Replacement Stereo
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 123
Likes: 19
From: Glenville NC
Replacement Stereo
Looking for any ideas for the giant hole where the stereo went. I like the reproduction ones but at this point they are a little pricey. Anybody have an aftermarket stereo from Crutchfield or something that won’t break the bank and will fit? Thanks, Bill
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,340
Likes: 753
From: Doctors Inlet Florida
I paid big money to have my factory radio converted with modern electronics. If I had it to do over again I would do a bluetooth amp hidden in the back. Place a want to buy ad on the forum here for a stock radio to fill the hole and use the bluetooth amp.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
Lots of options here, depending on how much you want to spend. From the sound of your post, you want to limit the $$$$ somewhat.
One approach would be to purchase a period correct unit that looks OK on the front (what you see) but DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. That shouldn't be too much money and will fill the hole to LOOK original. Then you can buy an inexpensive, modern head unit with Bluetooth capabilities for your tunes (hide it behind the RH dash pad??) and replace the stock speakers with decent 4x6 mid-range/tweeters (in the dash); you may also want to put some bass/mid-range speakers in the kickpanel areas to enhance the sound. The new radio can be operated from your phone or a remote module. Sounds will be better (the stock radios were good at receiving and creating good pre-amp signals...but the ouput amps were weak and generated poor sound quality) and you won't have an ugly hole in the dash.
One approach would be to purchase a period correct unit that looks OK on the front (what you see) but DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. That shouldn't be too much money and will fill the hole to LOOK original. Then you can buy an inexpensive, modern head unit with Bluetooth capabilities for your tunes (hide it behind the RH dash pad??) and replace the stock speakers with decent 4x6 mid-range/tweeters (in the dash); you may also want to put some bass/mid-range speakers in the kickpanel areas to enhance the sound. The new radio can be operated from your phone or a remote module. Sounds will be better (the stock radios were good at receiving and creating good pre-amp signals...but the ouput amps were weak and generated poor sound quality) and you won't have an ugly hole in the dash.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 123
Likes: 19
From: Glenville NC
Lots of options here, depending on how much you want to spend. From the sound of your post, you want to limit the $$$$ somewhat.
One approach would be to purchase a period correct unit that looks OK on the front (what you see) but DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. That shouldn't be too much money and will fill the hole to LOOK original. Then you can buy an inexpensive, modern head unit with Bluetooth capabilities for your tunes (hide it behind the RH dash pad??) and replace the stock speakers with decent 4x6 mid-range/tweeters (in the dash); you may also want to put some bass/mid-range speakers in the kickpanel areas to enhance the sound. The new radio can be operated from your phone or a remote module. Sounds will be better (the stock radios were good at receiving and creating good pre-amp signals...but the ouput amps were weak and generated poor sound quality) and you won't have an ugly hole in the dash.
One approach would be to purchase a period correct unit that looks OK on the front (what you see) but DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. That shouldn't be too much money and will fill the hole to LOOK original. Then you can buy an inexpensive, modern head unit with Bluetooth capabilities for your tunes (hide it behind the RH dash pad??) and replace the stock speakers with decent 4x6 mid-range/tweeters (in the dash); you may also want to put some bass/mid-range speakers in the kickpanel areas to enhance the sound. The new radio can be operated from your phone or a remote module. Sounds will be better (the stock radios were good at receiving and creating good pre-amp signals...but the ouput amps were weak and generated poor sound quality) and you won't have an ugly hole in the dash.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 71
Likes: 9
From: Massachusetts
One piece of advice, don’t buy one of those ” retro-look” stereos. They are basically a $69 Walmart stereo that costs way more because it looks cool.
I agree with the others, put a stock unit in, and then hide some sort of modern stereo.
I agree with the others, put a stock unit in, and then hide some sort of modern stereo.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 123
Likes: 19
From: Glenville NC
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski