Stereo on Journey 258

reelbeliever

Member
Joined
Jun 13, 2010
Messages
22
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
New Jersey
Hi,

Going to install a new stereo on my 2006 Journey. The boom box thing is not working out. Bought a Fusion RA-200 kit with speakers. I have some ideas on where to mount the head unit. Speaker placement doesn't seem obvious. I want speakers in the cockpit. Has anyone else done this? Any help appreciated.

-rb
 
most stereos (even "marine grade" units) are better served mounted in the cuddy and far for moisture.
Use a wired remote to control the head unit located in the cuddy or mounted above in the elec box overhead.
Easiest to mount head unit in the overhead box as power will already be running to that location, just check to see the wire will support the additional current demand.
Run speaker wires to speakers in cockpit. Usual cockpit locations are near the floor just ahead of the seats. I believe you'd be best and easiest to use marine "boxed" speakers on brackets as there is very little place to utilize flush mount speakers in a 258's cockpit.
May also consider mounting speakers inside the overhead elec box (if head unit is mounted there too, then this would be by far the easiest location).

may consider looking at a factory installed stereo on a 258 to get some ideas on location posibilities.

please post some pics of the final install when finished.
 
As stated above, the factory stereo head unit on a 06 258 is mounted in the cabin under the starboard gunwale next to the bulkhead wall. Having it there though does reduce the length of any fishing rods you may stow under there. I have a wired remote mounted at the helm which is really handy. There are two speakers in the cabin near the bow which from day one have been shut off. IMOHO they are not neccessary. The other speakers are indeed mounted at your feet in the helm area. They are flush mounted several inches above the deck in the space between the bulkhead wall and the seats pedestals. A good place for them I think. I have often thought that I would eventually re-run the wires from the bow speakers and install box speakers under the gunwales near the stern to complete the 4 speaker system.
 
The advice on the speakers was very helpful. I added box speakers to the bulkhead to the front of the helm chairs. Sound is good. Very unobtrusive location. I want to add another pair, not sure where to put them yet.

Right now is looks like I have an electrical problem. The stereo locks up on me. I will tune to a radio station and after a short time the head unit is unresponsive. I reboot the RA-200 but the problem re-appears. The Fusion tech support guys think I might have a voltage drop problem. I'm going to check that out with a multi-meter, maybe run a line direct to the battery. We'll see.

-rb