i have a cd player in my '73, and had a DIN tape deck in my '77, both worked great, and i installed both myself. not really that hard, but had to modify the '73 because somebody had been in there before me and screwed it up pretty good. however it gets the job done.

 

Installing an aftermarket stereo unit, be it AM/FM with CD or cassette is not that difficult IF you know what you are doing. I installed a Pioneer CD in my 78 F-350 and it looks great! I had to modify the steel mounting plate behind the dash bezel, and that was a little tricky. It's not just a matter of cutting the hole in the steel plate for the radio, you have to be able to modify the steel plate for strength because when you cut the hole for the radio, it leaves you with only about 1/4 inch of steel around the sides and bottom of the radio, which is rather flimsy.
As far as the plastic dash bezel, you need to be able to cut it right on the money to line it up with the steel bracket behind it. If you take your time and be patient, it will look factory when you are done. If you are not good with fabrication, it's best left to someone who has experience. Either way, it can be done.
Also, just because you buy an aftermarket stereo unit DOES NOT mean you have to buy a seperate amplifier. You can if you want more power for your speakers, but lots of name brand stereos come with higher wattage output and sound just fine without an amplifier. The only reason you would have to buy an amplifier is if the stereo you use has RCA outputs only, and no bare wire outputs for speaker hookup.
Hope this information is useful and good luck.

 

I have my whole radio only supported by the thin plastic bezel. It looked like it wouldn't work to me but the guy helping me told me not to worry about it. He drilled two more whole closer to the radio so we could put screws in it for better stability and it works great. The cd player never skips or wiggles or anything and the plastic shows no signs of letting go anytime soon.

 

Hey guys has anyone ever thought about keeping the original where it belongs in the dash for looks? That is what I am going to do when I get to that stage. I want to build or buy and modify a floor console for my truck. That is where the nice stereo will go and all those other toys. I have an advantage with a ext cab in that I don't need the floor space for feet. Also what about getting a newer radio out of a wreck in the junk yard that has a remote control and mounting it behind the seat or even under the seat. You can even find one that you could put a few cd's into and drive for hours and never hear the same song twice. Just a thought and my 2 cents.
RJK

 

Sorry, I meant the FORD din mounted radios need an external amplifier.