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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Johnson City Tennessee
Posts: 1,191
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Radio options
My 69 dash has not been cut and i want to put in a radio in my truck. I have the kick speakers. should i cut it and put a unit in or do a retro one? opinions pictures any help would be welcomed. also any band to buy or stay away from.
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Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for a friend. Members i Have met Earl Slick68 1969 Stepside Build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4253546 ![]() ![]() |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Ft.Collins, Co.
Posts: 103
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Re: Radio options
I ponied up and bought a Retro Sound head unit for mine , lasted about six months and crapped out .
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: 3,018 feet above the SoCal/Mojave Desert region.
Posts: 363
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Re: Radio options
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#4 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Orem, Utah
Posts: 7,921
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Re: Radio options
Don't cut! You will likely regret it.
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I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson |
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#5 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: New Madison, Ohio
Posts: 21,365
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Re: Radio options
Agreed 100%
Once it's cut you really can't undo it...
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A husband can be right...or...A husband can be happy. ![]() 67-72 Chevy and GMC Trucks...The Classic Truck for the Classic Folk. ![]() 1970 CST Two tone green, 402BB, 400 Automatic, Tach, Buckets, AC, AM-FM, Tilt, GM CB, GM 8 Tract, LWB, etc ![]() ![]() JOHN 17:3...The better side of "LIFE" Remember: Everyday is a good day...Some are just gooder! |
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#6 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: New Madison, Ohio
Posts: 21,365
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Re: Radio options
Another thought ... with a 402BB and my truck isn't the quietest ... I bought a 71 AM-FM (before they got expensive) and had it refurbished for looks.
But there are other good ideas here.
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A husband can be right...or...A husband can be happy. ![]() 67-72 Chevy and GMC Trucks...The Classic Truck for the Classic Folk. ![]() 1970 CST Two tone green, 402BB, 400 Automatic, Tach, Buckets, AC, AM-FM, Tilt, GM CB, GM 8 Tract, LWB, etc ![]() ![]() JOHN 17:3...The better side of "LIFE" Remember: Everyday is a good day...Some are just gooder! |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Weston, WI
Posts: 27
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Re: Radio options
I wanted to do the converted AM/FM radio with the Bluetooth but they are pricey. Gary Tayman does converted stock radios and has a great reputation.
Howard Foulds does excellent restorations of stock radios but won't do conversions. |
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#8 |
Senior Member
![]() ![]() Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Posts: 455
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Re: Radio options
I have a retro sound slidebar, about 2 years and its still working great. I also have a little Bose minilink bluetooth speaker that I sometimes take and works great as well. I mainly have it for my 68 Camaro as its an all original car and I wont replace the AM radio in it.
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The Twins: 1968 C10 SWB - Blue 327/5 Speed 1968 Camaro SS/RS - Blue 327/4speed C10 Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=833278 The "Others" 1933 Ford Pickup (Camaro in disguise) 2017 Camaro SS Life long Chevy guy |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Weston, WI
Posts: 27
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Re: Radio options
Don't cut it. I had a Retrosound Hermosa for 3 years and then last spring it just died. I found the Rockville Bluetooth Amp P20 on Amazon and love it. I got an old non working AM radio and put it in the dash for the look but everything is run from the phone.
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#10 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Johnson City Tennessee
Posts: 1,191
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Re: Radio options
Quote:
how did you install this? and do you not have a head unit?
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Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for a friend. Members i Have met Earl Slick68 1969 Stepside Build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4253546 ![]() ![]() |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Weston, WI
Posts: 27
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Re: Radio options
No head unit. I put the amp in the glovebox and ran speaker wires, power, ground to it. When it starts, it connects to Bluetooth on my phone. I run the SiriusXM app and can adjust the volume on the phone. My buddy did it in his Jeep Scrambler too and it works great.
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Erie PA
Posts: 7
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Re: Radio options
Ok, So I am understanding this. Power goes to the Amp, speakers are connected to the amp, your phone connects to the amp via bluetooth?
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: Weston, WI
Posts: 27
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Re: Radio options
Exactly
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#14 |
All stock and staying that way
![]() Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Elkland, PA
Posts: 1,492
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Re: Radio options
IMHO, you can't beat the look of the OEM AM/FM radio.
This one is pretty authentic to the original 1970-72 factory radio. ![]() https://www.ebay.com/itm/25444788682...yABEgINh_D_BwE
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1970 K/5 Blazer CST 4WD, Bronze, 93k ACT. miles, 350, 4 speed, positraction, 16.5" x 8.25" wheel option, tilt, tach, vacuum, AM/FM, manual throttle...Dad ordered and purchased new 4/70. Currently frame off restoration in progress... ![]() 1972 Cheyenne Super 20 2WD, DK Blue/White, 90K ACT. miles, 402, TH400, 4.10 open, tilt, tach, vacuum, A/C, AM/FM, manual throttle.. A mostly original paint never rusted Texas survivor... ![]() 2017 Sierra 1500 SLT 4WD, Black, 41k miles, 5.3, 6L80E, 3.42 LS, 20" polished wheels, everything but moonroof and 6.2... 2019 Canyon SLT 4WD, White, 60k miles, 3.6, 8L45, 3.23 LS, 18" wheels |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Johnson City Tennessee
Posts: 1,191
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Re: Radio options
https://www.classiccarstereos.com/19...o-usa-630.html
https://www.classiccarstereos.com/19...ck-radios.html what about these as an option
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Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for a friend. Members i Have met Earl Slick68 1969 Stepside Build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4253546 ![]() ![]() |
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#16 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Edmonton Alberta
Posts: 1,344
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Re: Radio options
No need to cut, please do not cut. So many wireless and bluetooth options available now it's actually pretty cool what I have seen people come up with.
I have a double DIN head unit in my glove box, works great, but for future I will be going with some of the suggestions above.
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DAVE Edmonton, Alberta 1959 Apache 1967 K20 1968 C20 1970 C10 1972 GMC 2500 1981 C10 |
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Ft Smith, AR
Posts: 566
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Re: Radio options
I have one of the custom autosound radios A230. It looks fine but I can't recommend it.
My plan is to leave it in the dash for looks and get a modern unit in the glovebox or in an under-dash console. Things to think about: 1) What do you listen to? A lot of people listen to amazon or pandora. In that case you don't need a radio, just a blue tooth adapter and amp. I prefer to also have local radio stations, so I prefer a receiver. 2) If you go blue tooth. I don't think any of the bluetooth adapters/amps contain preamps (hope someone corrects me on this). So, all you can adjust is volume (no bass, treble, etc). |
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Posts: 2,151
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Re: Radio options
I would take a stock AM radio and have it Aurora converted. You can have the best of both worlds-stock look and modern insides. You can do amp outs if you wish but they have plenty of power. You can get Bluetooth compatible, USB in, there are many options. I do not have much use for the Custom Autosound of today. They used to take Pioneer and Kenwood radios and make them so they fit stock openings but those days are long gone.
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'83 K20-TPI '73 C10 '79 C10-ex-diesel(SOLD) '07 Tahoe(Son driving) '14 Suburban-DD '71 C10-current project |
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#19 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 3,733
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Re: Radio options
I am going for a modified version of what DDassow01 talks about. I have to fix my cut dash first in order to complete it. I have a working AM radio and I'm going to put the radio and new speaker in the dash to return it to 100% working factory configuration. Then, for most of my listening I already have under the seat a bluetooth compatible amp and 4 ea. 6.5 inch round speakers installed in custom wooden boxes. Amp in the middle, and speakers under the seat on driver and passenger side facing forward and up. Sounds like music is coming from everywhere, very solid and clear sound. 8 inch subwoofer in a custom wooden box is sitting in the corner where the jack normally is, and jack is in my toolbox in the bed. No modification to the truck except to run power wires. I thought long about this and went this direction because I didn't want any modern aftermarket junk in the dash (or really anywhere else in the truck) that is just going to quit working after a few months.
Last edited by dmjlambert; 02-01-2024 at 07:56 PM. |
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#20 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 11,157
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Re: Radio options
I can vouch for the Gary Tayman conversion. I've got over 50k miles on mine. Mostly driving around town so most of the miles are not on the highway so that's more minutes of playing per mile.
![]() Here is a link to my installation and how I overcame the DIN hack job previously inflicted on my Burban. Scroll to post 291. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...698377&page=12
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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 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Kathleen, GA
Posts: 640
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Re: Radio options
I too looked for a radio to install in my truck. I wanted the abiility to listen to my SiriusXM stations and have the ability to have a USB drive or iPod with my tunes as well. I chose to go with the Custom Autosound USA740, it also has RCA jacks if I wish to later install an amp, but with 300 watts, it is all I need for now.
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#22 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 3,733
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Re: Radio options
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#23 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Kathleen, GA
Posts: 640
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Re: Radio options
Quote:
I would have preferred a converted original radio, but the cost was prohibitive at the time, so this was an acceptable alternative considering my needs. The USA-740 can also work with modern speakers where the original radio cannot. |
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#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2022
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 317
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Re: Radio options
Aside from OEM Custom Auto Sound is the only way to go. Unlike Retrosound, you get correct black buttons instead of cheap-o chrome and you get the slidebar, instead of a decal to get the factory look AM radio.
The slidebar is simply a flapper that pushes up an oldschool AM radio dial, which is completely static. Even if the radio is on, there will not be any light to illuminate it. the sole illumination comes when you flip the slidebar to show the (inverted) pic.
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'72 C10 Cheyenne SWB North Carolina truck for 50 years, 72k original miles, Medium/Hawaiian Blue, 3 owners - one for 40 years, garaged kept, original: sheetmetal, undercarriage, moldings, glass * * * New - engine rebuild at 65k in 2015, one repaint in 2010, new front bumper, houndstooth seat, carpet, 8 inch rally wheels on 275-60R-15, LED lighting. - Semper Paratus! |
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#25 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Texan, back in TX
Posts: 2,159
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Re: Radio options
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