Stereo Questions |
Post Reply |
Author | |
Tyler74
Member Joined: 20-June-2013 Location: Tennessee Status: Offline Points: 68 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Posted: 08-August-2013 at 4:19PM |
I was thinking about a FM transmitter for my music, but what do you guys think about wiring a separate stereo under the dash with a AUX or USB port? I love the OEM radio and don't wanna change the look. Anyone have any suggestions? Or other ideas. Thanks guys.
Edited by Tyler74 - 08-August-2013 at 4:19PM |
|
Rockatansky
Senior Member Joined: 30-July-2010 Location: On The Road Status: Offline Points: 6059 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
72 GT Ute
|
|
Robbdtme
Senior Member Joined: 06-June-2012 Location: Central WI Status: Offline Points: 765 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
If you add a underdash unit you will need to run new speaker wires to each speaker, The factory wiring uses a common speaker ground or negative wire setup that is not compatible with newer higher power floating ground stereos.
|
|
Johnny cash Special 74-75-76 freak. 77 XR7. 78 LTD II sport looks pretty but poop 302 in it.
|
|
robot9000
Senior Member Joined: 02-September-2011 Location: Michigan Status: Offline Points: 505 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
For the time, money and effort, go with a Retrosound unit. Decent power, good sound, all the inputs and looks stock. Here is a pic of my install:
|
|
1973 Gran Torino Sport
2010 Mazda 6 2007 Jeep Wrangler 2011 Damon Daybreak 35BD |
|
Psquare75
Admin Group Member of the Stroker Club Joined: 26-November-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4591 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
x2 retrosound.
|
|
Paul
77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD* 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500 |
|
Tyler74
Member Joined: 20-June-2013 Location: Tennessee Status: Offline Points: 68 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
That actually looks pretty nice, on the back of my radio, it appears that some wires are wired into the radio, is it like this on all of them? If so, can someone give me some tips on what wires to pull? And I'll have to look those radios up.
|
|
72FordGTS
Admin Group GTS.org Admin Joined: 06-September-2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Online Points: 5802 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I had my OEM AM/FM stereo converted over last winter. The company installed a modern digital receiver with a 3.5 mm aux jack to hook up an accessory like an Ipod. which I have hidden in my ash tray. The radio looks 100 % original, but functions like a modern radio. I used Western Wireless in BC, but there are other companies out there that do this. This is an expensive option, but if you are looking to keep your car looking original, this is the best option. I also installed four new retro sound speakers and ran new wiring. I kept the factory wiring in place, but as stated before it can't be used because of the common ground.
Wester Wireless Vintage Auto Radio I just installed a Retro Sound stereo in my brother's car this spring. We also installed new speakers and wires with the receiver and it works decent. It allows for a 3.5 mm as well as other formats (USB, SD cards). It's about half the cost of a conversion and doesn't hack up your dash. My brother says the sound is better from this stereo than his 2010 Tacoma, but it has less power than my converted radio. |
|
Vince
1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
|
Tyler74
Member Joined: 20-June-2013 Location: Tennessee Status: Offline Points: 68 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Well, since I'm in the middle of upgrading everything, a stereo isn't high up on my list, and if I can just rub the sides a foot more below the dash and mount it there out of the way, that would work for me. What do you guys think about this? I love those retro radios though, probably will be getting one in the future.
|
|
Tyler74
Member Joined: 20-June-2013 Location: Tennessee Status: Offline Points: 68 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Again, anyone know how the wires from the radio work?
|
|
robot9000
Senior Member Joined: 02-September-2011 Location: Michigan Status: Offline Points: 505 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Dude, we're all workin here on a Friday
Yes, there is a 2 wire plug that is +- 12V. Then there will be pigtail for the speakers. In my case, it was just the front speaker (AM only). For my radio, I ran new Polk speakers in all 4 corners and the Retrosound in the dash, so the speaker connections were my own making. I have used the +12 from the original radio, with ground to chassis. Someone hear said the cigarette lighter is always live, so I need to tap into that, as my presets all get lost when the car is turned off (I had it connected to the batt, but as mentioned, it would kill the battery in a few days. Might do the same, so we'll see...). Retrosound was not that expensive.
|
|
1973 Gran Torino Sport
2010 Mazda 6 2007 Jeep Wrangler 2011 Damon Daybreak 35BD |
|
72FordGTS
Admin Group GTS.org Admin Joined: 06-September-2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Online Points: 5802 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
As Robot posted, wiring a radio is super easy. With the Retro Sound you will need the constant power like he mentioned. But with the radio conversion, you don't (since the old mechanical presets still work). The guy who did my conversion included a new harness, for the speaker wires. That's the big connector in the photo. He also included the female end, which you then connect to your speaker wires. It's really easy. The retro sound has a similar setup, but the power and ground were all in the same harness.
On my radio you will see the original power connector, with the red and grey wire (red accessory power, grey is the power for the internal light). I just plug that into my original harness. The radio grounds through the rear mount. The black wire is the 3.5 mm jack for the Ipod etc. Here's the radio mounted: Here's the jack hidden in the ash tray: |
|
Vince
1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
|
legend onirot
Senior Member METAL GOD Joined: 18-January-2009 Location: hattiesburg ms Status: Offline Points: 3038 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
|
|
---------------------
malcolm 1973 gran torino sport (formal)... "Stacy Lynn" 1972 gran torino (formal)... "Mackenzie" 1973 gran torino sport (sportroof)... "Leela" |
|
Mark S.
Senior Member Joined: 22-April-2012 Location: EHT, NJ Status: Offline Points: 374 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Would love one of those retrosound units, they look great. However, the p.o. cut the dash for a newer style unit.
|
|
Mark
1977 Ltd II "Eltee" 1984 Mustang ragtop 2004 Grand Marquis Ultimate Edition 71 Torino GT 429CJ (sold too many years ago to count...) |
|
Tyler74
Member Joined: 20-June-2013 Location: Tennessee Status: Offline Points: 68 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
That looks great, along with the other suggestions, how much was it to get it converted?
|
|
TomiTomi
Member Joined: 13-November-2007 Location: Hungary Status: Offline Points: 159 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Custom Autosound has also classic looking radios: http://www.casmfg.com/Ford_Radios.htm
That's how it looks like in mine. It would make sense to replace the radio buttons with original ones... |
|
unlovedford
Senior Member Joined: 17-December-2010 Location: Tennessee Status: Offline Points: 10142 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Vince, your upgraded stereo looks just superb! My wagon has the factory stereo, and works well (rebuilt by the original owner) but has no real oomph and I really would like upgraded speakers/CD capability. Great ideas guys.
|
|
Joe
1972 Mom's Squire Wagon 1972 Torino Wagon 1976 Torino 1968 Cougar XR7-First batch 1972 Torino 460 1989 BroncoII/Jeeps/Titanimous Popeye and Brutus (Rams) |
|
gpd294
Senior Member Joined: 18-September-2008 Location: Dallas, Texas Status: Offline Points: 2178 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
I also went with the Custom Autosound stereo, but like others have said it just didn't have any power at all to drive the 6 1/2 door speakers and 6 x 9's in the rear. I like to listen to music and feel at least a little bit of bass if the music calls for it, but I didn't want anything exposed so I added a 4 channel amplifier and a seperate amplified self contained woofer. Each sits under the driver's and passenger side front seats out of the way. You can hear it, but not see it!
Good luck with whatever you decide to get.
|
|
Carlos....1975 Gran Torino Squire Station Wagon restored to look like a 1973 Torino Station
Wagon my Dad bought new from McAnary Ford on June 6, 1973 in Gary,Indiana |
|
72FordGTS
Admin Group GTS.org Admin Joined: 06-September-2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Online Points: 5802 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
The conversion is not cheap, around $400 or so, but if you are looking to keep your car looking original, I think it's worth the cost. Like I posted earlier, I have installed a Retrosound and a conversion. If you aren't concerned with original looks, the Retrosound is the best bang for the buck (although they don't have a ton of power, but an external amp is easy to hook up). I am happy with my converted radio and it always freaks people out when I hook up an Ipod to an "original radio."
Edited by 72FordGTS - 14-August-2013 at 5:43AM |
|
Vince
1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
|
free1986
New Member Joined: 17-January-2013 Location: Aiken, SC Status: Offline Points: 36 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
What size is the center dash speaker in a '75?
I'm thinking of going with the Retrosound, new 6X9s out back and the dual voicecoil speaker in the dash (my car didn't have door speakers and I'm not sure I want to put in the factory door grills, definitely not going aftermarket). Also, I've got true duals with cherry bomb glass packs. The reason I'm changing the stereo is the '70s Audiovox cassette deck was distorting so bad over half volume that you couldn't hear the radio at all. Do you think the Retrosound with the speaker setup described will actually be powerful enough to hear? I don't need thumping bass or anything like that, just want to be able to hear my tunes while cruising with the windows down.
|
|
1975 Gran Torino 351W/C4
1986 Mustang 3.8L/C4 1995 F150 5.0L/4R70W 2001 Honda Civic 1.7L |
|
gpd294
Senior Member Joined: 18-September-2008 Location: Dallas, Texas Status: Offline Points: 2178 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Just my 2 cents, but an extrenal amplifier is probably a good idea. Nothing too big just something big enough to power your speakers at the RMS level they recommend. Good luck!
|
|
Carlos....1975 Gran Torino Squire Station Wagon restored to look like a 1973 Torino Station
Wagon my Dad bought new from McAnary Ford on June 6, 1973 in Gary,Indiana |
|
72FordGTS
Admin Group GTS.org Admin Joined: 06-September-2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Status: Online Points: 5802 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
This is the exact setup I just put in my brother's car earlier this year (same speakers and radio). It has decent power but if you like your music really loud you might want an amp. He says it's better than his factory system in his 2010 Tacoma. It has WAY more power than the old 90's era Kenwood tape deck that I replaced. I'd say try out this setup and if you need more power you can easily add a small amp afterwards. |
|
Vince
1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
|
75ranchero460
Senior Member Joined: 26-July-2013 Location: Louisville, KY Status: Offline Points: 508 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
Gary
Ranchero=Fun 1975 Ranchero GT 460 1971 Torino GT 1962 (custom) Econoline 1967 Cougar 2002 Honda Shadow ACE 750 (sold) |
|
free1986
New Member Joined: 17-January-2013 Location: Aiken, SC Status: Offline Points: 36 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
|
To answer my own question, I went and pulled the dash pad out of my 1975. The center dash speaker seems to have been a 6X9.
Just bought a DVC custom audiosound 6X9 off of ebay, and a Retrosound and knobs from Crutchfield. I then realized I accidentally sent the radio to my old apartment, sent Crutchfield an email to correct it. Hopefully it comes here, if not I can still go get it from there I guess. Opps.
|
|
1975 Gran Torino 351W/C4
1986 Mustang 3.8L/C4 1995 F150 5.0L/4R70W 2001 Honda Civic 1.7L |
|
Post Reply | |
Tweet |
Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |