J
jbassat
Guest
Need to repair or replace. How much will I need to take apart to remove the orig eq radio? What holds the upper center cluster beside the 4 screws and the radio stem nuts?
69MyWay
Well-known member
John,
I have never done one on a 78, but several other people here have. It won't take too long, they will chime in.
However, I say...make some lemonaid out of your lemons and install an updated modern, high power am/fm cd, mp3 player in that puppy!
This will require using a mounting kit, or making one. If you are handy with tools, saws, drills, and creative thinking, you can handle it. On the flip side, most qualified stereo shops can do this kind of job in their sleep, and can save you time while they install it.
Oh...and welcome to the Corvette Action Center.
Chris
I have never done one on a 78, but several other people here have. It won't take too long, they will chime in.
However, I say...make some lemonaid out of your lemons and install an updated modern, high power am/fm cd, mp3 player in that puppy!
This will require using a mounting kit, or making one. If you are handy with tools, saws, drills, and creative thinking, you can handle it. On the flip side, most qualified stereo shops can do this kind of job in their sleep, and can save you time while they install it.
Oh...and welcome to the Corvette Action Center.
Chris
1974vette
Well-known member
1974vette
Well-known member
if you do update your radio, you may want to consider purchasing a bezel from Vette Specialties to keep from chopping yours! The photo is in the post above.
-Matt
-Matt
Stallion
Well-known member
If you want to keep her all stock, then I would look for a replacement. But if not, I would do what Chris says and get something modern. You should look into Custom AutoSound. They have modern assemblies that fit into our bezels so we don't have to cut. And it looks like it belongs in a '78 Corvette, not an out-of-place-trying-to-be-modern kinda deal. 
Good luck!!
TR
Good luck!!
TR
- Thread starter
- #6
F
Fishman
Guest
I just had an Alpine CDA-7897 (XM, MP3, CD) installed with 4 Infiniti speakers. Had to slightly cut the console for the stereo, but I plan on keeping a non-OEM stereo in the car forever. The speakers fit perfectly with no modification required. I also purchased a 6 disc CD/MP3 changer and installed it in the rear passenger side compartment. I mounted the remote disc changer vertically and cut a hole in the cardboard liner that allows the opening of the unit to be expossed. I like to have my 1100 favorite songs on board... the modifications were very small and worth it to me... I could care less about the next owners preference.
1974vette - thanks for posting that picture. Did that bezel from Vette Specialties come cut for a modern radio or did you cut it yourself. Did you use a mounting bracket from somewhere?
My 78 radio works but the 8-track doesn't. I've almost convinced myself to go with a modern radio with a CD/MP3 CD in the dash...almost. I'm going to wait on my power steering parts to arrive, get that put together, wait on payday, then make a decision.
I've been looking at a Pioneer radio for about $188 and a set of 4x6's in front and 6x9's in back (all 2 way) for about $100. It's not extreme by any stretch, but it'll be a whole lot more than the original setup and plenty for my taste.
Culprit
My 78 radio works but the 8-track doesn't. I've almost convinced myself to go with a modern radio with a CD/MP3 CD in the dash...almost. I'm going to wait on my power steering parts to arrive, get that put together, wait on payday, then make a decision.
I've been looking at a Pioneer radio for about $188 and a set of 4x6's in front and 6x9's in back (all 2 way) for about $100. It's not extreme by any stretch, but it'll be a whole lot more than the original setup and plenty for my taste.
Culprit
- Thread starter
- #8
M
matchframe
Guest
John,
It has been awhile since I have removed my radio, but I will try to remember how I did it. It was not very difficult. Remove one of the side carpets from the console, I think I did the passenger side, loosen the nut behind the radio knobs, remove the wiring from the rear of the radio. This is where I am vauge about what I did; I think there is a support bracket holding the radio to the floor of the car. After the radio is loose, remove it from the side where you removed the carpet.
When I put the radio I had in there last, I think that I had only the nuts behind the knobs holding the radio in place, not the floor bracket. The radio was also a CD player and was quite a bit lighter than the AM/FM 8 track that came with the car. When you do install a new radio, be sure to run a ground cable because all that is holding the radio in place is plastic.
Good to have you here at CAC!
Post some pictures of your Vette! We would love to see it.
Culprit,
Go for the CD/MP3! You will love it. I drive almost an hour to and from work everyday and listen to books on CD I get from the library. Good cheap entertainment.
Bill
It has been awhile since I have removed my radio, but I will try to remember how I did it. It was not very difficult. Remove one of the side carpets from the console, I think I did the passenger side, loosen the nut behind the radio knobs, remove the wiring from the rear of the radio. This is where I am vauge about what I did; I think there is a support bracket holding the radio to the floor of the car. After the radio is loose, remove it from the side where you removed the carpet.
When I put the radio I had in there last, I think that I had only the nuts behind the knobs holding the radio in place, not the floor bracket. The radio was also a CD player and was quite a bit lighter than the AM/FM 8 track that came with the car. When you do install a new radio, be sure to run a ground cable because all that is holding the radio in place is plastic.
Good to have you here at CAC!
Post some pictures of your Vette! We would love to see it.
Culprit,
Go for the CD/MP3! You will love it. I drive almost an hour to and from work everyday and listen to books on CD I get from the library. Good cheap entertainment.
Bill
1974vette
Well-known member
Culprit,
The bezel came cut from Vette Specialties.
The bezel came cut from Vette Specialties.
matchframe and 1974 Vette - Thanks!
I'm handy with a dremel, but I'd like to keep the original bezel with the factory radio - and it looks like a CD/MP3 unit is in my future.
Semper Fi,
Culprit
I'm handy with a dremel, but I'd like to keep the original bezel with the factory radio - and it looks like a CD/MP3 unit is in my future.
Semper Fi,
Culprit
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