Anyone using this radio with VA installed?

[Russell Ashley]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stereo-Radio...87ca9e&vxp=mtr

I'm curious if this radio will fit in a TF with Vintage Air installed. The specs say it requires 6 1/2 inches behind the dash. When looking in through the ash tray hole it looks pretty tight and looks like the a/c duct work would be in the way. Anyone using one like it with VA installed?

My local dealer has one of them in stock and I almost bought it a while back but decided to verify that it would fit first.

[GFY]

I have a similar one in my truck (but with the cassette - can't remember why I did that when I bought it years ago), along w/ VA, and it fits.

[roger55]

Although I've never had one, most reports I've read about Custom Autosound radios is that they are not very good.
OTOH, the Retro Sound units have a very good reputation. I just bought my first Retro Sound unit for the '57 but haven't installed it yet.

[Russell Ashley]

I've never heard any thing negative about Custom Autosound but never really been interested before now. It also looks like the Retro Sound unit might even be a little smaller, also costs a hundred more dollars. Decisions, decisions, LOL.

[roger55]

Originally Posted by Russell Ashley

I've never heard any thing negative about Custom Autosound but never really been interested before now. It also looks like the Retro Sound unit might even be a little smaller, also costs a hundred more dollars. Decisions, decisions, LOL.

I got my Retro Sound unit from Eckler's when they were having a 20% off sale. $179.99 regular price down to $143.99 with the sale.
I got my Ididit shift column for the '57 at the same time. Regular price was $699.99 and it was $559.99 with the sale. Unbeatable prices.

[Old Crow]

We just built a '59 with Vintage Air and the Custom Autosound radio. It's tight, but it fits. The glove box was a PITA, though.

[roger55]

Originally Posted by Old Crow

We just built a '59 with Vintage Air and the Custom Autosound radio. It's tight, but it fits. The glove box was a PITA, though.

Can you explain what was a pain about the glove box? Would a smaller radio help there?
Also, was it a stock full-size glove box or does VA give you a smaller plastic one?

[Old Crow]

No, the radio didn't interfere with the glove box, we used the one that came with the VA kit. Just a lot harder to fit the ABS box through the hole than the orginal cardboard type. Then again, it was the first one my kid ever installed, so it might have just been him. I know I sure heard a lot of cussin' when the glove box was going in :-)

[Russell Ashley]

Originally Posted by Old Crow

No, the radio didn't interfere with the glove box, we used the one that came with the VA kit. Just a lot harder to fit the ABS box through the hole than the orginal cardboard type. Then again, it was the first one my kid ever installed, so it might have just been him. I know I sure heard a lot of cussin' when the glove box was going in :-)

No, it wasn't just him. I decided that it wouldn't be worth the trouble to put that glove box in so I just left it out. I'm glad I did now as I've had to reach back in through the glove box opening to get to some of the cable clamps, and I think it would have been an even worse PITA to get it back out.

[Denee007]

Ditto! I don't think the plastic glove box will fit, and as you said Russell, if it had to come back out? Omg! However, makes a nice nut and bolt box!

Originally Posted by Russell Ashley

No, it wasn't just him. I decided that it wouldn't be worth the trouble to put that glove box in so I just left it out. I'm glad I did now as I've had to reach back in through the glove box opening to get to some of the cable clamps, and I think it would have been an even worse PITA to get it back out.

Posted via Mobile Device

[roger55]

Originally Posted by Denee007

Ditto! I don't think the plastic glove box will fit, and as you said Russell, if it had to come back out? Omg! However, makes a nice nut and bolt box!
Posted via Mobile Device

Denee,
Isn't yours a Old Air Products? I think the other guys were talking about Vintage Air.

Maybe both have the same issue?

[Denee007]

Mine is classic auto air. It has that same corny little plastic glove box!

Originally Posted by roger55

Denee,
Isn't yours a Old Air Products? I think the other guys were talking about Vintage Air.

Maybe both have the same issue?

Posted via Mobile Device

[Russell Ashley]

Originally Posted by Denee007

Ditto! I don't think the plastic glove box will fit, and as you said Russell, if it had to come back out? Omg! However, makes a nice nut and bolt box!


Posted via Mobile Device

Thank you, D'ne. I've been wondering what I could do with that little plastic box. I'm sure I paid a lot for it so I'd like to use it for something.

[Old Crow]

Originally Posted by Denee007

Ditto! I don't think the plastic glove box will fit, and as you said Russell, if it had to come back out? Omg! However, makes a nice nut and bolt box!


Posted via Mobile Device

THAT is when the cussin' started.

[parkwood]

Originally Posted by Russell Ashley

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stereo-Radio...87ca9e&vxp=mtr

I'm curious if this radio will fit in a TF with Vintage Air installed. The specs say it requires 6 1/2 inches behind the dash. When looking in through the ash tray hole it looks pretty tight and looks like the a/c duct work would be in the way. Anyone using one like it with VA installed?

My local dealer has one of them in stock and I almost bought it a while back but decided to verify that it would fit first.

I put one in a '55 with VA and it fit fine, tight yes but no problem.. for the glove box I bought the stock cardboard kind and just cut it down and folded it back over like it was and pop riveted it back together.. custom fit and wasn't hard to get in or out.. sorry I don't have a picture of it and I've done two like that..

[OrrieG]

My used VA system came with the glove box cut in to two pieces, since it will be closed most of the time does not bother me. It is big enough for my registration, insurance card and sunglass case. I can't imagine the effort it would take to install it in one piece.

[roger55]

Originally Posted by Denee007

Mine is classic auto air. It has that same corny little plastic glove box!
Posted via Mobile Device

OK, all 3 of the manufacturers of these have small plastic glove boxes then.

When I bought my '57, it already had an Old Air Products underdash A/C unit installed in it. I removed it the other day since I'm doing a total restore of the truck and I discovered that I don't care for the quality of the unit. The cables are hard to operate and the vent design is very poor compared to the VA Gen IV servo system in my '55 Bel Air. So, I'm going to sell the old unit on ebay and get the VA Gen IV servo unit for the truck.

In my Bel Air, the small plastic glove box worked fine. It wasn't a problem to install at all. I wish it was bigger but it's much better than not having one at all. It was a perfect place for mounting my Dakota Digital radiator fan controller. I'll just see how it goes with the install in the '57. This thread has given good ideas if I can't make the plastic box in the '57 work as it comes.

Here's the one in my Bel Air: