Hello all, I am needing some audio advice for my recent purchase. I was lucky enough to stumble onto and purchase a very low mile 79' f100. This truck is totally original and i do not wish to alter anything to the point it could not be easily returned to original. i like good sound and have installed a few basic systems in the past, but nothing to wild. Placing better speakers in the factory door locations is a snap, and adding some sub or full range boxes behind the seat is easy enough, but my biggest concern is the head unit.
The truck has the factory am/fm stereo in the dash and i like it for its looks, but the sound is, well you know... There do not seem to be any shaft mounted recievers any more of good quality, so i was considering adding a CD changer via the fm antenna route and using my factory reciever. Then i think about adding an amp, and realize that i would have to use speaker level inputs, and i have heard they do not work well???? Also, can you run a 4-channel amp with only two speaker level leads? I also have a 67' ford and i mounted a CD head unit in the glove box, but i really dislike it. It is a pain, even with a remote when driving alone, and seems the glove box door may as well be taken off, as it is open more than closed.
So do any of you have any thoughts on using my original head unit, or any suggestions on a shaft style reciever. Cutting the dash just is not an option on this truck, and underdash units look pretty cheesey to me. I really want to retain the stock looks, with good stunes. i am not looking for a competition level system, just something that sounds decent going down the highway? Any Help or advice is appreciated??? Thanks Fomogo

 

WHAT, NO HELP FROM YOU AUDIO GURU'S. COME ON LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK????????Anybody can add subs to a late model, somebody with some real stereo knowledge give some of us older fellas some help here.
Fomogo

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 08-Feb-02 AT 03:06 AM (EST)]I know that you don't want to hear this, but....just cut the dash man! The new style recievers look better than those damn shaft style ones anyway. I did. Best thing I have ever done!
I'll try to put up a pic.

edit :

http://members.rogers.com/mattjibb/alpinehead.jpg

 

Hey FOMOGO..this is my first time posting, so perhaps you can feel priveledged to know that your post caught my eye first...and perhaps I can get feedback for my upcoming project.
My dad just gave me his 78 Ford F100 Ranger Lariat XLT. It was just sitting around withering away. Luckily I caught it in time to get it going enough to get me around and be able to work on it at the same time.
Anyway, to the point....One of the first things I wanted to do with the truck was get a cd player in it to replace the old FM/AM..My dad suggested that I don't screw around with the factory dash either, in case I decided to actually restore it to original. So he suggested making a box for my radio. So, after thinking about it a while and working out what would look best, I have decided to do that. Here are my plans:

I want to install a "radio box" between the dash and the engine/trans hump. I don't plan on attaching it for good as to keep from screwing up the underside of the dash with screw holes. But I plan on buiding it at a slant, of course where the stereo will go and then straighten it to the seat with a couple built in cup holders. The finished product will be stained and varnished. I will have to decided what stain to use that will look good and blend with the rest of the interior as I complete it, too. I think it will look great.
I'm really thinking this thing through and doing the required planning, because I don't want it to look trashy. I even took digital pictures of the areas where I plan on installing and I opened the pics up in Photpshop so that I could make a virtual radio box to see what it may look like and what looks best.
The only problem with this idea is the idea that I will have to reach down a little to change out cds or tune the stereo, but I really don't change stations that much while driving anyway and seldom listen to a complete cd before I reach my destination.
Ok, everyone, that was my first book in this forum. Any opinions on this project idea???

 

wrenchbuilder, Sorry i did not reply sooner, but i quit looking at this post when I got no response. Your idea sounds fine, and should look good with the right planning. My problem is that my truck has 5,100 original miles, and is probably as perfect as one could imagine. I do not wish to add anything to my inerior that is visible. I really want to use the stock radio to maintain its appearance, and a custom console like yours would ruin the original appeal of this truck. I saw an add for Custom auto sound who offers a totally hidden tuner you can add a cd changer to. It is totally operated by a remote. I think for now i will leave my truck as is. After driving it a few times with the stock AM/FM I have found it is really not that bad. Nothing like i am used to, i am a music and stereo freak, but i will cope. See pics of my truck in the user gallery, under "low mile 79" See ya FOMOGO

 

why dont you get the custom headliner for your truck. It comes with 4, 4 inch speakers but can be replaced with 6'9's if you want. There is also a place for a cd player. It looks good when its on the headliner. You can get it from LMC truck

 

this stereo I found on the Pioneer website... has some decent power for a 2 **** set up...

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/Pioneer/CDA/CarProducts/CarProductDetails/0,1429,452,00.html

 

try looking in some rodder mag. i know pioneer and kenwood make post stereo's for older cars and trucks and they cost anywhere from $180 to $300. and ther're high end units. my dad got one for his 66 mustang for $265

 

Hey FOMOGO, I have a Pioneer 2 post head unit in my truck. It actually sounds pretty good. It has 25w x 2 channels and 15w x 4 channels. It is only a tape player but you could hook a cd changer to it easily.

 

You can add an any amp with a speaker to line level
converter. These are available from car stereo accesories
companies like PAC (Pacific audio company) at any good car stereo
retail stores. about the quality, using the stock tuner with
FM modulated cd player will do fine with the converter. Then you
can add any good quality amp. Bridging a 4 channel amp into 2 channel
will depend on the amplifier. Some can be bridged (using four channels
of power on two channels to get more power)and the manufacturer will state it in the manual and literature. Be sure to check the ohm ratings. Hope this will help.

 

hey FOMOGO

i found the place where my dad got his stereo from. WWW.Custom-Autosound.com
808 west vermont ave,dept sc
Anaheim,Ca 92805

i called them up, 1-800-88 (tunes) and they make stereo's for ford trucks. i asked them how much for a am/fm/cass bass-treble-clock deck. he said about $200 and they're 64 watts a channel.they also have am/fm/cass/cd hook up. but i didnt get a price for that one. hope this helps.

Paul

 

Thanks for all the help fellas. This will at least give me something to go on. FOMOGO