My "cheap" stereo
 

I installed tunes in my truck this weekend. I meant for it to be as cheap as possible, but still be able to be heard over the rattling, the tailpipes, the wind noise, etc. In my previous truck it had a standard head unit with cheap speakers. It had to be turned up to the level of distortion before you could hear it. As usual, the darn thing swarmed on me and blew the budget.

Anyway, as cheap as possible but still fit my virgin dash. I also wanted it to be able to produce what I refer to as "Adult Bass". Also, I don't care about blue tooth phone calls in an old truck, but I do like to stream Pandora, Amazon, Spotify. That limited me to Custom autosound or retro sound. I went with the custom autosound as there lowest end version had preamp output where the retrosound didn't. So $200 at Summit. Then I bought a Rockville under seat SS8P sub $100 on Amazon. Also a Jensen 4 channel XDA91RB $119 at Walmart (interesting math, 4 channels at 80 watts per = 1000 watts....lol). I added kicker 6.5" CS speakers about $80 best buy. Then I stumbled on a nice set of Polk 6x9's for $60 at Walmart closeout (apparently a return from an on line sale $130 retail). Also a JL audio blue tooth adapter (will play tunes from you phone but not receive calls) $50. It plugs into your Aux. Bought a couple of speaker boxes for the 6x9's and the kick panel mounts for the 6.5". I stuffed the boxes with pillow stuffing. On the kick panels I put sound deadener behind. Also sound deadener on the plastic in the "standoff" part of it and put a little pillow stuffing behind.

Got it all hooked up and it had a terrible buzz/hiss. I studied the internet about ground loop problems. I did everything suggested to no avail. So, I bought 2 filters for $17 ea, which solved the problem.

In the end I am happy with the sound. It is a lot louder than I expected, and can easily be heard above the truck noises without distortion. It's nothing compared to the thumper systems that kids are running but is impressive for old farts who are half deaf. The only thing I am disappointed in is my $500ish sound system ultimately cost closer to $800ish all in.

Here are some pics for entertainment.

Re: My "cheap" stereo
 

I wouldnt even know where to start when it came to building a "system". I have zero idea what any of that stuff is, you lost me very early on lol. Im glad it all came together for you. Sounds like you know what you are doing for an "old fart"

Re: My "cheap" stereo
 

cj847, your radio looks great! I bought the Custom Autosound USA 630 which has all the goodies you have plus the Bluetooth and is 300w. I really wanted the Bluetooth for hands-free calling and to stream my Sirius XM programming.

I also like your under dash AC system, I just think the under dash systems really give a vintage vibe to our trucks. Here is mine.

Re: My "cheap" stereo
 

I'm looking to do something similar on mine too. I have a radio delete plate that's been painted to match and also has data information on, so I'm looking into a "faceless" system that I can control from my phone or a button/knob setup under the driver seat.

Re: My "cheap" stereo
 

I have a bare bones truck with a coveted factory block off plate so I don't want to use a headunit either. My solution is to do the same as the OP and use an amp with the JL bluetooth adapter so I can play Spotify from my phone. I don't need or want the ability to use radio etc.

Re: My "cheap" stereo
 

I have to admit that the retro sound and custom auto radios seem like a rip off. You can buy a good quality single din head unit with blue tooth, pre amp outputs etc for $100 where they charge $350+ for the same just because it has old school knobs. But, it's got the look.

Re: My "cheap" stereo
 

Actually the $100 single DIN will sound WAY better than the exploding wallet "retro" radios. You would think in today's age the classic radio companies would make a better sounding unit

But if one wants to "preserve" the stock opening than the choices are limited

Re: My "cheap" stereo
 

Have this hideaway unit for my 72 https://www.memphiscaraudio.com/product/smc2a/ The small wired remote can be installed or left off.

Re: My "cheap" stereo
 

Undercover II's paired with a Kenwood KAC-M1824BT Bluetooth Amp. Sounds great but I did need to turn the low freq. way down and highs way up to balance the sound. Did that using the equalizer on my Spotify App. Very bass heavy with everything being under the seat until I adjusted that. Very happy with the upgrade and love how the cab looks 100% stock but has killer sound!

Re: My "cheap" stereo
 

I wanted a decent stereo and sound but no way am I cutting my dash, doors or kick panels. Just a personal preference.
So.
I already installed an under the bed tank and had all that free real estate behind the seat.
I built a stereo box with speakers and on the side a round marine Bluetooth stereo. It sounded muffled with the speakers being absorbed into the back of the bench seat foam so I installed I piece of sheet metal on the back side of the bench seat which isn’t seen. That worked great
I still have a functioning am stereo in place and just connect phone to Bluetooth for steaming music.
The sound is amazing and you can’t tell where the sound is coming from. Fills the whole cab.
Very pleased with the results.
Mark

Re: My "cheap" stereo
 

zekecorn inspired me to put an amp with bluetooth capabilities and speakers under the seat and everything is hidden like that. No controls and no need for controls. I just tune in whatever station I want on my iPhone or iPod. Almost any station there is streams to phone nowadays, or I can play my own tunes. I usually listen to KXT or WERS because I like commercial free weird mix they have. I also connected the amp to an under dash 8-track player for when I'm not using bluetooth.

I have almost everything I need lined up to restore the dash to stock and put a working refreshed original AM radio and fresh new speaker in it.

Re: My "cheap" stereo
 

Can you please give the details on the 2 filters? How do they connect? Do you have a link to a site for what you bought? Do they affect the sound?

Re: My "cheap" stereo
 

Thinking something like this. Used to interrupt ground loop interference, eliminates buzz.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BNK7LC4Z...NsaWNrPXRydWU=

Re: My "cheap" stereo
 

Yes, I'd be interested to know exactly which one and did it affect the sound other than removing the noise. I bought a ground loop isolator and it completely eliminated all noise, but it also completely removed all bass and made the stereo sound incredibly bad and tinny. It sounded much better with the noise.

Re: My "cheap" stereo
 

This is the filter I used. It connects to your head unit, so it is between the head unit and your RCA cables. It didn't affect sound quality other than eliminating the buzz.

https://catalog.pac-audio.com/catalo...erfacing/sni-1

Re: My "cheap" stereo
 

Are these the only two speakers you have? I don't see any kick panels or anything and I don't really like them getting in the way honestly. This looks like the perfect setup for what I want without spending $400 on a retrosound in dash unit. All pretty straight forward it looks like. Any other way to use an equalizer or thoughts on that? I generally use pandora or apple music and am pretty clueless on that stuff. :)

Great idea!

Re: My "cheap" stereo
 

You may already know this, but couple tips to help get rid of buzz.
1-Run the 12V power wire to the amp and the preamp RCA cable far apart from each other but definitely not together.
2-Run an additional ground wire from the amp to the battery (and maybe the head unit too). If you ground the amp to the cab or frame you can use a small wire (like 16ga) for this. Run it with the big 12V wire to the battery.
3-Amp frame/cab ground should be to clean bare metal and use a star washer.

I hope the Custom Autosound works out. I have not heard good things. I would have had an Aurora conversion done to a stock AM radio. You get "the look" with quality new guts. You can get it with Bluetooth, USB, preamp outs, aux input, high power, etc.

Re: My "cheap" stereo
 

Has anyone had any luck installing speakers under a lowered bench seat? I have the FCF lowering brackets on my bench and I don't see how you would get anything under there. I still have the factory gas tank and want to keep the kick panel vents since I still have no AC, I think I'm out of luck until I get rid of the gas tank atleast lol

Re: My "cheap" stereo
 

I will throw this into the mix. Install takes maybe 5 minutes. No drilling. Just buy some D rings and use the same screws that secure the heater control plate. I got my small D rings from Amazon and picked up the small clasp carabiners there also. Home Depot has the small carabiners also and likely the D rings

This JBL 3 was $299 on Amazon when I got it. 100 watts. Bluetooth. Loud. Download the APP to adjust EQ and it sounds WAY better. Once set no need to use it again. I stream SERIUS.

Re: My "cheap" stereo
 

Yes those are the only speakers and they sound great. The only change I would make is adding an equalizer or using a bluetooth amp that has a bass and treble adjustment. dmjlambert DM'd me before setting up his and he went with a different amp that he could adjust bass/treble as I recall.

I use my phone app equalizer so it works but tuning the speakers at the amp level would be nice.

Re: My "cheap" stereo
 

I was going to buy one of those for my Cheyenne Super C30. I purchased some matching green hounds tooth material to cover it to match the seat.

Re: My "cheap" stereo
 

While I take mine out of the truck to also use on patio or whatever and to recharge, you could just install a USB port and get a USB to the mini type connector for iPhone and just leave it in truck. Battery lasts around 15 hrs of playing so I have left it in truck for weeks. Mine just unclips easily and I just use the charger that came with it to recharge.

Re: My "cheap" stereo
 

I had the same bare bones setup/delete plate in my truck originally. We fabbed up a "new" stereo out of old parts just to get some tunes in there. Complete with a stubby antenna under the dash as there's no factory one. Looking to upgrade it with more quality parts and bring back the delete plate.

We stripped the tweeters out of an old set of 6x9 components and mounted them under the dash, right above the vent lever. Never been a fan of the large kickpanel speaker setup.

Re: My "cheap" stereo
 

True, but for those of us that are trying to keep a somewhat original/OEM look to the truck, the only alternative is to get an original radio and get the Aurora mods to it done, for what I want it is in the ballpark of $700.

Re: My "cheap" stereo
 

I was thinking of using one of these. It is a Bluetooth receiver and different wattage outputs. It could be mounted just about anywhere. Looks simple.