I'd like to install a new radio/cd in my wifes 89 240. Radio is mounted in the top position. The factory radio has a face plate molded to the radio. I want to cut the old radio out of the face plate and re-use over the new deck.
I can not find a kit anywhere that will fit the odd shape space in the dash in my area.
Can that be done?
What would I use to cut it?
Thanks,
Mike

Tibbsy: Don't pay attention to all those nay-sayers! I've done the exact surgery, it was easy and it looks great. Yes, you can remove the face plate from the factory CR radio. Throw the guts of the radio in the trash...it's not worth repairing. You may cut away the inner parts of the face plate (leaving a sufficient edge around the perimeter of the plate to accomodate your new radio) with a razor saw, available at any hobby shop. Take you time, the plate will tend to bend, but it's pretty tough. I had mine taken apart, measured, cut, finessed, and my new Kenwood installed in about 45 minutes...all while watching the kids. It's no big deal, and the results are very factory looking.

Brad

The aftermarket face plates are recessed so the new deck will sit flush with the rest of the dash like the stock one did. Some stereos are sooooo thick they will still stick out but not so much as if you were to mount it to a flat piece of plastic. I have no doubt that cutting the old face plate will work but the new deck will not fit flush like if you use the after market kit. The deck I have in my brick right this minute, which is different then the one I had in there last week, fits so flush that, unless it's on, it looks kinda stock. When it is on, the lights are blue but there are no graphics, I hate that. This just gives me the info I need in a simple straight forward manner, no swimming dolphins, no race cars, no EQ graphics that don't mean anything. When I got me brick it had an aftermarket deck in the lower pocket so I didnt have the benefit of seeing a stock deck in the upper unit, mine had a pocket, but I do know that I would not change the way it looks right now for anything, except maybe a V70 R cross country.
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Portland, OR 1987 240 dl wagon 'rustbucket'

If you are talking about the CR-712 the faceplate can be taken off the radio. If have the faceplate for mine kicking around because I put gauges in the top slot and moved the CR-712 to the bottom slot. I dont remember exactly how to take it off but it wasn't hard. Just a couple of screws I think. Pretty sure it is a standard din opening. It doesn't really matter though, since non of those tacky aftermarket units are going to look normal on the plain 240 dashboard.

Try Crutchfields (www.crutchfield.com) for stereo needs. They have great customer service and complete kits for a no-hassle install.

I just went to my local car stereo shop and bought the plastic face plate that you can't find. $15- and makes for a VERY clean install.
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Portland, OR 1987 240 dl wagon 'rustbucket'

Mr. Charm,

I'm facing exactly the same problem on my 1992 as Tibbsy. Your local shop had the Volvo-specific face plate with the curved right corner to fit the eyebrow on the padded dash? That's great if we're talking about the same installation.

Where is this shop? Do they have a web site?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Doug Harvey

I bought it at car toys in Seattle. I have since moed to Portland, OR and they have them here as well.
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Portland, OR 1987 240 dl wagon 'rustbucket'

try scosche.com

I used a Dremmel tool with the little abrasive disks. It took a while but it turned out well. I was even able to use the old radio in my Toyota, though it didn't look too good.

Wear your safety glasses!! It'll be spitting little droplets of molten plastic in your face.