Where can I get an aftermarket stereo for my 69 that I can install without cutting my dash. I've seen these in some vendors catalogs, but they are kinda pricey just for AM/FM cassette. I would like to find one that is compatible for a CD changer. TIA!

 

Steve,

I did some research thus far, and decided that since I wanted a CD/mp3 player and also didn't want to cut my dash, I am looking at an infared remote with a "normal" car stereo mounted in the back.

Just some food for thought.

Jeff

 

i had a JVC head unit in mine for about three years that fit in the stock location with no modification (i think i may have had to trim the opening very slightly). it had decent power 25Wx4 and looked pretty close to stock. i got it on sale at a stereo outfit for something like $60 or $70. it's basically the same one they sell in some of the catalogs, they just take the JVC tag off the casette door and stick a chevy or corvette emblem on it. the only thing is it doesn't have a switch for an external CD changer.
i have since removed it and replaced it with a detatchable face that supports a CD changer.

 

I had my radio converted. It has a 1/8" stereo jack that I can plug in a changer, walkman, mp3 player whatever I want. It was kinda pricey but it looks great and works great, plus I have the added bonus of not attracting attention to the car by having an aftermarket stereo installed. This is the place that did mine:

http://www.westechradio.com

 

Thanks guys. The problem I have now is I don't have a factory style radio. My old guage console was broke and cut and had an aftermarket CD player in it, so I replaced the console with a new one and now need the shaft style stereo so I don't have to modify the console. I also like good tunes and want to be able to connect a CD changer to it. Will any shaft style stereo work in the console?

 

Sorry I don't have a good suggestion but whatever you do, DO NOT,
I repeat DO NOT buy a custom autosound. They are JUNK, CRAP, ETC.

I am interested in what you end up with if its good. Some day I'd like to pull that crap radio out of mine. For now I'm content with listening to the exhaust.
:cheers:

 

You can buy a CD changer that works through your antenna. The only problem, is that the quality is not as good as if it's playing directly through an RCA input, as the quality depends on the frequency response of the tuner. Still, it's a possible solution.

 

You don't have to many choices. Custom Auto Sound, which is over priced, but you can add a CD to them or buy a used C3 radio and add a hidden unit. Corvettes (C3) used a wider spread between the ***** than any other radios.

You can buy another bezel and good AM/FM/CD for the same price and the Auto Sound. No CD player will fit in the stock bezel without cutting.

Terry

 

Steve,

I've got to admit that the aftermarket AM/FM/Cassettes through Ecklers & Mid America that don't require cutting up the stock dash are pretty pricey. Just out of curiousity I hit Tweeters, Car Toys, Circuit City & Best Buy yesterday to see if they had anything at all. They all looked at me like I was crazy attempting to find a ****** stereo.

Like many others I've got sidepipes that makes it a sin to roll up the windows, but the stock AM/FM(non stereo) with only one dash speaker working just wasn't going to cut it. so I opted into buying a Kenwood reciever(50 W w/CD outlet) with the Corvette Emblem from Mid America. I'm not looking to blast the convertible top off this thing, so it will be accompanied with box speakers in the back with Sony 180W 3-way 6x9's. The only question is whether I should add some kind of amplifier to help out. Anyone have thoughts on that?

By the way... it only put me out a little over $400.

'74 Coupe to Vert Conversion

 

always, always add an amp if you have high power speakers. the 50w kenwood (no offense but :U ) or any other puts out that 50 watts at the very ragged edge of it's power capabilities. when you tap into that power, it gets ugly. no matter what they're rated at, most of them have a constant power output at less than half of what they're rated at. that 50 watts comes for one split second at one sine wave and then the capacitor has to recharge. fine if the only thing you listen to is one drum beat every 2 seconds but it sucks for every other kind of music. now where you really have problems is high powered speakers generally take lots of juice to move. if you don't have enough power to move them at a volume that is pleasant to you, they'll sound like crap. if you try and turn it up to a volume that is comfortable and the head unit or amp can't support it, you feed the speakers dirty power. ever heard the computer saying, "garbage in, garbage out"?
having more power than what you need is easy to deal with unless you have an uncontrollable habit of turning it up until your ears bleed. the amp will feed the speakers it's constant rate power at all times but won't go into it's reserve capacitor untill you crank up the ****.
this is a kind of general explanation as best i know it and kind of hard to follow, sorry. so what i would recommend is talk to a representative about what your considering. what you want to know is what is the 1) constant output of the amp and 2) the peak output. you wil want an amp that has a constant output less than the speaker are rated but a peak that is higher.
just my $.02


[Modified by clutchdust, 6:11 PM 11/1/2002]

 

Looks like I am going to have to break down and buy a Kenwood from Ecklers or Mid America that is made to go in the Vette console and will accept a CD changer. Thanks for all the info!

 

Steve,

I'll give you an update if this was all worth it as soon as I get everything put in. After the fiasco at the local stores yesterday I went ahead and asked for 2 day delivery(including Saturday) of the radio. The speakers are already set up.

Thanks for the information clutchdust. I'm just looking for some decent sounding 50's-70's music while out on a Saturday or Sunday.

 

I have a 68 and I put in a Pioneer Am/Fm Cassette with absolutely no modifications. I don't know if I can wire up a CD player to it or not.
Try calling the guys at Crutchfield and talk to them to see what they can recommend. Do not cut up that dash opening, it gets to expensive to replace.

 

Ok so I have a customAutosound USA -1 I believe is the number. It has the RCA plug in the back for a cd player. I don't want to buy their unit as it is too pricey. I agree the radios can be of better quality. what other cd units would work? Any ideas?

 

You have mail

 

To all...

I pulled the stock AM/FM radio out of this '74 today. Man, are those old radios huge compared to the stuff these days. That was a piece of cake. Maybe you all can help me with some of the rewiring. If there are any stereo buffs up tonight your help would be appreciated.

The original radio had one connector on the side with 3 wires going in...
(Yellow) - 12V
(Black) - Ground
(Grey) - Dial Light

This new Kenwood stereo has...
(Red) - Ignition
(Yellow) - Battery
(Black) - Ground

Is it best to hook yellow-yellow and run the (Red) line to the ignition fuse in the fuse box? I have to think that the old yellow line is the feed from the battery to keep the memory in the radio. Right or wrong?

Also... I have decided to go ahead and hook up a power amplifier while I have it this far which I will go get tomorrow. I've never hooked one up before, but betting I can muddle through it with some of your help and reading instructions for one of the first times in my life. So, here are my questions on that.

1) The RCA outlets on the back of the radio go to the amplifier and there is another (Blue) wire on the radio to run to it for the power. At least that's what the Kenwood diagram shows. There are 4 sets of wires for front/back speakers. Are they completely ignored when using an amplifier? As in... the RCA cables run to the amplifier and then the speakers are run off of it? And if so, then all I have to do is run the RCA cables & the power wire back to the amplifier... correct?

2) What other accessories do I need to buy? RCA cables(type?)... any special size gauge speaker wire? Anything else?

3) I am working with space limitations and am not looking for a top of the line amplifier. Has anyone had any experiences with a MTX Thunder 4122 or Coustic 161SE? The ratings I saw seemed pretty decent on both. I'm not attempting to blow the vert top off this thing... just some help with a 50W Reciever going to 180W speakers.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Okay stock console = $65.00 and the units that fit stock all suck, my Alpine unit's display looks great (see interior pictures on my webpage) Cut the dash get a NICE unit and spend $65.00 if you ever have to go back to stock.

 

I agree with Cali,77,L-82. The bezel is cheap compared to a custom fit stereo that will not even be as good as a 150 dollar Best Buy unit. If you have your mind made up, then I think Custom Autosound is the only company that makes stereos that fit.

AC

 

Cali,

With all of the aftermarket parts available for these cars you are probably right. Thinking I saw the bezel that holds the gauges & radio in Ecklers book for about $90.00, so why not upgrade to an Alpine radio or something in that line. Odds are many of us will not go back, but if so it's not that expensive.

I am sure the Kenwood unit I bought that has the appearance of a stock vette radio will do just fine. I actually thought I could get away with spending about $400 for a change, but after going to Circuit City early this afternoon I changed my mind.

As I said in an earlier message in this thread I was heading out today to find an amplifier to run/drive the Sony 180W 3-way speakers I have just put in the rear. They had a 45W Kenwood stereo set up so at least I had a chance to get an idea what the differences were since mine is basically the same unit(50W). By the time it was over I was convinced that an amplifier was the way to go.... I was not convinced to keep the Sony speakers and they will go back Monday. And I chose Alpine amplifier & speakers as the way to go. All in all here's what I decided to go with(Not top of the line, but a better option)...

Alpine SPR-694A 6 x 9 2 way TYPE R alum woofer speakers - $199.99/pair
Alpine MRP-T130 240 watt 2 ch. amp - $99.99
Interlink MicroLXN audio interconnect kit - $49.99

I did not buy from Circuit City though. Straight to E-bay as I have had really good luck buying audio components(new) from vendors there(Bose cubes, Cerwin Vega Towers, Bose Wave, etc). Here's what I have come up with so far.

Alpine SPR-694A 6 x 9 2 way TYPE R alum woofer speakers - $139.99/pair
Audiobahn 8 gauge amp kit AKIT1Q w/ rca's - $42.00
Still working on the T130 amp as I have e-mail out to a couple of vendors.
(All prices have shipping figured in and all are new)

Next weekend I'll see if I can't finish this project out.

'74 Coupe to Vert Conversion

 

I am content with the Kenwood unit from Crutchfield. under $100.00 and fits like a glove. Sound quality and volume are adaquate even with headers and chambered exhaust. Have Infinity speakers in the dash and 6x9's in a custom enclosure in the back. My .02