This is for anyone trying to figure out the best way to add a stereo. Of course there are companies that refurbish the factory radio and can add pretty much any option you want but that could end up being over $600. I found aftermarket radios that look original for $500 but apparently they're junk. There's the tried and true cd player in the glovebox method. Who wouldn't want to drive around with their glovebox hanging opened at all times ? I found a couple write-ups on modifying a tissue dispenser and putting the radio inside. I did just that in my old '54. The face of the dispenser ended up living on the seat so that option was out. When I got my '51 and it was audio time again, I decided to switch it up a bit. I started researching bluetooth amps. Kenwood makes the kac-m1824bt marine amp (Amazon) that could be used as a stand alone unit and it was small so it would fit on (or as it turns out, in) the back of the factory radio. It uses a cable connected remote which receives the blue tooth signal and also has all the function controls on it. I pulled the '51s radio out and began disassembly. These cars have a 6x9 speaker inside the radio. I had a Retro Sound dvc 6x9 in the '54 but didn't like the way it sounded. This amp can be bridged to 90w x 2 so the search began for svc 6x9s that can handle 90w rms. I ended up with a set of Alpine spr-69 speakers (Amazon) that are good up to 100w rms. Now, I was trying to keep the entire system self contained since I'm building this car to look old but operate a bit more modern. I gutted the stock radio innards and found a ton of room inside. I got rid of everything except the spring mechanism for the push*****ons so I essentially had an empty box to work with. I took the power/volume knob apart and replaced the shaft with a brass rod (Ace hardware) that I cut threads on and connected to a push/pull switch (Auto Zone) with a coupling nut. I filed the outside end of the rod to a D shape to fit the factory knob. The speaker fit right in using the factory speakers screw holes. I did have to cut some of the radio housing to be able to close it all back up seeing as how the Alpine sits deeper than the factory speaker but it's all hidden so who cares. I drilled some extra holes in the back of the radio housing to aid in cooling the amp since everything'll be in such close proximity. Then it was time to wire it up. I cut the amps remote (blue) wire and connected it and the wire for the original radio light to the output side of the switch. The loose part of that same wire is connected from the key on accessory power panel under the dash to the input side of the switch. When I pull the switch out (about 1/4" pull), the amp and the radio light turn on making it look like the factory radio is turned on. All of the wires used to connect power to the amp as well as the rear speaker wires are run through the factory wire hole grommet on the side of the radio. The power wire (yellow) is connected to the constant hot accessory panel and the ground wire is on a ring terminal slid over the stud on the side for the support bracket. I wound the remote cord up (it's about 10 ft. long) and zip tied it to the back of the radio. I used a strip of velcro to attach the remote itself to the bottom of the radio so the bluetooth signal would get it. I have the original add on rear speaker so I pulled the package tray panel off, cut the hole from 5x7 to 6x9, installed the other Alpine speaker and put the panel back on keeping the original speaker cover. Once it's all done all you have to do is sync your phone to the amp and then you have Pandora, your playlist or an fm radio app to listen to. Everything can be controlled by your phone and it looks completely factory. It was cheaper than the tissue box way by about $100 too so it's a win all around. View attachment 3103014 View attachment 3103018 View attachment 3103009 View attachment 3103010
Santa brought me a KAC-M1824BT! The remote is going in the ashtray, the main unit under the drivers seat. Perhaps I'll get the Kenwood SW11 low-profile subwoofer for my birthday. By the way, I had previously purchased the Boss Audio Bluetooth unit and sent it back after bench testing. It had connectivity problems where it would loose the signal and just shut off and not reacquire the signal unless I powered it down for 10-15 minutes-- not only that but the remote controlled the volume only. The Kenwood works great and the remote can pause and search forward/backward.
Check out the availability of bluetooth remotes and/or different shapes, colors, etc. available for marine application. The din's are identical to car radios, but with additional features, like weatherproofing (great for roadsters), round faced radios, small remote panels, etc. Also for us older guys hard of hearing, the bluetooth sure makes hearing a cell phone call easier. My interests found that stuff when I was looking for something other than a black faced or 50's style radio for my OT non-traditional interior..marine radios are available in silvers, white, tans, etc. Just ebay search Bluetooth Marine radios...you'll be surprised at what's available.
I bought a Bluetooth speaker for $35 from Costco and listen to music I downloaded on to my Iphone, or I bring up Pandora. 24 hours of internet radio equates to 1gb of data. That's 24 hours of on air time. Most of us drive one or two hours at a time. How many hours a month? That's a lot of music. Of course you have to have an internet accessible cell phone. That leaves out the old style, Star Trek, flip phones.
J Just something to think about with the ashtray mounting...metal blocks the bluetooth signal. I was going to put the remote inside the radio housing as well but i was afraid it wouldn't receive the signal.
The Jalopy Journal
