RetroSport 1.5 DIN Head unit

[Typhoon#747]

Re: RetroSport 1.5 DIN Head unit

The reason to do that is because of the shallow dash opening. Aftermarket single din radios require an adapter kit that make them stick out 1.5". And that generally isnt visually appealing

Yes, it is unappealing if you use an off the shelf Metra 99-4500 kit. I've flush mounted radios in a few of these trucks back in the day with a flush or custom kit and some trimming.

If you don't like cutting you can opt for a shallow mount Alpine or Pioneer 1.5 DIN radios from Ebay.

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: RetroSport 1.5 DIN Head unit

The S10 forum mod also looks like it would cost $10 as opposed to more like $200 for a new head unit, and the rest.... Or whatever they cost.

That's a cheap and easy fix.

 

[TeeTopZ]

Re: RetroSport 1.5 DIN Head unit

Yes, it is unappealing if you use an off the shelf Metra 99-4500 kit. I've flush mounted radios in a few of these trucks back in the day with a flush or custom kit and some trimming.

If you don't like cutting you can opt for a shallow mount Alpine or Pioneer 1.5 DIN radios from Ebay.

as in cutting a hole in the heater box, or heating it up and pushing it in with a piece of wood? just curious how you managed to flush mount it

 

[bigmileage]

Re: RetroSport 1.5 DIN Head unit

You guys found it, there is a better how-to one on LS1tech. CD in playing and it will overplay the cd through the aux. port.

 

[Typhoon#747]

Re: RetroSport 1.5 DIN Head unit

as in cutting a hole in the heater box, or heating it up and pushing it in with a piece of wood? just curious how you managed to flush mount it

I've done both methods. The preferred one is to cut and use abs plastic and epoxy to create a cavity in there. I did this on many GM vehicles back when all of them used shallow 1.5 DIN receivers.

 

[swisscheese]

Re: RetroSport 1.5 DIN Head unit

Ok, I had some spare Money on my PayPal-account (sold a SCT-tuner) so I bought this one.
Arrived today in the mail.
As in the pictures, it looks unspectacular but seems to be built nicely.
I was just going through the manual. For sure the setup won't be as easy as on other headunit because there aren't that much buttons, but usually you make the setup once and be good with it.
I'll let you know how it works once it is installed! :tup:

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: RetroSport 1.5 DIN Head unit

Nice - will be interested to see what you think of it :tup:

 

[swisscheese]

Re: RetroSport 1.5 DIN Head unit

Install wasnt that bad. Since there was already an aftermarket HU in the car, there was no guessing because of the wire Colors.
It seems that I ordered the wrong Installation-kit, so the HU isnt fixed yet, but as you can see it fits in there

Setup wasnt that bad either, once you know the functions.

Microphone is installed but not hooked up yet. The last few inches up to the Radio I couldnt get the wire through. I hadnt the time to disassemble more of the car for now :lol:

USB works as it should :tup:

 

[swisscheese]

Re: RetroSport 1.5 DIN Head unit

 

[stlSY]

Re: RetroSport 1.5 DIN Head unit

I like the concept but the look of the USB and 3.5 on the front just don't do it for me.

 

[Typhoon#747]

Re: RetroSport 1.5 DIN Head unit

This thing just isn't adding up to me. $360 and no CD player and no mounting brackets?

 

[swisscheese]

Re: RetroSport 1.5 DIN Head unit

i dont need cd-player
mounting brackets are included but i ordered the wrong ones... :-(

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: RetroSport 1.5 DIN Head unit

CDs are obsolete. I actually like the look of that thing and am impressed with the functions it performs. It fits well with the original style.

So swisscheese, are you happy?

 

[Scooter]

It looks pretty cool, I hate my alpine sticking out. Also CDs are obsolete, my wife's new 2014 ram has a touch screen with no CD player. OEM is even getting rid of them.

 

[swisscheese]

Re: RetroSport 1.5 DIN Head unit

I'd say for those who don't want a fancy display and don't want to take the time to do the rework to flush mount the unit it's a good option.
Sure it's not cheap but with all the options like USB, Bluetooth and stuff it's ok for me.

Now I just have to find a way to route the microphone cable to the Radio...

 

[budmann2002]

Re: RetroSport 1.5 DIN Head unit

I'd say for those who don't want a fancy display and don't want to take the time to do the rework to flush mount the unit it's a good option.
Sure it's not cheap but with all the options like USB, Bluetooth and stuff it's ok for me.

Now I just have to find a way to route the microphone cable to the Radio...

I know this about a month old but what sort of modifications behind the dash are you talking about. what stuff would need to be cut. is it the air ducting or something else?

 

[Typhoon#747]

Re: RetroSport 1.5 DIN Head unit

I know this about a month old but what sort of modifications behind the dash are you talking about. what stuff would need to be cut. is it the air ducting or something else?

Yes, the proper way to do it is to cut the air ducting in a rectangular shape to fit the back of the headunit. I used to fabricate small enclosures out of ABS plastic and epoxy them into the hole to seal off the vent.

This method is much less expensive than the Retrosport route. And if that Retrosport headunit is anything like Custom Autosound products, any AM/FM/CD/Aux/Bluetooth headunit from Alpine Sony Pioneer or Kenwood is going to crush it in terms of sound and quality. You'll also spend less money.

 

[TeeTopZ]

Re: RetroSport 1.5 DIN Head unit

Yes, the proper way to do it is to cut the air ducting in a rectangular shape to fit the back of the headunit. I used to fabricate small enclosures out of ABS plastic and epoxy them into the hole to seal off the vent.

This method is much less expensive than the Retrosport route. And if that Retrosport headunit is anything like Custom Autosound products, any AM/FM/CD/Aux/Bluetooth headunit from Alpine Sony Pioneer or Kenwood is going to crush it in terms of sound and quality. You'll also spend less money.

Do you still make these enclosures? That kind of work is a little out of my wheelhouse, but I would be glad to buy one from you.

On another note, I agree about the big name brands likely outdoing this radioninterms of acoustic performance. Plus, I think the radio looks cheap. It resembles an am radio from a stripped down cavalier. Nothing that would have been in a syty

 

[atkonkler]

Re: RetroSport 1.5 DIN Head unit

I think it makes it less desirable for thieves....imo

 

[budmann2002]

Re: RetroSport 1.5 DIN Head unit

I think it makes it less desirable for thieves....imo

and much less desirable for anyone who really know audio. I don't care for the custom auto sounds unit and this one either. it looks cheap and not worthy. I like a lot of flexibility with my stereo though.