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Posted by: bembry Nov 21 2010, 10:10 AM

Guys,
I have a period Blaupunkt Frankfurt, as well as two cheapie 4X6 speakers that I want to put into my 914. I have the correct faceplate as well. Bunch of questions, and please pardon my ignorance. I've never done any wiring at all. Ever.

What gauge wire do you recommend for the speakers?

What kind of connectors do I need?

Where do I get the power for the radio?

What do I mount the radio to in order to support it?

Any other recommendations?

Thanks in advance, and again, pardon my ignorance.

Brent

Posted by: SLITS Nov 21 2010, 10:21 AM

Don't know if the radio had a shuttle (cage) it slid into for mounting in the dash, but it just slides into a properly sized hole in the dash.

Use plumber's tape to stabilize the radio. One end is screwed to the bulkhead and the other to the stud on the back of the radio. (Plumber's tape is the metal strip with lotsa holes in it).

Power comes from the fuse panel ... pick one of the power leads that is switched unless you want to be able to play the radio with the key off. A VOM makes this easy to find.

Speaker wire is speaker wire ... 16/18? gauge stranded. Wire nuts or solderless connectors to join wires; Spade terminals to attach to the speakers.

That's my take .......

Posted by: windforfun Nov 21 2010, 10:29 AM

My set-up, which I think was dealer installed, got it's power from the cigarette lighter. The speakers were wired in parallel for mono operation. I've removed the entire system due to its marginal performance. You're welcome to it for a modest price. It'll have to be packed well if shipping is required. One of the speaker enclosures has a crack at the bottom. I'll include the antenna too. Let me know.

Posted by: dr914@autoatlanta.com Nov 21 2010, 10:45 AM

we still have in stock some of the old installation kits complete with instructions which will allow you to perfectly install it. Original power came from the cigar lighter believe it or not!!!

Posted by: windforfun Nov 21 2010, 10:51 AM

George...it's cigarette, not cigar.

Posted by: tod914 Nov 21 2010, 11:08 AM

I planned on color correcting & cleaning these up better prior to posting. Here you go though. Hope this helps. It's from a Motorola radio installation kit for a 914. I'll still need to photograph the parts.

Posted by: tod914 Nov 21 2010, 11:09 AM

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Posted by: tod914 Nov 21 2010, 11:12 AM

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Posted by: windforfun Nov 21 2010, 11:50 AM

You da man tod914!!!

Posted by: Tom_T Nov 21 2010, 01:08 PM

.... good info Tod-ster!

BTW wind - note in Tod's Fig. 4 that it IS called a cigar lighter - a hold-over from the "olden days" when some of us older farts were around!

I have the Motorola VW4412 AM/FM/8-Track for mine from when I got my 2L back in 12/75 (I think it's the 1st radio in the car), which is the similar to this Sapphire - except with a hinged door for the 8-track tape cartridge (& no PORSCHE script). So this works with my radio too!

Brent will get a kick out of this too (going back in after cleaning/detailing it, when my resto is done) .......



..... FYI - In/Out is the push button position, M/S is Mono/Sterio w/ amber dot-light to right indicating 8-track tape "side" 1 or 2 & 4 center amber dot-lights are for the 4-tracks, slider AM/FM dial is hinged backwards to insert tape - otherwise all knobs/levers at L/R of face operate as on the push-button Sapphire you have.

.

PS - email me if you need some pix of the wires/etc. in place, since I took some hi-rez pix as I removed the radio/antenna/speakers as "half-zymers insurance" for when I put it back together.

So Brent, post your "as installed" pix here when your done!

Posted by: bembry Nov 21 2010, 01:24 PM

Awesome--thanks. guys! Tom, I,ll definitely post some pics too

Posted by: Tom_T Nov 21 2010, 01:31 PM

BTW Brent - I don't recall if I posted it at your other F-license plate bracket post, but I'd go with a new bracket kit with hardware still available from Porsche at dealers & the other usual sources (PCA members get 20% parts discount from dealers from time to time, if you don't need it `til Spring join & wait for the email notice of discount).

That way you'll have a nice new/painted bracket & non-rusty hardware & non-crusty nylon inserts to last longer & not screw-up your chrome bumper, as you work on your ongoing resto.

The front bracket has the crossbar offset higher than midway, while the rear is midway IIRC (or visa versa).

Also, Tod is relatively close to you now down in Joysee (NJ) - also known as the "rocker rivet king", & Pat Garvey in the Philly area, & a bunch of others. IIRC you're now based in RI.

Cheers!

Posted by: Jeffs9146 Nov 21 2010, 01:45 PM

FYI

The Cigar Lighter will work but if you have ever removed yours it may be loose. You may experience a loss of ground when you hit a bump. It would be safer to run the ground to the same spot on the firewall that you put your support strap (shown as existing bracket on the diagram) for the back of the radio!

Posted by: Tom_T Nov 21 2010, 02:11 PM

If he gets/has the radio install kit, then he just needs to crimp the female blade connector on the ground wire to tighten it up - as opposed to cutting that off & adding a screw type connector for the rear mount strap that you're suggesting.

172k mi on mine & both were in & out, changed radios over those years as a DD, and nary once had the ground bounce off the cigar lighter ground. IMHO best to keep it stock where possible.

Posted by: windforfun Nov 21 2010, 07:41 PM

I just like to give George a hard time. BTW, the last time I smoked a cigar, I could taste it for a week afterwards.

Posted by: geniusanthony Nov 21 2010, 08:02 PM

Windforfun, Could you pm/email me pics of your Radio takeout as I may be interested. somewhere I have some schematics of the old Motorola Saphire with provisions for MP3 and greater power handling.

Posted by: windforfun Nov 21 2010, 08:47 PM

You bet. Give me a few days.

Posted by: moldygreg Apr 23 2014, 10:45 AM

This older thread is super helpful. I'm trying to confirm that, the blue wire for the radio dial light, piggy backs off of power to the cigarette lighter?

The diagram doesn't indicate if that's the case.

Thanks-

Greg

Posted by: bbrock Jan 15 2020, 11:58 PM

Love this old thread. Anyone have any info on proper wire colors for replicating the harness?

Posted by: JawjaPorsche Jan 16 2020, 05:43 AM

Did not know power was suppose to come from cigarette lighter! That is so cool! Learn something new. I guess my Porsche dealership didn’t get that memo.