Have a 81 Vette that would like to update radio a/m stereo cassette. Currently looking at a Custom Autosound system. Since I am not 20 any more I find that I do not bend like I once did, has anyone done an install of one of these units plus speakers (dash) without killing ones self. Are these things best left up to the experts that do installs. This is my 3rd Vette, yellow, black interior with only 17,000 orig miles......save the wave.

My vette came with the original stereo, but i soon swapped it for a more recent one, with a 6 disc changer in the jack storage box. (Kept the old one - its a bit of audio history!) If you can crimp wires together, and use a screw driver, then it should be no problem Seriously, it's not a big, big job. I had to decide whether i wanted to sacrifice my console - naturally the new stereo wouldn't fit in the old hole, so after taking the console out, i very carefully opened up the hole to the right size with a sharp knife and then a file.
You can then buy one of those universal bezels from the audio shops - they fit in the hole and clamp there with specially shaped bendable tangs. Most stereos will then just slot in and lock in position, and are sold with a special tool to get them out again. Wiring's no problem, specially if your vette's already wired for four speakers. Once you have the console out, which you would have done, to modify the hole, 1/2 hour max with the crimping tool, and you should be sorted. I had to take a feed from my clock wire (orange) to supply the memory on my new stereo, but that's really the only mod from stock.
I've yet to move onto speakers - using the standard ones. The fronts look really easy to replace, just lift the grills and undo some self tappers. You can get some pretty punchy replacements for these sizes - although a speaker's only as good as its mounting area, and i'm not sure how rigid the dash is here. Unless your going for block rocking bass, i don't think that should really matter - any new moderately priced replacement for the front speakers will make the clarity so much better, leave the bass to the back ones!
I've got a pair of new six by nines in the back, but the install is only temporary - so much so i'm ashamed to even tell you how shabby it is! Theres quite a few sites on the web showing designs for enclosures for 6x9's. You can't really rely on the old brackets if you want to put anything half decent in there...
This would probably be the most involved part of the whole job (probably why i haven't finished it yet ) So i recommend you give it a go - theres no back breaking contorsionism in getting under the dash or anything horrible like that...
Good luck!


______________
|IMG|http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/~eaztl1/images/vette_4_sig.jpg |/IMG| Red 1980 350 auto w/ quickshsift Edelbrock intake / carb Crane Fireball cam 0 - 60 6.3s

Ernie,
One of the C3VR members ( Alex Nelson ) does custom radio installs for C3s. You tell him what you want in the way of a sterio and he gets a console bezel and mounts the unit you want in it. I am sure he will also give you advice on where and how to mount speakers and or an amp for the system.
I unfortunately forget his web address. You should be able to find him using either a site search or just cruising through the forum topics.
Good luck with the radio. I have a Custom Autosound USA5 and basically do not care for it. If you want to be slick, either get with Alex or use the Custom Autosound Secret Audio. The whole unit(s) mount behind the seats and use a wired remote which will velcro to the console or dash.

I have the custom autosound KNW 801, I liked that I didn't have to modify the bezel. I used the "speaker outs" to run (upgraded) 4x6's in the dash and kick panels, and the pre outs run through an amp to service the rear gear.

I too am getting older (44) but I managed just fine thanks

It's too bad you weren't closer, I'd drive down and show ya!

Not going to BG are you?

I did an install of a DIN type cd player in a fairly short amont of time. I used a Dremel Moto-tool to enlarge the bezel to accept the receiver (don't do this if you wanna go NCRS). Using the orange clock wire worked for me, also. I'm using the stock 4x6's up front for now while I make up my mind on replacements. I'll probably go with plate speakers for better separation and imaging. I ran the turn-on lead for the amp and the patch cords thru the tunnel, wired the amp to the battery (don't forget the in line fuse!) and ran two 8" Kicker truck boxes in the far end of the rear deck. It fit perfectly and I have lots of bass, plus decent mids and highs. I did sacrifice t-top storage area, but I'm working on a solution for that. Most likely I'll cannibalize the Kicker boxes and build a custom box that will position the tweeters for better dispersion, and integrate a amp mount and t-top guides into the top and front faces of the box. Being a drafting teacher has its advantages...