Sigforty

I am swapping in a more updated sound system in my car and need advice. I was looking at the custom autosound USA 5.
If would like to hear any experiences people have had with it or other options. I am looking to retain a 3 hole style radio.

Mark B

LAvetteman

Installed a Kenwood unit from Crutchfield in my Father-in-laws 77. Nice unit, $100.00. Crutchfield provides wiring harness and install kit.

Ben Taylor

If you want the best sound you can get, you will need to cut that hole, none of the 3 hole style radios will give you great sound.

virtue4u

I have a three hole stereo and am pleased with it; however, if you want a CD changer, then I wish I had gotten a radio with all the CD controls on the face of the radio. I have to use a remote to change disks or track. Furthermore, a cassette in a radio is, in my opinion, useless nowadays.

Eddie 70

I am in the same boat as Sigforty. I am wanting to make some sound come out of the speakers. But the 31 year old AM/FM doesn`t make a sound. So I too am looking at something from Custom Autosound. Thing is I don`t want to hack up a perfectly good dash just to have a cd player. BTW the dash area where the radio goes is metal and probably wouldn`t turn out too good if I were to hack it up with a saw. I know some one here has a CA unit. If not, I may be the first one to have one.

Alwyn678

What about that secret or hidden audio thing..have guys checked them out?? I am in the sam predicament and I am deciding what I should do...My radio works fine but I need some new sound!!!!!!!!!!!!11

Rob's 73

I installed the USA -6 and am very dissapointed. I gave up trying to get the engine noise out and the reception was horrible. The USA6 has the hidden digital display that you can only see if you put your head on the steering wheel way down low. I fab up a box in the back to hold 6x9s and an amp. I plug my protable AM/FM cd player straight to the amp. Sounds great. :chevy

Tom73

I installed one of the Kenwood units in one of my 73s. The other had a Jenson unit in it when I got the car. Both have very good sound to me, but I am not an audio nut. Personnaly I would rather hear the car, they make great music :cool: Of the Kenwood and Jenson, I perfer the Kenwood based on it looks, has black finish. The Jenson is chrome and looks cheap. If you want a CD you only choice is a remote CD changer unles you want to cut up the dash. I have never seen an indash unit that looks right, most look like Bubba did them, but if you are cutting up the dash, you may be Bubba :D

tom...

Sigforty

Which Kenwood unit did you install the 500 or 600? The Kenwoods seem to be the only other option besides the USA models offered. I would perfer to keep my dash intact and install a changer in the back for CD's. If I get a weaker 3 hole receiver I plan on putting an amp to drive the speakers.

Mark B


[Modified by Sigforty, 9:23 AM 8/9/2001]

Tom73

Mark,
I think it is comparable to the 600, will have to look at home to be sure, but it was the higher power unit at the time, about 8 years ago. The upscale Kenwood does have provisions for driving an amp so you would be okay there. I have not had any problems with it in the 8 years I have had it. But, as I said, I am not an audio nut so I would not put a value on certin aspects that some others may.

tom...

Tex71BB

Sig-

I went with a hidden unit (in the jack compartment) and left the factory unit in-dash for a stock look. It works great! I have a wired remote mounted on the pass. seat mounting bracket, so I just reach down on the right side of console to work it (control all functions). The only downside is you can't see the digital readout, but I memorized the order of my 6 favorite stations and it's not a problem. Here are rough drawings of how I mounted the head unit and the speaker box, as well: