Retrosound Radio System Installed in 3rd Gen B-Body

[Ronnman]

I had been thinking about upgrading the sound system for a while.  When I purchased the car, a 1971 Roadrunner, it came with an AM Radio and a FM converter.  I had the original front speaker and on of the previous owners added a round speaker in the left rear of the package tray.  To say the least, the system left a lot to be desired.  Changing FM channels was touchy since it was accomplished my a small knob and the FM scale was not very visible.

I started looking at sound systems of which there are many choices.  I had a few ground rules.  I did not want to cut the dash, nor did I want to mount the system in the glove box and I wanted to play songs that I have recorded in MP3 format.   I then came to realize that the original placement of the radio was where I wanted the system located.  So I had a few options.  One, purchase and install a new radio that would fit in the dash and was available on eBay for just under $600.  Second, remove my AM radio and have it converted for FM and 1/8" plug for input from a MP3 player for around $400.  If I wanted to play songs from an MP3 player, these options required they be routed through a 1/8" headphone jack.  This meant I would have to power theMP3 player for extended use.  The third option was the RetroSound Model One.  The problem was no one had apparently installed this model with the optional bracket to move both knobs to the left of the system faceplate.  It was asked if anyone had installed the RetroSound system a few times on several websites.  But no one responded that they had installed the system.



I bit the bullet and purchased the RetroSound Model One with the special bracket.  I also purchased the RetroSound 6 X 9 speakers for the rear and their 3.5" speakers for the front.  Additionally, I purchased a bracket from 74Sport here on Moparts.  I purchased the speakers from Crutchfield and they arrived first, so I started the rear deck installation.  I installed the right rear speaker with #10 sheet metal screws. 



The left speaker was installed using 10-24 X 1-1/2" long screws and cutting the heads off.  Then I put a nut from the trunk to line up over the 6 X 9 holes and threaded the stud into the nut.  Then I ran a jam nut the lock the stud to the rear shelf.  The opening on the drivers side is for the rear defroster, but there are holes that line up with the 6 X 9 pattern on the flat section just outside the stamped metal flange.



Next I moved to the front speakers.  I removed the front speaker metal grille carefully stuffing rags into the defroster ducts to prevent losing a screw.  I used a few 1/4" extensions and a universal to get the front screws out.  The  rear are phillips screws which can be removed with a stubby screwdriver.  The I exposed 40 years of dust.



Next I mounted the two 3.5" speakers to the aluminum bracket. 


Painted the bracket flat black.


And installed the assembly in the front speaker opening.


Then, I mounted the radio in the dash opening, made a few adjustment and installed a metal bracket included with the kit to brace the rear of the radio housing.  The system came with a remote mountable SD Card/ USB port/ 1/8" input jack housing.  In the pic below, you can see it at the lower lip of the dash board below the right side of the radio face plate.  I attached it with double-sided tape.  This allows you to play MP3 songs via SD card or USB thumb drive media.  Additionally, the system came with a hand held remote which works through a RF signal.



I am pleased with the system and look forward to listening to tunes from all sources.  This is a workable option for the 3rd generation B-Body cars with the somewhat unique configured radio.

[70charginglizard]

Very nice upgrade

great job

[DC_1]

Very well done!

[TexasStroker]

Sweet, bet you are loving having the mp3 playlist available...and the improved sound 

[64dartgt]

Nice.  I have been scratching my head about mounting 6.5" speakers in my 73.  I was just going to mount them in the doors, as I could always buy new door panels later and mine are pretty trashed already, but I will have to cut the doors themselves too, which would be a pain.  I bought some plastic housings thinking I would mount them to my kick panels, but they don't look very good in person.  The dash speaker replacement is a nice option.

[tan top]

looks good    nice work 

[Ronnman]

Thanks for the compliments!  I'm glad the installation came out nice.  It adds a nice option for the 3rd gen folks.  Having a MP3 access is like turning a corner and advancing 40 years, which measured in the electronics industry is like 100 years.
Ron

[Nacho-RT74]

it loooks like this:

http://www.roadrunnernest.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3217

[Ronnman]

Topic Summary
Posted on: Today at 02:20:52 PMPosted by: Nacho-RT74 
Insert Quote
it loooks like this:

http://www.roadrunnernest.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3217

Yes, It looks similiar.  Except I do not possess the electronic talent that 72RoadRunnerGTX has to perform his transformation.  His work to convert his radio was amazing.
Ron

[Nacho-RT74]

of course, better to have it done in mostly of case... but its nice to know it can be made or now also bought!

[471_Magnum]

I just ordered a Custom Auto Sound USA-630 head unit and a 4x10 dual voice coil speaker for my 72 Road Runner.  Hope to receive them in a few days and installed next week.

Still debating on whether to put speakers in the package tray, or go with some Undercover under seat boxes. Need to confirm that they will fit, but I'm leaning towards the latter. I don't have the speaker perforations in my package tray which would require replacement, and I think the under seat speakers will be more efficient. My experience has shown that the package tray speakers just can't get the job done when rolling down the highway with the windows open in a relatively loud muscle car.

[studio57]

did found any products for older b-bodys.. i would buy one !

[moparstuart]

very tasteful look have to look hard to tell its modern