A repeat client of ours from Ocala recently dropped by Sound Depot and Performance to talk about installing a custom stereo in his restored 1970 Chevrolet C20 Cheyenne. He wanted the system to blend into the interior from a cosmetic standpoint but offer modern performance and reliability. After discussing several product options and where we could install everything, he agreed to drop off the truck so we could get to work.
Classic Pickup Truck Radio
The heart of the system in this C20 would be a RetroSound Laguna RetroRadio. This twin-shaft radio looks like something that might have come with the truck from the factory but is, in fact, a modern receiver with a digital tuner and an auxiliary input. The radio fits perfectly in the original opening in the dash and didn’t require any vehicle modifications. We were even able to match the trim around the gauge cluster with a black panel with chrome edging to enhance the look.
Custom Chevy C20 Speakers and Subwoofer Solution
The output of the radio feeds a Kenwood X801-5 five-channel amplifier. This compact amp can produce up to 50 watts of power from the four main channels and has an impressive 500-watt subwoofer channel built-in.
We constructed a compact enclosure that fits against the back wall of the truck to house a pair of JL Audio 8W1v3-4 8-inch subwoofers and a pair of Kenwood KFC-X174 6.5-inch coaxial speakers. The woofers have a separate enclosure from the mids to ensure that each would operate properly without interfering with the other. The enclosure was finished and all the wiring was run before the carpet was installed. The upholsterer wrapped the enclosure in the same green carpet as the floor to help it blend into the interior.
The client chose a set of Kenwood eXcelon Reference XR-1701P component speakers for the front of the vehicle. This 6.5-inch speaker set includes high-quality passive crossover networks to divide the audio signals between the woofer and tweeter in the set. We mounted the speakers in a set of Q Forms kick panel enclosures from Q Logic. We had the panels sprayed with color-matched bedliner, which makes them look great and adds rigidity and mass to the panels to improve the speakers’ performance.
Gainesville’s Best Car Audio Upgrades
The client was thrilled with how we integrated the sound system into his classic Chevy C20 and loves how it sounds. If you’re looking for a custom sound system upgrade for your classic car or truck, drop by Sound Depot and Performance in Gainesville and speak with one of our car audio experts. They’d be happy to design a solution custom-tailored to your vehicle and listening preferences. If you can’t get to our store during regular business hours, give us a call or use our contact page to send our team an email.
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