New vs old radios

[Dylan_Shaffer]

I’m on the fence with which way I want to go for my radio. I like the look of the retro sound units that look stock, but the functionality of a modern head unit is appealing since I’m building my bronco to be my daily driver. Would love to see some pictures of your setups and any input you may have.

 

[nvrstuk]

There's a guy on here (do a search or two... or three) and contact him as he was upgrading the stock radio to be FM, be able to scan, etc. Can use it for Bluetooth I think also.

Then you have the retro cool look but modern tunes. Hide your spkrs and enjoy.

I ditched any head unit a decade ago. I gave up on it in the console even. I have a Bluetooth amp and everything is thru my phone. Nothing visible at all except my sub grille

 

[ntsqd]

This is interesting: https://www.heavydutyradios.com/hdr_products_page_4.html

Still haven't given what I'm going to use in the Wagon much thought. OEM radio is long gone, thinking to leave the POS radio there in place and disable it. Then maybe use something like this: https://www.heavydutyradios.com/jhd922bt.html or this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08P9147FH/?tag=classicbroncos-20
Music for trips I keep on a USB thumb drive and don't really use the radio function.

 

[fordguy]

I would fill dash and use b/t rig. Ken wood makes a nice unit.i am an audio geek so I have more amps than I do hp (comparatively speaking).

 

[SouthPaw74]

I chose the Retrosound unit with speakers mounted under the rear seat a few years ago. Total DIY project. Been pleased with the result.

 

[Broncobowsher]

How do you listen to the radio? If it is mostly just streaming off the phone, a bluetooth receiver and amp will get you that and leave the original radio as is. My old boat is setup that way.
Another option is a modern radio in a center console.

 

[ntsqd]

Am liking those Undercover II's for a rear speaker solution.
Am no audiophile, but the need for amps has been shown to me and now I never build a system without at least one. The clarity even at low volume is far better than the head unit alone can provide.

 

[fordguy]

Am liking those Undercover II's for a rear speaker solution.
Am no audiophile, but the need for amps has been shown to me and now I never build a system without at least one. The clarity even at low volume is far better than the head unit alone can provide.

Amps are similar to torque, the more amps you have, the more umph you have down low

 

[fordguy]

How do you listen to the radio? If it is mostly just streaming off the phone, a bluetooth receiver and amp will get you that and leave the original radio as is. My old boat is setup that way.
Another option is a modern radio in a center console.

I did the opposite, but could have used the console. I used the WH console and modified, the modern radio fits with some work on dash.

 

[fordguy]

Here is a pic of the kenwood rig

 

[fordguy]

Here is a link https://www.crutchfield.com/p_113M5024BT/Kenwood-KAC-M5024BT.html

 

[JoePro]

I have the decal on the Retrosound. Looks great when it’s parked. A little hard to read the channel names during the day, no problems at night

 

[Dylan_Shaffer]

Appreciate the feedback/suggestions on this, super helpful

 

[serial car restorer]

I have the decal on the Retrosound. Looks great when it’s parked.
View attachment 960018

This is my plan as well.

 

[Meddle]

The PO had already cut my dash for a single DIN so, a few years ago, I installed a nice Sony touch screen with wireless CarPlay. This year, I decided I didn’t need all that functionality and just wanted to be able to Bluetooth music, so I ripped out the Sony and went with a RetroSound. I am very happy with it and it looks way better in my opinion. I figure if I need to see Maps I will just buy or 3d print a magnetic phone holder that I can put on and take off my dash. If the PO hadn’t cut the dash, I would have for sure considered an original radio refurb with Bluetooth conversion though.

 

[Dylan_Shaffer]

Definitely agree the retro sound looks better, I’m sold! The previous owner did cut the dash for a single din and did a pretty bad job doing so. I welded it up so have a blank slate to start with.

 

[SeaVee]

I am finishing up mine now, got the retro sounds Huntington model . Going to try their speaker that it’s in the dash. Buddy has it and says it sounds good

 

[syndicate1]

I chose the Retrosound unit with speakers mounted under the rear seat and few years ago. Total DIY project. Been pleased with the result.
View attachment 959996 View attachment 959997

I see the speakers are mounted with the tweeters facing the tailgate. Is there a reason mounted them in this orientation rather than the tweeter facing towards the front of your rig?

 

[SouthPaw74]

They actually have 2 tweeters each, one facing each direction as shown the pictures below. Sound is pretty decent considering no amp.

 

[Torkman66]

I have installed several modern retro fit radios through he years. They look great in terms of dash appearance and look like originals. But every one I’ve installed do not last long. I recently took one apart due to needle no longer moving left or right. Inside was near empty and everything looked very cheap. Probably not $5 worth of components inside. Found a “China” sticker as well. But they cost way too much for what you get. If you actually want nice sound, either buy a unit and live with modern look, hide a unit, or go BT. If I had an original radio head I would install it for looks but go with BT unit. The Retro Sound units are junk.
When I restored my dash I welded plate over radio opening. Installed a tube Bluetooth 6 speaker unit (the kind you see mounted to roll bars) under rear seat. Just have a simple remote. Great sound, easy install, clean dash.