Topic: Bluetooth radio

[medicman]

Hello, I have a 1977 dash and I’m looking for a aftermarket Bluetooth stereo that looks like the original 1977 stereo. My dash is not cut out and I know the 1978 and up dashes have the bigger radio openings so those stereo’s won’t fit. I’m not cutting my dash. If anyone knows of a company who sells the correct stereo for the 1970-1977 dash please let me know.  Thanks in advance.

[b_hill_86]

Are you missing your radio completely or just looking to remove the factory unit and install a different one?

[medicman]

I have the factory am/fm radio in there but it doesn’t sound good. I have heard about retro stereos with Bluetooth in them. I can’t seem to find one online. Was wondering if anyone has ever bought one and where from.

[RENOVATIONS]

I have no experience with these but I hear the name Crutchfield thrown around a lot

https://www.crutchfield.com/g_462150/Bluetooth-Car-Stereos.html?tp=72310

[medicman]

I took a look at the website. They are all have digital display. I want it to look stock. The hunt continues.

[b_hill_86]

I think some guys have used these by cutting the factory bezel (not the radio opening)
https://www.jegs.com/i/RetroSound/700/HCBM22162177/10002/-1

There are also these that look like a stock replacement with modern internals but I have not heard good things about them and they’re EXPENSIVE http://www.vintageautoradio.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage_new.tpl&product_id=98&category_id=4&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=67

I also see they’re out of stock in a lot of places so maybe cause of quality issues.

Don’t forget that if you install a modern stereo you’ll need to replace the speakers and wiring. For one, 70-77 radios used common ground speakers. They were also 8-10 ohms. Modern speakers are two wire (positive and negative, not common ground) and they’re 4ohm.

For what it’s worth, what I did was installed two modern 6x9s in the rear and replaced the original single dash speaker with a modern dual coil “stereo” speaker. I kept my factory Am/fm stereo and console 8 track player and fed them into a small Bluetooth enabled amp which then drives the modern speakers. The amp has a small wired remote that could me mounted somewhere or hidden (I modified my ashtray and hid it inside there). Now I can play my radio, 8 track player or switch to streaming music from my phone.

[RENOVATIONS]

https://www.retromanufacturing.com/products/1969-77-pontiac-firebird-daytona-radio?variant=37269786787996&currency=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=CjwKCAjwoZWHBhBgEiwAiMN66WXQ5DaxUCXMbTvw_lfLGmyznjwTFtpBshQKiAlmEvIeOZer8voYZRoCA-0QAvD_BwE


https://www.classiccarstereos.com/1977-1981-pontiac-firebird-radio.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwoZWHBhBgEiwAiMN66Rr384NZItq77FAvlJXHkoBJoU9ELkHsH1Cv3OfAhVoQ82XylbxOshoCgzsQAvD_BwE

[medicman]

I like the idea of the Bluetooth amp. I’m assuming the wiring diagram would be included with the amp. I could totally hide it somewhere.

[b_hill_86]

Yea it is included and it’s not overly complicated. And it’s small enough that I hid mine under my center console.

[medicman]

Thanks. I’ll shop around to see where I can get it.

[Angelo]

Perfect timing. I just installed a retro sound Daytona for my soon to install 70-77 dash, fits awesome. I ordered with black knobs and then ordered a set of chrome knobs, using the chrome for the rear knobs and the black for the main knobs. Will post pics later tonight in my test 77 dash as well as in my current 81. I have an 81 dash for now and it still looks good though it is not intended for 78-81, it works with repositioning the knobs.

As b_hill_86 noted I would do the the same 6x9 in back (I like the 3 way style to get most sound out of them) and the speakers for the center speaker. I have am 81 dash luckily I have the two smaller speaker locations on the upper metal dash, otherwise I would do the same with the center speaker. Others have some speakers on the door panels and center console. It is your car, do what you want but I personally like when the car looks period correct as much as possible.

[Angelo]

Here is the writeup of the install of the RetroSound Daytona M2 in my Trans Am so far. I will eventually be swapping in the 77 dash over the winter, but for now I have it in my 81 dash, but it definitely looks better with the 70-77 bezel. http://www.modsandrods.tv/2021/08/02/retrosound-daytona-m2-installed-in-1970-1981-firebird-trans-am/

RetroSound Daytona in 77 Dash:


RetroSound Daytona in 81 Dash:


Setup with white backlight color to match interior gauges


Added USB/Aux flush mount to the back of the center console, seemed like the best that didn't take away much from the rest of the interior.


(sorry images not loading because of the SSL cert on my site, will get it fixed later this week)

[Wallington]

Looks neat, possibly even better than the previous cd player!