Looking At Adding A Radio

[LastFbody]

I'm almost a novice when it comes to things audio and electrical. I did find someone capable of installing "Whatever I bring in" as what they had in house was too techy/aftermarket looking for my tastes. I noticed the dash in the 1009 has 3 holes in it for speakers from the factory, 2x 3.5 spots and 1x 4x10. My understanding is the 3.5s were for stereo and the 4x10 was for a mono radio setup. I have zero desire for putting speakers anywhere other than those spots. Totally not looking to blast music for the entire neighborhood to hear, just something decently louder than the boom box that I currently have jury rigged to my military radio plate.

My question here is this:
Lets say I were to get something to fit the 4x10 spot that was stereo instead of mono to use in addition to a pair of 3.5s, is there any reason I couldn't/shouldn't do that?

Looking to use this if anyone's curious: https://www.classiccarstereos.com/1973-1988-chevy-truck-radio-usa-630.html

 

[chevymike]

Might I suggest looking at Retro Sound radios instead of Custom Autosound. My best friend has been doing auto electrical/car stereos for over 30 years and has used about every brand of auto electrical stuff out there. He has installed a lot of Custom Autosound head units and over the years has had nothing but problems with them. That shop he worked at last (before starting his own business) was using Custom Autosound. I bought a Retro Sound radio (after doing a lot of research for quality systems) for my '72 El Camino and had him install it. He said it was much better quality than the CA ones and actually got the shop to make the switch to be a dealer for Retro Sound. Their failure rate went down to almost zero. This is all he recommends now, for anyone looking for a shaft type radio.

As for using the speaker combo, yeah you could run the 2 3.5" in the corners and a dual coil 4x10 in the center.

Product Result

Modern Sound For Your Classic. The leading manufacturer of classic car stereos and audio equipment for the restoration marketplace.

www.retromanufacturing.com

I have run the Hermosa (a buddy of mine used the Long Beach, since he has an Apple phone) since I wanted BT for my Android phone. Works great!

 

[cruzer747]

I used the RetroSound RetroMod R-352N-ch 30 Watt 2-way 3.5" They fit, thank goodness there is not a lot going on under there but the dash pad came out to fit them and a 90' close quarters drill is a must. My 2c is consider looking into "hidden car stereos".

I could not bring myself to hack up the dash so I just tapped into the amp in the back and run bluetooth to that. If I wanted to spent a little more coin I would get something with a hidden amp/radio and a small mounted display that you can put somewhere discrete .

 

[LastFbody]

Thanks for the input! On your glowing recommendation I think I'll go with the RetroSound instead. I almost went with the laguna until I saw the Hermosa has usb capabilities, which I assume is able to charge a cell phone. I like the looks of this unit better than the first one I found too since it can be ordered with different knobs and bezel.

I originally considered going with something current style hidden, but once I found these radios that look correct but have modern features I had to have one.

 

[LastFbody]

Oh, one last thing. I'm sure the audio shop I plan on having install the system has worked with square body chevys in the past, but I'm not certain they've ever messed with a cucv with its wonky electrical system. I know there exists a diagram that iirc shows that theres an open spot for a 12v fuse under the dash that may be able to be utilized for this. Also that batteries should be unhooked rear positive, then bridge cable unhooked from front positive, then front negative unhooked to turn electrics off.

Is there any other pointers anyone thinks I should give them?

 

[chevymike]

Oh, one last thing. I'm sure the audio shop I plan on having install the system has worked with square body chevys in the past, but I'm not certain they've ever messed with a cucv with its wonky electrical system. I know there exists a diagram that iirc shows that theres an open spot for a 12v fuse under the dash that may be able to be utilized for this. Also that batteries should be unhooked rear positive, then bridge cable unhooked from front positive, then front negative unhooked to turn electrics off.

Is there any other pointers anyone thinks I should give them?

Honestly, if the are not skilled enough to figure this out, which is not much different then a civilian version under the dash, I would not let them touch it. A meter or test light and about 2 minutes at the fuse block, it's figured out.

 

[cruzer747]

snapped a couple speaker pics while I had my dash off today for you... and no, they do not interfere with the dash at this height, but then again I have a dash skin and cut the oem grille (underneath the skin) out so the installer MAY need to mount them from below rather than from above.

 

[SDJunkMan]

Oh, one last thing. I'm sure the audio shop I plan on having install the system has worked with square body chevys in the past, but I'm not certain they've ever messed with a cucv with its wonky electrical system. I know there exists a diagram that iirc shows that theres an open spot for a 12v fuse under the dash that may be able to be utilized for this. Also that batteries should be unhooked rear positive, then bridge cable unhooked from front positive, then front negative unhooked to turn electrics off.

Is there any other pointers anyone thinks I should give them?

One difference is that regular squarebodys usually have a radio wiring harness in them, the CUCV will have to be wired from scratch, not a problem,but not plug and play.

 

[LastFbody]

Got everything buttoned back up with the retrosound radio. Looks great and sounds good. While I was at it and had the funding I changed to the factory windshield with the built in antenna. That part works better than expected, reaches a radio station that only more modern setups can usually reach, and thats when I'm parked in an underground garage surrounded by concrete.