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Technical RetroSound in my 49 Buick Radio

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by BJR, Apr 1, 2024.

  1. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 11,336

    BJR
    Member

    First this is what the stock radio looked like. 1 Stock Buick Radio.jpeg
    The radio is modular, there is a small rectangular box that the 2 knobs plug into a push****on module, and a digital face.
    3 Face & Buttons.jpeg
    I stripped out most of the old radio, and kept the faceplate, and the push****ons that spelled BUICK.
    2 Buick Parts Used.jpeg
    I had to weld metal tabs on the shafts of the Buick push****ons as they were spaced wider that the digital push****ons. You can see the red magnet I used to hold the tabs for welding.
    5 Magnet in place.jpeg
    Here are the tabs with the digital push****ons in place.
    7 Tabs with Keypad.jpeg
    I had to cut a wide slot in the bottom of the original Buick faceplate to slide the digital display into so it was behind the original face with the station numbers on it. I for got to take a picture of it, but you can see the silver tape covering the slot I cut.
    11 Opening 4 Digital Face.jpeg
    Here is what it looks like powered up.
    13 Dial FM.jpeg
    9 Finished on Bench.jpeg
    As you can see it is way smaller than the original radio, and about 1/4 the weight.
     
    302GMC, brEad, 40FORDPU and 10 others like this.
  2. hrm2k
    Joined: Oct 2, 2007
    Posts: 5,473

    hrm2k
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    That company makes some amazing pieces. I put one in my friends 62 Impala. We were both pleased with how good it sounded along with blue tooth capabilities. Good choice and clever workmanship !!
     
    BJR likes this.
  3. Fortunateson
    Joined: Apr 30, 2012
    Posts: 5,728

    Fortunateson
    Member

    VERY VERY cool! Thanks for the tip....
     
    BJR likes this.
  4. Damon777
    Joined: Jan 7, 2022
    Posts: 162

    Damon777
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Nice work. Very clean.

    I am looking to do a bluetooth setup in the area that the speaker section would occupy in my 50. Leave the radio delete hardware in place, and use one of the cigar lighter "knobs" as the on/off/volume control. I am looking to build a speaker box to sit in the same place. Leave everything stock appearing.
     
    BJR likes this.
  5. rockable
    Joined: Dec 21, 2009
    Posts: 5,098

    rockable
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Nice job, Brian! I was lazy. I just mounted the controls of the old unit in my dash and installed the SST hidden stereo under my front seat.
     
    Automotive Stud and BJR like this.
  6. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 11,336

    BJR
    Member

    Thanks, my goal was to have it look stock when off and to make the push****ons work as intended. I now have AM, FM, Bluetooth for my phone or music, USB port, and can add Sirius XM if I want. Just have to figure out the antenna, which I started another thread about.
     
    Lone Star Mopar likes this.
  7. Kiwi 4d
    Joined: Sep 16, 2006
    Posts: 3,899

    Kiwi 4d
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Very cool. Hopefully “retro sound “ is more reliable than the rubbish “custom auto sound” our custom auto sound failed, but they sent a replacement, the circuit board failed ,a different fault this time . We said ok you win we loose.
     
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2024
  8. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 11,336

    BJR
    Member

    bump for the Buick guys.:p
     
  9. It’s a toss up, I have 2 different styles in 2 vehicles both with iPod software installed. The 1 regular looking radio works fine, the Apache version in my other vehicle has a software problem and the push ****on knob broke. I think they know that there’s a problem and don’t make that style with those options anymore.
     
  10. LowKat
    Joined: Nov 29, 2005
    Posts: 10,015

    LowKat
    Member

    Very nice work.

    I used one in my old Vette and am very happy.
    Very similar looking to original but not fun to install. z Corvette stereo 2020 08 28 2.jpg


    z Corvette stereo 2020 08 28 4.jpg
     
  11. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 11,336

    BJR
    Member

    Here is what it looks like in the car. When off it looks stock except no needle to show what station it's on.

    IMG_2284.jpeg
     
    brEad, 1pickup, williebill and 4 others like this.
  12. That is a nice install. Gives me ideas for my 40.
     
    BJR likes this.
  13. Not perfect...... but very, very, very close!

    I kid. :p Good job on that there. :)
     
    BJR likes this.
  14. SS327
    Joined: Sep 11, 2017
    Posts: 3,920

    SS327

    I’m sorry I must have missed it. But who makes that kit and where did you get it?
     
    BJR likes this.
  15. partssaloon
    Joined: Jan 28, 2009
    Posts: 805

    partssaloon
    Member

    I have a custom autosound in my ranchero and put the Retrosound in my Econoline PU.
    No comparison! Retrosound was an easy install and sounds great, the only problem is the bluetooth doesn't work properly. I can hear the incoming phone calls fine but they can't hear me. Retro is working on it for me with a new mic coming at the end of the month. Hopefully that works as the second mic they sent did nothing.
     
    BJR likes this.
  16. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 11,336

    BJR
    Member

    SS327 likes this.
  17. SS327
    Joined: Sep 11, 2017
    Posts: 3,920

    SS327

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