Aftermarket Radios

[tim71]

I researched the posts about aftermarket radios on the forum and thought maybe some newer opinions might be out there. I want to put a custom auto sound slidebar radio in my truck. Custom auto sounds in general seems to score pretty poorly on the forum, but the more specific info on the slidebar radio is not as negative. I really like the appearance of this radio. My goal is a nice looking radio that play FM stations with decent sound. I don't care about blue tooth, ipod, flash drive, etc. This truck won't be a daily driver, so all that extra capability isn't important to me. I'm seeing this radio at multiple outlets for $279. Has anyone used this radio for awhile, and what do you think?

[Mr Handy]

I have been doing research on this as well, and i just cant pull the trigger on one of the classic auto sounds radios, I currently plan to go for one of the retro sound radios. my original plan was to have my AM gutted and reworked but the guy I was planning to have do it is out of the game. I think the retro sound looks reasonably like the stock AM and will look good in my truck.

[bill3rail]

Originally Posted by Mr Handy

I have been doing research on this as well, and i just cant pull the trigger on one of the classic auto sounds radios, I currently plan to go for one of the retro sound radios. my original plan was to have my AM gutted and reworked but the guy I was planning to have do it is out of the game. I think the retro sound looks reasonably like the stock AM and will look good in my truck.

I like the idea of stuffing new technology into an old GM face.
What I did was left AM in the dash and added a motorcycle system under the seat.
The only thing you see is volume control and 1/8" jack for input.

Bill

[4oldcars]

Over the years, I've had 2 FM conversions done to AM radios. Different shops. Both a waste of money. And I've had 3 CustomAuto Sound radios. The best one lasted about 6 months. The last one actually caught fire. Pure junk! Looks like someone could get rich off classic car people to make a decent product at a fair price.

[Shinysideup]

Originally Posted by 4oldcars

I've had 3 CustomAuto Sound radios. The best one lasted about 6 months. The last one actually caught fire. Pure junk!

I was pulling some parts from what was a restored truck that burned and looked to me that the radio caught fire because the partial burn centered in that area.

[stevenfromtexas]

Originally Posted by bill3rail

I like the idea of stuffing new technology into an old GM face.
What I did was left AM in the dash and added a motorcycle system under the seat.
The only thing you see is volume control and 1/8" jack for input.

Bill

can we see some pictures Mr. Bill. i was thinking of this too. just want to see how well it fits

[cooperhw]

I installed one in a 68 pickup I did last year. it worked ok, nothing special, but I sold the truck once it was completed so I don't have too much to report on it other than this.

[Hart_Rod]

I used a RetroSound2 in my suburban and have been pleasantly surprised with the performance & features.

[stevenfromtexas]

nice!!! and you can run blue tooth to pull off your phone???

[67 chevelle]

Mirrors my experience also , retrosound awesome , custom auto sound horrible

[cericd]

Originally Posted by 4oldcars

Over the years, I've had 2 FM conversions done to AM radios. Different shops. Both a waste of money. And I've had 3 CustomAuto Sound radios. The best one lasted about 6 months. The last one actually caught fire. Pure junk! Looks like someone could get rich off classic car people to make a decent product at a fair price.

4oldcars, who did the FM conversions that you weren't happy with? I've been considering having one done for my truck but am still on the fence. Also, what weren't you happy with about the conversion? Did they promise improved sound quality but not deliver or was it that the added FM band simply didn't work that well? If I had it done I was only expecting sound quality on par with that of a new Delco AM/FM radio in the 1970's.

If you'd prefer not to post the names of the companies here in the thread I'd greatly appreciate it if you could PM the names to me so that I know who to avoid.

[busterwivell]

I'm all done with Custom Auto Sound, have them in my 66 Chevelle and my 71 C30, they are junk. I'm putting a RetroSound II in my 56 Chevy 210. If that works out, I'll replace both the CAS pieces of...............

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by stevenfromtexas

nice!!! and you can run blue tooth to pull off your phone???

Yes and you can use it to send and receive phone calls, .

[stevenfromtexas]

x2^^

[randy.powell]

I just purchased the Retrosound Long Beach. A little pricey but has all kinds of features. Only option I didn't get was XM Sirius, don't want to stick an additional antenna on my truck or pay even more for an additional hook-up... When I get it together (yes, you have to assemble it to fit) I'll post an update to this thread and my review on fit and functionality. May be a month or two but at least it will be a part of this thread for the future when someone asks the same question...
Randy

[jeffahart]

Originally Posted by randy.powell

I just purchased the Retrosound Long Beach. A little pricey but has all kinds of features. Only option I didn't get was XM Sirius, don't want to stick an additional antenna on my truck or pay even more for an additional hook-up... When I get it together (yes, you have to assemble it to fit) I'll post an update to this thread and my review on fit and functionality. May be a month or two but at least it will be a part of this thread for the future when someone asks the same question...
Randy

Get an amp before you assemble, that way you will have it wired and located before you get everything buttoned up. Why an amp?. The retrosound is loud enough, but the sound quality is not that good at volume. You need an amp to clean up the sound at any level above just hearing it. My truck is loud so I need to turn the thing up. The amp made a huge difference in sound quality.

My 2 cents.

j

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by jeffahart

Get an amp before you assemble, that way you will have it wired and located before you get everything buttoned up. Why an amp?. The retrosound is loud enough, but the sound quality is not that good at volume. You need an amp to clean up the sound at any level above just hearing it. My truck is loud so I need to turn the thing up. The amp made a huge difference in sound quality.

My 2 cents.

j

What amp did you use?

[jeffahart]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

What amp did you use?

I used the quad4. Small foot print but adds enough power to get the radio over the hump. I mounted it behind the glove box. I did the radio as part of my rewire project a couple years ago. I just use 2 little box speakers under the seat pointed toward my feet; another reason I need volume. But regardless of volume you notice the sound difference going from non amp to amp.

[Z10]

I have a Custom Audio Sound in my 69 Camaro and hate it. Have a Retrosound in my 72 GMC and love it. I also bought another one and will be installing it in my 79 Trans AM.