Replacing factory installed bookshelf stereo with automotive am/fm/cd unit

[Doug Kindred]

[FONT="Times New Roman"][SIZE="4"]We have a 2005 329rls Mountaineer and am tired of no reception either am or fm. It's a Sharp bookshelf 5 disk cd system but there are times we'd like to listen to our college football games while away from tv reception. I have a couple of quality auto am/fm cd decks I could install but the opening where the existing receiver sets is about a half inch narrower than the auto unit. I really don't want to butcher the wood work if possible. Also, the existing unit is ac so only works when plugged in to shore power. Where would I find a 12 volt source? And I have a quality antenna I could mount but not sure about drilling holes. The tv, stereo, fridge, stove, etc are in a slide out so that helps. I'm guessing someone out there has experience solving this problem. I've noticed several others are unhappy with the factory installed systems.

Thanks in advance for some tips.

[steiny93]

We had a 2004 Mountaineer and I believe it had that same Sharp radio. I had removed that radio and installed a better one. From memory the Sharp was attached via deck screws from the bottom. Then their were some wood spacers which were screwed in as well to fill up the sides (next to the Sharp). I believe I removed the Sharp and the wood spacers then was able to install a full width av receiver without issue.

I beleive the Mountaineer had a 12 volt power source within the same cabinet, but higher up as it was phyically in the same place as the tv hookups. In that layout the tv and 12volt was above the Sharp radio's position. We used the 12volt as a place to charge phones.

[rohrmann]

Look at Jensen products. We have the 12 volt TV in the bedroom and I added a 12 volt DVD player which works great. They have quite an assortment of 12 volt things that might work for you.

[jimcol]

My 06 radio reception has always been poor. If I needed reception I'd have to pull the funky antennae out of the entertainment cabinet, unroll the leads on it and find a place to sit in the RV. What a PITA. The quality antennae you have will probably fix the am/fm reception problem with your existing system. Now AC verus DC is a different issue.

[Doug Kindred]

Thanks for some good ideas. I also noticed the speaker wire that feeds the speakers in the ceiling must connect to all of them. Apparently there is no separation of bedroom versus living room. Just two leads. We had a 91 Avion prior to this one and it had a fantastic sound system with selections for bedroom, bath and living room. It was a nice unit but a foot longer and 3500 pounds heavier.

Happy trails to all from Eugene, Oregon

[Hblick48]

I got rid of our non-working bookshelf receiver. Purchased under mount for car unit, car unit (any of your choice of thousands). Got 12 volts from under cabinet lights. Installed 4 inch square 1/8 inch aluminum to outside of rig with butyl tape. Installed outside car radio antenna and good to go. Note basket in cubby where radio was.

[Bob and Jeannette]

The AM antenna is a 33’ coil of wire inside of the radio. The FM antenna can hook up to your television antenna if it is not already. Antenna is very important.

[oakland ironworker]

I am doing this too but cant figure out what to do with the extra space left by using a smaller radio.

[Moondragon]

Look for an unlabeled rocker switch on the front closet wall, street side. That's the on/off switch for the bedroom speakers.

[Bob and Jeannette]

Originally Posted by oakland ironworker

I am doing this too but cant figure out what to do with the extra space left by using a smaller radio.

They sell fit kits for cars at stereo installation shops. Single din to double etc

[Doug Kindred]

Thanks for the reply. The only wire that feeds the speakers in the ceiling looks like a zip cord ( 2 conductor) and runs them all at the same time. We're getting ready for our first outing over the FOURTH and I'll deal with it when we get back.

[DebNJim B]

ours has blue tooth, so I just connect to my phone with I heart radio and Sirius XM.

[Pa_5er]

Our 2001 3255 rl had a bad steroe also. Took it out and replaced it with a stereo Bluetooth speaker. It sits in the cubbyhole where the old system used to be.