Original Radio: Leave it alone or replace?
 

I know that it depends on each individual, but I couldn't find a poll to see where the majority stands, so...

Leave the original or replace with something newer?

Leave it. Possibly get it changed to accept an ipod

Depends on what you are looking to do with the car?

If you don't have any intentions to sell and want to upgrade to newer technology with improved sound then go ahead!

If you are looking to win a concours then the original is the only option.

Delete it, save 15 lbs and go racing. :D

what are you trying to acheive in upgrading? better sound, better reception, more features?

i go back and forth; i like having the original, but sometimes i would like to listen to my ipod while in the car or answer the phone through the radio.

i am literally 50-50 on it and was hoping folks could sway me one way or the other.

Posted this one before. This spans the gap between having a mostly working '85 Blaupunkt and hands-free calling, music streaming from my Android phone.

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Upgrade of course, but stash the orginal.

+1

I struggled with the same question for awhile. Took out the original and preserving that. Put in a new Kenwwod Exceleon which has virtually no bling, has the color match for the lights and has Pandora and Bluetooth stream from my iPhone. The hands free talking is surprisingly good and comes through the speakers. You could always put the stock head back.

JL Audio CL-RLC Remote level control and line driver at Crutchfield.com

This allows you to plug anything with a headphone jack, directly into a car audio amplifier, with a volume control.

Personally, I'm taking the spaceship that the PO crashed in my dash and wired to the speakers, and replacing it with something period correct that does not work, bypassing it totally and then using this and my Iphone instead. Granted you need a separate amp with line level inputs, but...

Pulled the stock Monterey + speakers and stashed away in case the car is later sold. Kept stock harness in place. Mid-upgrade with later Blaupunkt / amp / speakers / removeable sub with built in amp. Good enough and no longer into the hi-fi thing. Flat six music is best.

BTW: Years back did this on the longnose cars and forgot about the old Frankfort's buried under the bench. Jeez, have they gone out of sight... and price.

I'd leave the original, makes the cockpit look as it should. There is no time for music whilst driving these beasts anyway. :)

Bill

Remove it and update. Just do a nice clean job on the exchange, save all the original parts. You can always return it to "original" when you want to. You could even wire a matching plug into both radios so it could be swapped out in a matter of minutes.

It depends on the car, I think. There is a great thread somewhere on this forum recently where someone left his original radio in place, but added a modern full-featured head unit with remote control and a display built into his tach or speedo, you would never know it was there. Some variant of that theme could be very nice, but of course, budget might be a factor ;-)

Radio
 

My opinion is replace without structural changes and hold old one in temp controlled environment... if music is important to you. I use my 911 as DD when not raining, and music is important part of my life. Thus, old blau is stored... however, 68 912 has Becker Europa and cannot seem to take the shortwave out....

I did exactly what Rainking did: removed but kept Blaupunkt and replaced with Kenwood excelon due to lighting matching, ability to support iPod, Pandora etc. and low-bling appearance.

I too put in Excelon, with I pod support etc...

Those are some great points and suggestions. Thank you very much. I like the idea of setting it up to where I could make swaps easier.

Should I worry about a battery drain by going to a newer radio? And if I have the harness (Crutchfield courtesy), is the install fairly straightforward?

Personally I like the look of a stock radio, but it depends on your priorities, do you want looks? or sound?
I'm looking for a period correct radio for my current 911 ('73T), although I'll most likely put something in the glove box and leave the dash without a radio.
My last 911 was an '80 SC, the stock unit was missing when I got it so I installed a CDR-220 from a 993 to keep the stock look.
As for my '64 Beetle, I kept the stock AM radio in the dash and installed a new cd deck in the glove box.

A couple of things you could do. One - keep the original and plumb in an iPod adapter. Kinda spendy, but a good way to get modern tunes into your car without having to lug along a suitcase full of cassette tapes.

Audiovox - Driven by DICE Electronics LLC - Universal RDS

Two - get a MUCH newer Becker or Blaupunkt stereo with the retro look. iPod, plus CD, plus modern electronics. Still a stock(ish) look.