Want a new aftermarket radio? Do you have a pristine dash that you don't want to cut? Looking for a classic look with all the creature comforts of today's audio technology? Well look no further, the solution has been found!

I recently acquired a RetroSound Zuma radio (cheapest place to find one is at Jegs for $200) for my 1983 Pickup. It comes with everything that other modern radios have and possibly more:

• Dual color digital display (White/Green)
• AM/FM Radio - 30 Pre-sets
• 25W x 4 Channel output
• Black or chrome face/buttons
• Two 3.5mm aux inputs
• USB aux input
• Two RCA pre-amp outputs
• Power antenna lead
• Amp remote lead
• Full audio tunability
• yada yada yada...

There is a lower level model called the RC-900C that has a few less features for less cost as well.


The unit is designed to adjust to specific applications - the posts have full adjustability in/out and side to side. All you need to install in 79-83 Pickups is a bezel kit (the knobs and bezel is not included with the radio). I got kit #215-40-80 from Crutchfield for $24.95. Part# Break down:

• The "215" is the black face bezel adapter for 68-72 Pontiac GTO, Tempest and LeMans (115 is the same only in chrome)
• The "40" is the front knob (several options to choose from, but I wanted the smallest because of the tight fit - any bigger WILL NOT FIT the dash properly)
• The "80" is the rear knob (Again, the smallest due to confined space)

Like many other aftermarket companies, there was not a bezel that fit my truck so I had to do some measuring and research to find out that the 115 or 215 bezel would fit. By fit, I don't mean close enough... I mean it fits within the hole PERFECTLY!


For installation I had to run your basic radio wiring. Since I ripped out all of my factory radio wiring except for the radio ACC swith power, I ended up running 16ga wire to my battery power block, another 16ga wire to my ground block and some 18ga to my door speakers. It is a bit tedious to get the radio mounted and aligned, but it isn't a difficult task. I took out the entire dash bezel (A/C and all) and mounted the radio to the bezel and re-assembled it back in the truck - it is IMPOSSIBLE to mount the radio with the bezel in the truck so even don't try it!



The radio sits in the bezel tight and sturdy just like a factory radio. Operation takes a little getting used to since there are a lot of features crammed into such a simple design. But overall it has a classic look, economical, clean fit, fully functioning and most important.... NO DASH CUTTING! Do your duty and save your dash from being hacked to pieces by the tyranny of modern radios!



Seriously though, it's a good design. I would highly recommend it to anybody.


Here are some install pictures - I'll post better ones later when I get it out into some natural light:








PS: A Toyota gets its wings every time a dash is cut...

 

Damn, that's pretty nice looking. My dash was hacked before I got the truck, then a 17 year old me hacked it further. Oh well. Hopefully you will help save a few first gen dashes with this post.

I think the last line in your post should read "Every time a first gen dash gets hacked, old man Toyoda sheds a tear."

 

I hope it's a obvious answer but did the radio body fit perfect between the factory supports behind the dash? I found a radio from a So Cal company that fit perfect through the knob holes and rectangle space but was too wide for the behind dash supports.

 

Yep, it fits. The body of the radio is very narrow

 

Nice work! Too late for my dash too, though. Mine came butchered, and they even did a bad job of a bad thing.

 

Can you find these somewhere other than jegs

 

Ever heard of Google?

 

I saw them when I was looking for a stock radio, saw them advertized on a gearhead show. Since my bezel was chopped up, I bought a mechless receiver, that doesn't take up a lot of room and still be a single DIN mount

 

Damn, they must have changed it since you bought yours.. there is no such model anymore, only for Pontiac "Firebird" (checked both summit, Jegs & retrosound.com) I do see the button options available (40-80, but the 215 is no where to be found)

Also all the radios i see sell with the adapter plates.?
Is there a specific model of receiver, that comes without adapter plate & buttons.?
The retro sound website doesn't show anything else, just the "Model 2" or the "900C" (or the obvious wrong ones.. Apache, etc)

Also, looks like the main difference between yours and the 900C is 18x4 watts instead of 25x4, which if you're gonna use an amp wont matter.. IF that is the only major difference.

This is definitely the way to go, just takes some searching to put it all together.



https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9X...JQeHd6d3M/view

 

They don't make the Zuma anymore, but the Model Two and the RC-900 Radios are the same thing dimensionally. Then you just get the appropriate adapter plates - 115 for chrome or 215 for black. I found that the black one is not as common to find though - might want to call RetroSound

 

Awesome, yea i do some other differences too, the model 2 might be worth the money.

I edited my last post to add some info

 

I put the stereo for my '81 in the glove box.

 

My dash is really hacked. It was that way when I bought it. I'm going to fix it one of these days, and truck won't have a radio.