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I've not used one, have a good friend that has used them a couple times in his classics. Those cars sit most of the time though and make it to some car shows throughout the year.
The online reviews I've read are very hit or miss. Seems the cars that aren't driven often are happy with them, but those that use the cars frequently seem to get 2 to 3 years out of them before they have issues. Most common issue seemed to be the internal amp, so you might be okay if you use an external amp for speakers instead. A lot of reviews seem to indicate they fail shortly after warranty expires. YMMV
If you do decide to get one, I wouldn't pay the upcharge LMC has, there are other vendors offering the same exact head unit for a lower cost.
My problem with them is you're paying premium for the looks not the capability, you can spend the same amount for a modern head unit and get a lot better piece of equipment, or pay half the amount and get an equivalent piece of equipment as far as internal components are concerned but if you are adamant about keeping your dash intact and a factory looking radio your choices are very limited and most can be spendy.
If you're adamant about looks, you could keep original radio as is and mount a modern head unit under the seat or some other out of view location and use a remote to control the head unit.
I have one in my truck, and it works well. I decided to go this path because I didn't want to cut apart the metal support behind the Dash, or the good dash bezel that I had in the truck. And I really wanted to be able to listen to Bluetooth music from my phone. I haven't really found a good spot to mount the mic for hands-free calling.
That being said, there are some things I'm not a huge fan of, The controls are a little limited in the sense that there are only 5 buttons and 2 *****. They had to put a lot of features into the limited amount of buttons/*****, so there are a lot of things that pull double duty.
Would I buy it again? Yes. But is it perfect? No.
I ordered mine direct through Retro Sounds though. Crutchfield sells it also. Don't pay LMC's shipping/markup.
I'm running a RetroSound in my 77 F250 I got from Summit. Not sure if it's a Long beach or not. Have had others in other vehicles as well, have had one in my 49 Chev now for about 5 years and its still going strong. I did have problems with a "Custom Autosound" radio which appears to be the same manufacturer - but I gave that radio to another guy who fixed it, ended up being nothing more than a poor solder job. So, I'm running (or have run) five Retro Sounds/Custom Autosounds now with one failure. But otherwise happy, sound is fine to my tone deaf ears.
Don't think these look like OEM though, they don't. And personally I like turning the dial and watchin the needle move, be much cooler if they'd done that IMHO. But, they are twin shaft and no fitting required beyond a rear support bracket. Didn't have to cut anything they fit into the original opening as advertised.
i would agree with all the above...bought mine through crutchfield.
has an original look when turned off...it's a digital unit with digital display...analog dial with analog display and sweeping needle would be much cooler.
Bluetooth works well....handfree calling would likely be better if the mic was mounted in the a-pillar but I left it down at the dash near the base of the column.
I made my own brackets or modified the universal ones...can't remember other than it took quite a bit of fitting to get everything sitting just right.
(also mine isn't the long-beach version but is a a retrosound unit)
Sound quality is good.
Aren't you worried about the high shipping costs from LMC...thought you had posted about that a few times.
i would agree with all the above...bought mine through crutchfield.
has an original look when turned off...it's a digital unit with digital display...analog dial with analog display and sweeping needle would be much cooler.
Bluetooth works well....handfree calling would likely be better if the mic was mounted in the a-pillar but I left it down at the dash near the base of the column.
I made my own brackets or modified the universal ones...can't remember other than it took quite a bit of fitting to get everything sitting just right.
(also mine isn't the long-beach version but is a a retrosound unit)
Sound quality is good.
Aren't you worried about the high shipping costs from LMC...thought you had posted about that a few times.
Hello there. Thanks for the feedback. Yes, I am always concerned with the slow and expensive shipping from LMC. I like to find what I need in their catalog, then search for it elsewhere. Nice looking interior, btw.
I hate mine. My dad installed it when the truck was his, and honestly, it is a piece of overpriced garbage. If all you care about is the original look, this unit is for you. Mine is only "bluetooth capable" if I buy an adapter that also has to be separately wired in, so be careful which one you get (mine is 4+ years old so this may have changed). IMO, the interface is awful as well, doing the simplest thing it is like using an old rotary phone to send a text message. The screen is tiny and is annoyingly bright ALL THE TIME - not sure if the old man hooked it up incorrectly or if it can't be dimmed. It looks and feels like a cheap knock off from the dollar store. My dad only cared that it would make sound and looked original, I value sound quality and functionality a little more. Like others have said, a true dial radio would have been way better.
I know this is not a popular opinion, but you can get a modern radio that is feature packed and sounds a lot better for about $120.00. AND it will be from a reputable company like Pioneer or Sony. If I am going to spend money on a radio I want it to sound and function well.
I am very hesitant to cut my dash, but I am seriously considering putting the original radio back in and mounting a real radio underneath. Haven't really decided yet. Honestly, I think these trucks look fine with a modern radio in the original spot as well. Either way, the radio from LMC will be going to the scrap heap eventually. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...e-done-it.html
X2 on custom auto sound. I’ve had this installed for a year or two now using it regularly as my garage stereo. Looks great. Fits perfect. And doesn’t have a thousand little pieces; it’s made to fit the application. Just realized I don’t have a straight on pic.
To all the members who have posted: Thanks for the feedback. I am looking around to see what is available. I'm quite upset with LMC and their shipping charges, so I don't think I will go that way. I have a single DIN head unit in the truck now, along with an amplifier. I just one with good sound and power, quad sound with blue tooth ability. I also see that Battle Born Brakes has a bracket available. https://www.battlebornbrakes.com/pro...eo-bracket-sb1
To all the members who have posted: Thanks for the feedback. I am looking around to see what is available. I'm quite upset with LMC and their shipping charges, so I don't think I will go that way. I have a single DIN head unit in the truck now, along with an amplifier. I just one with good sound and power, quad sound with blue tooth ability. I also see that Battle Born Brakes has a bracket available. https://www.battlebornbrakes.com/pro...eo-bracket-sb1
I can't verify this, but if it has a single DIN in it now, I don't know if you can go back. Meaning if your bracket has been cut, not sure if the original/classic style radios will have anything to mount to.
I have looked a little online to see if I could find a replacement/original bracket for my truck and have not found one. My thought was I could get a replacement and cut it to fit a single DIN, and save my original bracket. I plan on doing that with my door panels. I want to cut some holes for tweeters in the reproduction panels and save the originals.
I can't verify this, but if it has a single DIN in it now, I don't know if you can go back. Meaning if your bracket has been cut, not sure if the original/classic style radios will have anything to mount to.
I have looked a little online to see if I could find a replacement/original bracket for my truck and have not found one. My thought was I could get a replacement and cut it to fit a single DIN, and save my original bracket. I plan on doing that with my door panels. I want to cut some holes for tweeters in the reproduction panels and save the originals.
Scratch that, they are available online, new and original
