How did you do your CD player install?

[Skunksmash]

This is to the guys who went ahead and installed their own CD player, as opposed paying a shop to do it for them. I know that to get a modern radio in these trucks, some metal cutting has to be done. I have that part done, and I think that I did a pretty good job on it. But what I really need to know is what kind of mounting did you do? My new CD player seems to fit really snug without some kind of mounting bracket. But that won't last, as there is nothing back there supporting the heavy end of the radio. I can see it eventually start flopping around in there because it was only held in at the very front and has no support at the back.

So what can I do to make sure that it stays fixed in place like it would in a newer car? The mounting brackets that come with all these new radios are pretty much useless in my truck, as they too would have to rely on that front lip of metal to cling to, and would have nothing to stick to on the sides or at the back. I'd love to see any pics yall might have, regarding this.

[lucki17]

well my truck came with the hole already cut and a plastic trim/install thing in it. (but no stereo) i looked at how the guy put it in and from what i can tell he just left a little bit of steel on on both sides to make tabs bent 90 deg, then screwed the plastic mounting piece to that. its pretty solid and any single din cd player can slide right in then you can just use the tabs on the stereos sleeve to secure it in. i dont know if its too late for you to do that or not. but if you cut your hole decent you should just be able to use the tabs on the stereo sleeve and be good, thats how ive done it in all my cars and it works just fine. if your still worried about it falling most stereos have a support bolt on the back and you can just get some metal strapping drill a few holes in it and put the other end on something solid and above your stereo... good luck

[Captkaos]

There is a support on the factory radios that I used on the one I bought that the PO converted already.
I prefer uncut dashes.  That is why I am picking up these people as a vendor:  http://www.retrosoundusa.com/  No CD player, but I rip everything to MP3 and I don't like space CD's take up everywhere.  Should have 2 black ones on the way soon ready for sale, I will post in the catalog when they are added.

[Skunksmash]

I thought about going that route, but they just don't have all the features that I'm accustomed to. You pay a lot to get a little, in the features department. At least, compared to other radios.

[Captkaos]

What features are you not getting with the retrosound?  They retail for about $299.

[BigHemi353]

My guess is he wants a cd player. i was going to do the retro sound radio but somebody already hacked up my dash so I might as well put in a cd player after i clean up the mess.

[Skunksmash]

Yeah CD's may be dying but they aint dead yet. I still have a bunch that I just don't feel like ripping and slapping on a flash drive. Also Bluetooth support, XM/Satellite radio support, Dimmer, Color change, equalizer, 200wx4 output, the list goes on for your typical aftermarket units of the same price. I'm sure that's a fine unit and all, but in my mind it's a $179 part. They need to knock off about $120 or add a whole bunch of stuff. Then again I consider myself a bit of an audiophile and this is just my lowly opinion, and you are paying for a unit that is pretty close to a stock replacement. You won't be able to find that anywhere else.

[frito-bandito]

This is to the guys who went ahead and installed their own CD player, as opposed paying a shop to do it for them. I know that to get a modern radio in these trucks, some metal cutting has to be done. I have that part done, and I think that I did a pretty good job on it. But what I really need to know is what kind of mounting did you do? My new CD player seems to fit really snug without some kind of mounting bracket. But that won't last, as there is nothing back there supporting the heavy end of the radio. I can see it eventually start flopping around in there because it was only held in at the very front and has no support at the back.

So what can I do to make sure that it stays fixed in place like it would in a newer car? The mounting brackets that come with all these new radios are pretty much useless in my truck, as they too would have to rely on that front lip of metal to cling to, and would have nothing to stick to on the sides or at the back. I'd love to see any pics yall might have, regarding this.

I've always used just the front lip and the little fold out tabs on the radio sleeve, due to being to lazy to reach behind the radio and add support. After many teenage years of mudding and attempting to jump stuff, I've never had any problems with that set up.

Chris that new system your looking into sounds cool, keep us updated!!

[Captkaos]

You can't find shaft radios at all now and the ones you do find are expensive and most people don't want to hack their dashes.

[frito-bandito]

Agreed