Bose Stereo from Newer Truck

[JRBECK64]

Has anyone put a Bose Stereo/CD player from a newer truck in your 60-66 Pickup? If you have would you please post some pics so I can get an Idea of what it looks like installed. I am thinking about putting one of those systems in my Sons 64. Thanks for any pics posted.

JRBECK64

[68 c10 ls2]

Are you talking 03 and newer? Cuz if you are there is a anti theft system in the factory radios that needs a code/ set for your VIN. So a 03 and up Bose head unit wont work in an older car/truck.

[blackedoutharley]

Cool idea but honestly you can probably do this for much less money with a lot less headaches using a quality aftermarket system.

[JRBECK64]

68 c10 ls2,
Thanks for the heads up on the code. I have a Bose System in my 04 2500HD and I really like the way it sounds and so does my Son. Is there a way to get around the code problem? This also is probably about wanting more Chevy in a Chevy if possible. Another reason I have thought about doing this is because the last person who owned the truck cut the dash or I would put in an original repop with a IPOD hookup.

blackedoutharley,
I started to look at the cost of the units and all the wiring kits you need to hook them up and I have come to the conclusion that I would probably have $800 to $1k into this system by time I was done with it. That has made me rethink this venture. I can have a high power head unit installed and a small amp and speakers for less than $500. Economics wins everytime around this house.

[68 c10 ls2]

I have never heard of anyone using one of these radios in a custom car or truck. I had to replace the radio in my 03 tahoe and they had to reflash the head unit to accept the new VIN (cost $120). Im sure there is someone out there that can get the radio to work for you but it isnt going to be cheap. Oh and there is an amp that powers all the speakers in your HD it doesnt just run of the head unit. The amp is located in your center console under the storage bin. You will have one heck of a mess of wires and a big headache tying to use this radio. Im sure that running an aftermarket radio set up in the long run will be cheaper and less time consuming.

[1stseries55]

whatever you decide on just don't cut huge holes in the doors for speakers and hack the dash for the head unit.. that is a crime in my opinion. There are so many aftermarket options available these days and as technology improves, the cheaper it gets. Try a custom center console,kick panel speakers, hidden audio brand or you could use the glovebox. Sorry for the rant, I just spent some time fixing a hole in my dash.. not to mention the "cool" sunroof someone installed in the 80's.

[aerotruk63]

Like I told my nephew every hole is $500.00 bucks to repair.

[LILRED66]

These guys modify your existing factory AM radio to AM/FM with inputs for an iPod or MP3:

www.antiqueautomobileradio.com

www.bobsradio.com

I have used both and for arond $400.00, you will have a very nice head unit that is factory-correct. For the money, I feel it is a better sound system solution, than the USA Autosound head units, that I have purchased in the past, which are under powered and don't look anything close to factory.

[JRBECK64]

Originally Posted by LILRED66

These guys modify your existing factory AM radio to AM/FM with inputs for an iPod or MP3:

www.antiqueautomobileradio.com

www.bobsradio.com

I have used both and for arond $400.00, you will have a very nice head unit that is factory-correct. For the money, I feel it is a better sound system solution, than the USA Autosound head units, that I have purchased in the past, which are under powered and don't look anything close to factory.

To all Who dont like Holes Cut,
Neither do I but the guy that owned it before me did a frankenstien on the dash and luckily he left the doors alone. If I would have been thinking when I was restoring this truck I would have bought a patch panel and put it in the Dash when I was restoring it. What it really comes down to is I have way too much money in this truck and I still have a couple of big $$$$ things to do to it before Im done (Exhaust, Stereo and maybe alarm system). Here is a picture of the hole thats cut in my Sons truck.



I would much rather have the stock looking unit in there but Im not sure how to make it look right. Im wondering if there is a cover plate that you can buy that would mount over the hole thats there now. Thanks for your suggestions and the links you supplied. I will get ahold of these guys and see if there is something I can do to mount one of these original looking head units without major surgury.
JRBECK64

[JRBECK64]

Originally Posted by 1stseries55

whatever you decide on just don't cut huge holes in the doors for speakers and hack the dash for the head unit.. that is a crime in my opinion. There are so many aftermarket options available these days and as technology improves, the cheaper it gets. Try a custom center console,kick panel speakers, hidden audio brand or you could use the glovebox. Sorry for the rant, I just spent some time fixing a hole in my dash.. not to mention the "cool" sunroof someone installed in the 80's.

1stseries55,
The sunroof would have killed me. Luckily its just the head unit on my Sons 64 Truck. I have a 69 Long Fleet and a 67 Short Fleet that I am currently restoring and thank god they didnt hack the dashes in these. No need to appologize for the rant your preaching to the quire.

JRBECK64

[LILRED66]

The dash repair patch panel sold by www.classisparts.com will address this issue. Nice hackjob on the radio opening on the dash. Cutting a dash is one thing, but doing it, in the fashion the previous owner did, is another...very poorly done and it looks like the previous owner used a pocket knife and a pair of pliers to do that job, plus the fact that it was painted that way. It makes my stomach turn, but the dash patch panel will assist you in correcting the problem.

We are doing one at the shop tonight with the panel I purchased from Classis Parts on Friday.

[1stseries55]

Originally Posted by JRBECK64

1stseries55,
The sunroof would have killed me. Luckily its just the head unit on my Sons 64 Truck. I have a 69 Long Fleet and a 67 Short Fleet that I am currently restoring and thank god they didnt hack the dashes in these. No need to appologize for the rant your preaching to the quire.

JRBECK64

The sunroof was a disaster... I am going to put in some sort of headliner to cover the inside, I have already patched the outside.

since you already have paint on the dash I would make some sort of plate to cover it and put a modern head unit in through the plate. That would be cheap and it would look ok. You can get really nice head units now for $100 to $150 with ipod controls and all the cool doodads...

good luck with it

[JRBECK64]

Originally Posted by LILRED66

The dash repair patch panel sold by www.classisparts.com will address this issue. Nice hackjob on the radio opening on the dash. Cutting a dash is one thing, but doing it, in the fashion the previous owner did, is another...very poorly done and it looks like the previous owner used a pocket knife and a pair of pliers to do that job, plus the fact that it was painted that way. It makes my stomach turn, but the dash patch panel will assist you in correcting the problem.

We are doing one at the shop tonight with the panel I purchased from Classis Parts on Friday.

LILRED66,
Guess I should have taken more time and fixed it rather than painting over it. Oh well I guess my Son will have to settle for an aftermarket Stereo.
JRBECK64

[blackedoutharley]

You may want to look into www.crutchfield.com for some deals on stereos...

[pestwagon]

Like tony said, take the factory AM radio and convert it...It sounds way way better than a custom autosound product and looks original.

[LILRED66]

A little time consuming, but a good solution.

You can modify one in a few minutes and it takes 2-3 hours to get it fixed.

[LILRED66]

Originally Posted by JRBECK64

LILRED66,
Guess I should have taken more time and fixed it rather than painting over it. Oh well I guess my Son will have to settle for an aftermarket Stereo.
JRBECK64

Sorry, I thought it was painted when you got it.

[JRBECK64]

Originally Posted by LILRED66

Sorry, I thought it was painted when you got it.

LILRED66,
No need to appologize, thats what makes this a Free Country, everyone is entitled to their opinion. I know whatever I do, it will look as good as 90% of the others out there when its all said and done. Restoration is a learning process and I have told my Friends that I could write a book on what not to do after this resto and hopefully the next one I will have less chapters to write and less on the next one.

JRBECK64

[JRBECK64]

Originally Posted by LILRED66

A little time consuming, but a good solution.

You can modify one in a few minutes and it takes 2-3 hours to get it fixed.

Tony,
That thing looks like a million bucks. Nice Job.

JRBECK64