Has anyone ever done this?( Stupid TINKERING)

[PRE-H20]

So................

I've been thinking stoopid sheet lately and I've been trying to get a bluetooth set up on my 911 with an OLD stereo and keeping it hidden and on the cheap and practical....... i also want a old vintage looking deck with a few of the modern conveniences offered these days... (yes there are vintage looking deck that fit the idea, but, i don't/won't spend $500 on one of those bad boys......)

BUT....

To me its kinda fun to see if we can make something happen outta nuttn and see what happens.....

I'm wondering if anyone has done this before, is it even possible, is anyone willing to try if they have the know-how (i don't!)

Here is the idea.....

So I bought an old style stereo (close enough to the look I want, I don't care about being exact or anything CLOSE to that)

I don't know if it works, don't care if it works, BUT the shell is exactly what I want.

I also bought a modern super inexpensive deck that has Bluetooth built in.

Can anyone transfer the GUTS of the new cheap deck INTO the shell of the OLD deck and make it functional ? is that even possible?

Thoughts?









BTW..... if someone steps up and try's and it just doesn't work and both stereos need to go into the trash.... MAKES NO DIFFERENCE TO ME.... I got them both on the ultra inexpensive side and the idea of trying to possibly making it works makes it all worth it 100% !

[PRE-H20]

[pwd72s]

At cruise ins, I've seen stereos that look like original radios..but aren't. Probably a lot less effort to go that route.

[id10t]

Gut the radio case and use a raspberry pi or similar inside, hook the radio buttons up to the GPIO pins for control.

[PRE-H20]

I've seen them too, there ARE quite a few out there, and YES a lot less effort for sure....

That wasn't really my point in all this.....

I'm just poking around and tinkering and saying, "what if" is all....... I just want to have some fun with the idea... maybe someone else does too.......

Thought I would ask and put it out there.....

[PRE-H20]

"Gut the radio case and use a raspberry pi or similar inside, hook the radio buttons up to the GPIO pins for control. "

That's exactly what I was looking for.... if I had ANY idea of what you wrote, or what that means, I would do it myself and not post this thread !!!!!! I have no idea about this kinda stuff..... glad to see/read "trying" is at least possible.... thanks Id10t !

[MBAtarga]

Do you just want the BT capability in the old chassis? I can't tell if the new unit has AM/FM etc.
How would you propose handling the LED display from the new unit?

[PRE-H20]

Hey Mark..... honestly I would just want the BT option.... I only take the car out of the garage early on Sunday mornings for a few hours and that's about it, so AM/FM doesn't really matter to me..... playing some Spodify tunes for an hour or two is good enough for me.

"How would you propose handling the LED display from the new unit? "

I wouldn't/ can't propose ANYTHING..... I have no idea about this stuff or if it is even possible to do........

The idea for posting is to reach someone that either knows what to do, OR propose what to do and maybe even try and do it.

That's why I mentioned if the project goes to sheet and both old and new stereos need to go into the trash..... its 100% OK with me.

[GH85Carrera]

I own two cars from the mid 1980s. The radio in the El Camino was a AM/FM radio only. All radio sucks now, so I tried for years to find a decent looking radio MP3 and bluetooth player and they all looked wrong, but that was all that was sold. I found a unit from Retro Sound that was a perfect look and fit. I plug in my 16 GB thumbdrive, and set it to random. It does Bluetooth as well.

My my 911 I bought the Blaupunkt BREMEN SQR 46 DAB. I love it. It looks just right, and sounds great.

[908/930]

There are auto amplifiers that have bluetooth, so you can just wire it in and control with a phone. Must say I have not used one yet. Like A Kenwood KAC M1824BT.

[asphaltgambler]

Custom Autosound is who makes the retro looking head units. I don't know if they have crossed over to the Euro side. Seems like a good idea, fun project to combine the 2

[wilnj]

Depending on your tolerance for low fidelity, there are also BT to FM transmitters.

Avantree CK310 Bluetooth FM Transmitter for Car, Wireless Radio Adapter Hands Free Car kit with Magic Tape, Auto Power On Off with Car, Rechargeable Or USB Wired, Stereo Receiver for Music Call, 7H https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TMYSXL8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_E9RP0TYV02BQRZG3MJC2

[ckelly78z]

It may be easier to install the vintage face plate in front of your modern unit. It could be flipped down, or removed entirely when you wanted to use the modern controls.

[blucille]

I do remember an ad here on pelican for a guy that converts analog tuned radios to bluetooth, I assume there's a board that drops in, and you gather some use of some of the buttons and knobs on the radio.

this looks intriguing https://www.radiosforoldcars.com/bluetoothF.htm

[drcoastline]

I know it is not the answer you are looking for and I am sorry I can't help but, if it were me, I would just drop this in the hole and put the other on the shelf. In fact that is exactly what I am doing.

$189.99 Ebay

[Starless]

Not what you're looking to do, but when my stereo died, i bought a JBL Charge 4 bluetooth speaker and attached it under the passenger seat like a fire extinguisher and just use my phone for the music. Easy to remove and charge at home. Also charges my phone. And it's not visible unless you bend down and look for it.

[PRE-H20]

ckelly78z...... what a great idea! i hadnt even thought about that.. i wonder if that would work... seems like it can work.. nice! great suggestions.

bluecille....... come to think of it.... i kinda remember that guy too..... anyone know who that is? cost? process? ........ good memory!

drcoastline......... man a man... thats EXACTLY what i want and end game for me.... the $200 isn't in the plan though.... dang it!

Starless..... not a bad idea...... maybe an option.

KEEP the ideas coming.... so far.... ckelly78z lining up well for me.....

[Synchro Joe]

You might get some ideas, or a finished product, from these guys. They have all sorts of audio units, speakers, grilles, etc. https://www.woodyscustomshop.com/ In case PP censors another vendor's site, it's woodys custom shop (all one word) dot you know the rest.

[PRE-H20]

thanks Syncro Joe! that shop is just down the road from me! nice option! i already saved the website in case it gets censored....... thanks!