Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

I have read a lot of threads over aftermarket stereos, some have had them rebuilt and others have had them cut to fit. Just wondering what is the consensus of the group? I am getting ready to have our interior redone and would like to have the stereo wired before that happens. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
Thanks
Mike and Karen

I like an original look, and have an AM working radio. My solution will either look stock, or be mounted remotely so it can't be seen. It is 100% up to you, but I would decide what I want, and where I want to mount it before doing any cutting or wiring. This includes the speakers. You are right to want to lay it all out prior to doing the interior!

I vote for keeping the stock radio and then hiding an aftermarket one. Mike P.S. Welcome to the forum and by the way my wife's name is also Karen!

I installed a new digital stereo with USB port to connect memory stick etc. I needed to enlarge the opening and take a ball peen hammer to a very small area of the tunnel.

If I was to do it again I would leave original stereo in OR look at the online versions that look original but have preouts on the back or side

I plan on Retrosound, Same size(68) and has push buttons! Some people on the forum have used them and I like the look.

ACote wrote:I plan on Retrosound, Same size(68) and has push buttons! Some people on the forum have used them and I like the look.

The retro looks nice and works well. In my 66, I have just an amp and speakers with a stereo plug to an Ipod. Volume control is through the Ipod, so super simple.

Mike and Karen I would just like to start off by saying welcome to 311s. I am a newbie as well to the roadster.
I actually used to be a car audio installer not to far from you guys at Custom Car Stereo on 59 at Bellaire (mind you that was more than 15 years ago ) I really like what dbrick is doing by keeping it simple and hidden. The roadster is of course a convertable, I know...quite an astute observation , and in such a vehicle you want to keep as much hidden as possible to discourage theives.

I plan on a similar set up to dbrick. Im going to leave the radio stock and have a blutooth hook up for my iphone and put a hook up for a thumbdrive in the glove box or center consol. I am also going to make the speaker locations look as stock as possible but with good speakers behind them. I havent yet figure out exactly what and where things are going but stelth is my goal. From my experience they won't steal what they can't see.
And one last thing to remember, is that getting good sound in a convertable is very difficult and usually requires a good amount of power and space just to get decent sound.

Good luck
Matthew

PS. Go Texans!!

I use the retro sound ZUMA too, it's a great radio with a Hugh amplifier, the speakers are placed behind the seats and you barely see them. the only thing I want to do is make a AM sticker on the radio for the look. the nicest thing is that it fit directly into your car and without interference problems, what with the old radio's often occur.

peter wrote:I use the retro sound ZUMA too, it's a great radio with a Hugh amplifier, the speakers are placed behind the seats and you barely see them. the only thing I want to do is make a AM sticker on the radio for the look. the nicest thing is that it fit directly into your car and without interference problems, what with the old radio's often occur.

I saw that they now offer vinyl screen protectors with old radio numbers printed on them, Maybe contact them and they'd give you a free sticker on for being a happy customer. Now The later year verticle radios would require custom verticle numbers. Hopefully a sticker shop could make some for me.

Thanks for telling me, I saw the screen protector too in the Netherlands, and want one.

Another option, I have the small Jambox that I just set on the dash. Its sort of rubber coated and doesn't move at all. Or you can set on the consol or package tray. It has big sound and blue tooth so I can connect through my phone or ipod. Best of all keep stock radio, no wires, cutting or retrofitting. When done I just lock it up or take it with me.

Thom.

Thomcraft wrote:Another option, I have the small Jambox that I just set on the dash. Its sort of rubber coated and doesn't move at all. Or you can set on the consol or package tray. It has big sound and blue tooth so I can connect through my phone or ipod. Best of all keep stock radio, no wires, cutting or retrofitting. When done I just lock it up or take it with me.

I think Linda is using one too. It was posted a week after I installed my amp, and my wife also suggested getting the Jambox, right after I finished the install.

For the speakers, mine are just little boxes on the triangle brackets under the dash, but I think a set of good speakers could be mounted behind the dash, parallel to the floor on my 66, may not work on a 70. Using the panels behind the seats works too, there are already holes in the sheetmetal, and 6.5" top mount shallow depth Boston Acoustics fit.

Photos from my 69
Retrosound, not too happy with the plate, so went back to the original with a faceplate. Not perfect. but the stock faceplate wasn't in good shape
I used the upper holes on my 69with a set of old retro covers.
Amp fit up in pass side footwell, pretty much invisible, and close to the battery.
Another attempt at a faceplate, never sorted out fully.

After market steroes need what for an antenna? Orininal mast, am/fm mast, stick on the
windshield wire? Just waiting for spring. Tired of cold.

Dave, that looks like a bimmer shiftknob

I decided on a Bluetooth speaker also as being less expensive and to not worry about theft. My AM radio works, but the channel selection is not so good, lol. Here's the speaker I chose. It's the Ultimate Ears Boom. It sounds good, has plenty of volume, up to 15 hours of battery, is water resistant and is very portable.