Question: Aftermarket radio

[johnrem46]

I have a 77 and want to use a aftermarket stereo. Do I need anything other than cutting the hole in the bezel? Is there a face plate or something I would need ? Is it difficult to cut the bezel ?? Can someone help..

 

[bossvette]

you can buy a replacement bezel thats cut out for a standard size aftermarket radio at most any Corvette supply house. The bezels usually are tricky to cut without breaking them.

 

[Evolution1980]

It's not difficult to cut the bezel, as it's just plastic. 30+ yr old brittle plastic at that. The problem is cutting it so it's neat. You might save yourself the headache by simply doing what Bossvette suggested and buying one that's already cut.
If you are going to do it yourself, I suggest using a dremel with a cutting wheel or a little hand-held hacksaw. If it's not too rough a cut, the face of the radio should cover the rough edges.

If you plan on buying a pre-cut bezel, let me know and if you want to part with your current bezel, let me know what you want for it. (Help offset the cost of a new one by a few bucks. )

 

[6880 Mike]

...Can someone help...

My advice is never to cut an original bezel; they are getting harder to find and pricey. Buy a used one off ebay and cut it; or buy a reproduction and cut it; or, as suggested, buy one of the new reporductions already cut. Hang on to the original bezel and the stereo.

 

[LVMYVT76]

They used to have radios set up to fit the original holes in the bezel, but with cd's instead of cassett tapes being the norm, it might be different now. But I wouldn't cut the original bezel, buy one of the ones that are made to fit the radios.

 

[johnrem46]

thanks for the info.. I do have the orig bezel and it is in great shape. The radio I now have does not work and is one of the aftermarket sets that fit into the bezel. i have seen some original radios on e bay for sale. Does anyone know where I can find a radio to fit the bezel or should I just go original from e bay?

 

[milo30]

thanks for the info.. I do have the orig bezel and it is in great shape. The radio I now have does not work and is one of the aftermarket sets that fit into the bezel. i have seen some original radios on e bay for sale. Does anyone know where I can find a radio to fit the bezel or should I just go original from e bay?

All of the corvette catalogs like ecklers have stereos listed that will fit the bezel without cutting. I left my original in the dash for looks and bought Secret Audio which I hid the main unit under the dash and mounted a remote head above the rear view mirror.

 

[Evolution1980]

Does anyone know where I can find a radio to fit the bezel or should I just go original from e bay?

I believe the cutout is a standard fit for any shaft style radio you'll find. Sanyo, Kenwood, Custom Autosound are just three off the top of my head that still make shaft style head units. (I think )

 

[Emtmike]

I too will be putting an aftermarket head unit in my '81. I decided to buy a new bezel off ebay that is for newer car systems :cool. I didn't want to cut up my original bezel just for the sake of having a newer radio hnoes. This way I can always change it back to original when I want .

 

[bossvette]

FWIW there's a company that converts old radios to new guts with a input for an Ipod he's at Carlisle every year. I don't think you will get a CD head that will fit in a stock hole the CD is wider then the knobs. :W