Radio bracket mounts broken, need pics to fab

[Nehemiah]

Hey everyone, new to the forums, new to z's. Just bought a 93 z32 n/a 2+2. The previous owner took it to highway hi fi and they jacked up the inside of the radio cavity. What I need are some pictures of an in tact dash with the bezel removed and radio brackets out if anyone's got it. And possibly measurements/advice. Here's what I'm talking about:





Any help is super appreciated!

[tsflstb]

Shoot, I just had mine apart yesterday but didn't take any pictures. It looks like someone's done a number on that one. The little plastic "nubs" fit in some holes on the radio bracket but there should be another tab above those on each side for a screw. There should also be 2 holes on the bottom just above the factory clock.

I'm going back in to connect the hatch glass antenna when I get an adapter delivered. If nobody responds by then I'll get some pics.

[Nehemiah]

Well that was a quick response! That would be awesome. I just don't know what it supposed to look like, the brackets look like they have four screws to hold them in place, two on each side. And I have two plastic tabs that were broke and two metal brackets broke and bent, figure I'll just use aluminum straps to remake the metal, but I don't know how much of this plastic is missing. And I realize if it isn't like stock it might not line up right. But I'm in no hurry, so if you do get a chance to snag some pics, it would make my life a lot easier. Thanks a million tsflstb!

[DCaff300ZX]

I thought I had some pics but nothing, sorry.
BUT, I can tell you that with that amount of butchering you may just need to make something that will work with whatever you have for a stereo system/etc., it won't be any harder to make fit and work/mount.
Also, Z1 offers the DIN side mount pieces which you could use in conjunction with whatever bracing you fab up to fill the missing holes in the bracketry.
http://www.z1motorsports.com/index.php?cPath=4_31_85
Hope this helps!

[Nehemiah]

Yeah, I plan on getting those brackets and an empty din pocket, I also saw a picture of a used dash board for sale, and it looks like the plastic goes all the way across. I didn't know that, but it would still help having a little more detailed pic. The used bezel I ordered should be here tomorrow, then at least I can kinda line it up, I dunno, I'm hesitant to do any thing too permanent until I really know what it looks like. I see how the plastic should be now, but how those metal straps line up with that, I dunno

[Nehemiah]

Do the metal brackets just mount to the plastic bar across? Not the radio mounts, but those funky metal straps that are all bent and broke in my dash. If so I don't really need them...

[Rubyz32]

I have my stereo out right now actually. I will take some pics tomorow for Ya if nobody has posted them yet. I can do measurements for you as well. Just let me know.

[Nehemiah]

That would be awesome rubyz32, thanks so much. I think just some pictures would help tremendously.

[DCaff300ZX]

You can work from the schematic you posted- the missing metal from the top is the only important part and as shown, is for the little shiny trim piece above the DIN panel and a mid mounting point for the DIN cover screws. And as you suggested the radio mounts screw to the inside metal area you can also see in the schematic.
You could attach some metal (maybe even a piece of stereo system hanger metal that comes with the kits?) across that front area and provide holes for mounting the trim strip, and maybe even provide for the two mid mounting screws with obviously some cutting/notching/dry fitting and other monkeying to get it all lined up and looking right. My suggestion would be to use 1-5 minute epoxy with clothes pins or other holding method to fasten your new front metal piece (s) since screws/fasteners will be difficult and steal space.
With the screws in the top and friction clips in the bottom the DIN panel (black area in schemo pic) should mount fine as well with maybe a little prodding...for reference, I did a "custom" wood DIN pocket and other additions and fixes to my DIN panel with broken mounts in my NA (not trashed like yours though) and it really isn't too hard to get it to go back together OK since there's some friction fits involved that do some holding for you as well with the shifter cover and all.
I'd just try to make it a fun fiddle-around project with priority of getting everything to fit and fasten right, and not worry about how you did it or how it looks inside- just get the system to mount correctly and the DIN panel to go back in and stay tight and you're golden.
Sorry if I make it sound overly simple but it is one of my strong suits- fix and improve.
It can be done...

[Nehemiah]

So the side din brackets mount to this plastic piece in the middle?



Or this metal strap?



Sorry if you already said it, just to clarify;)

[DCaff300ZX]

No worries...let's go with your pics.
In your first pic the side DIN stereo mounts that you can purchase mount to the metal pieces on the inside sides of the area, NOT the metal strip that goes across the middle. That middle metal piece has four plastic inserts that are for the middle DIN finisher strip clips and the two middle DIN panel mounting screws.
Your second picture shows the middle DIN mounting screw still holding a chunk of the DIN panel under the finisher strip and that plastic clip.

I would try to mimic that metal strip as best possible trying to allow stock-like mounting of both middle DIN mount screws AND the finisher panel which has friction clips and no screws. Since the stereo DIN mounts will mount as normal on the sides where you had no damage, allowing your stereo to be at normal positioning and therefore use of the stock DIN panel (or replacement obviously), that's why I would then also try to "re-fab" that middle area- it will allow the best final fit of the panel.
Feel free to ask away with anything else, I like this stuff and am more than willing to share/help/encourage!

[Nehemiah]

Ok, that makes sense. You're the best!! Bezel just came in, just need to wait for those metal din brackets to come in. In the meantime I'll start checking hd and lowes for metal straps. I'm in construction, so I deal with fixing and rigging stuff all the time, just never really dealt with cars. With houses you can get away with a lot, but cars have very close tolerances and need to be 'perfect'... I guess that's why I'm kinda over planning :/