Custom AutoSound Slidebar and Speakers Review

[1972BlueC20]

Well after driving my truck for over a year without a working radio, I decided I needed some tunes. I didn't want to cut the dash or the doors, so I decided to get the Custom Autosound slidebar radio and the dual speaker in dash speaker, along with the pioneer kick panel speakers.

So far I'm pretty happy with everything, the sound quality is "good"....not bad and not great but more than sufficient for what I need. I do listen to heavy metal and hard rock pretty loud and it seems to be fine with some adjustment. I think with more adjusting on the EQ and maybe with adding some under seat subs it will be better.

I also got the hideaway antenna and the Bluetooth kit, love the Bluetooth kit....makes it so much easier not having to actually hook up my phone to a hard cable to steam Pandora or IHeartRadio.

The installation was pretty easy, took about 3-4 hours and that was with me taking my time and it was my very first stereo installation. The kick panels had to be slightly modified, the passenger side needed a little trimmed off and they both had to have a rectangle cut out to accommodate the fresh air vent brackets. The fresh air vents both still open completely and work fine with the kick panels installed.

I really like how the radio looks stock, and I like the slide bar feature.

I apologize for the crappy pics, I will try to get better pics later.....something is wrong with my phone camera right now....it's got a horrible fog glare going on in direct sunlight.


If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask.....I took a chance since there wasn't really much info on this forum about the slide bar radio.....and there was a lot of bad reviews regarding Custom Auto Sound.....but so far I think it's fine....if it last 2 or 3 years then I feel I will have gotten my money out of it....I know that's ridiculous and it should last much longer and maybe it will.....but nowadays with cheap Chinese made everything, my expectations of longevity have been decreased sadly!

[GASoline71]

Nice and clean install. Looks great!

Gary

[jessemthompson]

I've been thinking about the retrosound. Most place I seen had horrible reviews on the custom autosound. I hope it works out for you.

[1968aj]

looks good to me. why cant they make the kick panels to fit? for the price you should not have to modify them. but I will probably buy some myself

[1972BlueC20]

Originally Posted by 1968aj

looks good to me. why cant they make the kick panels to fit? for the price you should not have to modify them. but I will probably buy some myself

yeah i know right.....you'd think they'd have the cuts already made for ease of installation.

[1972BlueC20]

Thanks guys, so far I'm still liking everything. Quality is good but not great....sound is good but not great....I could remedy the sound with some better speakers though....time will tell as for the longevity.

[gringoloco]

Does the display have backlight, as original, or LCD only?

[1972BlueC20]

No backlight. But you can kinda see the light from the LCD from behind. The LCD has many colors to choose from.

[H20cooled]

Did you have to modify anything on your parking brake setup to work with the kick panel on that side?

[67 chevelle]

I have had several issues with custom auto sound ,, Id look elsewhere

[1972BlueC20]

Originally Posted by H20cooled

Did you have to modify anything on your parking brake setup to work with the kick panel on that side?

No. It's a very tight fit though. I have to be very careful if I use the parking brake. You can slightly bend the parking brake foot lever if need be. The high beam switch is also hard to press but if you use your tip of the foot and come in at a slight angle you can get it.

[1972BlueC20]

Originally Posted by 67 chevelle

I have had several issues with custom auto sound ,, Id look elsewhere

I'm happy so far. No problems here. I think custom autosound used to be worse. From what I have heard they have gotten better. Nothing last forever nowadays, especially with electronics. We live in a world of Chinese made crap. It's par for the course unfortunately. If I can get 3-5 years out of electronics I'm ok with that. If I get more then it's great.

[leftybass209]

Thanks for the info!