Converting ash tray to audio controls

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EastAustinSawdust

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Adam
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Recently installed a Retrosound Hermosa head unit in my 78 c10, along with kickpanel speakers in the front and cab corner speakers in the rear. Added a sub under the seat. Speakers and sub were Amazon Prime purchases. Really happy with the setup. A huge upgrade from the OEM Delco system.

The Retrosound has AUX inputs for both 1/8” jack and USB. The sub has a remote gain control. Rather than mount those on the dash or in the glovebox where I can’t reach em, I converted the ash tray to a control panel:

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Mounting the sub gain knob was a little tricky. Removed the knob from its plastic housing and made a bracket out of walnut to hold the knob (and the circuit board connected to it) against the back of the faceplate. Faceplate is made out of MDF.

All in all, a super convenient location to have that stuff, since it’s accessible to the driver and passenger. I highly recommend it. Only problem is that I don’t have anywhere to ash my cigs anymore. Time to start vaping I guess?


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Rusty Nail

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I actually quit smoking once.

And then I bought a K5 Blazer with the money that I saved.

And then I bought a t-top Iroc with the money that I saved.

You see where i'm goin with this, right?
It adds fast.

They count time not spent smoking at five.minutes.per. cigarette.

Pretty neat.

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Snoots

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I actually quit smoking once.

And then I bought a K5 Blazer with the money that I saved.

And then I bought a t-top Iroc with the money that I saved.

You see where i'm goin with this, right?
It adds fast.

They count time not spent smoking at five.minutes.per. cigarette.

Pretty neat.

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Can I hit you up for a loan?
 

Frankenchevy

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My buddy has that app. Brand name cigs are around $10/pack here!
 

Craig 85

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Did you use a Retro sound amp/sub? I'm thinking about adding their powered sub to my system.
 

TubeTruck

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I'm not a big stereo guru but I like a little tunes when I drive. How does that head unit sound? I was thinking of getting the same one and hooking it up to one of those GM shark fin antennas. Probably keep the 1 center speaker though lol
 

82sbshortbed

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I actually quit smoking once.

And then I bought a K5 Blazer with the money that I saved.

And then I bought a t-top Iroc with the money that I saved.

You see where i'm goin with this, right?
It adds fast.

They count time not spent smoking at five.minutes.per. cigarette.

Pretty neat.

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I got the same app. But, only 1 year 3 months. And saved a little over 3k. Never really noticed how much money I was spending smoking a pack a day at almost $7 a pack.
 

idahovette

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I got the same app. But, only 1 year 3 months. And saved a little over 3k. Never really noticed how much money I was spending smoking a pack a day at almost $7 a pack.
Really adds up quick! Good for you, Doug and any one else that quits!!!!
 

Rusty Nail

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^lmao!

Can I hit you up for a loan?

Look Pal, it says money saveD. Past tense see haha..besides I bought cars, trucks, tires, stereo equipment and all kinds of stuff with that FREE MONEY!

but seriously , cutting the dash is bad :nono: :imo:

but unless youre* driving a Concourse resto or something, what difference does it make? You got a showtruk and stuff?
I really couldnt care less about no wifi blutooths , I buy CDs. They work even if u ain't got no signal...

my '75 had been cut, but only four cuts with the OG metal simply bent back out of the way. not removed permanently for a full DIN unit install.
 
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Craig 85

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I'm not a big stereo guru but I like a little tunes when I drive. How does that head unit sound? I was thinking of getting the same one and hooking it up to one of those GM shark fin antennas. Probably keep the 1 center speaker though lol

I've got the Restro Sound Hermosa. It's hooked up to a set of 3.5" on the dash corners and a set of 6x9's in the rear cab corners. The sound quality is good, but my set up lacks the bass I had in my '79 K15. That had a second set of 6x9's in the lower doors.

My current DD is a 2010 Denali XL with a Bose speaker system that includes a center speaker in the dash. One thing that was lacking in my '79 was the center channel and highs directed towards the driver. I had a set of 1" tweeters sitting around that I added to the center dash speaker hole in that truck. I fabbed a bracket where I could aim each tweeter towards the rear cab corners. It fixed the issue.

My '85 has good 4 corner sound, but too, is lacking the center channel sound to fill. I'm going to add one of the 2 channel 4x10's to the center dash hole. If this gives enough bass to the system I'll stop here. If not, Retro Sound makes an amplified 8" sub I'll install under the seat.

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Rusty Nail

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I was looking at this woofer only last night..I bet that mugg would fit a bunch of spots real nice.
*looks at door

Hi! I found this on eBay and thought you might like it! Check it out now! https://ebay.us/rInJzM

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Our current system showcases 4x3.5s (MB Quart co-ax) in the dash, a pair of 6x9s (Rockford Fosgate 4 ways)mounted in the 4x10 holes out back all pushed by a 4x40 Kenwood KAC 6404. (4x40)
a single 10" ORION XTR dvc woofer in a 1.1' bandpass box behind the driver seat, tuned to 40hz gettin beat up by a real-live ORION 275 SX. (2x75) All controlled with a Pioneer DEH80PRS in an 88K5

seventeen speakers
2 amps rated 310 watts

(into old school stereo, home and mobile)
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82sbshortbed

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I was looking at this woofer only last night..I bet that mugg would fit a bunch of spots real nice.
*looks at door

Hi! I found this on eBay and thought you might like it! Check it out now! https://ebay.us/rInJzM

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Our current system showcases 4x3.5s (MB Quart co-ax) in the dash, a pair of 6x9s (Rockford Fosgate 4 ways)mounted in the 4x10 holes out back all pushed by a 4x40 Kenwood KAC 6404. (4x40)
a single 10" ORION XTR dvc woofer in a 1.1' bandpass box behind the driver seat, tuned to 40hz gettin beat up by a real-live ORION 275 SX. (2x75) All controlled with a Pioneer DEH80PRS in an 88K5

seventeen speakers
2 amps rated 310 watts

(into old school stereo, home and mobile)
xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media


That's gonna rock dude!! I like it!
Like your choice of components too. :rockit:

I just got the Kenwood 12" sub 400rms 1000w max. And the box in today.

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This Kenwood amp will be pushing it

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Going by my buddy's stereo shop to have him install it in the 2015 camaro tomorrow.
 

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