I'm thinking about installing an aftermarket radio/CD player in my '81. Interested to hear what you all are using, how the installation went, etc.

I am using an alpine head unit with two kenwood 4x6 up front with alpine 6x9's in back with a small jensen amp and a single rockford fosgate 10" subwoofer. The rear speakers are enclosed in custom boxes as also the sub. I covered them in red felt that was the same color as my interior. Looks nice and compact. The sound is very nice. I can hear it clearly even going 80mph with out t-tops on. it was not hard to do as long as you follow the stereo installing instructions. My center gauge cluster was already cut for a DIN sized head unit so i didnt need to mess with that, but you will need to if you still got the stock radio in yours. I suggest using a dremel tool for this.

|UPDATED|12/9/2004 9:29:01 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

I just installed a JVC

There are several places where you can buy new bezels that are ready for the DIN sized radio, some of them even sell with the radios installed (this costs extra). Vette Specialties also has a Bezel Modification Kit that you might want to check out. http://www.vettespecialties.com/

I also like the Alpine units. Depending on how up to date with new technology you are, you might want to find a radio that is mp3 capable, or has a jack on it for input from your mp3 player.

I also have an Alpine AM/FM/CD/MP3 player. Pretty easy to install. For speakers, I mounted quality replacements in the front dash locations and two 6x9 speakers in the rear storage compartment doors. Actually, I took the orignal doors off the wire hinges and replaced them with 3/4 Birch plywood covered in carpet. It's the best base I has seen in a C3 vette without installing a box in the back that eats up "luggage" space. The storage/battery area acts as a somewhat sealed enclosure for the speakers, which is required for really nice base. By the way, if I did it again, I would have an audio shop install the speakers in the dash. Unless you can find speakers GUARANTEED to fit without any cutting, is is a tremedous pain. Crutchfield said mine would. They didn't. Good luck!

I had a shop install mine for $85 bucks. I put in a Panasonic ghost screen. I liked this unit because it as no buttons all touch screen and when off its completly black you don't even notice it's there. I then put some Infinity Kappa 4x6 plate speakers in the dash, Fit perfectly with no modifactions. Then put some 5in Boston Accustics in the the kick panals. This should be done by a shop. The magnet will fit into the 4x6 hole behind them. You will have to cut the kickpanals but the sound is a 100% better with the tops off. They made plates to mount the polk 6x9s in the the back because the newer speakers are to thick to use the old mounting position. Right now I have a kenwood 8in sub box. but intend to put a 8in sub in the passanger side storage compartment door. Over all this setup is awsome the sound has crisp highs, clear midrange and deep enough bass to make your ears ring with the tops off and over the chambered exhust.

the best sound system for my vette i have found is made by flowmaster, havent turnedon radio since