Hi!
I have a 1973 'non Super' Beetle.

A previous owner had altered the metal around the stereo opening.

I still had to straighten the metal edges a little.

I had to remove the fresh air control knobs assembly to get my stereo
to fit.

I removed the fresh air control box. I removed the cables and used
clear rtv sealant to glue the doors on each side shut.

I never used it anyway. The hoses were not connected since the dash
vents were removed. I had to remove them when I installed dash gauges.
There was not enough room.

With the dash knobs assembly removed it was fairly easy to get the
stereo in.

It angles down a little.  There is enough clearance between the bottom
of the wiper motor and arms.

Now I just have to figure out a way to get the dash knobs back on, not
to use, but to make it look good.

After I got the stereo in, I put a thin piece of weatherstripping
around the hole by pushing it in with a puddy knife.  That would have
been easier before installing the stereo.

Here are some more tips I found while searching this group.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>

See  if it will fit in from the trunk.
Then try it with the fresh air control box installed.

If you cut, use a Dremmel tool with a cut off wheel.
Use eye protection.
Do not cut above where wires run.
Cut below and to the left?
Look for wires behind the metal before you cut.
Paint the freshly cut areas to help prevent rust.
Black Rustoleum enamel?
Check how the wiper motor fits and the travel of the wiper arms.
Vacuum out any metal splinters.
Might want to do this before the new harness is installed.

The radio chassis will touch the wiper motor, so just
place a non conductive separation between the two to prevent
noise.

Fitting a larger stereo to a bug

It won't fit in anyway, there's too much stuff behind there,
for example the fresh air vent assembly

Also the steel bracket that the windshield wipers control arms use.
I didn't cut the hole bigger I just put the radio in from the
back (under the hood) and the controls fit through fine.

My friend has a 72 bug and once we cut the hole large enough, we had no

problem getting his Alpine pullout to fit.

I have always been able to get the DIN chassis to fit
the stock bug hole, you just have to work a bit. On late model
bugs, the fresh air controls need to be loosened and moved
"down". The radio chassis will touch the wiper motor, so just
place a non conductive separation between the two to prevent
noise.
John Conolly

How about using a big Bondo spatula as a non conductive separation
between the two to prevent noise? You could attach it with black rtv
sealant.
JP 73vwbeetle

Anyone have an extra

January 2002 issue Hot VW's. New products section,
Billet Machine Products makes an aluminum piece to fit there.
Don't have it in front of me, but I think there were different colors
available.

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It won't fit in anyway, there's too much stuff behind there,
for example the fresh air vent assembly. (Later models).
Believe me, I destroyed a -74 dash only to find that one out...
I guess it would fit a pre-68 or something.
I made a center console myself and fitted the stereo there, along
with a few extra gauges. I can send you a picture, if you want....
Jan

Also the steel bracket that the windshield wipers control arms use.
But in fact your radio may just fit (mind did although it was a tight
squeeze). I didn't cut the hole bigger I just put the radio in from the

back (under the hood) and the controls fit through fine.
This worked very well and no cutting involved although as I said it was

a tight fit and there were times when I thought it would not fit.
Frank fra...@apple.com

My friend has a 72 bug and once we cut the hole large enough, we had no

problem getting his Alpine pullout to fit. A pullout is also deeper
than a faceplate or regular unit. I have a 68 Ghia and also had no
problems. As for if you get another stereo, most on the market now are
DIN chasis and all the same size(except for depth). The problem with
mounting it under the dash is a)it is easier to steal and b)most
insurance companies will only cover it if it is in the factory spot.
L8r, Jeremy
Ghias Rule

I have always been able to get the DIN chassis to fit
the stock bug hole, you just have to work a bit. On late model
bugs, the fresh air controls need to be loosened and moved
"down". The radio chassis will touch the wiper motor, so just
place a non conductive separation between the two to prevent
noise.
John Conolly

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How about using a big white Bondo spatula as a non conductive
separation between the two to prevent noise? You could attach it with
rtv sealant.
JP 73vwbeetle

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