If anyone has install a retro looking head unit into their Truck please post a picture of it and what you thought about the radio. I am considering this one https://www.classiccarstereos.com/1973-1979-ford-truck-radio-usa-630.html

There are others that cost less but this one has Bluetooth

I have A79F250 that is in good shape new paint job But the radio is old crappy and I think one of these retro looking ones would better in it than a new Type stereo.

Radios did not have digital readouts in them in 79 did they? I was 11 years old then I don't remember. But seems like digital readouts came out in the mid or late eighties

 

Actually Ford did have a radio in 1979 with a digital clock in it.

I have a retro sound radio and it works pretty good. but I prefer an original radio or a vintage correct one like the Super Tuner.

 

I kept the original radio in place, placed a bluetooth reciever behind the seat connected straight to the amp with two subs and my two door speakers. Sounds great, auto connects to my phone, and i have my original working radio.

 

From what I can recall even the aftermarket radios into the very late 70s only had a digital clock at the most. Many did not. Sometime in early 80s I think digital channel readouts started to filter in on more expensive models. I recall in 1978 I bought an aftermarket AM/FM Cassette and thought it was so cool (aside from being a state of the art cassette) because it had a small digital clock with a bright lit background.

 

I have a retrosound head unit in my truck. It's okay at best. You need to run an external amplifier with it or else it's not very loud and sounds like crap. The digital screen is kinda gaudy for my taste as well and kinda bright. I have the base model ($250 a few years ago...likely more now), so no bluetooth or USB or SiriusXM for me.

A friend of mine has a custom auto sound radio in his '72. It's better than mine aesthetically and I have no idea about functionality.

When I finally ever either restore my truck or just get the bug up my azz to replace it, I'll get my original unit rebuilt with modern guts in it so it works like a new radio but still looks the part.

 

I Did not know that was even possible. That is very cool but since I don't have a stock radio I guess it doesn't help either. Although I did see some cheap ones on eBay. Where do you go to get the guts replaced with new stuff?
and thanks for the tip on retro sound and custom auto

 

Theories and I was thinking they did not have digital readouts in 79 was I want to basic training in 87 and the drill sergeants called us digital soldiers because we had wristwatches that had digital Displays on them instead of conventional faces.

 

I have a '79 f350 that's been in the family since new , it still has the original AM/FM radio with a digital clock. the typical orange yellow type for the era, the clock still works but the radio doesn't.

I never saw much point in putting a fancy stereo in any of the older rigs. not only would I rather hear the v8 but with all the wind and road noise it makes it a lost cause.

 

I wouldn't buy it. The build quality isnt near as good as Retrosound, which is about the same price.

I would take a picture of my Retrosound, but my truck is in winter storage for another few weeks.

As for originality, the Retrosound is pretty convincing when the vehicle is off, and the digital display doesn't bother me. You can customize the color to be stock green, and although they didn't make digital radios back then, it looks great


One other MAJOR thing to point out: if you have factory door speakers, you'll need to separate the grounds from each channel. Otherwise it'll sound like crap. Some people blame the radio but that's just how modern stereos are wired

 

I went with the Retrosound just because of the options to choose what color trim, **** styles and dial decals to mimic old style radio displays. After installing mine I am happy with it.

 

I installed a Retrosound, sans Bluetooth, along with a new dual speaker in the dash and a Hi-Liner headliner. Sounds ok. Doesn't blast me out of the cab like the stereo systems of my youth did. I wish that the digital display color was a green to match the dash lights. All in all, I like it.

 

Would using a retrosound head unit with an Bluetooth receiver and amp behind the seat be about the best way to run a center dash speaker and two normal sized door speakers?

I have an aftermarket $80 head unit and I think I paid $60 for all the speakers. It needs to be turned up to 26-30 to get any sound while driving and even then it’s not that good. Connecting with Bluetooth the sound quality is pretty poor. I’m tired of the ugly head unit too.

Ive always worried about going to a Bluetooth retro sound model because they are $250 and I didn’t want poor quality through the wireless connection again. But if I could buy an separate known quality Bluetooth receiver to use with an original head unit, and then a good amp to help it that should result in pretty good sound right?

Now my $60 speakers put out okay sound for what they are. Okay bass and they’re clear at 12-20 volume but the truck still drowns them out once you get going or the windows are down. If I could get a little better sound quality but at a higher volume I’d be pleased. Tired of using the gizmo aftermarket head unit.


My truck is pretty quiet inside the cab.

 

nice!! nice roof too. was the roof worth getting? did it come with speakers or did you put some in?