Custom Autosound Disaster!

1320stang said:
But, MFP, the '65-'66 dash doesn't allow for the normal shaft type radio that fits into your '67. You have to hack the dash to make it fit and they still look like crap. The reason those piece of crap units are so high in price is that that's the only company that make 'em.

I thought the 65/66 openings were the same as mine? Is it a case of the opening or the post location?
 
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mfp4073 said:
I thought the 65/66 openings were the same as mine? Is it a case of the opening or the post location?

The opening is cut-out in the dash and space is somewhat limited. I've seen so many mustangs cut the dash and just replace it with a regular unit that it almost looks normal. But for any person looking to keep the stock look without damaging their dash, the units that Custom Autosound makes are perfect. Yes they are little pricey and don't have all the features (Tremble???), but they work good.
 
mfp4073 said:
I thought the 65/66 openings were the same as mine? Is it a case of the opening or the post location?

Both. The posts are raised up off center of the horizontal centerline and the bezel itself has rounded corners.

http://www.hammar.dyndns.org/radios/4TBZA.jpg

http://www.hammar.dyndns.org/radios/4TBZ.jpg

It was really made for the Mustang as it follows the contours of the dash, much like the '96-'99 Taurus oval radio.

Here's a more rare AM/FM radio:

http://www.hammar.dyndns.org/radios/F6TBZA.jpg

And the more rare 8-track that I believe hacks the dash:

http://www.hammar.dyndns.org/radios/T6SMZA.jpg
 
Several of the ones I have seen have adjustable posts, but not all. I have also seen different size opening plates (ie some fill my hole better than others).

what is the size of your opening?


The RF cd changers are some sort of best kept secret and will still work with any head unit via the antenna lead.
 
Just cut the dash and enjoy your sound. If you ever want it original, just put that patch panel in. Its not like our original cars are worth that much anyways. Make it how you want it because youll never make $ on a baisc mustang. I cut my bezel in my 67, even though it could be replaced much easier, and im glad i did! A good CD player install probably made it worth more in the end, but what do i care, Ive got 4x's the $ in this car than its worth.
 
Well, I guess I lucked out. I don't have to worry about this decision on my '65 project car. The previous owner already hacked the dash for a standard post stereo (incorrect offset). The original radio was long gone as the "new" head unit was a POS tape deck. I will probably just enlarge it to a standard DIN opening for more stereo options.
 
Yeah, a '67 is easy, buy a repo bezel and hack away. The pathc panel doesn't line up exactly, just like the repop fenders and doors. Original metal is ALWAYS better than repop if its in good shape. And I'd have to disagree about a couple of things Stangman said. Restored cars like my A-code coupe are apparently bringing in the $16k-$20k range if they're done properly. And as far as having 4x what it's worth in your car, are you counting the money that you have spent on stuff, but have now replaced? I know guys that have had 11 second Camaros that they've spent $60k on. But they've gone thru 4 intakes, 5 or 6 carbs, replacement axles and rear ends, 2 or 3 engines, sets of heads, multiple exhaust systems, paint jobs... Point is, if they had been patient and spent wisely, they'd have a $35k 8 second car. Are you including everything you've ever spent on it, or just what you've spent on what's on it now? I'm not knocking you by any means, but I'm like MFP, a little forsight now could save a lot of frustration in the future, oh, and never say never.
 
19simmons65 said:
MFP: Can the Sanyo MAR-B1021 be used with an amp? Aren't two more more preamp outputs needed?

that unit has pre amp outs according to crutchfield.com. It will have one left and one right rca out (red and white). From there you run one rca cable to an amp and if its a 4 channel amp it will have 4 outs to speakers...2 front 2 rear (1 each left and right). If you want to run more amps, simply get an rca splitter and go from there.
 
mfp4073 said:
I would say just the opposite. Hacking the dash on them is a PIA to fix. I would think a little extra effort now to not have to deal with it later would be well worth it.


I didn't mean it would be easy to fix. Just that my car was already damaged by a previous owner so modifying it for a good stereo is not going to really hurt anything. Besides, my '65 is an elcheapo 6 to 8 conversion with little or no value to anyone other than me. Even so, I have not pulled out the die grinder yet, so I may look at other alternatives.

If it were a nice A, D, or K code car, there is no way I would hack the dash. In that type of situation, I would either leave it stock or really work hard on hiding the radio.


On a side note, I hid the head unit under the dash of my old Fairlane with the stock radio left in place. Of course, the Fairlane was a bigger car with more room to work and more places to hide things.
 
Brooklyn66 said:
good info, in addition, I just looked at several of the ones I have around here and they all have adjustable knobs. I think some of those ones like mentioned earlier have the same thing. its just not usually mentioned. The jvc I have here has a 1 5/8 x 5 1/8 inch opening. This is the JVC ks-r130. Also the sanyo that was listed in my previous post does list adjustable posts as one of its features. Someone measure the 65/66 opening for me!
 
Okay, measuring the radio was easier than getting to the opening.

Adding for a tiny bit of clearance, the radio bezel is 3 7/8" x 2" with the corners being radiused somewhere from 3/16" to 1/4". I think it's actually a quadrent of an ellipse as the height seemed to have a 3/16" dimension from tangent to perpenducular to tangent where the width was 1/4" the same way.
 
I did not bother to read this whole thread... but 3 words that go well together... "Custom, Autosound, Disaster". Read that again and repeat ;)