RetroSound parts question

[honeycoon_]

Hey guys, I was lucky to have Santa bring me a RetroSound radio to put in my Bronco. I'm getting ready to do the swap, and have gone through and watched the Tom's Bronco Parts video a few times to get acquainted with how it all works.

Upon paying closer attention, I realized that I do not have the two plastic looking spacers that they use on the front of the radio (referenced at this timestamp: https://youtu.be/1KaOTOGltvE?t=80). So to my question: since this video was made six years ago, is it possible that the parts have change slightly? Has anyone installed one of these recently and encountered a similar issue?

Thanks in advance!

 

[jamesroney]

I also received a RetroSound radio for the Bronco this Christmas.

I installed it this weekend. I didn't use the video, and I didn't use ANY spacers of any kind on the shafts. I did not cut the ears off the brackets, either. But I did bend the brackets 90 degrees to clear the ashtray.

I was afraid of putting any kind of load on the faceplate, so I used a set of the mounting nuts to attach the radio to the dash and tightened them. Then I used another set of nuts to attach the faceplate to the radio/dash assembly.

I didn't receive any of those awesome shoulder nuts with my kit. Mine was the Huntington M1 kit.

 

[honeycoon_]

I also received a RetroSound radio for the Bronco this Christmas.

I installed it this weekend. I didn't use the video, and I didn't use ANY spacers of any kind on the shafts. I did not cut the ears off the brackets, either. But I did bend the brackets 90 degrees to clear the ashtray.

I was afraid of putting any kind of load on the faceplate, so I used a set of the mounting nuts to attach the radio to the dash and tightened them. Then I used another set of nuts to attach the faceplate to the radio/dash assembly.

I didn't receive any of those awesome shoulder nuts with my kit. Mine was the Huntington M1 kit.

Interesting. I did a mockup and it looks like I am going to have to flat spot the spacers on the back, and I assume I will have to take some material off od the bracket on the passenger side.

I have the M2 and didn't receive the shoulder nuts either. They had an M3 in the video, so maybe that was why....

How hard was the install? And where did you attatch the back strap? I'm going to be doing it with the dash in the Bronco and any tips would be much appreciated!

 

[jamesroney]

I recommend that you do ALL of your wiring and terminal connections before you put the unit in place. Also, if you can grow a third hand out of your stomach...that will be very useful when trying to hold the unit and attach the nuts. (seriously, a helper to hold it in place while starting the threads would have been nice.

I actually spent more time getting the speaker installed, since mine wouldn't fit my hole pattern. The speaker metal stamping was right, but the plastic spacer needed to be file down. One thing that really helped was the removal of the glovebox. That made it really easy to install the speaker. Since mine is a 67...there is no fuse box in the way.

I also soldered all of my terminals so that took a while.

I used the factory AM radio power feed (yellow wire) and plugged directly into it with a bullet connector. I tapped into the cigar lighter for the constant 12V source. Then I threw away the plumbers tape that is supposed to support the back. The RetroSound is so light that I think the front mounts are adequate to hold the unit.

After the shafts are adjusted to fit the dash holes, and the nuts are locked down...it just literally slides up and into the opening...much like the factory. Then I used the Retrosound factory plugs and snapped them together. Put the antenna in last.

It works amazingly well. I'm super happy with it.

 

[honeycoon_]

Thank you very much for the advice. Will definitely do the wiring beforehand now. Don't have a cigar lighter unfortunately so will have to find a different 12V source.

My dad will be doing this with me so hopefully the install will go smooth! Thanks again.

 

[904Bronco]

Remember to place the unit correctly in the dash. I did a rewire for a Bronco Brother and when it came time to test the radio it did not work. Rechecked everything, called Retrosound and chatted with the Tech, we ran through a few items... The last thing he says is try this... push on the right knob... and the unit came to life. Owner installed it upside down.

 

[Skinnyr1]

I agree, do the wiring and test it before install. I had a bad reostat on my retrosound, and had to pull it out and send it back for a replacement.