So, the Kenwood cassette deck that I've had for years finally bit the dust. It was used when I bought it, and that's been a while

After much checking, and debating, I decided to replace it with a RetroSound Laguna. The Laguna is their entry-level model, but it does everything I actually wanted.

• I'm not running an amp or rear speakers, and this model has no rca connectors.
• I don't care about a remote CD player, Bluetooth or iPhone integration.
• I do want an auxiliary input, and the Laguna has one, so I can still hook up my iPhone or xm radio

So, I decided on colors and **** styles, and ordered one from the least-expensive guy on eBay

The radio came quickly, ahead of schedule actually, and beautifully packed. I was a little annoyed that I had to do so much assembly, but that's the price for multiple options and custom fit

The Kenwood speakers were pretty new, so I ran in new speaker wire and soldered up the connectors. Then I pulled the dash apart and extracted the old radio. The Laguna assembled easily, and it all made sense.

It took two tries to get the depth on the shafts adjusted to where I wanted them, but the ***** fit nicely, and everything sits down nice. Soldered up the harness and put it all together. Easy to program, and sounds great!

The web site is: https://www.retromanufacturing.com/p...d-laguna-radio




The old Kenwood



Existing Kenwood speakers



RetroSound Laguna



Pancho helping

A previous owner had hacked-up the dash for his radio. I used the old Kenwood faceplate as a base to cover the enlarged opening. Camera doesn't lie, but the radio really does look awesome from the driver's perspective

The radio comes with little stickers, called screen protectors, that look like an AM radio dial. I thought that rather cheesy, so I left them off

 

Looks good to me. I am using a old Craig cassette in ol red, and a old school 40 watt under dash booster. Did you reuse the ground/rear support strap?

 

I would have tried the rear support strap, but it was long gone. Also, the new radio is much smaller than the factory radio-only about 4" square.

I did stick a block on top of the ash tray mount to support it

 

What ever works I recon.

 

Looks good, I stuck my new radio in the glove box, wanted the dash to be original.

 

Hey PapaBear, are those 6.5 or 6" kenwood speakers?

 

I don't remember for certain, but I'm pretty sure they're 6"

 

New radio sounds great! Not the earth-pounding bass monster the kids like, but plenty loud enough to listen to the radio while working outside the truck.

Actually got to drive the truck today, and no ignition interference on either band. Not sure if that's attributed to the radio or the new filter, but either way, I like it!

I have the radio wired to the second battery, so it's always hot. I like it that way, so I don't have to leave the keys in it while I'm listening to the radio. I don't mind turning the radio off when I park the truck. Actually, all three trucks are wired that way

Only drawback is the clock remains illuminated even when the radio is off. Seems odd to me, but I like having the clock, too. The digital clock actually makes the radio resemble the old Ford AM radio with clock