Album Index for Album 0005: Aiwa CDC-MP3 Install

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Size Caption

103939
I picked up my Aiwa CDC-MP3 from Crutchfield. With a $25 off referral (mine is #17715309!)it was $279 delivered.

86345
It's a good looking head unit and I'm pretty happy with it's operation. Being able to have a couple of hundred songs per CD is all I need and it's much more hassle free than my old computer setup. There are some weaknesses to the unit, see www.anandtech.com for a good review that shows both sides.

101188
One nice thing about Crutchfield is that they give you an install kit for the Miata. I only used the harness adapter. You'll see why in the next picture.

22418
While the Aiwa bezel is nice, in a Miata it means the head unit sticks out a full 1/2-3/4" from the front of the dash console. Seriously ugly. This is a picture I found off the net of an Accord install.

102026
There is a nice plastic carrying case for the face. DON'T leave it under the seat or in the glove compartment. If they find it, they will THEN tear your dash apart to get the unit out.

108777
Flush mounting the head unit brings up it's own problems. I bought a "Really Nice CD Caddy" from Serious Auto because it fills the extra void in a miata perfectly and it holds 4 CDs...40 CDs worth of MP3s. Check the final picture to see the unit. Note the Aiwa shell won't fit.

64010
I bent the lip of the shell flat in order to install the unit flush with the CD caddy.

98418
Serious Auto does indicate that some adjustment must be made for a 1.6L Miata. I also have a replacement center plate so I had to do some shaving on the sides and bottom corners to get a good fit.

90999
To get the Aiwa shell into the CD caddy you pop off the front screw covers with a plastic knife.

92182
Carefully disassemble the CD caddy and put the shell inside. It'll take a few trial fits to get it in the right position.

95430
With the shell in place you can install the head unit to see how it's going to look.

100642
Looks pretty good. Let's do a trial fit in the car.

85214
Oh-oh. The ugly metal of the shell shows on the sides and bottom!

94161
Use some paint and color all the metal that can show a flat black.

128281
Ok, this is out of sequence because the bottom metal still isn't painted but I have a couple of other issues to show you. What about the ugly gaps on each side? What about that droopy looking top plate?

135251
I just happened to have an old center dash console to use as a source of plastic material.

118558
I cut two side plates to fill the side gaps up. I sanded and measured and glued them in carefully.

83898
I slipped another piece at the top edge into the gap to raise the droopy top plate.

77519
Voila! One good looking custom aftermarket, flush mounted, CD caddied, amped and subwoofered Aiwa CDC-MP3 Miata install! Go for it! (Now I just have to CLEAN the car!)

Size	Caption
103939	I picked up my Aiwa CDC-MP3 from Crutchfield. With a $25 off referral (mine is #17715309!)it was $279 delivered.
86345	It's a good looking head unit and I'm pretty happy with it's operation. Being able to have a couple of hundred songs per CD is all I need and it's much more hassle free than my old computer setup. There are some weaknesses to the unit, see www.anandtech.com for a good review that shows both sides.
101188	One nice thing about Crutchfield is that they give you an install kit for the Miata. I only used the harness adapter. You'll see why in the next picture.
22418	While the Aiwa bezel is nice, in a Miata it means the head unit sticks out a full 1/2-3/4" from the front of the dash console. Seriously ugly. This is a picture I found off the net of an Accord install.
102026	There is a nice plastic carrying case for the face. DON'T leave it under the seat or in the glove compartment. If they find it, they will THEN tear your dash apart to get the unit out.
108777	Flush mounting the head unit brings up it's own problems. I bought a "Really Nice CD Caddy" from Serious Auto because it fills the extra void in a miata perfectly and it holds 4 CDs...40 CDs worth of MP3s. Check the final picture to see the unit. Note the Aiwa shell won't fit.
64010	I bent the lip of the shell flat in order to install the unit flush with the CD caddy.
98418	Serious Auto does indicate that some adjustment must be made for a 1.6L Miata. I also have a replacement center plate so I had to do some shaving on the sides and bottom corners to get a good fit.
90999	To get the Aiwa shell into the CD caddy you pop off the front screw covers with a plastic knife.
92182	Carefully disassemble the CD caddy and put the shell inside. It'll take a few trial fits to get it in the right position.
95430	With the shell in place you can install the head unit to see how it's going to look.
100642	Looks pretty good. Let's do a trial fit in the car.
85214	Oh-oh. The ugly metal of the shell shows on the sides and bottom!
94161	Use some paint and color all the metal that can show a flat black.
128281	Ok, this is out of sequence because the bottom metal still isn't painted but I have a couple of other issues to show you. What about the ugly gaps on each side? What about that droopy looking top plate?
135251	I just happened to have an old center dash console to use as a source of plastic material.
118558	I cut two side plates to fill the side gaps up. I sanded and measured and glued them in carefully.
83898	I slipped another piece at the top edge into the gap to raise the droopy top plate.
77519	Voila! One good looking custom aftermarket, flush mounted, CD caddied, amped and subwoofered Aiwa CDC-MP3 Miata install! Go for it! (Now I just have to CLEAN the car!)