1991 300TE Alpine CD Changer Installation questions
 

I have a 1991 300TE wagon, with the passenger airbag and the factory Becker cassette, and at least 6 speakers, two in the dash and four in the doors.

I scheduled my installer to do the install this Friday evening; actually they will need to pull my trusty Alpine cassette head unit and trunk mounted changer from the 84 SD and then install it all in the 300TE.

I don't want to lose any luggage space in the back. Actually I'd like to not have the changer unit visible at all. Where can I put the changer? I'd like to have some ideas before I let the installer look at the car.

The installer thinks it might need an installation kit ($45) and a level converter or two. He quoted me $80 or so for each converter. These would be used to tie into the factory amps. Is this right? Wal-Mart has Scoshe level converters for <$20. Is the installer using these and marking them up 300%?

Am I better off using the factory amps, or gutting them and buying a newer amp? Where can I put an amp in this car? How bad are the factory amps? Is my stock head unit prewired to control a dealer-installed changer? If so, could I use the Alpine changer with the Becker head unit?

Lots of questions, I know. Any thought appeciated.

Thanks much, Bob Roe