Experience/Suggestions for New Radio with Soundbox behind seats?

[LowRumble]

Hi everybody...new member here.

I recently bought a '76 with a non-working radio in the dash, and after reading all the posts about the difficulties of replacing in-dash radios and bezels, I've decided to leave everything in the dash and install a new radio and speakers mounted in a sound box behind the seats (I also want to be able to just plug in the iPod and go). After searching the forum, I still have a few questions unanswered. Here they are:

1. Has anybody on this site done this and if so, how did it work out?
2. Any ideas of how to modify the box and still be able to store the t-tops?
3. Am I crazy for wanting to do this? What does everyone think?

Any other comments or suggestions welcome. Thanks in advance.

 

[petes74ttop]

Easy Answer.

Congratulations on getting your first Vette and welcome to the forum!
If you are handy enough to wire up a new radio than your handy enough to change out the old bezel for one that fits the "DIN" radio. I got a C/D radio and bezel in 2003. They didn't have MP-3 then, but it was easy enough to change over. I got a new top dash pad at the same time since mine was cracked. I installed two 6X9 speakers in 2 boxes and just put them in the rear compartment. Even with a 230 watt radio you won't hear it that well at highway speed and the tops off. PG.

 

[petes74ttop]

Here's a picture

 

[LowRumble]

petes74ttop,

Thanks for the reply. Good stuff. Did you order your bezel separate from the radio, or were they packaged together? I'm trying to find just the bezel. I ordered 2 catalogs - Eckler's and Mid-America - and hope that I can find a bezel in one of them. Also, with the speaker boxes behind the seats, did you figure out a way to store your t-tops back there, too?