I've had a lot of Custom Auto Sounds radios in my cars over the years, and they all lasted about a year and then crapped out. I'll never buy another one.

I put a RetroSounds unit in my '66 fastback a couple of years ago and it has been good so far.

I wanted better sound in my '66 coupe, so I left a factory radio in the dash and mounted a modern head unit below the dash. It sounds great, is very unobtrusive, and has all the modern features (iPod connectivity, Bluetooth, HD radio, etc). If you can find a home for a modern (i.e. DIN sized), I think this is the best solution.

I have seen a lot of creative solutions to this problem over the years, I'm sure others will chime in with theirs.

Good luck,
MrFreeze

 

Depends what you are really loking for... If you want new technology with the original classic look, and still use your MP3, Ipod, and 10 Dics CD Changer, Go with Custom Autosound's USA66 that looks identical to the Original FORD AM/FM radio. They are made well now and fixed all the production problems that they had with them in the beginning. The first run units would crap out on you, but not the units that they are selling now, The issues were addressed immediately when they were found.

The retrosound radio does not look original, but is high quality...Has a USB port right on the front of the head unit...really nice...but not original looking... Both radios run pretty much the same..around $280.00

So, as I said, It all depends what you are looking for.

Tony K.

 

P.O. had chopped the dash to put in a crappy cassette deck.With just a little more cutting i put a pretty descent Kenwood 50x4,bluetooth,ipod compatable.
500 watt 6x9s in the package tray.
180 watt 6" in the kickpanels.
350 watt amp.in trunk.All Kenwood.
I like it.

 

Your 66 Mustang with AM radio would have had one speaker... the one in the center of the dash.

An option back then was reverberation which used a rear deck speaker and a reverb...echo unit that made the sound seem like it was in a large hall.

Your choice between the two in dash receivers gives you a source. Next you should search and determine speakers. I have a vert with much more difficult problem than fastback,

 

RetroSound all the way. I gave away the CAS that was in our daughter's 66 when I put the RetroSound unit in. Wish that RS was around when before we bought the CAS unit that is in our son's 68. Can't wait to get rid of it and put a RS unit in. There are some install pics of the daughter's 66 on the RS web site. Very easy install even with AC.

Put a pair of 3 1/2 inch speakers in the original dash speaker spot. That's what is in our daughter's and son's.

 

Another vote for Retrosound. I spent enough on their stuff. Horrible quality and customer service that, well, finished them off for me. Tried Retrosound and they are awesome. I love the look and sound. The first one had a minor issues, so I called and and had a new one the next day, and it was the newer model. I really like the USB feature (rear dangle so I keep the drive in the ash tray) and use the rear AUX port for my XM radio. The front AUX is for a guest's iPod or whatever. The sound quality is great. I drive a '65 convert so volume is important. This unit has it. Freq response is as advertised. The blue display is very close to the blue LED conversion I did. No, I don't work for them, but I would if they were in N. CA.

 

Another Retrosound user here. Very happy with it. I have the USB cable run into my front console compartment which works great. It was an easy install and even though it doesn't look original it fits the original opening perfectly.

Freddy

 

I'm glad to see the good words on the Retrosound unit. I keep hoping a really good option comes out before I need one for the convertible.

 

Another happy retrosound user. The only thing that would improve it, imo, is a sub out connection.

 

I think I have decided to go with RetroSound, seems to be a better quality make. The interior has been redone and it appears to have two spots in the back to put speakers in on the side panels. I might go check what size I can fit in there. Does anyone have any information on speakers what could be a good make or model? Speakers and radios are one of those things that i don't know much about. Thanks again.
-Fred

 

I am planning on going with the Retrosound stereo. What speakers did you guys decide to go with??

 

I really want the USA 66. I like the look of it. Even though I hear great things about retrosound units, I don't like that it lights up bluish white. I want a blue/green color like the factory gauges.

 

Retrosound installed today.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_TfdE85C4_6E/TUTM2DIQL9I/AAAAAAAAAE4/pdeoeHXCWzU/s1600/DSC_1532.JPG

 

I also just finished installing my Retrosound unit today. Well, technically I finished it 3 weeks ago, but then once I hooked it up I found out that it had a noisy preamp stage that created a lot of white noise. Called Retrosound up and they sent a replacement right away that had already been tested by them, no questions asked. It was great!

I love just about everything about it. It looks great (though definitely not stock) and fits perfectly in the dash. I can really dig all of the settings it has - not sure what the Custom radio has, but the Retrosound radio has a Loud/Not So Loud function, Fade function, L/R balance, Bass/Treble adjustment (especially important to me because I listen to a lot of heavy metal and like to hear the double bass rolling, but also listen to classic rock which I prefer more treble for), a gajillion radio presets and functions, and different music settings. It even has a function where it'll scan for a certain type of music playing on a radio station (rock, country, classical, etc.) and tune to that station for you! It's pretty ridiculous.

I really like the remote-mounted box with the SD reader / USB / Aux input too. I put mine in my glovebox and it's worked great there so far. I stuck an old CD player in my glovebox too in case my MP3 player stops working :lol:.

My only complaint about the Retrosound system is the Infini-mount bracket. Yeah, it's great because you can install the radio however you want, but it also means there are thousands of ways to have the radio stick out just a little too much, or be recessed by a fraction of an inch. I spent awhile taking my radio in and out of the dash and adjusting it a little bit each time so it fits just right. It could be that I just missed some essential part of the instructions where it tells you to measure a distance that will easily give you the right radio depth though

When it comes down to it, if you want something stock-looking, go with the Custom Autosound radio. If you want a really high quality radio that looks and sounds great, even if it doesn't look stock, go with the Retrosound. I'll try to post a picture of it installed in my car tomorrow so you can see how it looks.

 

You guys are going to think I'm crazy but I'm a defender of the Custom Autosound. I bought their USA-6 with the 10 cd changer and an iPod plug, 3 years ago, and it still works perfectly. And the speakers I have are custom autosound too. I have their dual voice coil speaker in the front, and in the back I have their 6x9 dual voice coil that was sold as the dash speaker for a Nova. The sound is great, It looks good, plus I have modern convenience.

 

Here is a link to another option.... I have only spoken to the owner of the company once.... very pleasant and helpful... The product seems like a great idea. I cannot speak of the sound quality... but would think it is a economical option for some.... has anyone on here used one? They were working on a FM version of if... just thought I would share... I have a Retro Sound in my 66....

RediRad Classic Car AM radio adapter- MP3/Satellite Radio to AM band

Hey,

I was looking through the threads trying to find a comparison of the two radio companies, from what I gathered RetroSound seems to make a better radio. I could be wrong though, any opinions? Just for the record I want to replace the in dash am radio in my 66' FB with something a little more modern and compatible. The funny thing was the car came with the AM radio but no speakers, so I guess I am also in the market for speakers. Please feel free to give me any information you can it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Fred

 

I put a Custom Auto Sounds in my '69 a little over a year ago. It is not bad but at night I can't adjust the back light and it is vey bright, almost to the point of being distracting. I have to place something over the readout to avoid the bright light.

Randy

 

I didn't think they were that bright. Do you have a night time picture?

 

I am replacement my old stereo with a new Sony Xplod system. First problem I ran into are the 6x9 rear speakers surface mount on top of the package tray with a really high tech looking cover. To install these speakers would require significant cutting of the metal under the package tray. I instead opted to use the grills and other parts from the old Jensen speakers to mount them under the metal shelf. I am disappointed that I couldn't use the modern covers and expose the really cool looking new 6x9! My boys want to cut the speakers holes bigger to surface mount the speakers but I would rather not cut up the shelf.

The door speakers should fit fine. The 4" Xplod speakers are very thin ad should fit the already cut door holes. When I was repairing the windows I realized the PO had cut apart the bottom of the window track to install the door speakers. I wish they had installed the kick panel speakers.

 

I am replacement my old stereo with a new Sony Xplod system. First problem I ran into are the 6x9 rear speakers surface mount on top of the package tray with a really high tech looking cover. To install these speakers would require significant cutting of the metal under the package tray. I instead opted to use the grills and other parts from the old Jensen speakers to mount them under the metal shelf. I am disappointed that I couldn't use the modern covers and expose the really cool looking new 6x9! My boys want to cut the speakers holes bigger to surface mount the speakers but I would rather not cut up the shelf.

The door speakers should fit fine. The 4" Xplod speakers are very thin ad should fit the already cut door holes. When I was repairing the windows I realized the PO had cut apart the bottom of the window track to install the door speakers. I wish they had installed the kick panel speakers.

I too mounted my Kenwood 6x9s under the package tray. I used the factory type speaker grilles. I like the subtle look better than making the speakers a focal point of the car.

 

RetroSound. Hands down. Way too many bad reviews/comments out there from people who have gone with any of the CAS units.

 

personally, I think the Retrosound looks horrible - I'd rather hack up my dash and install a modern radio than install that. While the Custom Audio one may not have great audio quality, I think I'm gonna go with the USA230 .. I prefer that it has the aux-in on the back versus the front (I am gonna run the wire into the glovebox and secure it there for the iPod) for a cleaner look.

 

I just installed the new CAS USA 630 in my '66 vert. I used 2 Pioneer 4" speakers in the kick panels, and a Bazooka passave subwoofer, pushed by a Phoenix 250W amp. The sound is great, which can be problematic with a convertable. The USA 630 works well with my 10 CD changer. It also has the ability to run a USB flash drive and an IPOD. I'm using the new 16 gig nano and have downloaded 120 albums and used just 6 gigs of space. I doubt if I will have the need to use the flash drive. I can't make a comparison between the 630 and the RetroSound, but the CAS has a much more "classic" look.

 

I just bought the USA230 (AM FM AUX) unit. The sound is reasonable for a low volume, low dollar product. The readout is as basic as you can get, and the unit doesn't have a night dimmer. The plus is that it looks great, and with an external amp, it will sound pretty good. Just a tip, choose the USA 230 over the USA630 if you use your ipod for all your music. Also, for 67-8 Mustangs, order it custom without the MUSTANG font on the spacer, and ask for the Ford script, instead of the running horse. Doing these two things, make the radio look much better. I ordered a Cougar radio (it doesn't have the "MUSTANG" spacer), and had them send me the ford script sticker.