Old style shaft stereo in car with modern features?

Hey guys,

In both my REPU,and RX-7 I have the old style two shaft stereos installed. In the case of the RX-7 it is the factory unit still, but the REPU has an old Concord brand stereo. I usually don't listen to the stereo often, but when I do the one in the truck is terrible at best. Is there any company that makes a stereo the will fit the dash without cutting it, but have a hook up for maybe an iPod or at the very least a CD?

Chris

I know there are some for aircooled VWs, don't know if they'd work for what you've got...

There's a list here, partway down the page. http://www2.cip1.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=radio&sort=7&Search1=Search

What? Like this? http://www.pyleaudio.com/sku/PLR22MPF

http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=66251

Maybe this?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-Car-MP3-Player-FM-Transmitter-Modulator-SD-MMC-/230780245445?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35bb9315c5

If you don't want all the hassle of installation this is an easy $3 option. I have one like this it works good once you find a good station

These guys did the refurb on our Shelby Mustang project in CMS:

http://www.retroradio.biz/

They kept the stock look, but added AM/ FM and i-pod capability.

"I usually don't listen to the stereo often, but when I do the one in the truck is terrible . . . "

The Most Boring Man Alive.

You could always "modify" the current radio. Its possible.

Crutchfield sells them too.

Retro-sound

bludroptop wrote: Crutchfield sells them too. Retro-sound

I have an all-black one in the 911. You're right, an older car needs a two-post head unit.

just for fun, go into a big box store and tell the "associate" in the electronics department that you want a shaft mount car stereo.. when he starts showing you one of the many regular DIN style radios, tell him that you want a shaft mount stereo.. the less you say the better- because he won't know what the hell you are talking about and you can just watch the frustration level build..

once you are done torturing the poor kid, just buy a small amp and wire it in under the dash with a small switch to turn it on. get a $3 cable with RCA plugs on one end and a male headphone jack on the other to plug into your phone or mp3 player and use that as your radio.

another option: i've got a factory AM/FM/8 track/CB radio with matching power antenna that i pulled out of a 76 Ford LTD that would be perfect for you...

I think this is the company that advertises on My Classic Car;

www.casmfg.com

The Becker people here in the States will add an iPod jack to the older style shaft mount stereos. I think there are other repair companies that will do this as well.

I am old enough to remember when for (IIRC) $19.95 you could buy an FM converter for an AM radio at Radio Shack, K Mart, etc.

David S. Wallens wrote:

bludroptop wrote: Crutchfield sells them too. Retro-sound

I have an all-black one in the 911. You're right, an older car needs a two-post head unit.

I would suggest ALL cars should have a two shaft radio. One of the many things that drives me nuts in modern cars is having to get the manual out to figure out how the damn radio changes channels.

Streetwiseguy wrote:

David S. Wallens wrote:

bludroptop wrote: Crutchfield sells them too. Retro-sound

I have an all-black one in the 911. You're right, an older car needs a two-post head unit.

I would suggest ALL cars should have a two shaft radio. One of the many things that drives me nuts in modern cars is having to get the manual out to figure out how the damn radio changes channels.

it's usually the buttons that say "tune" on them- the one with the left arrow goes to lower frequencies, the one with the right arrow goes to higher frequencies.. if there are 2 arrows, then it will seek out the next signal..

sometimes they even use a knob- turn left for lower, right for higher- but it's usually below the one that makes the radio louder..

An odd thing about my RX-7 is the fact that the knob on the left which is usually the volume knob, is the tuning knob. I believe it is due to the fact that the car is an early production model and the volume knob being on the right would make sense for the RHD models. The rod for holding the hood open is also on the right of my car which is another of the reasons early RX-7 adopters had complained to Mazda about causing a mid year change to fix these things. Weird quirks I guess.

I can live with the factory stereo in the RX-7, but the one in the truck is just killing me. I realized the other day that I have owned it 10 years now, and have maybe used the stereo for a couple of hours at best. Most of the time it doesn't work, and when it does it is hard to tune a station in with no display,and a really small antenna on the fender.

Thanks for your helps guys.

TeamEvil wrote: "I usually don't listen to the stereo often, but when I do the one in the truck is terrible . . . " The Most Boring Man Alive.

Hahaha

RossD wrote: What? Like this? http://www.pyleaudio.com/sku/PLR22MPF

I would definitely go for this one if you're just looking for something cheap. This should fit most shaft style radio slots.

novaderrik wrote:

Streetwiseguy wrote:

David S. Wallens wrote:

bludroptop wrote: Crutchfield sells them too. Retro-sound

I have an all-black one in the 911. You're right, an older car needs a two-post head unit.

I would suggest ALL cars should have a two shaft radio. One of the many things that drives me nuts in modern cars is having to get the manual out to figure out how the damn radio changes channels.

it's usually the buttons that say "tune" on them- the one with the left arrow goes to lower frequencies, the one with the right arrow goes to higher frequencies.. if there are 2 arrows, then it will seek out the next signal.. sometimes they even use a knob- turn left for lower, right for higher- but it's usually below the one that makes the radio louder..

And when the radio is 6 months old, and the silk screened white arrows rub off the microscopic buttons...