I want to keep the Stock AM/FM/CB in place and would like it to light up whe the lights are turned on. My thought is to install an aftermarket CD in the glovebox. Obviously the back of the glovebox would need to be cut out. Is there enough room behind the glove box to put a new unit in and the door shut? Has anyone tried this? Thanks!

 

I have not personally installed a stereo in the glove box but I have had that box liner out and there is all kinds of room in my 1980. Just remove the 4 screws from your glove box liner and you will see what I mean . Brent

 

I took a similar approach with my stereo.

I wanted it to look stock, but sound good. I decided that CDs are '80s technology, and FM is nothing but talk and commercials... So here what I came up with...

For source material I am using two things: XM and MP3
It works like this,

The XM Commander and portable MP3 player go to a David Navone A/B switch (the a/b switch is activated by a small toggle switch in the console)

the output of the A/B switch goes to an Audio control 1/3 octave EQ

the output of the 1/3 octave EQ goes to an Audio Control remote volume controller

The output of the volume controller goes to a Soundstream Vangough power amp

The amp goes to a 10" sub in the back, and left and right 2-way speakers in the kick pannels.

All the big electronics are mounted behind a false wall in the back that also houses the sub enclosure

The Controls for the XM and MP3 player are hidden in the console armrest

The remote Volume **** is on the surface on the center console.

When I turn on the Factory radio it simply supplies 12v to turn on the real system.

The result is a nearly invisible system that sounds VERY good. The only compromise I made was the smallish front speakers. But they needed to be small to be hidden behind the stock kick pannels.

I have some pictures posted on my corvetteforum web space, but I don't know how to get to them anymore!! But if you are interested I can email them to you.

~Jay

 

pictures can be found in this thread

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ghlight=stereo

~Jay

 

I wanted to do the same thing as the 8-track in my 78 is still functiional and I think it is a pretty cool piece of memorabilia.

I sent out the original Delco head and had it serviced and have replaced the 4x6 speakers in the dash with a nice set of Polk Audio. I'm looking for a set of 6x9 that will fit in the stock locations of the optional rear speakers (which I have). If anyone knows a make/model that is a direct bolt-in, please let me know.

As for updating the capability, I will most likely go with a portable MP3 player with an FM modulator. This way I can use the MP3 player whenever I want to and also get the bonus of using it in the car (with the radio tuned to an unused frequency.

Sound quality will not be perfect, but let's be honest. These cars didn't have the best stereo's to begin with and I don't think that the acoustical quality we own these cars for comes from the radio....

Good Luck

 

8 track? whats that?

 

I put a Pioneer 6 CD chamger in my '78 Pace in the compartment behind the passenger seat. I was able to angle mount it and still close the cover. I have my stock AM/FM/CB head unit with the FM modulator interface. I designed it where if I want to show the car in a stock, judging situation where I can remove it and hide the cables. the only negative is if you are in a metropolitan area with a very crowded FM dial it can be touchy to tune in with the primitive 1978 mechanical tuner. 95% of the time there is no problem.

 

Sure wish I had the AM/FM/CB for mine!