[virginia car guy]

Good Evening all,
Has anyone had success in moving the stock radio location?
With the advent of head units with ipod displays the current location is horrible.

It appears that the upper switch plate or the a/c controls could be switched with the radio location.

Any advice before I start cutting?

Thanks,

 

[Nutz 4 Benz]

Sure seems like a lot of work for such a minor inconvenience.

 

[Gregs300CD]

Yeah, install a tablet if you're going through all that.

 

[mike-81-240d]

I've seen it done before.

I'd honestly rather put a factory Becker that doesn't work back in, then put my alpine and iPhone in the glovebox.

 

[codepony]

I've seen it done before.

I'd honestly rather put a factory Becker that doesn't work back in, then put my alpine and iPhone in the glovebox.

^ This. Modern units look totally out of place in these cars.

I have a dead Becker that I want to put modern internals in someday though.

 

[cooljjay]

They really do look out of place...I took the original out of my car and installed a latter becker with a cassette player....and even it looks out of place on a 79.....one day I will get an good condition original radio, restore it and add an mp3 plug...

 

[Cycobilly]

I have a dead Becker that I want to put modern internals in someday though.

I'd like to do the same, using a dead Becker unit and install the USA-630 internals, or adapt the front section of the Becker to the 630.

ETA: Retrosound's Model Two would be another choice, but the $400 price tag is a bit much.

 

[240_benz]

Honestly, a lot of aftermarket head units just don't look right in these cars because of their age. Altering the climate control is a lot of work for something that's going to look way out of place but it's your ride so do what suits your taste.

 

[codepony]

They really do look out of place...I took the original out of my car and installed a latter becker with a cassette player....and even it looks out of place on a 79.....one day I will get an good condition original radio, restore it and add an mp3 plug...

I installed a 780 and thought it fit well in my 79. I went with the 0780 for the cassette interface and because they are a lot easier to find XD

I'd like to do the same, using a dead Becker unit and install the USA-630 internals, or adapt the front section of the Becker to the 630.

ETA: Retrosound's Model Two would be another choice, but the $400 price tag is a bit much.

I'm just going to grab a cheap Walmart unit with bluetooth capability to gut for it. But, I need to work out the 780 faceplate pins first. I'm also considering using a Raspberry Pi for the internals, this would give me a carputer complete with mp3 playback from a harddrive. I just really love the faceplate on this unit.

Personally, I think the Retrosound stuff just looks cheap and plasticy. Very nice specs, but not worth the price. That 630 doesn't look bad though.

 

[frans-c]

Have a look at the VDO units. Matt black finish, orange backlighting and sort-of stock look. Specs are lacking, though, but if you're only after MP3 capabilities (with AUX-input) and FM-radio, this will suite your needs just fine. Only available on German eBay, as far as I know.

If you look at my profile, I have a thread on it.

 

[MBeige]

Have a look at the VDO units. Matt black finish, orange backlighting and sort-of stock look. Specs are lacking, though, but if you're only after MP3 capabilities (with AUX-input) and FM-radio, this will suite your needs just fine. Only available on German eBay, as far as I know.

If you look at my profile, I have a thread on it.

Do those units track FM stations with odd numbers (98.7, 93.1, 95.5, etc)? I'm thinking of getting one, my current Blaupunkt uses European stations (even decimal numbers) but has an option for US ones too.

 

[frans-c]

Do those units track FM stations with odd numbers (98.7, 93.1, 95.5, etc)? I'm thinking of getting one, my current Blaupunkt uses European stations (even decimal numbers) but has an option for US ones too.

One of my preset stations is 103.1 FM, another 94.2 and another 94.7, so odd stations are included as well.

 

[cooljjay]

I installed a 780 and thought it fit well in my 79. I went with the 0780 for the cassette interface and because they are a lot easier to find XD

Thats like that one mine looks like, it doesn't look bad but I think the early w123's look more classy....and the original becker looks great with the more fancy interior....plus I have the evil acc control panel, so it looks better with that...

 

[Cycobilly]

I'm just going to grab a cheap Walmart unit with bluetooth capability to gut for it. But, I need to work out the 780 faceplate pins first.

You have more patience than I do then. I want to go the route that looks the least appealing with using Becker's twin-post unit as a base to graft something into, but I definitely want to see how your idea turns out.

Personally, I think the Retrosound stuff just looks cheap and plasticy. Very nice specs, but not worth the price. That 630 doesn't look bad though.

That was my first thought as well, but they are intended to look like cheap factory radios. Those prices are ridiculous though.

 

[Euro W123]

The only reasonable alternative to the stock location would be to get a taxi spec dash since they have holes for a meter, stereo, and cb radio.

 

[Morse33]

That's a lot of work!

 

[codepony]

You have more patience than I do then. I want to go the route that looks the least appealing with using Becker's twin-post unit as a base to graft something into, but I definitely want to see how your idea turns out.

It'll be one of my projects after the new year, sometime in February if I get time. I have a few friends that are electronics geeks that I could call on if I get stuck