JRToy4x4

My Conquest went through several stereo upgrades in the early 2000s, each hacking it up worse than the one before it. By the time 2025 rolled around, I had two amps (one under the passenger seat and one screwed in behind the back seat), a 12" subwoofer, aftermarket 6.5" speakers in the doors installed in cut out holes that were half screwed into the door cards and would fall out with a hard door slam and a single-DIN CD player. I stopped using the stereo because of mystery bursts of loud static that would randomly take over while playing music. I decided it was time to simplify everything. I pulled the amps, pulled all of the amp wiring from beneath the carpets and trunk and traced it all the way up to the battery and removed it. Initially I wanted to go back to the stock radio. After looking at options for connecting bluetooth through the old tape deck (plus the power output of a stock radio from the 1980's), I decided to go with a modern head unit. I ended up with a Sony XAV-AX4000 head unit (basically a big screen slab) and adding some new 6.5 in speakers to the doors (the old ones had lost their grills and been kicked to death over the years). I can't detail too much of the work involved because I went through CarToys, but I worked closely with the installer to pull out all trim I could ahead of time so he didn't have to stress about the pieces of the old car. I paid an extra $85 for them to rebuild my old hacked harness plugs and connecting an adapter plug rather than hardwiring the new system in. They also rebuilt my speaker holes with some plastic so the new speakers are securely mounted. Final result is a pretty non-obtrusive screen that syncs immediately with my phone, and a very easy unit to live with. For nostalgia, I took a picture of the old radio and set it as the background. The aftermarket speakers are really lacking in bass, and I might add a small subwoofer next year although I hate to go back to dragging on the charging system. Even though it's not period correct, I am very happy with the setup and thought I'd share. I thought it made the car much more pleasant to use on a regular basis and I have been daily driving it to work when the weather is decent. EDIT: I guess based on my posting count I don't have reply rights on this thread, so I'll answer the splash screen question here. There is no splash screen options that I am aware of and when I checked the manual I didn't see any options. It boots up very fast, so it pretty much goes to that home screen with the radio wallpaper, then connects to bluetooth followed by the Android Auto connection. In about 10 seconds it has maps and music pulled up on it and is playing whatever I was playing last on the phone. Thanks for the positive responses!

Good info, thank you! I am sorry I didn't reply sooner, I thought I was getting emails when replies posted. Is there a way to install a wide band 02 sensor on the '87 cars?

Super helpful picture, I appreciate it!

Thanks! I checked the ignitor box mounting screws and don't see another end. I swapped in an 88-89 unit about a year ago and probably lost it then. So it sounds safe to just make my own setup and ground this back to the ignitor box?

I have a black wire coming off a little black box next to the ignition coil that seems to have both sides of a white plug on the end of it. I feel like there should be a loose wire somewhere in that I can reunite with it. Any idea of where the other side of this connection is and what color it is?

Hello, I am trying to bring a modified Conquest back to a milder level. It presently has an 18g turbo along with a rising rate fuel pressure regulator (at least that's what I thought it was when it was installed 20 years ago). I plan to replace this with a 14g turbo, and am wondering if the additional fuel pressure regulator would even be needed? I'd like to simplify the car a bit. I do have an A/F ratio gauge (based off a 1-wire O2 sensor) to keep an eye on things. Thanks, Jason

Thank you for all of the expertise, the car runs alright (other than feeling buzzy at higher RPM) so I will leave them out and worry about other items on the car. The engine mounts are the original ones, would replacing them make any difference in NVH?

I have an '87 TSi that had quite a bit of work done to it when I was in high school and not much for the past 20 years. I am slowly bringing it back to a more driveable status. At the time, I had an engine rebuild done and balance shafts were eliminated during the rebuild. Because I didn't do the work, I really don't know what went into their removal. In my older and more refined age, I'm thinking I might prefer the smoothness that they once offered. I still have the balance shafts in a box. If I were to reinstall them, how involved of a procedure is it? What parts would I need for them to go back in and function? Does the timing cover or timing chain need to come off? Was there anything done when they came out that's irreversible? This is theoretical at this point, but I'd love to hear if it's possible. Thanks, Jason