The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 54 Chevy Truck Radio

the 1954 Chevy Truck Radio I have does not have a speaker-I know I can purchase the speaker-but what kind of frame or hardware is needed to do this? I have seen picutures of 1954 Chevy Truck Radios on ebay that seem to have a black cardboard cover over the front of them-where would I get one? I have been told there is a frame to hold this radio it that what I need? Thanks RHuddle56

RHuddle56,

Here is an eBay listing with a variety of photos:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...1&category=80741&sspagename=WDVW

There is a sheet metal plate that the speaker mounts to - this plate mounts to the front of the radio with nuts that go around the tuning posts. I have not seen this plate for sale but it could be easily made (I have a home made one and an original one). Let me know if you want a .pdf pattern mailed or posted. This plate is needed to adapt a manual tuner '53/'54 Chevy car radio to look like (and mount like) the truck radio.

There is a dark cardboard dust cover that is attached to the top of the speaker plate and goes over the top of the speaker towards the rear of the radio (this is shown in one of the last pictures in the eBay listing). This is sold by Chevs of the 40s.

On the front of the speaker plate is a foam rubber cushion (see in the photos). This does not seem to be sold as a replacement part for the '54 (but is available for earlier years - in a different style).

There is also a side mounting bracket that goes on the right side of the radio (when facing the front of the radio). This is missing in the photos. This bracket is not sold as a replacement part.

There is a cast metal trim plate that goes around the tuning window of the radio, on the cab side of the dash. This is available as an aftermarket part (from Jim Carter, Chevs of the 40s and others).

I hope this is a help in answering at least part of your question. Also, I could copy and post the appropriate eBay photos in this reply, if you want them here.

Tim

Tim

I think I know where I can get my hands on a '53 car radio. Could you send me the template for the mounting plate?

Thanks

Doug

'54 Chevy 3100 Pickup

Doug,

Make sure you are getting the manual tune radio (not the pushbutton).

This weekend, I will scan and post links to a jpg and pdf of the speaker mounting plate. Also, I will do this for an original plate and a plate that came on an auto radio that had been converted for use in a truck.

Hope no one minds but I would like to take this opportunity to post the name of the person who sold me the bogus radio (not only was it a converted radio but it was not working - both fraudulant aspects of this purchase).

Darren Hein of Spokane, Washington sold me this radio and PayPal was only able to get back about 5% of the purchase price before Darren changed his eBay and PayPal names/accounts. Mr. Hein then tried to re-scam me in an attempt to get me to clear my complaint with PayPal. PayPal advised me not to cooperate with Mr. Hein. By the way, this purchase was made before PayPal/eBay had the buyer protection system; but, Mr. Hein is probably still out there selling bogus radios. After my eBay transaction, several people posted negative feedback before Mr. Hein de-activated that account and a few of his email accounts.

Tim

This question is for tclederman, Tim didn't the early 54 truck come with a different radio than the 55? If I remember correctly the speaker was not attached to the radio but to the roof header similar to the 55/59 truck radios. ........g

Tim, what name did the odious Mr Hein change his eBay account to? There are often radios on there and sometimes I'm tempted. Christian

I think Heavy Chevy lists the speaker cover as well as the seal for 54. I havn't seen it antwhere else.

GMONIZ,
I have not seen or read-about a late 54 or 55-1st radio speaker being mounted in the headliner, but that does not mean that this change did not occur.

ohpants,
I do not know Darren Hein's new eBay/PayPal name(s). I also do not know if he has moved from the Spokane, WA area (I found an address via Yahoo person-search about a year ago).

Greg_H,
Thanks for the Heavy Chevy lead. Their on-line catalog is hard to use (radio parts is in "dash" parts section: 765/seal and 776/cover) but I will make my next parts order from them, just to get those radio parts.

Tim

GMC mounted the speaker in the headliner.

There's a good picture of the '54 radio/dash on the Golden State Parts catalog site (far left).

I have a similar problem, buying a '55 eBay car radio for a mere $26 to drop into my '54 GMC. I think the trim plate will hide a hacked dash where the PO installed a nasty radio in the '70's. Although the years don't match, I like the look and may opt add modern components to the face. Not sure where the speakers will finally end up.

TC-sorry someone from my part of the world has done you wrong. We're not all bad!

Thanks GMCPANEL. I knew I had seen it somewhere. ...............g

1954 Chevrolet Truck radio speaker mounting plate (overall dimensions of the plate: 8.36" x 10.51"):

Reproduction Speaker Plate: jpg file

Reproduction Speaker Plate: Acrobat pdf file

The original plate is 1/16" sheet metal (steel) with a short, 90-degree roll on the left and right edge (to keep it from "racking"). The reproduction plate is 1/8" sheet steel.

Just to confuse you, the plate was scanned upside down (to make a good right-angle alignment). The jpg is upside down but the pdf has been flipped (the right side of the plate, facing the radio, is at the bottom of the pdf). Let me know if you want a photo of the plate on the radio.

Tim

Tim

Darn - the '53 car radio has pushbuttons.

I've copied your mounting plate files for future reference anyway.

Thanks

Doug

I thought I would tack on some more info to this thread. I am interested in a modern radio that looks old. Through some connections, I've been referred to Antique Auto Radio who makes quality stuff with an eye for the historically correct look. These units are expen$ive (for example, $500 for a '54 compatible unit), but sweet! There may be other companies that provide similar products out there as well. Check it out.

Thank you PhatBoy--theirs looks good, and looks like good value considering the last 54 radio I saw on eBay went for $800! I'm going to start saving...

ebay: jawmdd
[email protected]

darren hein
414 E. St.Thomas moore way,
spokane wa. 99122

Tc and I went through this a while ago. There is only one radio that fits a 1954 truck I have one.. I got my fixed for $200.00 I could not find the speaker mounting plate But I installed the radio and was able to fit the speaker in between the radio and the grill the magnet on back of the speaker attaches itself to the radio I then got some alluminum flashing and attached that to the back of the radio this served as a dust cove and also if your truck leaks it stops water as well remember you have to have the front bezel for the front of the radio. I have some good pictures of a 54. If you want them I will email them to you... A 1954 in great shape sold for $1000.00 last month on ebay. have fun . get back to me if you want the pics.