OK, I wont cut the dash, so retro radio opinion?

[Moreyel]

OK, you'all have convinced me to change plans. I was going to cut a 4" hole on each side of my dash for speakers facing up, but there are other alternatives. I'm thinking of nice sized ones in semi-waterproof (for when the tops off) boxes under the rear seat.

My question is, does anyone have experience with the Retro or Custom Auto Sound radios? I think those are the only 2 that have radios to fit the original hole. Correct?

I've read where people say they're built too cheap.

[Big J]

I stuck a factory am in the dash and put a nice head unit in the glove compartment. Just use the remote to control the head unit.

[yote1234]

great decision... i can sleep tonight! there is a cool looking stock looking radio out there . ZOOMIN bought one. dave

[Moreyel]

Yote, that looks good. What kind is it?

[Mint68]

I purchased an auto sounds one and had nothing but trouble with it. I had to send it back twice before I gave up and returned it. I guess their customer service was better than their product, but would not purchase from them again.

Their was a member that posted how to tear apart an am radio and set it up to run an ipod through it, I think that is a great way to go and looks bone stock. If looking for power and ease of install, I think the aftermarket deck in the glove box is also a good idea.

[Sandemonium]

Here is another option. Looks interesting and a bit pricey......

http://www.garytayman.com/index.html

[jamesjones]

I would just run an aftermarket radio in the glovebox or in one of these...

http://www.tuffyproducts.com/p-89-de...2-12-wide.aspx

I put one in my Blazer so I could lock things up since I don't run a top.

[Bentblazer]

Stay away from Custom Auto Sound, (Crap) Retro Auto Sound has worked great for me.

[Moreyel]

I'm just not so sure how important it is to leave the dash original. I mean I'm building this to enjoy and maybe hand down later. I already ruined the 'matching numbers' thing by putting in a crate engine. I'm probably gonna lift it and a few other things. Even if I were to show it, would a really nice stereo in there detract from it?

You'all did convince me not to cut speakers into the top of the dash. But more because of the labor involved. I'd have to R&R the windshield, etc. and there are plenty of alternatives. Like kick panels I'm leaning to under the back seat.

The reviews of those retro type radios vary, but more towards 'they suck' and they seem awfully expensive and too few to choose from.

Opinions please?

[jamesjones]

Originally Posted by Moreyel

I'm just not so sure how important it is to leave the dash original. I mean I'm building this to enjoy and maybe hand down later. I already ruined the 'matching numbers' thing by putting in a crate engine. I'm probably gonna lift it and a few other things. Even if I were to show it, would a really nice stereo in there detract from it?

You'all did convince me not to cut speakers into the top of the dash. But more because of the labor involved. I'd have to R&R the windshield, etc. and there are plenty of alternatives. Like kick panels I'm leaning to under the back seat.

The reviews of those retro type radios vary, but more towards 'they suck' and they seem awfully expensive and too few to choose from.

Opinions please?

I'm on your side when it comes to cutting up the dash for a head unit (I wouldn't do it for speakers). Unless you have a numbers matching truck, I don't see the need to keep the dash stock.

I mean really, if you decide to sell it and everything else is nice, is the radio panel being cut really going to be a deal breaker for a prospective buyer?

[DeadheadNM]

An uncut dash is more desirable than a cut dash and one of the first things I want to know about when I'm looking at trucks. Cutting the dash will detract from the value in my opinion and I'd factor in the expense of repairing a cut when weighing what I'd pay. That's just me though, I like the look of an original interior. Clean, original looking K5s will definitely appreciate in value. There are options (i.e. radio in glovebox or console, kickpanel speakers) that should allow you to get a decent sound system installed without having to cut the dash and these options will undoubtedly expand in following years.

[Chulisohombre]

Lmctruck.com sells them with a iPod plug in. Looks stock but can still plug in whatever you want to listen to. Not sure on brand though. Not a lot of mine is stock anymore so it has a cut dash and a aftermarket pioneer stereo in it. Doors are cut and have 6x9 speakers in there too. It's your truck and unless it was a original survivor do what you want. If done right and doesn't look hack it can still look good. They sell a radio hole sheet metal piece if you ever plan on putting it back to stock later. Or a glove box radio with remote works ok too. I've seen one with a cd changer in the glove box spot. Pretty trick too if your interior is in good stock shape.

[D.PASSMORE]

I a few re-conditioned older Alpine shaft radios. Everything works. LMK, I might part with one.

[Mike C]

Does your Blazer have the factory speaker cutout? My intent is to mount the 4's in my short bed truck side by side in the factory speaker location with the 5 1/4" Co-Ax in the doors panels, not the kick panels on the door.

If you change your mind on the door speakers, just replace the door panels and it's fixed. I'm not even going to cut my OEM panels I don't think. Will either make 1/4" plywood ones like I did in my Jimmy or by re-pops.

My buddy with his '74 Corvette bought one of those carpet dash covers and mounted surface mount tweeters to the carpet. This got the sound up near your ears without any mod to the car.

[Moreyel]

Mike, cut out? I thought stock was a center mount speaker under the dash.

[Mike C]

I know it changed over the years, but the OEM speaker on my '72 was a 4"x10" (?) that mounted right above the stereo in the dash. My '69 shortbed has the same "grill" cutout as well.

When my dad bought the truck in '77 it had a pair of speakers in boxes that were mounted on the floor facing up.

Having done several iterations of stereos, the one I found the best for the Blazer/Jimmy was the one described above. 4" components in the door panel and 6 1/2" co-ax mounted in the rear panels centered between the front and back seat mounted as high as you can get them, with the 10" sub behind the seat.

I had a pair of 12's in a box that was rear-firing, and while it "thumped" the current version sounds better and doesn't take up a good chunk of the cargo area!

[Moreyel]

David P., do those put out good sound? Do you have an idea of wattage? What extras do they have? Set up for MP3?

I like the stock look idea, especially if I don't have to cut the dash, but performance is still priority.

Morey

[Moreyel]

Mike, which one described above?

[D.PASSMORE]

These were built in the early 80's. top of the line then. Here is one mounted in my blazer. I have a Alpine EQ and a 50 + 50 W Alpine amp mounted under the rear seat, pushing Polk Audio 6x9 in the rear, 3.5 JBL in front kick panels. I stick the phone on the grip-go and run my I - phone music with a plug in cassette.- Sounds really good.

[Mike C]

Originally Posted by Moreyel

Mike, which one described above?

I described my setup I guess in one of your other stereo posts and not this one.
But re-described in this thread.

4" in door panels, 6 1/2" in rear panels, single 10" sub. 5 channel amp so you can balance/fade and control sub output individually.

[Mike C]

I had Alpines similar to that one in my truck before I went to the CD player. I hemmed and hawed about cutting the dash for the DIN size chassis, but never regretted it.

In my '70 Sierra Grande I did it without thinking and never regretted it either. Sold that truck 10 years ago, and the more recent replacement will also get the dash trimmed for the DIN sized head unit. Pair of 4's in the center of the dash along with 5 1/4's in the doors and single sub under the seat.

This is similar to the Blazer setup, but with more space you can take advantage of the bigger drivers in the rear side panels. Also better tunes for passengers.

[yote1234]

Originally Posted by Moreyel

Yote, that looks good. What kind is it?

you have to ask ZOOMIN . its his. sorry for delay responce. dave

[jeffro308]

I bought a marine stereo. I plan to fabricate a radio delete plate and mount the control panel to that. Maybe use the knob holes for a USB charger and aux input port. Oh, and it has Bluetooth.

Amazon.com : JBL JBL MBB2020 AM/FM/Bluetooth...

[Steve Hafner]

. . . .

I'm very happy with the one I bought from Mike Hagan:

( and it's only about THREE inches deep )

http://www.mikehaganantiqueautoradio...reo-radio.html

. . . .

[Guana]

Don't cut the dash, there are too many options for the radio. I will send you pics of mine in the center console.