Hidden Radio Options/ Ideas...

[fishtail8]

Where have you seen radio installations in classics and rods that hides it best? Alot of people do the glovebox, however it would seem difficult to change stations and such while driving solo. Some remotes work better than others also. The car is a 50 Pontiac, and I'm trying to make it as subtle as possible. I've been debating about building a plain center console to hide the shifter as best I can, so it might be an option for hiding a radio too... I've also heard something about a kleenex box radio from years ago, anyone remember? Any suggestions/ pics or ideas... Thanks... Colin

[Steve Chryssos]

Here's what I did.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[pav8427]

How much chrome do you have on the dash.
I've seen plenty of street rods with it hidden behind a modified piece of factory trim that hinges open.
50 Pontiac should have tons of chrome or find something of a Caddy/Buick or some other luxo barge from the same era.

Doug

[MonzaRacer]

Some guys have been using the older C/K radios, they had remote radios and then all you do is hide the small radio panel and add on an RF modualtor for a CD Changer, hide the changer controls in arm rest or under visor or even in the ashtray.
I have seen several of them used.

[karmakvisser]

I have a 64 lincoln and I'm going to hide my stereo in the huge ashtray. Since its a convertible, want to be able to secure the radio. I was thinking that the ash tray would be a great place to do that plus I can fashion a small lock of some sort.

good luck

ken

[Steve1968LS2]

Im not running a head unit. I will install an amp in the back that will be powered by a dash switch. I will have an input line from the amp to the front of the car will I can plug in my ZUNE (iPod like deal). This way I don't have to mess up the look of the car with a head unit. I figure several thousand songs means I don't need a radio. Besides the ZUNE does have an FM tuner.

[fishtail8]

Some good ideas guy's. I mostly need the stero for picking up the Sirius signal mainly, however it'd be nice to have a backup in case the Sirius ever died (happened once). Keep the idea's comin, I'll keep scratchin my head.....

[fishtail8]

I just remembered that I have an older sony deck with a flip down face on it. When it's off or while in use the screen folds up and remains dark if so desired... Most of these cars we have sit low enough that if you made a small low profile DIN chassis, it could almost mount overhead at the top of the windshield. Very rarely do I see someone look up when they look into a really low car. Doable?

[MickyT]

Hey Steve, by doing what you are thinking about how do you control volume with the IPod or ZUNE? I am curious about controlling bass, treble, fader and balance. We have been looking for a way to run off the amp and avoid a head unit.

[Steve1968LS2]

Hey Steve, by doing what you are thinking about how do you control volume with the IPod or ZUNE? I am curious about controlling bass, treble, fader and balance. We have been looking for a way to run off the amp and avoid a head unit.

The ZUNE has those basic controls.. I'm sure it's not as nice as a headunit but I only need some basic tunes for long drives :)

Volume should be able to be controled through the volume control on the MP3 device. Still working out the details with my audio guy. It's a crazy idea I had but I think I can make it work. If I do there will be a complete writeup on here.

[KMD]

I also have been debating on how to hide a aftermarket radio in my Chevelle. I found a company called Electo-Tech Inc. that converts your original radio to AM/FM Stereo with auxiliary input for CD players, ipod, MP3, Satellite, etc. I sent my radio to them two weeks ago. I am planning on hooking it up to a ipod that I will mount is the ash tray.

http://www.turnswitch.com/radio1.htm

[parsonsj]

I've got a little plug in my console where my iPod Nano hooks up. The boys at 1OffRides put a sub (completely hidden) between the rear seats, tweeters under the dash (completely hidden) , and mid-range speakers in the kick panels (very unobtrusive). The Nano controls volume, bass/treble mix, etc. The amps and crossovers are all hidden under the dash. Look in my car and you don't see stereo.

If you go for a ride and don't like my music, bring your own. :)

It works awesome.

jp

[MickyT]

THanks Steve, John that is exactly what we would like to do. I would love to see a wiring diagram of amps to crossovers to the plugin for the IPod. The idea of no obtrusive headunit and discrete hidden equipment is very appealing to me. The storage capacity of the new players means CDs are obsolete.

[Scatpack]

John, I was thinking the same thing as far as hiding an audio system. I'd love to know how you made that work. I really don't want to cut up my dash or hide a head unit.

[parsonsj]

The tweeters are mounted up under the dash and fire out the defroster cutouts off the windshield at the listener's ears. Tweeters take lots of energy, but not movement, so mounting them is simple. The sub is mounted backwards (it fires at the rear axle) in a custom fabricated center armrest between the rear seats. Custom kick panels with midrange round out the speakers. The amp is located up under the dash under the glove box area. The crossovers are mounted in the center area of the dash where the original radio was, and is hidden behind the delete plate.

My dash is completely stock, with the heater and original radio omitted. It's the one thing on the car that I didn't molest. :)

The boys at 1OffRides (http://www.1offrides.com) did the work.

I'll get some pics up this week.

jp

[audioman]

I've got a little plug in my console where my iPod Nano hooks up. The boys at 1OffRides put a sub (completely hidden) between the rear seats, tweeters under the dash (completely hidden) , and mid-range speakers in the kick panels (very unobtrusive). The Nano controls volume, bass/treble mix, etc. The amps and crossovers are all hidden under the dash. Look in my car and you don't see stereo.

If you go for a ride and don't like my music, bring your own. :)

It works awesome.

jp

Thanks for the compliments JP. 1 Off Rides loved working with you on ii much. We love doing work for guys like you. It makes it all worth it.

:cool:

[Scatpack]

Thanks for the info JP, you guys are awesome

[lower90xcab]

The ZUNE has those basic controls.. I'm sure it's not as nice as a headunit but I only need some basic tunes for long drives :)

Volume should be able to be controled through the volume control on the MP3 device. Still working out the details with my audio guy. It's a crazy idea I had but I think I can make it work. If I do there will be a complete writeup on here.

i cannt wait for this write up.....i have been looking at mp3 players for a couple of months....I bought a 250G External hardrive to put my music on....the only problem is there is no way to run the harddrive without using a computer...so now im leaning toward the zune....From what i have read the zune just needs pluged into a cig lighter for power then have the radio tuned to a spec. channel and the player transmits the signal to the radio....

[O'Neall]

Here's what I'm gonna use in my Trans Am.

http://soundmove.com/secretaudio.htm

[alocker]

I have been wanting to do this also, but I really didnt want to mount something in the glovebox of my Chevelle. The idea of eliminating a head unit not only saves space and cost, but I dont listen to CD's or the radio anymore. In addition to your amp and speakers, you only need your MP3 player, (possibly portable satellite reciever) and a line driver. Just headphone jack to a pair of RCA's into the line driver, or even right to the amp. THis http://www.cardomain.com/item/PERPRC1 would be nice to have a knob volume control.

Anybody have a reason that wouldnt work??

[ChevyThunder]

I have an Alpine head unit in my glove box with CD AM/FM and an iPod interface. It has a remote that controls all the features and works excellent. I placed the remote eye under the ash tray. Remember if you use the glove box and you have a cardboard glove insert like my 69 Camaro the weight of the stereo will fatigue the box and you will end up with your head unit dangling from under the dash . I got a repro glove box and laid a layer of fiberglass over it and now it is very sturdy.