To modernize an original radio retaining the original AM, you first have to do a complete restoration of the AM and all the mechanical parts. The original tuner is shared with the FM. Depending on what needs to be replaced, kiss $200-300 goodbye. Then after realignment of the tuner section and final testing, the small piggy-back FM board is added. It taps into the existing amplifier and part of the tuner section to give you mono FM. Your AM antenna is satisfactory for mono FM. You have the option to reuse the original face and knobs or have new reproduction ones install. It's a matter of taste.
If this is what you want then go with someone who has good experience with rebuilding AM tube radios. It's a dying art. This will narrow the field down. Then it's a matter of choosing which business offers the piggy-back board design that offers the options you want.
If you only want to play FM and nothing else, it's not logical to gut the original radio and replace with FM parts. You still have to use the mechanical parts of the old tuner and adapt it to work with the new FM tuner.
Search the Internet for "hidden stereo" for a cost effective option.
Last edited by buoymaker; 07/27/20214:40 PM.
"Adding CFM to a truck will only help at engine speeds you don't want to use." "I found there was nothing to gain beyond 400 CFM."
The aftermarket original looking radios are pricey but I think to make a old one new again and play fm it would also be expensive. If you have a 6 volt system there is added cost for the voltage booster.If you have a original radio and don’t want to fix it up they are worth a good dollar so you may consider selling it to put toward a new one that looks origional
* I want a paper newspaper delivered to my house but everybody is getting news online now and the paper carriers no longer serves my area. I have to drive 5 miles to buy one. * I want to keep my landline telephone and don't like hand held devices but everybody is switching over to cells and the landline company is going bankrupt. Landline service is poor now.
The world changes.
The old analog tuners for AM and FM are very expensive to make today and nobody want's to buy them. Everybody wants digital high power AM/FM and DAB digital tuners, stereo, Bluetooth and remote control.
I had the original radio restored for my 46 and changed to 12 volt, after that expense it's still an old radio. So if I had it to do over would have picked up a modern unit and put it out of site (glove box or under the seat, needs modern power etc etc.
I had the original radio restored for my 46 and changed to 12 volt, after that expense it's still an old radio. So if I had it to do over would have picked up a modern unit and put it out of site (glove box or under the seat, needs modern power etc etc.
That's exactly what I've been thinking, but would like to have an Apple CarPlay enabled tablet that could connect to it and/or allow me to play music from my iPhone.
I do currently use my iPhone for navigation, but would like something larger that is easier to see. I find the navigation indispensable for me.
I've seen some radios that have an extension for the table to connect, and if something like that could be hid in the glove box, that would be perfect for me.
Remember the old TV series, My Favorite Martian"? Ray Walston with antennas rising out of his head. Rather than modify these wonderful old trucks, why not modify the humans who drive them?
"Adding CFM to a truck will only help at engine speeds you don't want to use." "I found there was nothing to gain beyond 400 CFM."
May as well not make this post as I do not remember the name of the company which seems like it was in Ala. or maybe Miss. but they take your old radio, keep it looking the same but "convert" it to just what your looking for. I think the cost was about $400 bucks but after dropping $379 to get an AM radio rebuilt I sure wish now I had pony up for the true conversion..... If I can find the name in the next day or two I'll come back and post. Do it once....do it right.
I was just looking on Ebay, and I see some 7" and 9" CarPlay screens that hook up to your phone, and it charges your phone while it uses it for the navigation. $100-$125 and most will connect to Apple or Android. They also include a backup camera. Will allow you to play music from your phone through bluetooth as well.
A mount that would hold the screen on the back of the glove box door, flip it down and when you're done close it up in the glove box. The mount would face the driver of course.
If you own a show queen, this is probably not a solution for you, but then again, you won't be driving your truck much if it's a show queen so you probably don't need navigation.
33 Years. Now with a '61 261, 848 head, Rochester Monojet carb, SM420 4-speed, 4.10 rear, dual reservoir MC, Bendix up front, 235/85R16 tires, 12-volt w/alternator, electric wipers and a modern radio in the glove box.
I have no idea who made this, but I do know relatively none of them have survived the years. I've owned this one for nearly 50 years. Around 1976 I converted the scale to AM/FM and connected it to an AM/FM radio hidden under my dashboard...over by the glove compartment and I used it for over 30 years. The radio was set for FM because AM had become pretty blah by then (and is much worse today unless you enjoy Mexican Ranchero music). I've thought of making something like this...the same basic affair which would connect to a remote AM/FM/MP3 etc player. This one connects to the radio via cables which would remind you slightly of speedometer cables. The left one turn it on and controls volume, the right one dials in stations and there is a light for night use. There is a chrome bezel and a round glass which is in another box, but all things considered it looked good and worked fine. With all the electronic advances of today, I believe it could be easily configured to include bluetooth, USB, SD memory card...you name it. If you have any ideas, please feel free to contact me by email (jon_goodman@yahoo.com)
~ Jon 1952 1/2 ton with 1959 235 | T5 with 3.07 rear end
