency in metalwork and plasticwork (not sure the latter is actually a word, but you'll get my meaning).
For the fascia, you have three options:
- find a Celica at a scrapyard and remove its centre console fascia
- buy a replacement centre console fascia from your Toyota garage (expensive)
- just carve up your own centre console fascia and worry about the resale value of the car at a later time.
Once you have decided which centre console fascia you are going to modify (the one that came with the car, or one you got from elsewhere), refer to a Haynes manual or similar to locate the lugs that hold the centre console fascia and the lugs and screws that hold the gearstick fascia in place.
Remove the gearstick fascia and move it out of the way by turning it round 90 degrees and towards you slightly (you could unscrew the gearstick and completely remove the gearstick fascia, but it isn't worth the effort).
Next undo the screws holding the centre console fascia in place (previously hidden by the gearstick fascia) and use a very large flat-bladed screwdriver to prize the logs out of their retaining clips. Take your time and lever each lug a little before moving on th the next one, revisiting each lug several times. Make sure you get the screwdriver right under the fascia or you could end up scratching something. Again, reference to the Haynes manual is very useful at this point.
The clock and hazard warning light are attached via plugs, so these can be unplugged to completely free the fascia. The hazard plug MUST be plugged back in again before you attempt to drive the car, as the indicator circuit is broken with this unplugged.
Next, remove the entire DIN cage by unscrewing the hex bolts. The cage has protrouding locating pins. You need to drill holes in the Empeg sled in the correct locations so that the pins will penetrate the hole you have drilled. You will also need to drill holes in the cage to secure the sled to the cage. If you have the ability to thread the drilled holes in the cage, so much the better. Take your time planning where to drill to ensure that the lip on the sled ends up just behind the centre console fascia so that the Empeg fascia sits flush with the car fascia.
You will need to cut off the Toyota wiring harness and replace with a standard DIN plug. I found the wiring diagram on the 'net at the time, but don't have the URL saved. I'll look for it again later.
If you had both radio/cassette and CD, you may want to see if you can locate a Celica/MR2 DIN blanking plate from the scrap yard. and fit it in the other bay.
I used 2x2channel US Blaster amps and placed them in the glovebox, which is kept locked. The amps aren't great but they aren't bad either. They are, however, good value for money. A four channel amp could be placed behind the glovebox at the top of the passenger footwell or (making the install a bit more difficult) in the boot. If you don't have air-con, you might get a small amp to fit above the glovebox near(ish) the passenger air bag, where the air-con module would be if fitted.
If you place the Empeg in the top DIN slot, you need to keep an eye on the temperature inside the case as the cabin air vents are directly above the top DIN and aren't air-tight so you could end up blowing chilled air or hot air directly onto the hard disk drive.
If you won't have any kind of radio in your Celica after the install, don't bother connecting up the power ant. lead.
I'll try to post some pictures and further details later.
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