I just picked up an Acura EL console for my EK hatch that has an DIN sized pocket below the climate controls where I want to relocate my stereo. Now, I want to return my stock radio to the stock location. Can I just splice into the aftermarket harness of my Alpine to provide a source for power, ground, accessory, and illumination for the stock radio? So that I will, in essence, have 2 functioning decks? I don't neccessarily want any output from the stock radio, I just really want the clock function. Here are pics to show you what I'm talking about...





Secondly, has anyone done this before? All I got with my console were these brackets that came with the pocket. I couldn't find where they're supposed to go on the car. Am I missing additional hardware? Any EL owners out there who can help?

 

A couple things:

1) For the stock radio to work, you'll need a "Y" harness, a lot of people use them for hiding the radio to keep keyless entry.

2) You won't really be able to fit a radio down in the "din" console, because it's too wide, and too short. It's only for a pocket, or a slave accessory (like a cassette or cd slave). I mean, it sits in there .... but looks like ****.

3) Those brackets don't work. The dash of an EL is different (both the fiberglass dashboard and the metal cage), and has some extra tabs on the dash frame. They are for installing a slave device as noted above.

And unless everything is just mocked up, you've installed yours wrong. That gap is bigger than the grand canyon.

You can see how it's supposed to look here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/erantyint/2994027204/

 

Thanks for the knowledge Eran!

Yeah, I know the EL pocket area is not really meant for a stereo install but I have seen it done before:



And it looks great! Just like how the 96-98 cupholders have that pocket which can be replaced with a slave unit or aftermarket deck. Sure, you can't fit a stereo cage in there, but as long as it can be ISO-mounted like the slave unit, it will work. I thought that was the case with the EL pocket as well. I wasn't aware that the EL dash is designed differently. So... how do you have the slave unit mounted in your car? Do you have an EL dash, or did you fab up a mount yourself?

And yeah, the EL console does fit flush. The gap is only there because I haven't bolted anything down yet.




So, are you using the EL dash then since you are able to run the cd slave?

 

No, the slave device just sits in there. I have a styrofoam block wrapped in cloth adhered to the bottom of the opening in the EL console to support anything I put in there (slave drives or pockets). It's ghetto, but it doesn't show and it does exactly what I need it to.

 

I'll also note that the pocket clicks into place, and the slave devices have a rubber trim gasket that allows it to stay secure. My **** isn't just ... hanging out.

 

nice options....

 

Damn, I always thought they were the same in civics?

I'll post up some pics of the cage for you since my car is sitting in my garage as a bare shell.

 

I think it's just a couple extra tabs for mounting the slave. That, and the blower box and dash frame are different to accommodate the clock and different climate control.

 

I did this to my old civic, with my Cd player in the bottom. All I did was trim the console on the bottom that connects to the EL piece. No brackets needed. I think you guys are doing too much work. Let me find a pic of my old interior.

Edit: NVM, u guys are using EL cup holders as well...Personally I would just stick with the civic 1s imo....The EL cupholders are literal crap. 96-98 civic cupholders are much cooler.....

 

was this ever accomplished, im having the same problem.

 

Why would you ever want a the EL console? The cup holders are absolutely useless lol. I have a EL and want to swap to a jdm ek console