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I know many have converted to the Retro Sound Radios.  Im looking at replacing  my head unit with this face plate look.  I just need good sound and Bluetooth.  I hope this plate will cover my existing opening.  I already have a mini amp installed in my car.    What model do you guys have. 

This is my current head unit.

Screen Shot 2017-04-11 at 9.58.15 AM

Marty Grzynkowicz

1959 Intermeccanica, Subaru H2O Turbo (Convertible D-GT) "Le Cafe Macchiato"

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Hermosa is what we use most often.  

The problem you'll have is that they are made for a small opening (the size of the screen and push buttons) and then 2 holes (at the knob shafts).  The holes at the knob shafts are actually what holds the radio in place (plus a strap in the back).  You'll have a large single DIN hole cut already, which is too big.  You can "rig" it with a plate to span the existing hole (maybe epoxy in place?).  The "proper" fix would be to remove the valence, reglass the existing hole and start over with the ones you need for the vintage looking radio.

Marty I know Phil had your radio and changed it to a Retrosound Model II with a square front bezel.  He did the sandwich bezel I believe.... I know Carey is right the real deal would be to pull the valence but I think a good back valence plate and a rear strap would do it as the weight would be carried by the rear strap the valence is quite strong. 

That should do the trick for mounting the radio into the opening.  The Retro Sound case is smaller (left/right) than a DIN so their case adapters work with their DIN adapter to accept the smaller Retro Sound case and hold it fast.  You may have to mess with the tabs on the DIN adapter to accept the, presumably thicker, valence material, but gentle work with a Dremel and a cut-off wheel should fix that.  You should also have a strap to a stud or something on the rear of the Retro Sound case to support it - the other end of the strap should either go to a cross brace (don't know what's behind an IM dash) or anything secure to hold the radio up.

You'll also have to measure the DIN hole that you have, and then call Retro Sound to make sure that the bezel they supply will fully cover your opening - It should (they seem to know what they're doing) but it never hurts to call and make sure before you take delivery, right? 

That's a pretty good video, BTW...  I have to practically take the whole dash apart to get my radio out.  Maybe I put it in there too well?  and I noticed a vibration buzz in it yesterday while driving.  

Last edited by Gordon Nichols

The DIN openings of every major manufacturer is a standard size. They have DIN and Double DIN sizes but obviously if you have a standard stereo it would be a standard DIN opening. 

You will just need to determine which of the tabs to bend based on the thickness of your dash/valance. You'll notice at 1:02 in the video there are several tabs both angled and straight. The ones you bend and how far you bend them is determined as I said based on the thickness of the dash/valance. You should not have to do any Dremel mods or cutting to make the new sleeve fit. Their sleeve looks identical to every DIN sleeve I've ever installed.

Those black adapters/tabs you add to the side of the Retrosound stereo just fill up the gap that would have been occupied by the DIN style stereo. This should be plug and play Marty. The only modifications will be for the wiring. I managed to rewire Troy's last silver Outlaw pretty quickly from it's previous stereo to a Retrosound head unit.

Last edited by Robert M
IaM-Ray posted:

Did you check Phil's post above... I think you may not need that box like the VW unit but then it might be a better fix. 

Marty, I got a lot of help from Josh... this guy is their tech support...  josh@retromanufacturing.com

Josh Crouch | Tech/Warranty Department

Retro Manufacturing, LLC

7370 Eastgate Rd. #125

Henderson, NV 89011

p) 702.483.2222 | f) 702.483.3348

There are tabs on the adapters that catch on the sides of the sleeve to hold the head unit in place.

Marty on Phil's post he says this...

"text "

OK finally have some time to install retrosound.  Will be removing DIN clarion radio and will install retrosound with DIN kit.  Car obviously already has a DIN box frame installed by IM.  Retrosound also proveded a DIN box frame.  Clarion also has a power/speaker harness.  

Phil

Getting to this party a little late.  I bought the model 2.  Yes you need the DIN kit and yes you need the large face plate.  I don't understand why the DIN boxes aren't standard so you can just click one stereo out and click another one in.  So you need to bend mangle and cut the old one out and place the new one.  You will need to bend a few tabs to hold the new one in place.  Thank god at least the DIN holes are all the same size.  I'll see if I can find my initial order sheet and send it to you.  You need all the same stuff except for the face plate and knobs of your choice.  It's really pretty easy.

I would say one more thing.  If I was doing it again I would remove both of the seats before install.  I felt like a contortionist installing the thing.

So this is what you need in the style and color of your choosing.  Let me know if you have any questions.  I have an iphone.  The Bluetooth hookup on this stereo is the best I've ever used.  And under 40 mph I can talk hands free no problem.  I'm assuming your amp is a retrosound.  If it is it is a plug and play.  Do you have the big automatic antennae?  If you do the retrosound will deploy the antennae whenever the unit power is on.  That stinks because I never use the radio.  I did not hook up the antennae.  Hope this helps.

Last edited by 550 Phil

I was right .... here is the link... you should buy the Long BEACH or above on this chart as it is compatible with Iphone/bluetooth/phone  as well and has options for amplifiers and subwoofer controls.

I believe I have the old Model II but it is now called the LongBeach with chrome buttons.   Hope this helps

 (Do not buy the Hermosa as you cannot add subwoofer easily)

 

https://www.retromanufacturing.com/pages/radios

Last edited by IaM-Ray

Thanks Phil.  Ray, I think the Hermosa is now I-phone compatible so no need for so many models.  

Edit....Ray, I did see your post, I'll do more research.  I don't think I am adding a Sub. 

Edit 2.....Called Retro Sound and the Hermosa works wireless with iPhone and the 3.5mm cord works but the USB does not.  I don't see the need for the iPhone to connect to the USB unless the USB also charges the phone.  I forgot to ask that.  

Last edited by Marty Grzynkowicz

For long trips if you have another source of power like a cigarette lighter you can always use that.  When I go on long trips I always take back roads.  Often I lose my Verizon signal for the Google Maps on my phone.  On trips I use a conventional Garmin which is plugged into the cigarette lighter.  Guess you could use a dual adapter for your lighter.  One power for phone and the other for GPS.  Many options.

Just aside.  I always take back roads.  No highways.  I do all of my GPS route planning ahead of time on my computer and then load the route into my GPS.  Then my Garmin just takes me on the trip I have created.  I don't think that Google Maps has custom route planning capability that you can load onto your phone at this time.  You can use a conventional route but not a custom route.  Please correct me if I'm wrong.  But I still think I would use my Garmin for fear of losing phone signal.

Last edited by 550 Phil

Have you ever used HERE... it is a map program that runs on your phone but you download the maps for the area you want to travel in.  Advantage, runs ONline or OFFLINE just as well because every phone has a GPS localizer built in.  I never use a Standalone GPS anymore. 

The way I see it if you are ever thinking of getting a sub woofer buying a head unit that allows for that is cheap insurance at the beginning and I agree with Phil, I do not want Sirius but in this case your stuck I think... 

The link to Retrosound that I provided above has a comparison feature list for all the models ... IF it has a USB port it charges your phone. 

Just saying. 

 

My iphone is a 5S.  My phone has GPS but it does not store the maps.  If I start my guidance to a point when I have phone signal (LTE) that map is loaded on to my phone.  The GPS will then take me to that destination no problem even if I lose phone signal since I have the map.  However if I lose phone signal I cannot change my route.  In addition if I am in the middle of nowhere without phone signal, even though my phone has GPS, I cannot download a map to my phone since I do not have phone signal (LTE) so I cannot find my way home and I die or they start playing the Deliverance song.  Maybe you guys with the new phones with unlimited memory have the entire map of North America on your phone hard drive.  I do not.

And I love to route plan.  I'm talking hundreds of miles on back roads, through mountains etc.  I don't think I can do that on my phone.  And if I did get lost on that trip and I have no phone signal to load a map and I'm f'd.

I actually did get lost on my Ducati in the smokey mountains alone without a GPS and had lost phone signal.  So I could not use my Google maps (could not load a map).  I pulled up to some mountain boys in front of what looked like a meth lab to ask for directions and they proceeded to start their Harleys and chase me.  Saw a sign pointing the way to the Cherehola Skyway and left them in my dust.  Those banjos from Deliverance were playing loudly in my ears that day.

 I understand what you're saying Phil But the application here is different once you install it you choose which states you want to upload then you can plan your routes off-line completely from the store database on your phone it works differently but it means that you do not have to go online ever except to update maps. ....  so  if you Not live it does not matter

my son used it with a 4s

ray

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