The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay The Radio Bench Replica Radio

Thought I would share this in case anyone else is in the same position I was....

I had searched far and wide for an original radio for my '54 3100, but could not locate one. Turning to newer technology, I had problems finding anything that would fit the very narrow dash opening in the 54 / 55 1st Series. Finally stumbled upon one from Vintage Auto Radio. It has the stock appearance, but also has FM and 180 watt power, along with jacks for an I-Pod or MP3. It came with two speakers that aligned with the speaker grille in the dash. I installed it last week, and have to say that I was surprised at the sound quality. I added a pair of small box speakers behind the seat, and I can enjoy the radio even at highway speeds.

The $599 price seemed a bit high, but given the lack of options available, this is a good choice for those who want original appearance with current technology and performance. It's worth a look....

Yes i heard they were good. I had a old 54 radio and got it recondition and it works great they wanted over $1000.00 for some on ebay but most went for $300.00 or more . Now at least you got one that looks good and works well ... have fun Peter

I bought this Radio off Ebay from Classic Car Audio (Great people), They also rebuild the original radios with todays technology and performance I know the one I got dont have the stock appearance but it sounds awesome ! and looks cool too
Check it out http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1947...yZ80741QQihZ009QQitemZ190105741000QQrdZ1
Not to bad for the price...

Todd

3100,

Yes, that radio looks good. Thanks for the report. Does your truck have 12v system or did you use the 12v to 6v converter that they sell for that radio?

Thanks,
Tim

Nice radio. But the "bowtie" faces the wrong way?

Do you think the how-tie slants the wrong way to keep Chevrolet/GM from suing over "emblem infringement"?

My truck has been converted to 12v.

What surprised me about the radio was that the dual speaker it comes with sounds as good as it does. I put some decent Pioneer box speakers behind the seat, and the front speaker sounds as good as those in the back. So far as I can tell, the look is totally stock, unless I go to FM, in which case the background FM dial shows up. It sure dressed up my dash.

Still seems like a lot of money for an AM/FM radio, but I suppose the manufacturer realizes that we 54 / 55 1st owners don't have many options.

The only concern I have is that the clearance between the speaker and the electric wiper assembly is very tight. So far no problems, but there is only about a eighth-inch of space between the two. Keep an eye on that during your installation.

3100,

If you are using a modern 12v electric wiper (conversion) unit and it works with the modern (conversion) 12 volt radio, this might be another plus to the new radio. The only electric wiper unit that works with the original '54/55 Chevrolet truck radio is the original GM accessory 2-speed electric wiper unit (6v and requires holes drilled through the dash).

Please let us know if your wiper and radio units fit together.

Tim

TC:

Both the wiper motor and the radio are 12-volt. I could not get my wipers to work consistently, so I took it to a local pro who found a short of some kind in the fuse box. I had warned him about the clearance, so he checked it out prior to starting the wipers, and he agreed that it was a very tight fit with only a eighth-inch between the top of the speaker and the wiper hardware. A little tighter than I would like, but so far no trouble. I suppose I could do a little "cold-forging" to increase the clearance if it turns out to be a problem later.....

In case your dash has been hacked up to fit a 1-DIN radio, you might want to consider the Becker Mexico 7948.
Check www.becker.de -> Car Infotainment

lennart the link didnt work for me

but brothehttp://brothersonlinestore.com/products.asp?dept=383 have dash patch panels to fix modded dashs

I,too have been checking out the new radios for the 54s. I have the old originals in the dash now,but theyre just for filling the hole.
Think ill buy one for the panel and see how it works,,then possibly get one for the pickup.
GEES,,,over 1,200.00 invested in radios........
Oh well..................

3100 what wiper system are you using, i want to use the same setup wiper and radio

John;

The wiper system was already in my truck when I bought it, so I am not sure of it's origin. It appears to be the same model that Chevy Duty sells, but I can't be certain. Sorry I can't be of more help.