How about the slider in the console, to the right of the shift lever, mounted fore/aft...

P.*. what are the switches and LEDs at the aft end of the console - is that stock?

Honestly a vertical slider hadn't even occurred to me. Weird. I'll have to see what space is available behind there when I get it torn open. As far as side-by-side, that won't work. There'* no room for that (I know from the hacking I had to do in there for the gauge). The idea of mounting on the side of the center console had been milling around in my head though.

Hawkjet, the switches and LED'* on both cars are identical in appearance, and differ slightly in function.

SSEi:
Left and right are front and rear radar. I don't like fiddling with dinky switches and *****.
Center is the intercooler. It used to be the Gtech. Fan overrides are hidden in my 'happy box' and under the column (both switches are functional, but of different ages). LED'* are indicators for what'* on.

SLE:
Left and right are front and rear radar also, just like the SSEi.
Center is high-speed fan override. I wanted to keep the look the same between both cars.

On the SLE, the LED also tells me IF the fans are already on due to ECC mode.

put the gain control in front of the shifter on the flat piece.

That flat piece is my 'ashtray' where I keep my spare fuses and change for the carwash and vacuum. Not giving it up.

would you consider using a rheostat with a **** that would be smaller to mount?

My vote is either to the right of the shift lever in the console, or to the left of the climate controls mounted vertically. Based on your desire to keep a factory look and seeing the care you have taken with the rest of your mods, I'll bet you'll make either one very clean.

if you recall, you should have an opening to the side of the ECC from where the heated windshield switch would have been. I believe it is large enough for the connector of the gain switch to go.

Now, will it line up properly, that'* another question...

Better use of time to just get new speakers, not spending the time to install an old OEM stereo system that'll sound subpar vs any half decent aftermarket system.

After reading your old man ranting in the other thread... Why not use the 'Ei bezel, and add a HUD while you're at it

Otherwise column mounted pods aren't bad at all IMO. It'll be much more "usable" as well.

I'll see what it looks like in there today after work. The car is in the garage ready for the gut-job.

The reason I'm going OEM 'Ei' instead of aftermarket is because I want the two cars to deliver the same sound, and both are running the same head unit already. That'* #1 for me. Same sound. Besides, I've lost some of my upper frequencies to Jet noise, gunfire, etc over the years (Pdad and I took a hearing test a couple trips ago at a science center, and I failed miserably at the upper end).

I've had awesome offers from Audiofiles for a system but if I invest, it'll be in the SSEi, as that'* the car the owner wants a good system in (advertising). He promised the amp and sub would fit into my spare tire well and be easily removable for the track, but I have yet to fall for his offer. I wrote the website, own the domain, and his old store was the original sponsor of WCBF '04:

www.audiofilesinc.com

That'* how I got these JVC decks so cheap.

About to tear into the car and see what'll fit where, but in the meantime, I did a little restoration.


What they looked like AFTER cleaning. Notice the rust coming through. I wire brushed gently to remove what I could before painting:




After cleaning, mask 'em up (tweeters removed from underneath):



Testing cans of primer for proper color:









Chose the duplicolor, and here it is after priming:



After clearing with Duplicolor epoxy wheelcoat (left over from slick rims):





These should be ready for install in about 2 hours.


The funny thing I've noticed since browsing through the schematics is that even the FRONT channels go through the amp. Still trying to figure that one out, time to dig deeper in the FSM'*. I'll do it right. If they need to go through there, then they will. Looks like the SSEi factory amplified system ALSO amplifies the front speakers. So it adds 4 coils, and boosts the WHOLE thing.

In addition, I'm going to have to so some cutting on the rear deck for these larger covers and tweeters. There won't be any going back.