I don't want to cut the dash!!!

[americanmusc1e]

My truck has the factory un-cut radio opening in the dash, and I really don't want to cut it. I'm looking at a custom autosound usa 230 http://www.casmfg.com/radios.htm

I like this one, but it's $$100 more than the custom autosound http://www.retrosoundusa.com/products/category/id/1

are there any other radios that will fit the factory dash opening with an aux-in and RCA's????

or where is another good place to mount a DIN style radio???

[mplex2000]

Years ago my buddy got some kind of abs box that mounted under the dash, I think he put it in his glovebox. Used the factory radio in the 65 el camino as a decoy

[independentcustoms]

Just a thought, I plan to simply take an amp, and input my mp3 player to a set of speakers. That way I don't have to hack the dash, and can listen to anything.

[americanmusc1e]

Originally Posted by independentcustoms

Just a thought, I plan to simply take an amp, and input my mp3 player to a set of speakers. That way I don't have to hack the dash, and can listen to anything.

Yeah, I'm still considering that, but I'd have to buy a 4-channel amp.

[mclairmo]

Cut it, these trucks are not museum pieces or 100 point concours show fodder. They were meant to be used and enjoyed as you see fit.

[Senator350]

love it!

it's a TRUCK!

[big_al_71]

Originally Posted by mclairmo

Cut it, these trucks are not museum pieces or 100 point concours show fodder. They were meant to be used and enjoyed as you see fit.

thats exactly how I felt when I cut mine best thing I did installing a quality head unit...Those custom auto sound are a POS!!! I went thru at least three of them when I had my el camino...In fact here is a pict of it..

[mclairmo]

Yeah, I had a Custom Autosound unit in my 71 Mustang and it was crap. Put a Kenwood shaft style in my 67 Camaro, much better than Custom Autosound. My truck's dash is already cut and I'm going to stick with it and use a decent head unit.

[Longhorn Man]

i would cut it. Never regretted doing it in the past.

[Shane]

I'm with Longhorn man ... it's a pickup truck, not a Corvette. Cut it.

[67chevemall]

Smooth it right over!
Cheap amp and mp3 is my vote.

[Senator350]

we get votes?

i vote for a cut elcamino dash! DAMN big al!

[americanmusc1e]

Originally Posted by americanmusc1e

Yeah, I'm still considering that, but I'd have to buy a 4-channel amp.

I talked to a guy at a stereo shop today who said it would not work because the Ipod does not put out enough wattage and it won't be loud enough.............I put my MP3 player on my friend's amp and it wasn't really that loud.

this option is out

[americanmusc1e]

http://www.jcwhitney.com/jcwhitney/p...questid=915773

this isn't that much more, I'm still considering this. or......................I guess I could cut the dash.........

[Mercury694]

I also don't want to cut my dash. I think I will make a filler plate to hold a couple of gauges and put a newer radio under the seat or in the glove box. If I got one that has a remote, it wouldn't be hard to control. I do know my truck won't ever be a showpiece, but I still hate the idea of cutting when I have no real need to. Just my $.02

[cparman]

Both of mine are cut. I have Alpine IPOD specific head units in my truck and Blazer. I really love them! I have a customer that has an uncut dash in his Blazer, and I installed a Retro sound unit in it. I am not overwhelmed at the way it fit, nor did I like the way it addresses the IPOD. IMO the IPOD is the only way to go. no clutter, no CD's etc. I also cut the back of my ashtray in the Blazer, and have an old IPOD mini sitting in the closed ashtray, and have complete control over it thru the Alpine unit. My old fat redneck self riding down the street next the one of those ricer guys listening to a quarter, two dimes and a nickle loud, and here I am Me an Merle Haggard! they hate , I love it

[americanmusc1e]

Originally Posted by cparman

Both of mine are cut. I have Alpine IPOD specific head units in my truck and Blazer. I really love them! I have a customer that has an uncut dash in his Blazer, and I installed a Retro sound unit in it. I am not overwhelmed at the way it fit, nor did I like the way it addresses the IPOD. IMO the IPOD is the only way to go. no clutter, no CD's etc. I also cut the back of my ashtray in the Blazer, and have an old IPOD mini sitting in the closed ashtray, and have complete control over it thru the Alpine unit. My old fat redneck self riding down the street next the one of those ricer guys listening to a quarter, two dimes and a nickle loud, and here I am Me an Merle Haggard! they hate , I love it

Merle Haggard all the way!!!!! he's all over my music

[Senator350]

you guys know you can mount a stereo anywhere and wire the detachable faceplate to your armrest or even keep it on a lead...

[jdcole]

Originally Posted by Senator350

you guys know you can mount a stereo anywhere and wire the detachable faceplate to your armrest or even keep it on a lead...

How do you do that? I want to do this on my motorcycle as well.

[cparman]

Custom auto sound's " secret audio " will mount anywhere!! I used one of those in my 67 Chevelle. I mounted the head unit in the drivers sunvisor, and ran the hard wire to the trunk, thru the headliner. The dash was uncut, and the only way you knew that my car had a stereo was from the kickpanel speakers. mounted two 6x9's in the rear package try, underneath the covering. The secret audio works well, and I think that now it has IPOD control

Hell yea Merle, David Alan Coe, George Jone, Tammy, Patsy!!!
I once posted here with a remark about David Alan Coe, and got a bunch of WHO, WHAT, I never heard of that guy. Guess that dirt is not as old as me

[AirSpeed]

Cut the dash, just do it carefully and save the chunks if you want to weld them back in later. Your not going to destroy the value if you do a nice job cutting the stock radio position a little wider. I thought for hours whether to cut mine or not and finally just did it, I haven't regretted it at all. It's not really a big deal, these are nice trucks but they are not super rare by any means.

[independentcustoms]

Originally Posted by americanmusc1e

I talked to a guy at a stereo shop today who said it would not work because the Ipod does not put out enough wattage and it won't be loud enough.............I put my MP3 player on my friend's amp and it wasn't really that loud.

this option is out

Weird, sounds awesome in mine

[67ChevyRedneck]

I bought this from a board member, and I think it's cooler than anything factory. My stereo is about 10 years old, maybe older, going to put in a newer one that has an ipod jack

Forgot the pic:

[americanmusc1e]

Originally Posted by cparman

Custom auto sound's " secret audio " will mount anywhere!! I used one of those in my 67 Chevelle. I mounted the head unit in the drivers sunvisor, and ran the hard wire to the trunk, thru the headliner. The dash was uncut, and the only way you knew that my car had a stereo was from the kickpanel speakers. mounted two 6x9's in the rear package try, underneath the covering. The secret audio works well, and I think that now it has IPOD control

Hell yea Merle, David Alan Coe, George Jone, Tammy, Patsy!!!
I once posted here with a remark about David Alan Coe, and got a bunch of WHO, WHAT, I never heard of that guy. Guess that dirt is not as old as me

I thought that custom autosound radios were not very good???

[thelonerife]

Originally Posted by mclairmo

Cut it, these trucks are not museum pieces or 100 point concours show fodder. They were meant to be used and enjoyed as you see fit.

I agree totally! I agonized about cutting mine because I wanted to have a cd player and the better sound system. I kept the pieces that I cut out if someone buying the truck wanted them. I bought the truck and it had a custom auto sound radio in it, It needed an amp bad. I would cut it but don't go crazy with it. I used a dremel tool with the reinforced discs. I also ordered a trim piece that I put on that covers the round indentions on the sides. most trucks you can see this part and I didn't want to.

I would do it again and again!
.