The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Choosing a music maker for that hole in the middle of the dash?

I am interested in installing a radio in my 1949 Chevrolet 3100 series 1/2 ton pickup. The original AM radios I've seen on E-Bay are priced way out of line. Really $400.00 plus for an old AM tube radio? I have also converted to a 12 volt system and would like to have the FM band. My question: Has anyone had experience with the various aftermarket radios that fit the '47-'50 dash and which one is BEST for reliability, value and quality?

Unfortunately, all the "retro" look radios are ungodly expensive also.

I kind of like the hidden radio idea.

Take a look at one of these. You can hid the radio and have a small remote at your fingertips.

http://www.cnet.com/products/pyle-plus-series-plcd15mr-car-cd-receiver-in-dash-unit-full-din/

http://www.allaudioexpo.com/nav/details.asp?itemid=2566

Some of the newer ones have attachments for Iphones, Ipods, etc... You can control them with your phone.

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_65886_Kenwood-KMR-555U.html

"Has anyone had experience with the various aftermarket radios that fit the '47-'50 dash and which one is BEST for reliability, value and quality?"

It looks like you are asking for opinions based on first-hand experience? Most likely, very few people will be able to provide personal experiences with multiple products.

Classic Parts (and others) now sell these updated RetroSound Radios[/url]:

"standard" Retro Classic Radio model
"upscale" Retrosound Zuma model
Retrosound

Maybe someone has first-hand experience with one of these (or other) after-market radios?

I put a modern 12-volt radio in the glove box and put an original radio faceplate in the original hole.

The first radio was a cheap Insignia. Piece of junk that would lose the presets when I hit a bump. (Yes, it does ride like a truck.)

I then bought a cheap Sony which has been great. Also, I think you could mount it under the dash against the firewall. It has a remote control which could be used.

Radio in the Glovebox
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I looked at the Filling Station and they have something with part number USA-1 for $219. I can't see anything wrong with that. You would want to double check that it fits your truck. If you have to buy the speaker separate, there should be reasonably priced ones from a variety of sources. Filling Station Radio USA-1

I went with an underdash box and it worked out pretty well in that spot. See here. From here on any deck I buy will for sure have a USB or bluetooth input as it makes fumbling with CD's old hat.

Curt B where do you find that under dash radio box mount?

Brian

I'm pretty sure most places that sell/install car stereos will have a box of them in the back they just don't advertise. They can be found online but locally was too easy. I made some wedge boxes that hold 6X9's and sit on top of the fuel tank and am very pleased with the tunes in my bolt.

Fixit1958
One thing you could consider.
In my case I left the Radio delete plate, installed a $100 Sony unit in the glove box.

For those who would like to take it one step further for awesome choices & Radio sound, Sirius Radio.

Find 12 volt power source with inline fuse for Sirius.

Option 1
Plug Sirius into the auxiliary in the face of the Sony Unit

Option 2
Plug provided Antenna into Sirius radio face
Tune Sony unit to FM

This is for me an awesome tune maker. Hope this helps you with other options that are definitely better than those crap reproduction Radios that are ridiculously overpriced.

I've got the Hidden Custom Autosound radio in my glove box. I've got a real nice stereo speaker in the sound hole. I had to install a gizmo to bump up the voltage from 6 to 12, but it sounds great and I still have the stock look.

I went with the Retro Sound (Retro Manufacturing) model two radio (top of the line). Cost shipped to me was $411.00. The Model Two has all the bells and whistles (BT music streaming, BT hands free telephone, USB, aux-in, etc.). I am happy with the radio and sound (also installed 12" powered sub under the seat), but the installation was a royal PITA. Here is a photo with the radio installed.

I bought one of these when they first came out for my 50 suburban . I like it, looks original . I have my ipod hooked up to it . Its expensive but i think its worth the money http://www.radiosforoldcars.com/
radio picture

DavidF,

Very nice job on the dash, you've spent a lot of time under there, with the AC etc. Good thing the AD truck have lots of room for extra stuff.

Big Dan,

Do you have a exterior antenna on your truck?

I have the same radio in my 52, I was hoping to not have a antenna on the out side of my truck, but because that radio needs a pretty strong signal before it will activate, the under dash antenna is not cutting it.

The ipod works great.

Bob.

I put one of these in my '53. Great sound, but the knobs are a little cheap. For that much money I was hoping for a more solid feel.

I have a very good radio man as a friend who has done this for so many years.. he made me a 12v version of the original radio by simply changing the filament tubes and a few other things. When asked about what antenna should I use and NOT have any holes in the truck, he said to take about 60 inches of copper wire and wind it around the bottom of the running board. Insulate if of course from any metal, and use it as an antenna. Nobody will see it, and it will work every bit as good as the hole in the cab version.

I saw a truck with the antenna mounted on a frame rail under the hood. Don't know if it works but it is a good location if it does. If you do put it there make sure you put an antenna ball on it so you don't poke your eye out when working on the engine.

Bit the bullet, and ordered one of these.
http://www.vintageautoradio.com/ind...ory_id=4&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=67

Yikes!! Those things are way too expensive for me!!

I finished installing one today in my 53 3100. Retrosound from classic chevy truck parts of america. I orderd the retrosound classic model with stovbolt discount it was 189.00. I opened the box and it was the retrosound zuma model which is more expensive. I don't know why they sent me the better model but i was fine with it. Comes with faceplate and knobs for the A.D. trucks. Looks nice works great. I bought the 2 speaker setup that fits in the orginal location. I put one in my 65 mustang a few yrs ago and was real satisfied with it. You can check them out on the web at retrosoundusa.com. The classic model would be fine and is the cheapest one they have.