I wasn't sure where to post this, but it IS electrical, so

-

Bill440cars

Old Mopar Man That Likes Old & New Skool
Joined
Apr 14, 2019
Messages
60
Reaction score
44
Location
Perryville, Arkansas
Has anyone ever tackled the installation from a later model Mopar (in this case, the radio is in a 2007 Charger R/T & is the Multi disc CD player unit, into, for example, a '71 Swinger (or similar Mopar? I am having thoughts, but I MAY dismiss this idea, even before I even get started. Any input, would be appreciated. Understand though, IF I WERE to attempt something like this, I would not even think about "butchering" the dash, to accomplish it. Probably just a waste of time, to even think about it. Thanks, for whatever input that anyone might offer.
 
The interconnection between the external deck and the dash unit is NOT analog, in other words it's not audio. It's digitized some sort of buss, etc.

I recently got two units from some outfit are supposed to plug into the option connectors on the dash unit of my Ram/ Dakota where the external deck would connect, so you can input analog audio, such as from an MP3 player. But the damn things introduce interferance and produce background "motorboat" sounds. I have no idea how these work

The outfit from where I got these, by the way, offered to take them back, so they are not a problem, it's just that I STILL don't have an external inputw
 
How about a retrosound radio ? Looks stock. Bolts right in place. has i think MP3 and bluetooth capabilities. Or mount gages in the radio hole, and install a hidden audio box with Mp3 and bluetooth connections.
 
Has anyone ever tackled the installation from a later model Mopar (in this case, the radio is in a 2007 Charger R/T & is the Multi disc CD player unit, into, for example, a '71 Swinger (or similar Mopar? I am having thoughts, but I MAY dismiss this idea, even before I even get started. Any input, would be appreciated. Understand though, IF I WERE to attempt something like this, I would not even think about "butchering" the dash, to accomplish it. Probably just a waste of time, to even think about it. Thanks, for whatever input that anyone might offer.

Make sure the unit you might use is not theft protected, as a lot of them are these days.
One other thing I would do is some investigation into the donor system ahead of time.
Just replaced the stereo in my Daughters 2000 GM and got it all hooked up but no sound.
Come to find out that vehicle came with a factory amp up under the dash that either has to be powered up or bypassed.
Even stranger was the fact that the adapter harness kit didn't mention this and after some youtube investigation I found that the blue wire on the adapter harness that would normally go to an automatic antenna had to be keyed 12v powered because that was where the amp also got it's power from.

So now she has four 6" Pioneer speakers in the doors powered by the factory four channel amp and a separate amp for her sub.
 
So much of that late model stuff runs through the bcm. Way too complicated.
 
Resto style let it hang down low and nasty...

DSCN1374.JPG
 
Guys, definitely appreciate the input, on this. At this point, I am not sure how I will proceed, when I actually sit down & take all of this in. I don't have a stock radio, but have some kind of Pioneer radio now, that might be alright, but whoever put this in, did a shoddy job of it. And I have a new (still in the box) radio that is pretty decent. I am planning on replacing the current radio, with my new one & I will most likely just see about trying to get an aftermarket Multidisc CD player & then decide were I will put it, while trying to keep from "modernizing the look.

I should have known that it would probably be a big undertaking, to attempt to go with the radio I was thinking about. Wishful thinking, on my part. Thanks again, folks.
 
Plus arent those factory things kinda huge? I mean you would have to hang it under the dash with some zap strap or something. It wouldent fit in the dash without some serious metal surgery.
 
I would forget using any sort of CD based setup. These days, almost every radio on the market will play MP3 music that's stored on a USB thumbdrive. You can put thousands of songs on a single thumbdrive that's very portable and never wears out. That's the route I would go. Of course if you don't have much (or any) music in the MP3 format, you'd need to start ripping all your CD's to MP3. The quality of the MP3 recordings can be very good, good enough for all but the most critical listeners and very high end audio systems. Just rip your CD collection to MP3, at a bitrate of at least 128kbps, (I use 192 or 256 bitrates, but I'm really into audio) It's easy to do, tons of online help, and everything needed is built into Windows.
 
Plus arent those factory things kinda huge? I mean you would have to hang it under the dash with some zap strap or something. It wouldent fit in the dash without some serious metal surgery.

yeah, you are right, about size, the type of radio I was thinking about, IS pretty big, at that. It was just a thought. I've got an '07 Charger R/T & liked the fact that I could load up 6 CDs & pick my own music, since hardly anyone plays my music anymore. Thanks for your input though. :thumbsup:
 
I would forget using any sort of CD based setup. These days, almost every radio on the market will play MP3 music that's stored on a USB thumbdrive. You can put thousands of songs on a single thumbdrive that's very portable and never wears out. That's the route I would go. Of course if you don't have much (or any) music in the MP3 format, you'd need to start ripping all your CD's to MP3. The quality of the MP3 recordings can be very good, good enough for all but the most critical listeners and very high end audio systems. Just rip your CD collection to MP3, at a bitrate of at least 128kbps, (I use 192 or 256 bitrates, but I'm really into audio) It's easy to do, tons of online help, and everything needed is built into Windows.

I really hadn't thought about that, because I don't know anything about it & not up on transferring from CD to the thumb drive. My experience with playing or even recording music, was to listen to records 4 track, 8 trac, cassette & then CDs. Yeah, I've been around, for quite a few years. I'll have to check that out. I appreciate it, definitely would be a lot easier. Thank You for Your input.
 
How about a retrosound radio ? Looks stock. Bolts right in place. has i think MP3 and bluetooth capabilities. Or mount gages in the radio hole, and install a hidden audio box with Mp3 and bluetooth connections.

LOL, I hadn't Even thought of that possibility of using the radio space, for gauges. As far as a retro radio, that WOULD be cool enough, but usually, those are kinda costly & I have a new (still in the box) Pioneer radio, with the USB, MP3 capabilities and such. I was going to put THAT ONE, in my '93 Dakota, but The Swinger won the rights, to that radio, with is the package, complete with 4 speakers. A previous owner had already stuck an after market radio in there, so I don't have the original & so, I am on track, to soon, have my own selection of music, "To Drive By". :thankyou:
 
Check out woodys custom shop on evilbay. They sell multiple different hidden audio setups that are very nice.
2 channel mp3
4 channel Mp3
4 channel mp3 and bluetooth with preamp outputs
4 channel AM/FM bluetooth, mp3 with preamp outputs.

The box is about 3"×5" x about 1" can hide it anywhere.
 
Last edited:
You can make a nice trim panel with gages where the radio is. Gonna help my buddy do this with his duster.
 
Autometer also makes gage rings that go between the gages and the panel to tilt the gages slightly towards the driver. Come in 2 different diameters too.

Screenshot_20190512-155034.png


Screenshot_20190512-155042.png
 
Why don’t you try and wire it up on the bench & see if you can make it work, if you already have it? It really hate letting things beat me. Especially the wife, but I haven’t figured that one out yet either... If not a $69 radio from amazon or crutchfield may be just the thing.
 
Why don’t you try and wire it up on the bench & see if you can make it work, if you already have it? It really hate letting things beat me. Especially the wife, but I haven’t figured that one out yet either... If not a $69 radio from amazon or crutchfield may be just the thing.
I havent figured out my wife either. They dont ever come with instructions for those.
 
You can also get "media only" receivers that look "normal" but are usually only half as deep since the don't need to accommodate a CD.
 
You may want to rethink this! The sound was horrible, I added an amp and it was still bad. And the handheld never remembered the unit. Was a great idea, but doesn't work very well. I'll sell you the one I have.
Thanks for the heads up.
 
-
Back
Top