Just another dumb stereo thread...... Sorry...

[firefighter]

Sorry about this. I know there has been a million threads about stereos.

Well I've gotten to the point of my 1976 truck rebuild were I need to install a music maker.
8 tracks and cassettes are out. I don't own a lot of CD's but I do download music onto cards, sticks, or MP3 players.
To play these, I either need to install one of the "higher priced" original type aftermarket radios and not cut my dash.
OR
Install a newer style radio that is cheaper and a lot more variety, but have to cut my dash.
Am I right on this?

What to do?
Opinions?

I really don't mind cutting my dash if you guys think this will be the best for future upgrades or options.
How in the world do these new stereos even mount into our dashes? Do they have to be supported somehow at the rear of the radio too?

[txchainsawgogi]

cut the dash…unless youre doing a period resto, whats the point in not upgrading the radio? i got a pioneer cd player/radio with USB and AUX input w/4 pioneer speakers for 100$ at wallyworld. that and a 8" JBL sub powered by a simple 400W DUAL brand amp. altogether i spent about 200 bucks…but if i ever sell the truck it'll be worth more than that. you can get good deals on amazon.com for speakers/cdplayers etc.

[firefighter]

Yeah, I'm not doing any kind of pristine resto. I just want to crank up some tunes while driving or cutting wood.

I figured I'd be able to get something cheaper and more modern if I gave up, and broke out the cutting wheel.   

How do these modern units fit in the dash. Do they clamp somehow?  I'll do a little more searching in the archives....

[zieg85]

The ones I have seen are a little skimpy in directions.  Seems you have to get creative with your bracketing to get it solidly mounted in a place where a single DIN sized radio wasn't there in the first place...  Got factory AC?  If not that is an easier way to go.  http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php/topic,22535.0.html

[bake74]

     I am going to go a different route with mine than most people.  I believe I have seen the old style ones that are push button and digital I think inside.  I want it to look stock, but have the upgrades inside, with the mp3 plug in I believe.
     I know they are more money, but I think these old looking ones will look better.

[454Man]

What I tell folks is to go with what looks best to you and has the most funtions. The biggest feature your radio should have is an aux input on the front face plate. It utilizes a headphone jack. This way you can plug up your cell or mp3 player and control it from there, also you now have hands free like the new cars and people that pay hundreds for those bluetooth adapters:) event the cheapest radios have the aux input on front now.
At this point all you'd need is a cord with a head phone jack on each end($10.00)

[bd]

If you don't mind losing the OE look, you'll get more bang and variety for your buck with DIN.  But, measure twice, cut once; and consider future access/servicing when planning your install.  The DIN radio requires no more space than the OE radio (while some DIN radios aren't as deep).

The DIN style radio slips into a half-chassis (rectangular sheetmetal sleeve) that mounts through the dash plate using bendable metal tabs that anchor behind the dash.  Rear radio support is similar to OE, using a metal strap, but it's prudent to make your own that is heavier gauge than supplied with the radio.  Once the subchassis is installed in the dash, the radio slips through the dash plate from the front and locks into place.  Install the rear support then snap the trim ring on to finish the look.  Removal requires pulling off the trim ring then slipping a tool (supplied with radio) along each side of the radio and pushing rearward to release the locking tangs.  Unbolt the rear support and slide the radio forward and out. 

But, if you ever need to remove the dash plate to service the cluster, etc, you have the added steps of unbending the tabs to remove the subchassis. 

I agonized over the same question you're asking.  Once you cut the dash you're committed.  When I installed the DIN in my 87, after I cut the dash I discovered I had to fit a textured steel filler panel around the radio to provide a finished look.  Fortunately, the result was quite satisfying.  My point is:  Until you've installed a few, there are often unconsidered problems to solve no matter how thorough your initial planning.

[1979C20]

Heres how I installed my stereo. I have a USB 8gb memory card with all of my music on it and I have it plugged into the front of my stereo. Just remember, you can always easily take away more metal, but its not as easy to put it back on. So, take your time cutting so you dont make the hole too big.

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php/topic,20413.msg166249.html#msg166249

[VileZambonie]

http://www.hifisoundconnection.com/Shop/Control/Product/fp/vpid/2669675/vpcsid/0/SFV/30046?utm_source=google&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=GoogleBaseFeed

[firefighter]

You guys are the best. Thanks much for taking your time to answer another much previously talked about question.

I was just having a hard time thinking about cutting up the radio area of a cab that I've spent so much time on.
I'm not feeling so bad about it now. OE radio remorse?     

I'll begin looking for a new age radio and get the cut off tool ready.

Thanks again guys !! 

[mattgood]

Like the others said, if you don't mind cutting the dash it can look good with an aftermarket stereo. I myself am going to take a different approach and leave the stock radio in place. I then want my system to run off of just an ipod. I saw this recently in a magazine and like the idea, just gotta figure out the details of how to make it work. I might also just mount an aftermarket head unit either under the dash or make a little console because I don't want to cut mine up. My other thought was to hide it in the glove box but not sure.

[timthescarrd]

Wife didn't want me to cut the dash, so I bought one of the universal underdash boxes, and mounted it upside-down on the floor hump right in front of the 4x4 selector, actually came out really nice, bit of a reach to change on the fly but not too bad, and actually looks really good

[454Man]

Wife didn't want me to cut the dash, so I bought one of the universal underdash boxes, and mounted it upside-down on the floor hump right in front of the 4x4 selector, actually came out really nice, bit of a reach to change on the fly but not too bad, and actually looks really good

Pics?

[1980c10]

I recently installed a new alpine deck in my semi. It is the 1 din size. It has hands free blue tooth radio that automatically connects with my phone when I get in the truck. I also run my music from a flash drive. It has a remote control as well. The only feature I am missing is the wireless audio streaming which I some what regret now not getting (The next stereo in the project truck will have that). essentially it will allow you to play music on your phone through your radio without plugging it in. I can do the same now except I have to plug it in. With the semi I can use the I heart radio app on my phone and I can Pick up all my favorite radio stations no matter where I am at. For me it eliminates the need for a satelite radio. As someone who listens to the radio about 50-60 hrs a week I want every modern convenience I can get. When it comes to my old truck I want it to do everthing a new truck can do while looking a whole lot cooler. Consider all of the options with all the new stuff out there and it might sound a little complicated and like you might not use it all, but I found that I want it to do everything. So cut a little hole in your dash and weld it back up someday if you decide it was a bad idea.

[Jason S]

My $0.02 is don't cut the dash.

Not only are you going to cut the dash and loose the metal, you'll have to hack up the dash cluster bezel.  There are numerous aftermarket radios that will work without cutting the dash to pieces, example:
http://store.73-87chevytrucks.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=7&Category_Code=RADIO

I opted not to cut the dash on either of my GM trucks.  I used the 80's analog Delco AM/FM cassette stereo radio and ran it to a cheap amplifier and then to some decent speakers.  It's not Infinity or Bose sound, but that would be lost anyways from the wind noise, the tire noise, exhaust noise and engine noise...  In any case, I can use my ipod attached to a cassette adapter and listen to the music I want to hear. 

In my younger days, I cut the dash in my '64 F-100 to install a modern radio and speakers.  I am kicking myself in the rear now, because to fix that back to stock will require welding and repainting the dash (at the very least).

Personally, I like the looks of the original radio in these trucks.  If you can do something better than stock within the original confines, then that's even better.