71-74 B Body Instrument Panel Radio Cut-Out

Posted By: skh

71-74 B Body Instrument Panel Radio Cut-Out - 04/13/13 12:54 PM

Does anyone have a template or specific instructions to exactly where and how big to cut a hole for a standard DIN-sized radio to fit into the odd-sized radio space in a B Body instrument panel?

I only want to do this once!

I expect that I will have to fill the left-most knob hole in the panel.

Anyone have ideas on how to do that? Pictures are welcome!

Posted By: 340SHORTY

Re: 71-74 B Body Instrument Panel Radio Cut-Out - 04/13/13 01:06 PM

Never saw anything available in the 25 years I owned my 71 RR. Would never cut such a well designed dash anyway..

Posted By: VincentVega

Re: 71-74 B Body Instrument Panel Radio Cut-Out - 04/13/13 02:14 PM

I would never cut that, too rare. we mounted an aftermarket radio elsewhere. if you ever get tired of looking at it, you can get rid of it in a day and never know it was there

Posted By: 71birdJ68

Re: 71-74 B Body Instrument Panel Radio Cut-Out - 04/13/13 02:32 PM

Why would you want to destroy that panel? Stick it under the dash or the seat.They make a modern radio that will fit that dash.

Posted By: NachoRT74

Re: 71-74 B Body Instrument Panel Radio Cut-Out - 04/13/13 02:50 PM

plenty of clusters already cut being sold around. I would get one already cut.

Is not just cut the bezel, requires also cut the housing original radio supports ( knobs supports )

Posted By: 71birdJ68

Re: 71-74 B Body Instrument Panel Radio Cut-Out - 04/13/13 03:10 PM

Because there are alternatives to turning a nice looking well designed panel into a cobbled up looking POS.It is SO very hard to improve the looks,when it can be done a better way.And once its cut its done as a oem panel for ever.

Posted By: BigMoneyLewis

Re: 71-74 B Body Instrument Panel Radio Cut-Out - 04/13/13 03:35 PM

You know there is a reproduction radio out that fits right in ,
or you could have an original converted . Either way, you get the same 4 channel 180 watt board with jacks, and it will look all original.

Greg

Posted By: NachoRT74

Re: 71-74 B Body Instrument Panel Radio Cut-Out - 04/13/13 04:49 PM

Quote:

You know there is a reproduction radio out that fits right in ,
or you could have an original converted . Either way, you get the same 4 channel 180 watt board with jacks, and it will look all original.

Greg

I'd like to get an affordable option for that

Posted By: cjskotni

Re: 71-74 B Body Instrument Panel Radio Cut-Out - 04/13/13 06:32 PM

Quote:

Quote:

You know there is a reproduction radio out that fits right in ,
or you could have an original converted . Either way, you get the same 4 channel 180 watt board with jacks, and it will look all original.

Greg

I'd like to get an affordable option for that

Yeah I am still looking for a way to get a stereo that drops in the original place and has the 45x4 and a USB (or at least aux) input for MP3's.

Seems these don't have the USB option or if they do (ex. Custom AutoSound) they get horrible reviews.

Still looking for that one special radio for my car before my exhasut drone makes me crazy.

Posted By: DaytonaTurbo

Re: 71-74 B Body Instrument Panel Radio Cut-Out - 04/13/13 07:19 PM

With the shape of the 71-7 dash, the way it curves (if you have the rallye dash with the round gauges anyway) there's no way to install an aftermarket DIN deck and not have it look like ass. However if you have a standard dash with the long bar speedo, the radio mounting area on those is flat so it can be reasonably done.

I mounted mine under the dash because I despise the cut look. They make generic under dash radio mounts.

Posted By: NachoRT74

Re: 71-74 B Body Instrument Panel Radio Cut-Out - 04/13/13 07:22 PM

we have this, but terribly expensive

not USB but line in option at least.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1971-74-Mopar-B-...d77&vxp=mtr

Posted By: BigMoneyLewis

Re: 71-74 B Body Instrument Panel Radio Cut-Out - 04/13/13 08:06 PM

We put RCA jacks on ours and give you an adapter cord that drops down to the small diamter jack so you can run MP3 / Ipods etc. but we do not offer a USB port .

http://wardsclassiccarradiorepair.com/id17.html

Greg

Posted By: RichL1967

Re: 71-74 B Body Instrument Panel Radio Cut-Out - 04/14/13 12:27 AM

Don't cut that cluster!!!!!

Check out this first
http://www.retrosoundusa.com/products/details/id/127

Also see this thread

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/show...&PHPSESSID=

And this one

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/show...rue#Post7545736

Posted By: cjskotni

Re: 71-74 B Body Instrument Panel Radio Cut-Out - 04/14/13 02:21 AM

Quote:

Don't cut that cluster!!!!!
Check out this first
http://www.retrosoundusa.com/products/details/id/127

Also see this thread

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/show...&PHPSESSID=

And this one

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/show...rue#Post7545736

I have seen these threads and looked at this unit for my car but what concerns me is the relatively wimpy 20x4 output. I am wondering if I would be able to hear my music over my engine when I'm moving?

Can anybody here tell me if they have this Retrosound unit and how well (loud) it sounds? Any trouble hearing over exhaust drone?

Posted By: RSNOMO

Re: 71-74 B Body Instrument Panel Radio Cut-Out - 04/14/13 03:20 AM

Said this before...

Insulated trunk divider...

I got the factory AM/FM, Flowmasters, and an insulated TD...

'Cabin noise' no issue...

Posted By: RichL1967

Re: 71-74 B Body Instrument Panel Radio Cut-Out - 04/14/13 04:28 AM

It has 4-channel preamp outputs (front, rear) for additional amps. Of course it means more money, more installation considerations, and you need to decide where you want to mount them. But IMHO it beats hacking up the dash. Have you also looked at some of the hidden audio options?

Posted By: dangina

Re: 71-74 B Body Instrument Panel Radio Cut-Out - 04/14/13 05:23 AM

you can buy a cheap cut up dash for a aftermarket radio, sell your good one for more money and make some money off of it!

Posted By: 71 Charger R/T

Re: 71-74 B Body Instrument Panel Radio Cut-Out - 04/15/13 04:05 PM

I'll trade you a "pre-cut" one for your useless factory instrument cluster. I prefer music as a background accompaniment to my engine rather than drowning out that beautiful cacophony of cylinders.

Posted By: skh

Re: 71-74 B Body Instrument Panel Radio Cut-Out - 07/31/13 06:54 PM

Like so many others, I have been trying to find a modern aftermarket radio solution to fit into my b-body dash.

All I wanted was something that fit with a: digital AM-FM tuner, an ample 4 speaker built-in amp, RCA four speaker and subwoofer pre-outs, iphone 4 and 5 compatibility through a charging USB, bluetooth, and handsfree iphone answering and talking. Is that too much to ask?

After two weeks' use, I can recommend a solution--Retrosound Model 2. IT has everything on my wishlist (and even more). Though I had to do some "fitting" to make it fit in the factory opening and fabricate a bracket to attach it to the back of the dash, it fits, works great, and even uses the factory knobs off my 1973 AM radio unit! See for yourself. For the solution it provides, I'd even rate it as a good value. I would recommend it to anyone looking for an aftermarket solution to work with the b-body dash.

(And thanks to all of you who shamed me into not hacking up my dash when I hit rock bottom!)

Attached picture 7796840-photo(3).jpg

Posted By: skh

Re: 71-74 B Body Instrument Panel Radio Cut-Out - 07/31/13 06:55 PM

And one more.

Attached picture 7796841-photo(2).jpg

Posted By: roadhazard

Re: 71-74 B Body Instrument Panel Radio Cut-Out - 07/31/13 08:58 PM

Hey thanks for your review!

Mine has the long spedo cluster that was already hacked so I fit a vintage Pioneer Supertuner, old Pyramid Gold Series 4 channel amp and some Sony ExPlod 6x9's

I just may have to put that rallye cluster in now

Posted By: screamindriver

Re: 71-74 B Body Instrument Panel Radio Cut-Out - 08/02/13 03:01 AM

A few years ago I installed an aftermarket unit in an already butchered bezel and it did'nt come out too bad...The single din units sold today have a nice outer bezel that covers the chasis nicely making it look even better..

Use a small electric cutter/grinder like a dremel tool, take your time keep checking the opening and adjusting it'll come out fine