Thinking about installing an after market radio, which would you use? Custom AutoSound USA-1 In Dash AM/FM $189.00 KHE-300 USB 1954 Ford $296.00 KHE-300 USB 1954 Ford $296.00 Repro 1954 Ford AM/FM/Stereo Radio $579.00
I would get the one from custom auto sound. I had one for an old pickup from them. It looked kind of old, but got me FM and was decently priced. And, I didn't have to modify the dash at all.
I had one from Custom Auto Sound, it never worked right, was built cheap (China) and didn't look right in my opinion. I gave it to one of our members, put the stock non-working radio back in the dash and mounted a radio in the rear seat riser. If I could find one that has a remote that works through the glove box door, I would use it (hate to drive around with the glove box door open).
There is also this:http://www.classicautoradioservice.com/stereo_conversions.html You send them your old radio and they implant all the new goodies in it so it looks all stock.
I really like the idea of doing the AM/FM conversion to my old radio. What I don't like is not being able to buy the parts and doing it myself. The best price I could find for the conversion was $385.00 and good luck if you have problems
Custom Autosound's speakers really***** too,I tried the 6" X 9" dual in the stock location it sounded like a tin can and the outer shell of the 6" X 9" fell apart in less than 6 months.
I to looked at custom audio sound,there was lots of factors that i did'nt like.I went with a non cd,am/fm receiver that plays an Iphone or Ipod through blue tooth.Amp and separates speakers mounted in trunk
My dad used the custom auto sound system once a long time ago. Sounded like***** and like others said, didn't look that good. I'm going to keep the stock radio in my 54 and go with a glovebox or rear seat mounted Bluetooth/CD player.
When I bought my 53, the radio was in the glove box, hard to reach when driving, so I took the radio delete panel, and made it removable, with a push to open cabinet magnet as seen on the right of the open photo. The delete panel is held in place by the magnet and a tab on the bottom when not being used, and to open just push in on the panes and it will pop open
I ordered the first one shown for our '54 but never took it out of the box until I was ready to install it,,I was shocked that it wasn't chrome faced as advertised but too much time had passed to exchange it. So I was stuck using it,I believe it would have looked much better with the chrome face but....
I appreciate all the feedback here guys! The one and only time I used Custom Autosound went well, but that was almost 20 years ago and I don't think I will try them again. My only issue was a junk speaker, but I somewhat expected that with only one in the center of the dash.
I finally decided to go with the KHE, found it for $265.00 shipped. I was told it had split shafts so hoping my knobs can be adapted KHE-300 USB 1954 Ford $296.00
I have the radio that came with my car, not sure if it's worth rebuilding. There is a guy on ebay rebuilding the old radios and changing to 12 volts if you want. Your welcome the one I have however, but I'm using the knobs for my replacement. Ralph
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