Audio retrofit

Question

I'm curious to know people's experience(s) with regards to cabinetry. I want to remove the original "stereo" unit in my Springdale 5th. It consists of an AM/FM/CD player that is flush mounted to the cabinet next to the steps leading to the sleeping area. (I say "stereo" because the unit feeds ONE 4" ceiling mounted speaker in the living area and another in the bedroom, both "mono" signals, I believe. Wasn't "stereo" introduced back about 1960?!) The unit measures about 8" sq. The cabinet has two doors below the stereo to hang clothes. There is no clear way in to remove the unit and install my new in-dash car unit with the standard 7.25"W. x 2.25" H. size. (I have assistance lined up to fill in the remaining space on the cabinet's face.) Two questions: does anyone have any idea of how to access and remove the old unit? There are no obvious ways in to the cabinet. Could the top (3' W. x 2' D.?) of the cabinet be easily removed and put back into place? Would Keystone have allowed for a bit of excess wire in the cubby hole for replacing the original "stereo"? Also, I'm wondering if anyone can share their experience running and hiding speaker wire in a trailer? I want to install a pair of Boston Acoustics Micro 90s on the slide out's "header" (the 5th will be stationary for the season) and a small powered sub behind the cabinet in the bedroom. I'm perfectly capable when it comes to wiring a sound system in my house, but this will be my first attempt in my 5th. I want it to look as good as it sounds. Thanks in advance for any help in these matters....

bogart661 · Answer

My last 5th wheel also had a one piece stereo AM/FM/CD player. It was attached with screws from the front of the unit. The screws were covered with a plastic cap on each side that looked like part of the unit, to remove the caps I placed a small screw drive under the edge and they popped off giving access to the mounting screws.

colliehauler · Answer

Just like BOGART661 said it should have screws on the front of the unit. You can get a piece of oak and router the edge and stain it to match the interior. Then cut out for your car stereo. The problem I ran into was getting enough power to run an amp and sub, the factory power wire is not large enough to handle the higher current. I use a home 2.1 home theater system (two speakers and sub) Such as a Bose 321 or Sony DAV-X1. This you don't have to deal with running wire for the surround speakers. The do have systems now with wireless surrounds.

larryect · Answer

bogart661 wrote:My last 5th wheel also had a one piece stereo AM/FM/CD player. It was attached with screws from the front of the unit. The screws were covered with a plastic cap on each side that looked like part of the unit, to remove the caps I placed a small screw drive under the edge and they popped off giving access to the mounting screws.This is the way my entertainment system mounts.  Looking closely at the sides there are a couple of small slots or indentations you can get a small prying tool under the edge.  Should not take too much pressure.

john_bridge · Answer

I mounted my car deck in a tiny cabinet alongside the bedroom TV. I was able to fish speaker wires into the AC duct and run them from the bedroom into the kitchen/living space. Should work the same way going in the other direction (if, of course, you have ducted AC). :)

peg_leg · Answer

I changed out one many years ago, sorry can remember how it mounted. The face made it look to be a large unit. Behind the paneling that it mounted through the thing was only 2" thick about 3" from top to bottom and 12" wide and it had 2 cassette units. I remember converting the lower unused space to a pair of sliding doors with CD storage. Most of it will be a facade that can easily be swapped out and changed to fit whatever you want to install.

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