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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Cortes Island, BC
Posts: 16
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Retro Looking Radios - Options?
Hi Folks! I'm trying to sort out which retro looking modern radio to install in my '72 Frankentruck. I 've got it down to two (maybe three) different units:
Antique Automobile Radio, available from multiple vendors, or the mfg. Has AM/FM rollover dial screen - no digital display, from what I can see. This appeals to me. Custom Autosound USA-740, also from multiple vendor or the mfg. Retro Sound Long Beach, also from multiple vendor or the mfg. This one has all the modern goodies, and is "iPhone ready", which appeals to me. I did a bunch of review searching last night and was under the impression that folks tend to favour the Retro Sound units. And found a bunch of reviews on other forums where people had issues with Antique Automobile units. Not sure about the Custom Autosound - hadn't dug quite that deep yet. Thoughts? |
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#2 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: El Dorado Ca
Posts: 3,374
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Re: Retro Looking Radios - Options?
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Cortes Island, BC
Posts: 16
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Re: Retro Looking Radios - Options?
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: El Dorado Ca
Posts: 3,374
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Re: Retro Looking Radios - Options?
I used the stereo speaker set that goes under the dash in the original place, it sounds pretty good but I also have 3x9 speakers in my doors, the holes were already cut in the doors when i got the truck
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#5 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Northern CA
Posts: 588
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Re: Retro Looking Radios - Options?
I still have the old AM radio in the Jimmy, and the GMC Stepside.
I'm driving the Jimmy to an upcoming Elk hunt in Colorado soon. So, for the long trip I purchased a blue tooth stereo speaker. JBL if I can remember correctly. Anyway, I can use my phone to run Pandora, or a podcast to listen while I drive. The stereo speaker sounds incredibly well and it just sits up on the transmission bump. Pat |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Prattville, AL
Posts: 608
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Re: Retro Looking Radios - Options?
I've been leaning toward the RetroSound with BT as I want to keep the original look going. I've asked my daughters friend, who is a Pioneer dealer, for any ideas he might have. Said he had one unit that might fit the factory opening. I don't know which unit but if it does then I would just mount fake knobs in the factory holes.
__________________
-------------------------------------------------------- 1967 C10 "Snowball" (Currently in a thousand pieces down from a bazillion) 1989 Toyota DLX pickup "The Hulk" |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Whitehorse yukon
Posts: 1,218
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Re: Retro Looking Radios - Options?
I have been looking at custom autosound usa 740 deck for my 72
I might do sacrilege in my 69 project and put a double din in it I have three of these trucks i am collecting build parts for Taking it easy while my broken leg heals up |
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#8 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 3,704
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Re: Retro Looking Radios - Options?
Interesting to see options. The 55 Ford radio from the Antique Automobile Radio (radiosforoldcars.com) site you gave a link to above looks caught my eye. I wonder if the Ford restoration parts companies have a radio patch panel that would work. It would look good for a 67-72 Chevy truck to have something outrageous like that on the dash and made to look like it belongs with the correct cutout.
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Whitehorse yukon
Posts: 1,218
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Re: Retro Looking Radios - Options?
That does look neet old school futurama kinda look
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Ocean Springs, MS
Posts: 1,746
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Re: Retro Looking Radios - Options?
I bought a Custom Autosound radio years ago, and it was flea market junk. I don't know if they have improved their products since then.
__________________
Gary 1971 Chevrolet C/10 1951 GMC 100 1977 GMC C15 1955 Chevrolet 3100 |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 2,121
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Re: Retro Looking Radios - Options?
Put a Retrosound in a truck a couple of years ago & hated it. Very flimsy built knobs/buttons & the way it's width adjusted. Hard to tune & sounded bad. Would be different if cheap, but not.
If I ever do truck with stock dash, would just use radio delete plate or old stock radio. Then add put a small bluetooth amp under the seat to play music from phone through that with no head unit needed at all. (For example https://www.crutchfield.com/p_113M18....html?tp=83532 )
__________________
'72 C to K20 "Cannibalizer" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...32#post8653432 '85 K30 "Big Nassy" '01 2500 Suburban ...party wagon & tow truck '06 Silverado SS...DD '06 C1500 WT...DD '07 Classic C1500 WT...DD Built & sold cause can't keep 'em all: '72 Blazer "The Bucket" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=433190 '55 Chevy straight axle gasser https://www.trifive.com/forums/showthread.php?t=173938 '69 Pro Street Chevelle http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=332541 '86 M1031 CUCV http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=553619 |
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#12 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Centennial, CO
Posts: 2,949
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Re: Retro Looking Radios - Options?
Quote:
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ClusterTruck: 68 C10 Bought in 89, wrecked in 03. Slow low $ rebuild started '17. 6.0 & TKO http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=788602 93 K1500 Short Step, 350, NV4500, EBL flash ECU. Vortec heads & roller cam someday... 05 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. 3” lift & 6-speed 02 E320 the insurance total “free car” 13 Tahoe LTZ |
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#13 |
Mr. Cheyenne
![]() Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Kyle, Texas
Posts: 1,688
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Re: Retro Looking Radios - Options?
watching this ... i have the same questions and pretty much read the same. I am also looking into these guys, that retrofit the original radio with new parts.
Classic Car Radio Services Electro-Tech doesn't/will not provide RCA outs but has a option to "cut down" the original radio for more room. Seeing that I have A/C this option may override the lack of no RCA outs option.
__________________
Richard '72 Chevy C10 Cheyenne *Super WHT/MED BRONZE/WHT SBC 350 | TH350 | LWB | AC | Buddy Seats Upgrades: Tilt | Front Sway Bar | Radio | Sliding Window | Bed Spare w/Lock Bed Rails | Full LEDs | Courtesy Lights | Tachometer | Glovebox Lock & Light | Head Light Relays | *Upgraded Fully Super Trim |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Cortes Island, BC
Posts: 16
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Re: Retro Looking Radios - Options?
I'm really glad I asked this question here before laying out any cash! Thanks for all the feedback!
I had actually started this process by looking at bluetooth amps, but became intrigued by the idea of a retro looking unit. My truck came with radio-delete but somewhere along the way someone cut the dash (and the delete plate!) to install a Motorola AM, which wasn't hooked up to anything. I'll have to take another look, but I'm not sure if there are any fixtures to attach the dash speaker to - and measure the speaker opening, it might be the a/c size even though the truck doesn't have a/c. Perhaps that is a byproduct of being radio-delete. Perhaps a new radio-delete plate is in order, unless I can find a donor correct radio. Cheers! |
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#15 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 11,120
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Re: Retro Looking Radios - Options?
I have a Gary Tayman conversion in my Burban. He uses the Aurora Design system. I opted for the AM/FM USB set up and after more than 20k miles it stills sounds great. The only annoying part has been how the system does random play from the USB music storage.
Gary Tayman did a great job on the conversion. And believe got a discount for being a member here. The link is to the installation scroll to post 291. https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...698377&page=12 Gary Tayman https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...698377&page=12
__________________
Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. ![]() RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377 |
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Greeneville, TN
Posts: 65
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Re: Retro Looking Radios - Options?
..
__________________
my build thread http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=265847 |
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Grand Rapids Michigan
Posts: 291
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Re: Retro Looking Radios - Options?
I have a retro sound unit and like what was said before, the knobs and buttons feel cheap. I think the feel of the knobs can be improved with some time and patience. A big factor of how the knobs fit is how deep the unit sits in the dash, and I haven’t been able to get mine perfect yet. When I took the truck out of storage last spring I had issues with the volume knob not working properly. If I tried to increase the volume it would actually decrease it unless I spun the knob painfully slow. This issue slowly resolved itself over about a month and now it seems to be fine.
Other than that I’m very happy with it. I like having an AUX port and it looks pretty good in the dash. I really wish I would have gotten the Bluetooth capable version.
__________________
My build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...96#post7439296 |
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Denton, Texas
Posts: 1,713
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Re: Retro Looking Radios - Options?
I have the factory original AM in my 1968 C10. There really isn't anything to listen to anymore on AM except talk radio and some Spanish stations. I have thought about the conversion as well, just haven't pulled the trigger on it. I wouldn't mind a cassette player as I still have some old cassette tapes....LOL
I had briefly considered the retro styled radios but also recall how others had problems and issues with them. |
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#19 | ||
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Cortes Island, BC
Posts: 16
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Re: Retro Looking Radios - Options?
Quote:
Quote:
Cheers! |
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#20 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 11,120
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Re: Retro Looking Radios - Options?
Thank you. It has had some twists and turns.
__________________
Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. ![]() RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377 |
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#21 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Cortes Island, BC
Posts: 16
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Re: Retro Looking Radios - Options?
Quote:
It all really boiled down to wanting an analogue display, and the new options for those not having great reviews. And, thinking ahead to what type of instrumentation I'm going to go with down the road... Cheers, D.
__________________
'72 K-20 Frankentruck '68 Beaumont Wagon '05 Chevy G2500 Camper "Tiki Van" '22 Honda CB500X Island-Hopper |
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#22 |
Mr. Cheyenne
![]() Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Kyle, Texas
Posts: 1,688
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Re: Retro Looking Radios - Options?
speaking of alternatives - until I figure out what to do with the in-dash radio ... I've put in a "on the dash radio" ;-)
__________________
Richard '72 Chevy C10 Cheyenne *Super WHT/MED BRONZE/WHT SBC 350 | TH350 | LWB | AC | Buddy Seats Upgrades: Tilt | Front Sway Bar | Radio | Sliding Window | Bed Spare w/Lock Bed Rails | Full LEDs | Courtesy Lights | Tachometer | Glovebox Lock & Light | Head Light Relays | *Upgraded Fully Super Trim |
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#23 |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Harrison, Arkansas
Posts: 9,815
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Re: Retro Looking Radios - Options?
We have these.
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other Larry Build thread, Arkansas K10 https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...=755797&page=5 The ability to speak several languages is an asset, but the ability to keep your mouth shut in any language is priceless. |
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Cortes Island, BC
Posts: 16
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Re: Retro Looking Radios - Options?
Is that one of these -> Antique Automobile Radio?
__________________
'72 K-20 Frankentruck '68 Beaumont Wagon '05 Chevy G2500 Camper "Tiki Van" '22 Honda CB500X Island-Hopper |
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#25 | |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Harrison, Arkansas
Posts: 9,815
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Re: Retro Looking Radios - Options?
Quote:
I think ours are Custom Auto sound.
__________________
other Larry Build thread, Arkansas K10 https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...=755797&page=5 The ability to speak several languages is an asset, but the ability to keep your mouth shut in any language is priceless. |
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