Re: DIN Radio Chassis Fitment Question for 89 200 TQW

["Osman Parvez" <oparvez1@nycap.rr.com>]

Bob Dupree wrote:
----------
> Hey All!  I'm installing a replacement radio for our very own Mr Pfeffer
but
> I have run into a problem.  The DIN space in the dash seems to be a
little
> smaller than the DIN standard.  In the rectangular opening in the dash it
> appears to have small embedded plastic rails that are preventing the
> installation of the Sony mounting can.
> 
> Has anyone got some BTDT experience with the solution to this?  My best
> guess is to take a file to these inner rails, but I'm hoping for
something
> cleaner.

Yeah...I ran into this exact problem last spring while installing a CD
player into the 200. I tried the file route, but found it extremely
frustrating. I finally settled on heating my swiss army knife with a pen
blow-torch until it glowed red, then using it to scrape. The plastic rails
came out much quicker with a hot knife. 

BTW, don't get carried away with those pen sized blow-torches. In other
words...trying to warm the plastic rails instead of the knife will result
in flames and lots of smoke. Don't ask... I know. Let's just call it a
momentary lapse of reason.

Oh..don't heat your knife if you value it's chrome finish. Mine has a
permanent blue tint to the tip now, like a motorcycle's exhaust. 

Finally, even after you scrape out the rails with a heated knife you will
find that the DIN chassis is still a very tight fit. I recall using some
extremely R-rated language during the install.
Good luck.

Osman Parvez
Albany, NY
89 200q, TAP Chip, 171K