Same here.

I just installed a Blaupunkt Houston CD deck in my 82 Westy, and it wasn't
supposed to fit, per Crutchfield. In reality, once the old shaft-based radio
was removed along with the supporting bracket, it fit perfectly. No need to
use a backstrap as it fits solid. Being too solid would be a problem in case
someone was really intent on liberating the stereo from my dash. I'd rather
lose the deck than have tons of "collateral damage". Faceplate detaches, but
not a fan of the wear and tear that action causes on the contacts.

Although I wanted to go Blaupunkt (Teutonic consistency), I am not sure I
would opt for this same deck had I been able to do it all over again. The
display is great, but at my vantage point (tall), and the placement of the
radio in the dash (low), I can't appreciate it. It's kind of like looking at
a big screen tv from the far side of the room: you can make it out but it's
not nearly as cool as it could be. Someone touched upon this in a previous
post, and it should definitely be a consideration when you go stereo
shopping.

Scott
82 Westy

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jason Gorfine" <jgorfine@WWW.IDDL.VT.EDU>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, September 28, 2001 7:00 PM
Subject: Re: stereos that fit

> i have a Blaupunkt Boston CD player/receiver.  Crutchfield told me it
> wouldn't fit but i measured and bought it anyway.  it fits just fine,
though
> the rear of the unit sits on the air handler assembly (some folks may not
> like that), sans a cradle of any sort.  it skips only on the the most
> bone-jarring of bumps (or cabinet-opening bumps as i like to call them),
> just like any other CD player.  and the opening in the dash was a perfect
> fit.
> i think the opening is of little consequence (height x width), rather
depth
> is what companies like Crutchfield use when determining fit, due to the
fact
> they supply "installation kits."  had a support of some kind been used,
that
> probably would have made it to deep for their installation kit.
>
> or i could be totally wrong.
> jason
>
> 82 Vanagon Westfalia

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