Secret Audio

[stews73ho]

I am thinking about re-installing the factory AM radio in my HO and installing one of the secret audio systems. Original look, with good radio out of sight, and good tunes. I assume these mount in the trunk. They have an optional cd changer also. Anyone install one of these before? What do you think of them?

[Hurstolds1973]

Eric I was thinking of doing the same since mine is not a show car. Do you have an AM stock radio? Joe

[stews73ho]

Eric I was thinking of doing the same since mine is not a show car. Do you have an AM stock radio? Joe


I have the original AM. It worked when I took it out. I plan on installing it, but not wiring it.

[damaged442]

In my 77, I installed a Pioneer CD player under my ashtray. I have a factory AM/FM 8-track CB radio, which, of course, I wanted to keep. I used the existing screws that were there, and after 8 years, it hasn't moved or loosened up. I also installed a Sony 6 disc changer in the trunk and ran the wires under the carpet along the left side. I guess it all depends what you want visible or hidden. I still keep an 8 track of Iron Butterfly's In A Gadda Da Vida in the slot! The hard part was replacing the front speakers when the originals have refrigerator magnets, and the new ones are much bigger. That was a no win situation. Good luck!

[texxas8902]

In my 77, I installed a Pioneer CD player under my ashtray. I have a factory AM/FM 8-track CB radio, which, of course, I wanted to keep. I used the existing screws that were there, and after 8 years, it hasn't moved or loosened up. I also installed a Sony 6 disc changer in the trunk and ran the wires under the carpet along the left side. I guess it all depends what you want visible or hidden. I still keep an 8 track of Iron Butterfly's In A Gadda Da Vida in the slot! The hard part was replacing the front speakers when the originals have refrigerator magnets, and the new ones are much bigger. That was a no win situation. Good luck!

Blaupunkt makes a speaker that just barely fits in the dash speaker holes. It's a tight squeeze.

[ragz442]

I put an aftermarket [Alpine] stereo, new dash speakers and 6x9's, and a 6 disc changer in the trunk of my '76 Supreme.......sounds pretty good. The quarter panel mounted antenna was there when I bought it back in '94 so I just kept it that way. The '77-442 just has the factory stereo and speakers with the windshield antenna, not very good sound or reception, but I'd usually rather hear the engine anyway. My brother did the hidden radio w/cd player in his '65 Cutlass, but he put the reciever in the glove box and the changer in the trunk.

[sledhead2]

I am looking forward to an Mp3 set up in an old style 2 post set up. I think we will see it on day then you would have no cd changer and be able to drive form mich to Callie and never hear same song.

Or am I dreaming a little to much?

[stews73ho]

I am going with the secret audio. One thing I want to do is wire my AM radio so the radio light comes on with the headlights. I do not have the AM radio wiring plugs so I need to trace the radio light wire down. (I have found the light wire coming into the radio). I need to find the light wire connector on the radio.

I have looked at the radio and I think I have the light wire traced and know which plug I need to connect to. Does anyone have experience with this? Can you verify the plug I need to attach the light wire to?

Thanks,
Eric

[stews73ho]

Secret Audio has an iPod adapter for several of their radios including the hidden audio system. I think it works for units built after 4/03. Plug the iPod into the receiver, charge your iPod, and listen to several hundred songs. $106for the adapter.

[442MUCH]

I've got my stock radio in place (not hooked up). I thought about hooking up the light as well, but I have an 8-track cassette (Tony Orlando and Dawn's Greatest Hits) inserted in the radio so I guess the light doesn't matter.

In the glove box I have a Pioneer AM-FM-MP3 with two Blauplunct (sp) 4" speakers up front and two 6x9 Jensen Tri-axle speakers in the back. I download my own music. I'm thinking of adding a subwoofer. I'll see.

[stews73ho]

I installed the secret audio system. Thanks Pete and Joe for parts. I'll add a couple pictures. The system is designed to mount under the seat or dash, but I did not have room either place so I went with the trunk. I bought an iPod connector also. I put the display under the drivers seat and can pull it out and set it on the console. Comes with a small remote also.

I found a place that will convert your stock radio also www.american-classic.com. They can take an AM radio with two speakers and convert it to an AM/FM four speaker unit with a CD changer plug or an iPod plug. That may be the way to go.

[ragz442]

Looks good. I'm not "up to date" on all the new hi-tech audio, but it looks like a nice install. I guess it would be kind of a theft deterent also, If thiefs see a factory am radio, they probably wouldn't bother.

[77 Cutlass]

Texxas8902. Do you know the model number of the blaupunkt speakers you used for the front dash? I have a 77 supreme. The speaker area is very tight. Not just anything fits. Also, will the newer speakers work as well with the original am-fm radio? I have new old stock speakers in the front and rear which sound o.k. at low volume, but tend to sound garbled at higher volume. Is it the speakers or radio?
If anyone has any other ideas, please let me know.
Lori

[texxas8902]

Texxas8902. Do you know the model number of the blaupunkt speakers you used for the front dash? I have a 77 supreme. The speaker area is very tight. Not just anything fits. Also, will the newer speakers work as well with the original am-fm radio? I have new old stock speakers in the front and rear which sound o.k. at low volume, but tend to sound garbled at higher volume. Is it the speakers or radio?
If anyone has any other ideas, please let me know.
Lori

Lori,I'll get the model number for you. It may be a few days. Unfortunately my car is currently under a cover in the garage with numerous car parts in boxes carefully stacked on it. I haven't driven it in about a month and have been planning on getting it out soon. In the summer time here in Texas, it is just too hot to drive a Hurst hatch equipped car and remain comfortable. Window tint technology in the 70's must have been terrible, the sun just beats on you right through the tops. I'm buying another set of tops from a board member so I'll be adding a layer of limo tint to one set of the tops to see if that helps.
As far as the speakers working with a factory radio, I'm not sure. I think most aftermarket speakers are 8 ohm and the factory radios call for 4 ohm, or vice versa. I'm running an old Alpine cassette deck because I was not going to hack up my dash. I still have my 8 track but it sounded like you describe if I turned it up more than half way. I may return it to the car just for looks and run a hidden cd player/receiver hooked to Sirius satelite radio. It is all I listen to anymore. Broadcast radio in Dallas is awful. Give me a few days and I'll get the model number. Just remember the fit on these speakers is pretty tight in the dash opening on a 73-76 dash and they may not fit the 77 the same because the dash is different.

[bayouh/o]

Tex, with you on the hatches; have had the '75 garaged during summer. October marks the start of our 'cruising season'. Let me know how the limo tint goes. I even considered using those roll-up shades w/ suction cups (ack!)

[texxas8902]

Lori, the speakers are Blaupunkt pro component series, PCxt352, 90 watts peak power 30 watts rms 4 ohms. They don't have a paper cone, it's plastic, and mine still looked new when I took one out to get the part number but they are probably 3 or 4 years old. So there you go.
Now I'm gonna go cruise the 442 until it's time to watch the Cowboys whup up on the Bears. I'm glad I got it out of the garage.:D

[texxas8902]

Tex, with you on the hatches; have had the '75 garaged during summer. October marks the start of our 'cruising season'. Let me know how the limo tint goes. I even considered using those roll-up shades w/ suction cups (ack!)

I let you know on the tint. I thought about trying to make a top insert piece like my 94 25th Anniversary Trans Am has, to keep the sun out but the tint seems so much easier.

[77 Cutlass]

Thanks Tex for the speaker info. I'm so sorry you had to go thru all that trouble to find the model number for me. I never thought about having to pull them back out to find it. On second thought, double thanks! :)
Lori

[rgk1977442]

hey guys,
the paddockparts company has front speakers for sale in their catalog.

[mdkingsley]

Clarion used to make a replacement speaker for the dash, but that was when I had my first 76, don't know about now.

[brad442]

I need to go back and look, but there is a company out there that will take your old radio, take all of the internal components out and put new technology in place. I believe it has a small wireless remote that works the radio. Once the internals are changed, the original face and knobs are just for looks. I need to look and see if I can find that link. It was pretty expensive, but really cool for a show car or if you really wanted to leave the original radio in place.

[Hurstolds1973]

I know this company does it... Expensive but cool
http://www.american-classic.com/begin.html