Boris
06-08-2014, 09:57 AM
So, I yanked the OEM radio from my car and was going to install one of the ones that I had collecting dust from previous cars. Problem was that there were no good mounts that worked with the US spec NA dash and I sure as hell wasn't about to put time and effort into making something up. After all, I treated the radio as a boat anchor and a sun glass holder.
Instead, in my barbarian style, I grabbed what I had available and close by (duct board). I made a quick to make and very light gauge mount.
Sure, it wasn't too pretty but it worked and cost me absolutely nothing.
Than along came RoadsterTech and their mount.
Not only is this thing very affordable but simple as hell to install (even with a caveman attitude and basic tools) and looks better than anything else I have seen out there in Miata land.
Even with my not so great suspension, I can listen to a CD without it skipping as I terrorize my favorite back roads and neighborhoods. Not a single squeak or rattle out of the thing and the gauges don't flutter at all. Mounted a non connected boost gauge just to see if the needle would bounce or move, nothing.
I say this mount is solid as a rock and will easily survive the bumpiest track.
Anyhoo, here are a few pictures of the whole ordeal (don't get too excited, crappy phone camera).
Here's what I started with.
http://i964.photobucket.com/albums/ae125/BorisGPRSJ/Miata%20Radio-Gauges/KIMG0214.jpg (http://s964.photobucket.com/user/BorisGPRSJ/media/Miata%20Radio-Gauges/KIMG0214.jpg.html)
http://i964.photobucket.com/albums/ae125/BorisGPRSJ/Miata%20Radio-Gauges/KIMG0215.jpg (http://s964.photobucket.com/user/BorisGPRSJ/media/Miata%20Radio-Gauges/KIMG0215.jpg.html)
Impressive, huh ?
Here it is with everything installed. Yes, I'm missing my gauge.
That hole is there for a future gauge but right now it's a perfect spot for the ipod cable (hey RoadsterTech, got an idea here,...)
http://i964.photobucket.com/albums/ae125/BorisGPRSJ/Miata%20Radio-Gauges/KIMG0216.jpg (http://s964.photobucket.com/user/BorisGPRSJ/media/Miata%20Radio-Gauges/KIMG0216.jpg.html)
OEM or what ?? (yeah, I know it's a bit dirty in there. The cleaning lady is on strike)
http://i964.photobucket.com/albums/ae125/BorisGPRSJ/Miata%20Radio-Gauges/KIMG0217.jpg (http://s964.photobucket.com/user/BorisGPRSJ/media/Miata%20Radio-Gauges/KIMG0217.jpg.html)
http://i964.photobucket.com/albums/ae125/BorisGPRSJ/Miata%20Radio-Gauges/KIMG0218.jpg (http://s964.photobucket.com/user/BorisGPRSJ/media/Miata%20Radio-Gauges/KIMG0218.jpg.html)
http://i964.photobucket.com/albums/ae125/BorisGPRSJ/Miata%20Radio-Gauges/KIMG0219.jpg (http://s964.photobucket.com/user/BorisGPRSJ/media/Miata%20Radio-Gauges/KIMG0219.jpg.html)
Found another use for the roll bar.
Yep, it makes a perfect holder for my work light.
http://i964.photobucket.com/albums/ae125/BorisGPRSJ/Miata%20Radio-Gauges/KIMG0221.jpg (http://s964.photobucket.com/user/BorisGPRSJ/media/Miata%20Radio-Gauges/KIMG0221.jpg.html)
To sum up.
The install took minutes and exceeded all my expectations so to celebrate,....
http://i964.photobucket.com/albums/ae125/BorisGPRSJ/Miata%20Radio-Gauges/KIMG0223.jpg (http://s964.photobucket.com/user/BorisGPRSJ/media/Miata%20Radio-Gauges/KIMG0223.jpg.html)
Instead, in my barbarian style, I grabbed what I had available and close by (duct board). I made a quick to make and very light gauge mount.
Sure, it wasn't too pretty but it worked and cost me absolutely nothing.
Than along came RoadsterTech and their mount.
Not only is this thing very affordable but simple as hell to install (even with a caveman attitude and basic tools) and looks better than anything else I have seen out there in Miata land.
Even with my not so great suspension, I can listen to a CD without it skipping as I terrorize my favorite back roads and neighborhoods. Not a single squeak or rattle out of the thing and the gauges don't flutter at all. Mounted a non connected boost gauge just to see if the needle would bounce or move, nothing.
I say this mount is solid as a rock and will easily survive the bumpiest track.
Anyhoo, here are a few pictures of the whole ordeal (don't get too excited, crappy phone camera).
Here's what I started with.
http://i964.photobucket.com/albums/ae125/BorisGPRSJ/Miata%20Radio-Gauges/KIMG0214.jpg (http://s964.photobucket.com/user/BorisGPRSJ/media/Miata%20Radio-Gauges/KIMG0214.jpg.html)
http://i964.photobucket.com/albums/ae125/BorisGPRSJ/Miata%20Radio-Gauges/KIMG0215.jpg (http://s964.photobucket.com/user/BorisGPRSJ/media/Miata%20Radio-Gauges/KIMG0215.jpg.html)
Impressive, huh ?
Here it is with everything installed. Yes, I'm missing my gauge.
That hole is there for a future gauge but right now it's a perfect spot for the ipod cable (hey RoadsterTech, got an idea here,...)
http://i964.photobucket.com/albums/ae125/BorisGPRSJ/Miata%20Radio-Gauges/KIMG0216.jpg (http://s964.photobucket.com/user/BorisGPRSJ/media/Miata%20Radio-Gauges/KIMG0216.jpg.html)
OEM or what ?? (yeah, I know it's a bit dirty in there. The cleaning lady is on strike)
http://i964.photobucket.com/albums/ae125/BorisGPRSJ/Miata%20Radio-Gauges/KIMG0217.jpg (http://s964.photobucket.com/user/BorisGPRSJ/media/Miata%20Radio-Gauges/KIMG0217.jpg.html)
http://i964.photobucket.com/albums/ae125/BorisGPRSJ/Miata%20Radio-Gauges/KIMG0218.jpg (http://s964.photobucket.com/user/BorisGPRSJ/media/Miata%20Radio-Gauges/KIMG0218.jpg.html)
http://i964.photobucket.com/albums/ae125/BorisGPRSJ/Miata%20Radio-Gauges/KIMG0219.jpg (http://s964.photobucket.com/user/BorisGPRSJ/media/Miata%20Radio-Gauges/KIMG0219.jpg.html)
Found another use for the roll bar.
Yep, it makes a perfect holder for my work light.
http://i964.photobucket.com/albums/ae125/BorisGPRSJ/Miata%20Radio-Gauges/KIMG0221.jpg (http://s964.photobucket.com/user/BorisGPRSJ/media/Miata%20Radio-Gauges/KIMG0221.jpg.html)
To sum up.
The install took minutes and exceeded all my expectations so to celebrate,....
http://i964.photobucket.com/albums/ae125/BorisGPRSJ/Miata%20Radio-Gauges/KIMG0223.jpg (http://s964.photobucket.com/user/BorisGPRSJ/media/Miata%20Radio-Gauges/KIMG0223.jpg.html)