Radios

[truknut]

I just got my dads '78 LWB Bonanza, it doesn't have a radio. What is everyone doing for tunes? Thanks.

[nonstop]

$15 factory radio and tape player from junkyard. No fitment issues.

[andrewmp6]

You can go oem or cut the dash and install a din size.If you care about sound and want a cd player cheap a din size is hard to beat.

[TexasJeff]

Everything you could ever want in a radio, look here. I have the Zuma model in my truck, but I don't think that make that model anymore.
RetroSound

[andrewmp6]

I like the idea of retrosound but the price tag is high to me for what you get.

[tucsonjwt]

To hack or not to hack - that is the question.

If you don't want to spend a few hundred dollars or more to get a modern retro style radio/cd/aux in ipod unit, then you will have to go with the original radio or hack a larger opening in the dash.

I bought my truck used 13 years ago and it came with a "pre-hacked" dash and non-working Kenwood single DIN dash unit.

I "repurposed" an old Alpine cassette/CD unit I took out of a Honda CRX I sold. I did not like the set up, so I got the cheapest Alpine head unit I could find from Crutchfield - about $100. I looks good, fits well, has a single CD slot and aux in, and a USB port. Oddly, Crutchfield says it won't take an Ipod, but will take other aux in devices - but I don't have an Ipod. I think you can get equally cheap Alpine units that will accept Ipods now. I copied about 6 albums off my computer WMA files and I keep that one CD in the unit. I have had good luck with Alpine units so I stay with that brand. My unit does have one sticky push button but it still works ok.

For speakers, the local discount auto audio shop cut two holes in the kick panels and installed Alpine speakers. It is tight in there but they do fit and look good. I got a couple of round JVC speakers from Walmart for $20 and built boxes out of 1/4" MDF for the rear cab corners.

This set up suits my needs and sounds good for few $$$.

Of course, if you need boom box mega blasters with multiple amps, disregard all of the above.

[truckin 79]

I am no audio expert but I use a standard 2 knob cassette stereo I found at my local j-yard for 6.00 and use a cassette adapter to play phone through stereo. I will say almost any car stereo you get, new or old will only have about 35watts per channel. So no matter what stereo you get you need some kind of amp to really push the best sound out of todays modern speakers, most modern speakers are 100watts if not double that.

[73kay]

Truckin79, I was gonna do that exact same setup but my radio turned out to hit the dust while out of the truck.

What I did though was for the retrosound "hermosa". I think it was $250ish but gave me all the hook ups I'd ever need with Bluetooth for my iPhone as well as hands free calling and i won't have to hack the dash. They have more expensive ones but the hermosa seemed a good middle of the road buy for me. I also got a 2 speaker setup that will mount in the factory dash console area. I'll give that a try and later on add a small amp/sub. Not sure about the kick panel sepeakers. I've heard ppl having probles with the e brake pedal. Best of luck!

[motornut]

I got lucky and found a stock cassette/AM/FM/CB locally on line.
I removed the ashtrays from the back of the 79 truck used my 88 rear burb grills,and junkyard 4x10 speakers.
wedged two 4x6 end to end under the dash,it's plenty for us,even with loud exhaust and a soft top

In the 78 its not stock lol,no amps yet