hans14914

I am starting on my stereo installation, and want to know if anyone has moved the factory fuse pannel? I don't need to move it far, even if i could lay it flat on the floor pan, and make a false floor, would be great. Any of you race guys have any experience with it?
Thanks
Hans

Alan

Hans,
The primary limitation is the attachment of the wiring looms. You could certainly move it a little - I see no major harm - but a lot of work. Disconnect Battery of course - take lots of pictures in detail before you start.

Are you just looking to create space above for an Amp, CD changer....

If you really wanted a false floor bear in mind that the depth of the central electric with Relay attached is approx 3" you need solid covers above and spacers below so I imagine about 5" when you are done - may be challenging. You also must ensure it stays dry - this is a bigger challenge with lower & horizontal mounting...

If you really wanted to proceed either move it down a little by changing the angle and moving front mounting points forward OR to free up a lot of space - mount the bottom of the panel on a hinge and have the relays etc underneath as it flips forward into its rest position (I don't think its likley that the relays/fuses will fall out - but they would be dangling upside down) Rotating the panel and laying it flat with relays/fuses up will not give you enough wire lengths to plug the looms in.

My advice - do not hack the looms/connectors on this scale... do not even think about rewiring the central electric unless you have a very wide masochistic streak.

I would conclude - if it were me - that this was probably not the easiest way to do whatever you are doing.... What are the other options?

BTW the race guys have it easy - they delete almost everything!
Alan

FlyingDog

I'm not sure if this is easily doable or if it suits your needs, but what about moving the panel up to the parcel tray?

hans14914

I am trying to install a quality kickpanel to hold some larger drivers. I will play with it tomorrow, but was planning on relocating my ezk/lh modules to the parcel tray.
Thanks
Hans

jyoon

hans, you must like your stereo to go through that much trouble, hehe. i'm in peru about an hour north of ya. wanna help me drop my tranny this weekend?, lol, j/k.

jserio

Jyoon, I wish we were close. I'd dance with you on that job.

DoubleNutz

Several years ago there was a member here on the list that did this (he cleaned up the wiring birds nest too). I can't recall if this was the before the new list (about May 2001) or after. The reason I mention this is becuse you may be able to find it in the list archives in a search. He also posted photos of the completed work.

SharkSkin

Having done quite a bit of rooting around in there I think you might be better off putting it in the parcel tray location, perhaps on a drawer slide, then maybe move the brains to the glove box. I think the harnesses can reach if the panel is mounted face up with the fuses toward the rear of the car, and still allow you enough slack to slide the panel out the foot or so that you would need to be able to get to all the relays. The wire flexing caused by sliding it in and out may reduce the lifespan of the harness, but probably not by much. You'd have to slide it out and flex the wires every time you need to check a fuse and the wire will eventually fatigue. It would definitely fit if you mounted it statically in that location with the fuses/relays facing down, but you'd have to be spiderman to work on it.

hans14914

Thanks Guys. I do take car audio pretty seriously, and hopefuly i will have something to show off for Frenzy this year.

Wow, Peru, i have family that live up in Rochester, so go past there quite often. I may have to stop in some time, and we can share shark tales.

Hans

heinrich

Man you Peruvians are all the same

heinrich

"Tell me Kid .... Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?"

heinrich

Hans Dude, long time no speak, how are you? Talk with trackmeister Don Hanson. I've never met anyone as good as he (And maybe Anderson) at ripping unnecessary things out of 928's. Don has something like 2 relays and 4 fuses left, in a fully functional, powerhaus GT racing beast. Ought to be able to advise you ... He goes by Gnarly928

DoubleNutz

Dave that is such an EXCELLENT job you did. I love the detail you put into the layout of your page.

About Stabilitant22- is it possible to buy it,or something like it, from local stores? Your site has encouraged me to clean up the cabling and fuse/relay panel in my 89S4. I also have some electrical gremlins from the PO that are driving me completely NUTS (I think they may all be atributed to the car stereo installation becuase it its the only aftermarket work done in the car).

SharkSkin

Thanks... I'm not sure there is anything out there quite like Stabilant. I have since run across a cheaper source (http://www.ralaudio.com/index.php?manufacturers_id=2) and there may be others out there. Google is your friend.

Your S4 will be a bit more complex... it has the power feeds on the top center of the panel, it has several more fuses, and it will be trickier getting at the fuse connectors. Just be methodical, disconnect only one terminal at a time, and it will be a cakewalk. I rate this job as tedious, but easy.

DoubleNutz

Thanks Dave. I was hoping to attack this job this weekend but only after a plan of walking into a store and buying some Stabilitant. I guess I have to mail order it.