How to Install Music System in Mahindra Thar

I know, upon reading this article, a lot of people will say, “Duhhh, we already knew that”. But I still thought to add this information here since a lot of people have asked me about it. And when I say asked, I mean both via this blog and by several people in person as well. It is in fact one of the most common questions I get asked about Thar. Like several other challenges, installing a music system in a Thar too requires some thoughts. If you too were wondering the same, then in this article I will cover some questions about how to install a music system in Mahindra Thar. Nothing too technical or rocket science, just some basic information based upon my own experience.

One of the biggest problem while installing a music system in Thar is of security which arises because of the soft cover. In a city like Delhi, or anywhere else in the country for that matter, car stereos getting stolen is nothing new. It even happens with cars that have a proper hard top and are completely closed. Entering a Mahindra Thar is child’s play if there is a canopy covering it. All you need to do is wait for the opportune moment when no one is looking; zip the canopy open and voila, you are in.

Also Read: Mahindra Thar CRDE vs DI – Which One to Buy?

Bluetooth Speakers

So what do you do then? The only working solution is that either you do not install a music system at all and use portable speakers; or install a really cheap product which even if it gets stolen will not pinch you. In the first few months when I bought my Thar home, I followed the first option. There was no stereo head in the car and no speakers screwed in. I rather bought those Bluetooth speakers that you can get in any city for a couple of thousand bucks. These you can connect to your phone via Bluetooth, put them on the dashboard and play music through your phone only. When you park your car and get out, just take your speakers along.

Cheap Music System and Speakers

This worked fine for a while but not for long. Volume of the small speakers is of course limited and with the amount of noise a Thar’s canopy makes while driving, music was barely audible. If I turned the volume to maximum,  then it used to compromise the quality. Hence after a few months, I decided to go for larger speakers but then the problem was how to keep it safe. As a safe option, I bought a local stereo with detachable head and 2 local-made speakers. Total deal cost me slightly above Rs. 3500. Speakers were screwed in to the front door mats and since the head of the stereo was detachable, I used to just take it out whenever my car was parked unattended. It was still a big compromise on quality but at least there was some audible music playing while I was on the move.

Also Read: How to Keep your Mahindra Thar Safe?

Hard Top

After about 2 years and 30,000 odd kilometers, the soft cover of my Thar gave in. It started to tear at several places and every time it rained, water would start leaking inside. This forced me to get it upgraded to a hard top which also kind of proved to be a blessing in disguise since now I could get a music system of my choice installed as well. For stereo, I bought a Sony WX900BT, 4 Sony Speakers, and a woodman bass tube.

Biggest problem while installing a music system in Thar is of space. With the new model that was launched in 2005, they changed the dashboard completely and there is plenty of space to install both; a single din and double din stereo; but the main problem comes with speakers. The padding on the door and the space is not really enough to support a heavy and deep speaker. I was having trouble with putting a 6×9 speaker on it as a matter of fact.

How to Install

There is some space towards the bottom side of the door where you can attach the speakers with help of install rings but it then kind of touches your legs. If you move it bit up, then it touched both your leg and the seat; hence muffling the sound a lot. After a bit of playing around, I ended up putting 2 6×9 speakers right between the driver and passenger seats. Below is a pic to explain the location better.

Now my other two speakers were 5 inches, hence smaller in size. Those two I got fitted inside the dashboard; towards its bottom. I will post a few pics again to do the explaining.

The biggest problem however came with bass tube. I finally settled for a Woodman Bass tube that had an inbuilt amplifier with it. Primary reason for doing so was to avoid searching for additional suitable place to install an amplifier and then all the wiring as well. This is where my Bass tube sits.

For stereo head, any mechanic or electrician can do the job. The part where “THAR” is engraved on the dashboard will have to be cut according to the size of the stereo.

Music System in Mahindra Thar

I know, this was really more of basic information that I just wanted to share with others. If you have any other tips that can be of help, please do mention those in the comments section below or at our Community Forum and I will add those to the article as well.