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Hello. Just curious...when did Chevy start offering a radio as an option on these old trucks? Late '30's maybe? I saw something at a recent local car show that resembled a very old looking radio under the dash of a truck. I think the truck was a 1938 Chevy, but not sure. Thanks for any info.
Jeff

Ya might try askin the guys on the radio bench in the electrical bay forum.

A GM/Chevrolet radio was available as an accessory in 1946 Chevrolet trucks. It has been available as an accessory and/or option ever since.

Maybe someone knows when the radio was first available as a GM accessory for trucks? A radio is not shown in 1939, 1940, and 1941 Truck Data Books.

Now I,ve got the radio bug. I think the original part # is 986146 for my 46. I also have to figure out where the original spot and style to mount the antenna. I think they were monuted on the side just behind the hood,but the side vents (only on COEs will be in the way)I'll have to find out the factory location on a COE before I do any drilling

This summer I bought a Delco radio that was definitely around the 1937/38 vintage. The main electronics were in a self contaned box and there were two mechanical cables and some electrical cables that attached to a control head. This is the style that Delco used for the 1937 and 38 sedan. However, the control head was made to mount under front lip of the dash. I was told that it was a universal radio but I would assume that it would be appropriate for a truck of the 1937/38 era. I have since sold the radio to one of our members.

Heres a picture of a 1946 truck radio: http://46chevytruck.com/images/Accessories/DSC00238.JPG

Install it below the dash to the left of the steering wheel with an L-shaped bracket on each side of the radio up front and a slightly bent bracket from the stud on back of the radio to the end of the wishbone rod that extends thru the firewall.
Model 986146 is a Chevrolet Radio & is the correct radio for 1946. Another Chevrolet Radio used in the 46 was Model 985792.
The latter was a little less expensive.


Here is the best I've seen on the antenna location. The whole article is great information.
http://www.46chevytruck.com/

I have rough diagrams of the brackets for a 46 if anybody is interested just PM me. Eventually I will post them on my "options" web page www.46chevytruck.com

Tim

Truckernix: Hooked me up with a rebuild on a factory correct accessory radio. On my 46 COE the only place I could mount it was centered under the glove box. COE's are very crowded under the dash. Back in the day they probably didn't have many radios in COE's. I find my self to busy driving to listen much. But it's right at eye level when I'm at shows if I ever get time.