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Interior Parts & Stereo, Part 1
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We'll update this section as needed. We've also included some tips at the bottom of this section to help you out.
Seats
Seats for the '38 where donated by a '95 Thunderbird. New mounting brackets were made by using 2" x 3" boxed tube and 1/8" flat stock. Always make the seat mountings face the inside of the seat. This allows you to use a seat track skirt to hide everything.
Mark is able to use the front inside mounting hole in the stock floor. New mounting holes can be drilled into the floor, but look closely at where the holes will fall. You may not have room if the holes falls over the X-member for the attaching nut. Also, if the mounting hole should be over the single thickness of the floor pan, use a plate under the floor for extra strength.
Seats should be mounted wherever they are the most comfortable. If your on the tall side (over 6' 2") try to seat the seat tracks in the back positions. If your on the shorter side (under 5' 9") try to set the seat tracks in the forward positions. In most cases, seats are trial fitted many times before mounting.
Tech Tips
Again, this is what we have found works best for us.
*When it comes time to pick-out paint and upholstery, my wife helps me. She able to pick out things that flow together and compliment each other. I, on the other hand, have no "fashion sense." I still have a hard time believing that stripes & plaid don't go together.
*Most interior shops set their schedule pretty tight. Make sure that you tell them ahead of time if you need them to hook-up wiring or order interior door handles, etc. Make sure that your upholsterer know what you want him to do before you drop off your car!
*Make sure that you allow provisions for seat belts. Bolt them through to the frame, not just through the the floor.
Stereo Head Unit and 6-Disc CD Changer Installation
We'll also update this section as needed.
Mark wanted a quality sound system but knew that mounting space is always a premium in a street rod. A Secret Audioä SS system from Custom Autosound Mfg. provided the ultimate flexibility. Pictured is the Secret Audioä SS system with the optional 6-disc CD changer. The LCD display/control panel is only ¾" thick and has a 9 foot lead so it can be mounted almost anywhere. With the included RF remote it doesn’t even have to be visible.
Mark chose to mount the MPX receiver with the supplied bracket to the bottom of the rear package shelf. RCA lineout jacks are prewired if you want to add a power amp. The receivers wire harness was secured to the shelf with some p-clamps.
Wanting access to the CD changer from inside the car, a location under the rear of the passenger was selected. The CD changer can also be mounted vertically. You can drill holes to mount the supplied stud mounting brackets, if you prefer. Mark chose to weld them in place. Their locations were marked with the seat and CD changer in position. The seat and CD changer were then removed and the brackets were then plug welded to the floor. The bent sheet metal brackets on the right were also welded to the floor for mounting the OEM tray for the LT 1 computer. The CD changer was then bolted in place.
Tips
Mark asked me to add in what I though might be needed.
*I'm going to add in that I like this unit (and no, I don't get a commission from Custom Autosound). In most vehicles, aftermarket A/C units that will really cool well are big. 9 out of 10 times what keeps you from being able to use "that next bigger unit" is the stereo in the middle of the dash. I've run out of space in my 1990 454 SS because I wanted the bigger Vintage Air unit available. I decided I'd work on mounting the stereo in an overhead console. I'm planning on using this unit and mounting the head unit in the backside of the sun visor. This really opens up space and lots of room under the dash. Dash space is always a premium!
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