i have a '79 ford f-150 and some jerk broke into my truck through the small triangle window, (they pushed on one side so hard it broke the plastic thing on the inside) anyway they stole my $40 wal-mart cd player, my question is, i'm thinking about trying to put some kind of stock radio into my truck, what kinds of radio combos could i use, tape, 8-track, radio only? also is there anything i can do to keep people from breaking into my truck the same way again, any help would be appreciated thanks.

 

Welcome to FTE!

As far as the radio goes, mrsuperman, that's a judgement call on your part - its your truck, do what you want to with it. You're the one that going to be cruising down the road and showing out for the girls, huh?

As far as how to stop anyone from breaking into your truck...well, that's been an issue for a long time. The only locking device to prevent break-ins is a steel garage with alloy doors

On the other hand you could get an alarm to deter the criminal - maybe.

 

My '78 came with the Ford stock AM/FM 8-track player. Anything can be put there, all depends on how you set it up. If you're worried about theft, put a stock face on a good stereo with a remote cd changer. Set the good head unit back in the dash slightly and hang the cheap looking one in front. Or even just hinge it. A buddy of mine did this after getting his third high-end stereo stolen 4 years ago, not a break-in since. The only way you're gonna keep people out of your truck completely is to never take it out of the garage. There was a thread about converting to the single window common on new vehicles not too long ago, should do a search for it. Maybe invest in an alarm. Another friend of mine put dummy lights in that look like an alarm. Thieves look for this stuff, the easier the job, the faster they can be gone. If they even think they have an alarm to deal with, usually they move on. One other idea is to not put the radio in sight at all, have it in an out of the way place that is still accessible. Leave the empty hole, lol, then they won't think twice. No matter what you do to keep them out,, they can always just break a window. That being said, I think your best bet is to give them no reason to want to get in your truck in the first place. I leave my Bull Mastiff for security,,, seems to do the trick

 

thanks for the responses guys, i think i'm gonna try to find a radio/8-track player from the salvage yard the same time i get the plastic trim

 

Let me know how that search goes, I've got one if you can't find one local

 

Amazingly enough, I think that tinting your glass also helps deter breakins. If they cant see what you have, then they are less likely to break in. Also I usually park beside a car thats alot nicer to my truck ie.Corvette, Jag etc. Good point about the Bull Mastiff grapegravy. May I also suggest a gun rack w/a shot gun or two in it?

 

Antlers on the hood...bent custom front/rear bumpers...custom welded shot gun rack (full would be preferrable), and a few confederate flags.

Should deter most thieves


Seriously...just dont put anything expensive in it, I'm surprised they wasted there time on a cheap walmart stereo sucks ;/ Was it a dual **** style? You didn't have to cut the dash? Should be able to get something close to stock for 15$ or less at wreckers.

Chado

 

if you really want to not have thieves grab your radio, get a secretaudio-little pricey yes, but you can turn it on from 40 feet away- perfect for scaring the crap out of people

 

yeah i definetly should try some of the suggested stuff. and yeah i did have to cut the plastic trim to put the cd player in, wasn't a big deal i used a soldering iron to melt a rectangular hole that the radio fit it, that's why i'd like to find something stock so i don't have to do that again

 

I was just thinking if you cut it a stocker wont go back in unless you get a new piece, we just used wire snippers and cut mine to install it (rather the audio shop did...exactly why I brought it to them was to avoid a hack install...oh well free installation sale) anyway they cut away with snippers and I couldn't ever put a stocker back in without getting that gold piece again...Meh.

Chado

 

Hey I just thought, you could always put in an old stock one, maybe 8track, junky lookin to deter theives. And then just mount a CD player in your glovebox, or under your dash.

 

Sounds vaguely familiar,,,,

 

LOL my bad grape. I didnt even realize it! I had read through it earlier, and I just got back on here and it hit me, well apparently I just remebered yours. Well it is said that copying is the sinceriest form of flattery(or something like that). I just wanted to reiterate your great point! Sorry again.

 

LMAO,, no big deal man,, at all, I thought it was funny

 

i found an am radio at a salvage yard that looked great (it was original ford) but the next day i found an am/fm 8 track that fit into the dash, so i went with that hooked up no problem