Date: Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:24:49 -0400
Reply-To: Harold Teer <teer.vanagon@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Harold Teer <teer.vanagon@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: AM/FM/CD/MP3 Radio with Weather Band that fits Vanagon
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
We have a factory radio in our Subaru that has a weather band and it comes
in handy from time to time, especially in the winter.
Since our original factory radio in the Vanagon had become pretty flaky as
to when it would work, I looked to purchase a new radio for our Vanagon
and really wanted one that wasn't too flashy, matched the dash of the van,
and had a weather band feature.
Through luck, I found a radio with AM/FM/CD/MP3 and weather band and remote
control all in one unit that fits the Vanagon.
It is not a brand that I have heard of but found it for sale on a site that
sells heavy duty radios for big trucks, buses, etc. I searched for the
manufacturer, called them, asked questions and purchased one of their
models (CSS-5920E) directly from them.
To see their radios, go to: Custom Radio
Corporation<http://customradio.net/us_en/products-page/truck/>
The face plate is the exact size as the original radio in our '91 Westy and
the depth of the radio is almost exactly the size of the original radio so
there was no problem making the radio fit.
Costs were as follows:
Radio -- CSS-5920E $124.25
Remote Control -- CSS-10 $7.00
Shipping varies by location
You will also need an adapter for the antenna if you have the original
European version antenna. Since the radio has two power wires (main and
accessory) you do need to tie in to the key-in wire from the ignition
switch. After that, when the key is out, the radio is off.
I purchased the following from an ebay seller to complete the installation.
Wiring Harness Adapter -- Metra 70-1784 Metra
Harness<http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-VW9000-VOLKSWAGEN-AUDI-1987-UP-RADIO-WIRE-HARNESS-METRA-70-1784-/300658566132?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4600a5a3f4&vxp=mtr>for
$4.75 delivered
Antenna Adapter --- Metra 40VW10 Metra Antenna
Adapter<http://www.ebay.com/itm/290673675409?item=290673675409&viewitem=&sspagename=ADME:L:OC:US:3160&vxp=mtr>for
$4.95 delivered
The black color and the white & silver trim matches the knobs, levers, etc.
on the dash and I think the radio looks like it came with the van. To see
2 pics of the installed radio in our '91 Westy, go to:
CSS-5920E<https://plus.google.com/photos/101409063124906966630/albums/5736160626378274641?authkey=CKKYzOPEsfXrYg>
While I have only used it for a few days, AM and FM reception is very
strong, the CD players works great, and I have not used the MP3/WMA input.
The weather band feature works and has less static than the one in the
Subaru. Oh, and the radio has plenty of power at 45 watts per channel (4)
--- much more power than I need for the factory speakers.
Hope this helps someone looking fore a radio and let me know if you have
questions.
Harold
--
__________
Harold Teer
1991 Westy
Harrisonburg, VA