Truck Radio Options? Looking for suggestions!

[Jeff86inMS]

Hello all,
The Radio in my 1986 C-10 custom deluxe has finally bit the dust.  I figure now is a good time to upgrade.  I definitely don't want to cut the dash to fit something in, so I am looking for suggestions on a radio head unit that will fit.  Some options I would like to have though are AM/FM, USB, maybe even something I can hook my Iphone too.  I don't care to have a CD player as I don't think it fits the whole anyway.  I have looked at a radio made by "Pyle" (brand) for around $30, but wonder if you get what you pay for, meaning that sounds cheap.  I'm not interested in paying what Custom Auto Sound wants for a vintage looking radio, but I'm willing to spend up to $100 if needed.  Can anyone make some recommendations on a radio that would fit with those options?  Thanks!

Jeff

[87_M15_Army]

Pyle is not really a good brand, mine failed on me. You do get what you pay for, garbage. I suggest looking on amazon, they don't have bad prices on anything that I have bought.

[zieg85]

FWIW, If I was going to look for another I personally would find a Delco ETR top of the line and have the 3 mm plug installed to plug in an I-Pod.  I have a stock AM-FM that works great but with the upgraded tuner and separate tone controls would be a plus.  I prefer the stock look.  This is what I got now.

[dsgb610]

Thats the same radio I have in mine. The tape player just went out last week. Ive established a decent tape collection. I will opt for the Custom Auto Sound retro looking one. I also like the stock look. Especially since the hacked up dash looks bad imo.

[ryan.navis]

I ordered one from custom autosound few years ago. Fits right in just like old radio did and looks the same but has am fm usb and aux. I have a sub hooked up to it right now with 2 6x9 pioneers and sounds excellent.

[blazing816]

hey Zeig how did you put that 3.5mm in there. I just got a mint Delco one....and that would be awesome if I could do that.

[zieg85]

hey Zeig how did you put that 3.5mm in there. I just got a mint Delco one....and that would be awesome if I could do that.

I bought it that way from a vendor on eBay.  I did contact him and he would consider doing that to any GM radio but it has been a couple of years since I talked with him.

[VileZambonie]

Google adding 3.5mm or Bluetooth to car stereo

[blazing816]

Google adding 3.5mm or Bluetooth to car stereo

Yeah I know, I just was asking him, because if he did it I would trust his method over random forums, that's all.

[frotosride]

If I'm not mistake classicaudio.com has modern replicas that will fit and give you all the modern convince that you're looking for. Personally I made a bezel/box to fit a modern pioneer on the tranny tunnel..only because I already had a head unit and would never cut up the dash.

[roundhouse]

I've heard that modem speakers won't work with the stock radio because the stock radio uses a common ground and the modern speakers require a separate ground for each speaker ??

[zieg85]

I've heard that modem speakers won't work with the stock radio because the stock radio uses a common ground and the modern speakers require a separate ground for each speaker ??

I have non-stock speakers in the back of my extended cab with my stock delco am-fm-cassette

[frotosride]

I've heard that modem speakers won't work with the stock radio because the stock radio uses a common ground and the modern speakers require a separate ground for each speaker ??

Just to be clear you are not talking about group ding them to the chasis are you.I know to many it may sound dumb but you can't blame some who just doesn't know. The factory wires work fine if you regard polarity. If you have a center speaker in the dash the it is usually powered off of one of the other dash speakers and that is the only time the polarity may change for the speakers.other than that there should only be a positive and negative from the radio/head unit to each speaker. If you have any other wires you definitely need to look at a schematic and delete any extras. Honestly the easiest way as far as simple wiering goes, just run new wires to each speaker. That's what I did.used 12ga speaker shielded speaker wire from the head unit to each speaker to eliminate the chance of any old factory wiring issues/grounds or shorts.

[roundhouse]

Guy at stereo shop told me that modern speakers would damage the factory radio because there wasn't enough ground wires

We have modern 3" speakers with crossovers in the dash wih the factory radio and wires and it works fine

Going to add 6" speakers in the kick panels since the PO hacked out holes

And some 6x9s in the back corners

[frotosride]

The reason most modern speakers won't work with the factory radio is because of impedance. And minimal required nominal watage. You can get them to work but you will have to make sure they are 8ohm.