Aftermarket Stereos that fit in the Centurion dash

[Robroy]

Like many others I have my stereo in the glove department which is very discrete but also pretty unpractical to operate while driving.
I still have the stock AM radio in the dash which looks nice but doesn’t add much to the entertainment :rolleyes:.

I can see three ways of solving this:
1. Replace the stereo in the glove department with one that has a remote control
2. Have the stock AM radio rebuilt to FM (expensive :eek:)
3. Find an Aftermarket Stereo that fits in the dash (2-shaft) and that looks good there when installed

I’m kind of leaning on #3 has been scanning ebay and found this.

Anyone that has any experience on remanufactured stereos that fit our cars to share?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Parts-Accessories_Car-Audio-Electronics__2-Shaft-AM-FM-Cassette-Player-Car-Stereo-Tape-Deck-NR_W0QQitemZ120339569697QQddnZPartsQ20Q26Q20Access oriesQQadiZ2812QQddiZ2811QQadnZCarQ20AudioQ20Q26Q2 0ElectronicsQQcmdZViewItemQQptZCar_Audio_Video?has h=item120339569697&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A543%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

[dewbers]

Hey Per- I have a remote with my glove box stereo..... it's a life saver!
Is one available with yours??

[73 Centurion]

Hi,

There are stock AM-FM stereos available that pop up on eBay regularly.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Parts-Accessories_Car-Audio-Electronics__Chevy-GM-70-71-72-73-AM-FM-8-TRACK-RADIO-WORKS-GREAT_W0QQitemZ160299795182QQddnZPartsQ20Q26Q20Acc essoriesQQadiZ2812QQddiZ2811QQadnZCarQ20AudioQ20Q2 6Q20ElectronicsQQcmdZViewItemQQptZCar_Audio_In_Das h_Receivers?hash=item160299795182&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A543%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

That would be the cheapest way to get FM. If you have or add 4 speakers it can be enough depending on the sound quality you require. It also looks stock. If you upgrade the speakers it can sound decent but be sure to find speakers with 8ohms impedence. Most speakers are 4ohms and they won't work well.

You can buy things that convert the radios output to a "line level" signal This fixes the 8ohm problem. The line level signal can then be given to a nice amplifier and modern speakers. This would be the best sound quality you can get with a stock appearance.

There are lots of aftermarket radios that fit our dashboards, unfortunately most were not made recently. Search eBay for radios with the word "shaft" in the title and description and you'll find them. You can find quality radios that work with external amplifiers and provide an auxiliary input for your ipod.

Look under Consumer electronics, In-dash Units.

You can get a stereo with a remote (make sure the remote is FM and not infrared). If the remote is infrared it won't work with the glove box closed.

You can get marine radios with a wired remote that you can install out of sight. Some of these have displays that tell you station, volume and everything else you'd see on the face of your radio. These wired remotes can sit on the seat beside you and tuck out of sight when needed.

There are companies that make modern stereos that look vaguely stock. Search for "secret audio" to find one version.

Be careful that you do not use aftermarket speakers with a stock radio or stock speakers with an aftermarket radio. The problem is in the impedence. Most aftermarket radios and speakers are for 4ohms, factory is for 8 ohms and you'll blow components or have lousy sound if they don't match.

The key questions you need to answer are:
How important is stock appearance?
How much time are you willing to spend installing your stereo?
Where do you set the trade off between money and sound quality?

That radio you showed a link to is a peice of crap. Don't buy it. You'd get better sound from a stock AM-FM radio. The price may look appealing but you have to include the money for replacing all of your speakers because it won't work with the stock ones.

Good luck, and let us know what you decide.

John

[Robroy]

Hey Per- I have a remote with my glove box stereo..... it's a life saver!
Is one available with yours??
Steve, my current stereo is from 88, so it’s too old to have the remote option.
I bought it new back then for a 79 Volvo that later got replaced by an 86 Caprice. The Caprice had an integrated stereo so the Knutson-car stereo ended up resting until many years later when the Centurion got in to the picture.

[Robroy]

John, thanks for all the good advice!
Especially about the 4 and 8 ohm problem, I wasn’t aware of that. I do however recall my very HiFi-interested brother talking about 4 and 8 ohm speakers back in the 70’s.

A GM-stock FM radio like the one you posted a link to combined with some high class speakers would certainly be a price worthy alternative, as you say it would require some kind of 4/8 ohm-converter/filter to work good.
With a separate FM-transmitter-mp3-player added, the mp3-music collection could also be enjoyed.

In my case I happen to have a stock of still working cassettes which I use in the Centurion, so a FM radio with working tape rec that plugs right in the dash would be optimal for me. If it also had an integrated mp3-player and a USB-connection on the front, it would be really perfect but I doubt such combo exists.

I think I will continue to scan the market for alternatives, I’m in no rush. I may also get lucky on a flea market, you never know.

Thanks again for the advice

[hermanrodriquez]

Steve,

I found a really nice stereo at customautosound.com. They have a unit called the USA-6 and 630 that has an AM/FM radio and USB/iPod connection for $289. You can hook up a 10 CD player remote...but why? I tried to send the PDF but can't tell if I did it right. This is the unit I just bought....sorry I can't tell you if it works and fits as stated....I'm in the middle of a restoration and will have it installed mid December. This will give you a stock look in the dash with sound quality and tech upgrades for today. I'll send pictures when i'm done.

Good luck.

Herman

[Robroy]

Steve,

I found a really nice stereo at customautosound.com. They have a unit called the USA-6 and 630 that has an AM/FM radio and USB/iPod connection for $289. You can hook up a 10 CD player remote...but why? I tried to send the PDF but can't tell if I did it right. This is the unit I just bought....sorry I can't tell you if it works and fits as stated....I'm in the middle of a restoration and will have it installed mid December. This will give you a stock look in the dash with sound quality and tech upgrades for today. I'll send pictures when i'm done.

Good luck.

Herman

Thanks for sharing Herman,
This is the kind of stereo I had in mind although it’s a bit over my budget :(, at least for the moment. I did bookmark the page for the future though, they definitely have interesting products!
Pictures of your stereo when installed would be great! :) :user:

Thanks

[hermanrodriquez]

I'm right in the middle of everything. I'll be sending pictures next week of the progress. The stereo will be in the spring...unless i get really crazy!