PROJECT PLAYBOY PART 4 Adding Audio in our OBS

Chris Hamilton March 07, 2023 OBS Builders Guide

Adding Audio in our OBS

Time for some tunes! To catch you up, Project Playboy is our 1988 Chevy C1500 truck that we dragged out of a random Florida man’s backyard. The truck was forgotten and full of interesting items—including some old Playboy magazines, hence the name. The goal with this new OBS project is to restore an ’80s-model vehicle with an era-correct look and a few hidden, modern upgrades to make it more reliable.

In previous issues, we replaced the original suspension with a complete coilover conversion from Ridetech suspension, thanks to the crew over at Saltworks Fab in Myakka, Florida. All four corners received new brakes, including a rear disc brake upgrade from Performance Online. Bolted to the new disc brakes is a set of 20-inch stagger-fit wheels from Schott Wheels wrapped in Goodyear Eagle rubber.

With a smooth-running street machine, it was time to tone down the exhaust sound by turning up some tunes. Because this truck has an ’80s vibe to it, we wanted the audio system to maintain the aesthetic.

With a smooth-running street machine, it was time to tone down the exhaust sound by turning up some tunes. Because this truck has an ’80s vibe to it, we wanted the audio system to maintain the aesthetic. After digging around the internet for retro-looking, single-din radio options, we came across Retro Manufacturing and its really unique line of audio equipment. With a catalog of many different looking radio faces and classic vehicle mounting systems, we had a feeling this was our company to work with. We ordered up a RetroSound Gran Prix Radio face along with a Motor 4HD Radio Motor, along with its pre-amplified subwoofer, dash, and B-pillar speakers, along with its small but powerful audio amplifier. That’s not all we did this month to our OBS! It’s funner to just dig into it, so let’s go!

RetroSound Gran Prix Radio — After doing our research, we ordered up a RetroSound Granprix radio face along with a Motor 4HD Radio Motor, along with their pre-amplified subwoofer, dash, and B-pillar speakers, and the company’s small but powerful audio amplifier. We also picked up LED rope lighting and all the terminals we need from Stinger Audio.

The RetroSound Grand Prix perfectly replicates the interior styling of the 1980s Mercedes, BMW, and Porsche vehicles while updating the audio technology to today’s standards. The unique design of the Grand Prix features authentic paddle-style controls along with low profile push-buttons and a 32,000-pixel color digital display. The Grand Prix is the perfect solution for the ’80s vibe we are going for.

Motor 4HD specification, HD radio technology, SiriusXM-ready (SXV300V1 tuner sold separately), Made for iPod/iPhone, Built-in Bluetooth (Version 5.0), Includes Bluetooth microphone for hands-free calls, AM/FM RDS tuner with 30 presets, Two USB ports for flash drives and other devices, 2.1-amp device charging via USB, Built-in 300-watt (peak power) Mosfet amplifier, 25 watts RMS x 4 channels—TrueRating, Dual RCA pre-outs for external amplifiers, Dedicated subwoofer output, 32,000 color display, Non-volatile memory, Two-year warranty.

RetroSound Premium Stereo Speakers provide the absolute best audio quality possible in your classic car or truck. For high-power handling with an ultra-thin mounting depth, a Neodymium magnet structure is used with a dip-cut design to prevent distortion. The Santoprene surrounds provide the most accurate audio reproduction possible, and the silk tweeters produce smooth and more natural-sounding highs.

4×6-inch stereo speakers (sold as a pair), Neodymium magnet structure for ultra-thin design, Santoprene surrounds for accurate audio reproduction, Silk tweeters produce smooth and natural highs, Dip-cut magnet for enhanced sound, TrueRating power handling: 25 watts RMS/50 watts MAX power.

This Quadraphonic amplifier is a plug-and-play solution and connects directly to the company’s RetroSound radio delivering 45-watt RMS to all four speakers. Pair it with a RetroSound 8-inch-powered subwoofer for a complete audio system that’s a breeze to install.

M4-channel amplifier, Full-range Class D digital circuitry, 45-watt RMS x 4 channels full-range @ 4 ohms, Built-in variable high pass/full range crossover, Advanced circuitry and thermal protection, Directly connects to your RetroSound radio, Works with any aftermarket radio with low-level RCA outputs, Optional wiring kit available for aftermarket radios, Compact size fits almost anywhere, Dimensions: 7.25x3x1.75 inches (17.9×7.1×4.4 centimeters).

The SUB8100 has a built-in Class D digital amplifier powering an ultra-thin 8-inch subwoofer in a rugged aluminum enclosure, with a low profile of 2.75 inches and a footprint of just 9.25×13.75 inches.

8-inch powered subwoofer, Class D digital circuitry, 100-watt RMS, Built-in continuously variable crossover, Remote gain control, Advanced circuitry, and thermal protection, Easily connects to your RetroSound radio via RCA inputs, Works with any aftermarket radio via high-level input/wiring harness, Rugged cast aluminum enclosure, Dimensions: 9.25×2.75×13.75 inches (23.5x7x35 centimeters).