Are car stereos for our vans becoming obsolete?

[Gnarlodious]

I got a box-new Alpine in-dash last spring and guess what? Apple changed the iPhone plug and made my new stereo obsolete.

So I decided to just use the USB stick feature to play digital music, no more iPhone connectivity headaches. And what I discovered is I like it lot better. The whole iPhone thing is so overrated anyway. I would recommend to skip stereos that feature proprietary music sources and stick to generic sources like USB. The more on-screen control of USB music you get the better your playback will be.
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Vanagon ’83 diesel AAZ w/Giles injection, 5spd 4.57R&P+TBD and a '78 diesel Rabbit

[ThankYouJerry]

[yiucycle]

here a pic of my setup. I have a lot of stuff that need to be done on the van so this will do while I can focus finish other task. Before ppl said that its dangerous when you get into an accident. That is my least of my worry, usually i have couple surfboard inside and plus other heavy stuff.

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1980 2.8LV6 Fiero ASI/Riviera Vanagon
"there is no point in being embarrassed of all the stupid shit i done and will continue to do"

Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

[morymob]

I'm NOT that picky as long as the sound is good & i don't listen that much to music anyway. Bought a NOS Jenson radio(flea mkt) & the heaven forbid, cassett player. Top of line 4 the times and quiet modern in it's options/operations, hit a button & it scans ALL available FM & AM until presets r full,aux jack 4 the times i take my '80's CD's along 4 some good jazz, blues or even some 'country corn'. Already had a good , i made em, collection of tapes & i still HI-speed copy CD's to cass 4 something i want available 4 listening. Not hashing the new but as long as it does the job to MY satisfaction & also cheap i can spend that savings on the westy, a win-win. I did get a new Galaxy tablet, does what my old big box computer does, but don't have that 'character' , it's gonna go to the junkyard in the sky soon, mt 2-cts.

[epaddler]

[eeebee]

[VANGAUX]

I installed a radio and remote control purchased directly from Custom Radio with AM/FM/CD/MP3 and weather band that fits the Vanagon. The black color and the white & silver trim matches the knobs, levers, etc. on the dash and I think the radio looks like it came with the van.

They have many configurations of AM/FM, CD, WB, USB, Bluetooth, 512M Memory. Since the remote was only $7, I ordered it not expecting to use it much but find it very useful.

It is not a brand that I have heard of but found it for sale on a site that sells heavy duty radios for big trucks, buses, etc. I searched for the manufacturer, called them, asked lots of questions and purchased one of their models directly from them.

To see their radios, go to: Custom Radio Corporation http://customradio.net/us_en/products-page/truck/

If interested in ordering from them or asking questions, call the number (1-800-659-8093) at the bottom of their product page and you will probably talk to Sherry.

The face plate is the exact size as the original radio in our '91 Westy and the depth of the radio is almost exactly the size of the original radio so there was no problem making the radio fit. I did have to bend that back support but it was not a problem.

You will also need an adapter for the antenna if you have the original European version antenna. Since the radio has two power wires (main and accessory) you do need to tie in to the key-in wire from the ignition switch. After that, when the key is out, the radio is off.

I purchased the following from an ebay seller to complete the installation.
Wiring Harness Adapter -- Metra 70-1784 Metra Harness for $4.75 delivered
Antenna Adapter --- Metra 40VW10 Metra Antenna Adapter for $4.95 delivered

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1991 Westy

[danfromsyr]

Vanagaux, and how do you like it/it sounds?
I've been quite interested in one of these but haven't had the time to focus attention to the radio..
there's alot on them in this thread.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=509998&highlight=weather+band

[VANGAUX]

We have had the radio for two years now and are very pleased with the radio, the sound, its looks, and the ease of operation. Our van has the original Vanagon speakers and we use the radio or CD primarily when driving and really would not expect great sound out of anything in our van with normal road noise as background. We do use it in the mornings or evenings when camping and again, it is fine for us. We have a Crutchfield in our town and I looked at all of their radios and to my eyes, I could not stand all of the glitz, flashing lights, etc. and just wanted something to blend in.

We have a high end audio system at home so we know what good sounds are, but our expectations in noisy vehicles are not very high.

And you are correct in that the other thread provides much more detail about these radios.

[bdcain]

if only i could burn the streaming files to cd like this show

https://archive.org/details/gd90-03-19.prefm-sbd.sacks.1526.sbeok.shnf


i would not need a tape player for all my dead bootlegs
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It looks just like a telefunken u-47

[tarandusVDub]

[vwmaniaman]

Why talk about Radio/CD being obsolete when the whole van is obsolete and brings me great pleasure with it being that way.

[SCM]

[eeebee]

[chimivee]

[SCM]

[Alaska-Mike]

I will be resurrecting a Pioneer AM/FM Cassette that was installed in a previous vehicle. It should be perfect for an 83 GL.
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1983 Vanagon 1.9L GL - destined to become a dry camper

But I'd rather have a split bus.

[mellowslow]

[Merian]

Hey - who wants to buy my cassette deck

[bdcain]