Gordonm

Taking the gauge cluster out is a royal pain in the @#%&. The stock radio does not help much either. That thing is so big and clumsy there is no room to work. I was considering just taking it out as I never listen to it anyway. It does not work very well when on. Iknow some of the new ones are a lot smaller and better but I have even considered a block off plate. I know some of you have pretty good systems but with the noise of the car and the convertible I don't listen to much other than the car. What are your thoughts.

gdh

I installed a Kenwood Excelon head unit - when off the black face plate rotates to look just like a block off plate. It is a preamp only which helps in size, stuck the Alpine amp in the rear passenger compartment and built speaker boxes for the rear corners to place the Polk MoMo 6.5 components. The style of the Excelon was important because my vert never came with a radio and even SuperFast80 didn't realize that it was not a block plate when he was in the car. I love listening to music so I also have a 20 gig Jukebox player that I can hook up for long cruises.

kaiserbud

I am updating my 69's radio with a DIN style - you need an adapter. This place sells a good one - talk with Alex - http://www.vettespecialties.com/.

I have used the adapter and have the guage cluster ready to re-install - looks awesome. :cheers:


[Modified by kaiserbud, 11:33 AM 3/14/2004]

lostpatrolman

GDH, where can we find the Kenwood Excelon head unit. How much is it?

IRON 82

I still have the orignal AM/FM Stereo ETR with Cassette and CB. I'll never get rid of it. When the cassette quits on me, I'll just listen to the Stereo and CB people. :thumbs:

I also use my cd player connector to the cassette to play my cd's. Trying not to modify my vette. An TRUE AMERICAN CAR!!!! :cheers: :flag

IRON 82 :auto: :steering: :party:

Pauld

I have the original radio cassette in my '81, but never us it. :cheers:

Ryan77

Like GDH, I also have a Kenwood Excelon head unit with a flip-over face plate. But, mine does have it's own amp to power the speakers (50Wx4). The flip-over face is a nice feature, from outside the car, you wouldn't know anything was there, it looks like a block off plate. It's an anti-theft device but will work good for you guys who's car's didn't come with radios. Kenwood Excelon makes some of the best (reasonably priced) products on the market in my opinion. My deck ran me somewhere around $4-500 :cheers:

FASGLAS

No radio. Never had it.

Eddie 70

I have a Pioneer 8400 head unit. Cd/mp3/wma player. XM tuner. I love it. I am going to put it in the vette. My original gauge cluster was broken so I experimented by cutting it to see if I could get a decent fit. I was well surprised. I now have a new gauge console that I guess I will fly into and hopefully do as well with.

MN-Brent

I like to hear the exhaust note also, so I wont blow a ton o' dough on a stereo, especially if it makes some scumbag real interested in breaking your windows. I've tried to keep it to a dull roar.

I have a Sony Explod CD player ($179) with Sony 260W 6x9s ($90) in the custom rear corner boxes that some others have here on the forum. I upgraded the 4x6 dash speakers with some nice Pioneers ($50).

Problem is the bass response from this is terrible since the rear 6x9 boxes aren't sealed units. I have a small Kenwood WooX powered subwoofer (5-6 inch) that Im installing this summer either along the back wall or in a storage compartment (out of site).

Dont have pics yet but will once the temps warm up.

Brent...


[Modified by MN-Brent, 1:04 PM 3/14/2004]

motown 71

I've often thought of mounting a stereo in the rear "cargo" area.
Build a speaker box and mount it in the center of the box, steroe with remote of course, allows for stock radio, which some folks get pretty excited about !

HankB1

I replaced my original with an 'original fit' Kenwood AM/FM CD Cassette, with a 10 disc cd changer(from Ecklers). Upgraded all speakers. Sounds nice, not great. I could use a better speaker upgrade with an amp, but I don't really need it to crank any more than it does. Mounted the 10 disc cd changer in the cargo bay, suspending it from the flip open door, so you don't see anything.
Many vette parts places now sell complete new center console templates with newer radio designs, so you don't have to cut, just replace the whole thing and save your original parts intact.

SharkPilot

I have a Custom Autosound AM/FM cassette in my '69. It fits the cluster with no mods what so ever. It's been in there for about 14 years and it just keeps working. The radio was actually made by Kenwood and I have been told that those are good units.
Best of luck...
:steering:

Jughead

My radio works like yours Gordon. Sometimes it works and when it doesn't you can't hear too much anyway. A block off plate sounds like a good idea.

Gordonm

I have been considering a block off plate. A suggestion of a place for another gauge was a good idea. I don't know which gauge but a plate with a gauge might work OK. Still have not ruled out a radio but I hate to spend the money then never listen to it.

munday

i whipped out my dremel and made and excellent cut in my center dash piece...put in a single din radio..
I made a template on my center dash using the metal holster that comes with the stereo.

OHSIXX

I bought this one on ebay and can still hear it even with the sidepipes:

gdh

here's one on ebay, the 2nd pic shows the rotating face closed while off which is a shiny black, no writing on it at all. I paid $112 for mine off ebay. http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...category=39760


[Modified by gdh, 7:54 PM 3/14/2004]

MEAN72

:iagree: I still have the stock radio, but as you say, with the loud side pipes and the convertible you can't hear the radio anyways. Once I did pull the radio with the intent of installing an after market Corvette radio that was guarenteed to fit without alterations. I found out that I had to cut slots to make it fit so I sent it back. Now I just listen to the engine with a few newscasts mixed in on occassion.

Quinn_Seipp

I am running a clarion headunit. The guy who owned my car before me installed a cheap deck in it and basically destroyed where it mounts, mine doesn't fit real well but it works.