Radio compatability

I have a 1992 JDM car with radio and CD player as originally fitted. I need to do something as the radio can only currently pick up Radio 2!. So, I can either have a converter fitted, or I can throw it all away and have the whole radio assembly replaced with a newer Radio/CD player. However, I was wondering whether a UK fit radio would be suitable and, if so, does the UK radio have RDS? If so, I will search the network and e-bay to find one. Any advice?

I had a Sony radio cassette unit fitted (single DIN) with a 6 cd changer in the boot. I think everyone will also recommend changing the standard-fit speakers for aftermarket - you won't be disappointed! Do a search on radio or the lockers and you will find some excellent removal/fitting instructions

[b3lha]

Hi Blackbird,

I have the original radio with a signal converter fitted on one aerial and the other one unplugged. It works fine except I don't get the full UK range of signals. The Japanese radio can receive signal between 76 and 90 MHz. My converter can be set to shift it by 10 or 20 Mhz.

Thus the radio picks up stations from 86 to 100 (if set to shift by 10) or 96 to 110 (if set to shift by 20). We kept the factory system because we like the buttons on the steering wheel. Unless you feel the same then the converter idea is a nuisance.

Do you have the single slot CD player or the 12 disk boot-mounted changer?

Some people on this site have installed the double DIN subaru stereo from the impreza, which looks quite tidy. I assume that would have RDS. Certainly the single DIN unit in my Legacy does. (But I don't like RDS so I switch it off).

I agree with Tony that it's definitely worth replacing the speakers.

Phil.

Phil,

It would seem that putting the frequency shifter in doesn't help a great deal as the frequency range of the radio would still be limited. I can't remember the actual frequencies but I think I listen to a range between about 86 (Radio 4) and 101 (Classic FM). If I rule out that route, then I need to replace the radio as I don't have the advantage of the buttons on the wheel as you do. I thought mind had all the toys including 4WS and Auto headlamps, but clearly there are some bits such as seat warmers and radio controls on the steering wheel that I am missing.
The CD player is the 12-stack Panasonic box in the boot, with the controller taking up the bottom half of the double din space in the console.If a UK radio would give me the frequency cover I want (a given) and offered me RDS which I really want as I hate having to chase frequencies as I drive around the country (Traffic announcements always turned off as they drive me mad), then that would be my favoured option. Perhaps someone else could advise on that.
If that doesn't work, then I will try and find a single DIN radio with inbuild CD control that will interface to the existing Panasonic device in the boot. If that fails, I will just go for a Radio/single CD player and put the rest on e-Bay!

[b3lha]

I saw a posting somewhere which said that the SVX CD Changer could be controlled by the Single DIN Subaru/Panasonic units fitted to the Legacy. I haven't investigated any further but if so then it would give you the frequencies you want and RDS.

There is a company which sells an adapter to interface a Sony or Alpine CD Changer to a Panasonic head unit. Presumably it could also be done the other way around.

Unfortunately my CD changer is broken, please let me know if you decide to sell yours.

Phil.

Thanks Phil. I will give this thread another couple of days to run to see what other advice there may be before making any decisions. I will also talk to the friendly local car radio guy to see what he suggests as well. Once I have decided I will let you know and if I do decide to get rid of the CD changer I will certainly let you know.
On a separate issue you may not have seen my other thread about the central locking. Have you done anything to disable the speed sensitive locking on your car, or do you just live with the need to to unlock it every time from the driver's door?

Dave

[b3lha]

Originally Posted by Blackbir2001

On a separate issue you may not have seen my other thread about the central locking. Have you done anything to disable the speed sensitive locking on your car, or do you just live with the need to to unlock it every time from the driver's door?

Yes. Joe and I have hijacked your other thread into a general discussion on the central locking.

If you want to get rid of the speed-sensitive locking, remove the glove box and look up underneath. There are two control units. The one nearest the door with the visible wires is the central locking (other is cruise control). Look for a yellow wire with a red stripe, cut it and insulate the ends with tape.

Phil.

[svxistentialist]

Originally Posted by Blackbir2001

Phil,
If I rule out that route, then I need to replace the radio as I don't have the advantage of the buttons on the wheel as you do. I thought mind had all the toys including 4WS and Auto headlamps, but clearly there are some bits such as seat warmers and radio controls on the steering wheel that I am missing.

All the toys, eh?

That's interesting Dave. Up to now, Phil & Belha's car is the only one I am aware of inthe UK that has the top spec, with the 4WS. Does your chassis number start with CXD or CXW?

I imagine if you do not have the radio buttons on the wheel, this might indicate you have an airbag equipped wheel. They are mutually exclusive, don't want to be picking radio control buttons out of your teeth.

Be interesting to compare spec. Yours being Japanese will have the plastic headlamps, not glass, as for Europe. This will mean you have the bonus of the extra foglamp the glass ones don't get, but you will not have the headlamp washer. Not sure if plastic lights ever got the headlamp levelling, Phil, has yours got it?

Joe

[b3lha]

Originally Posted by svxistentialist

All the toys, eh?

That's interesting Dave. Up to now, Phil & Belha's car is the only one I am aware of inthe UK that has the top spec, with the 4WS. Does your chassis number start with CXD or CXW?

I imagine if you do not have the radio buttons on the wheel, this might indicate you have an airbag equipped wheel. They are mutually exclusive, don't want to be picking radio control buttons out of your teeth.

Be interesting to compare spec. Yours being Japanese will have the plastic headlamps, not glass, as for Europe. This will mean you have the bonus of the extra foglamp the glass ones don't get, but you will not have the headlamp washer. Not sure if plastic lights ever got the headlamp levelling, Phil, has yours got it?

Joe

Hi Joe,

I've seen another 4WS in the UK. Identical to ours but in the silver two-tone Tony colour scheme. If Dave also has one then that makes three.

We don't have headlamp levelling, I think that's Euro only. Same with the seat warmers. We have got the auto "turn on when it gets dark" headlamps, which flash the car in front everytime you pass under a motorway gantry.

Phil.

[svxistentialist]

Originally Posted by b3lha

Hi Joe,

I've seen another 4WS in the UK. Identical to ours but in the silver two-tone Tony colour scheme. If Dave also has one then that makes three.

We don't have headlamp levelling, I think that's Euro only. Same with the seat warmers. We have got the auto "turn on when it gets dark" headlamps, which flash the car in front everytime you pass under a motorway gantry.

Phil.

Now you are admitting you are a flasher. Very interesting

Nothing to do with radio, I know, but I wonder if it is possible to go to a sunroof specialist, and have the metal top replaced by a bronzed glass variant, with a pull-over blind like the modern ones?

I have always preferred A/C over sunroofs, but since I have one in Black Betty, just wondering if it could be improved?

Anybody know anything?

Joe

[b3lha]

Originally Posted by svxistentialist

I wonder if it is possible to go to a sunroof specialist, and have the metal top replaced by a bronzed glass variant, with a pull-over blind like the modern ones?

I have always preferred A/C over sunroofs, but since I have one in Black Betty, just wondering if it could be improved?

Anybody know anything?

Joe

There's an old thread about that somewhere. Here or Yahoo - can't find it at present. Somebody said theres a JDM Impreza which has a glass sunroof and it's directly compatible with the SVX.

[svxistentialist]

Thanks Phil.

That might be handy if it was a direct replacement. I must ask Paddles what is the situation on part numbers and cost.

Ta

[svxistentialist]

Originally Posted by b3lha

There's an old thread about that somewhere. Here or Yahoo - can't find it at present. Somebody said theres a JDM Impreza which has a glass sunroof and it's directly compatible with the SVX.

Found the thread. It was Mike [Green 1995] last August. He reckons the Impreza coupe had the same sunroof. Will check into it.

[SVXsnubb]

Originally Posted by b3lha

I saw a posting somewhere which said that the SVX CD Changer could be controlled by the Single DIN Subaru/Panasonic units fitted to the Legacy. I haven't investigated any further but if so then it would give you the frequencies you want and RDS.

There is a company which sells an adapter to interface a Sony or Alpine CD Changer to a Panasonic head unit. Presumably it could also be done the other way around.

Unfortunately my CD changer is broken, please let me know if you decide to sell yours.

Phil.

I have a original Panasonic DP 15, 12 disc for sale.

Lars

Joe,
Mine is a CXD, black on black, with airbag not radio buttons, auto headlamps and a funny fan device on the rear parcel shelf controlled by a switch on the centre console. I'm assuming that it blows air that has come out of the climate control system, but I will have to wait until I can persuade someone to sit in the back so that I can experiment.
I still have the basic silver JDM machine I bought a few years ago, which I am getting ready to sell, but finding time to clean it up etc. is difficult, particularly as there are a few things I still need to sort out on the black one, such as the radio. But I will get there, especially as room on the drive is now becoming premium real estate.
Dave