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Looking to buy a radio from LMC trucks. Has anyone gotten any from them? This is for a 54 GMC. Just want to know how well it fits and the quality of the product.
thanks.

You might want to post a part number or a link to the radio, to make sure that people reply with comments on the correct radio.

If it is the only commonly available 12v reproduction GMC radio, that is a good radio (now at 15% off at JC's).

I have a Chevy version and a GMC version, but I have only bench-tested them.

i suspect all the vendors get the repro radios from same factory, so i'd go with whatever vendor has the best price. i have the 55-59 chevy radio and it is good.

sorry. This is the one I was looking at. http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/ca/full.aspx?Page=59 # 38-8553
along with the dual front speakers: http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/ca/full.aspx?Page=60

Before you jump at the best price better know what all you need in a radio. These days radios can do more than broadcast local high school football and play your favorite tunes. I speak from experience. My radio was from Classic Parts (Chevy Duty) # 69-711 for $204.95. Now it's a good radio with a cassette which I will never use. What it does not have and what I should have been looking for is a usb for Ipod hookup and for an M3 player. If I had it do do over again (and I may soon) I would choose the 69-719
for a few $ more.

I'm just saying read the small print and pick the one that suits your needs.

Have you called them to see if it fits the hole in a 1954 GMC? The listing says 47-53 GMC. The 54 GMC and Chevrolet trucks have different radios and both radios are completely different from the earlier radios.

There is no speaker opening in a 1954 GMC dash. The speaker was mounted in a housing in the front of the roof. Jim Carter sells a radio speaker cover (RAS120 - $77.50, ugh) for the 1954 GMC.

The radio at the link I posted above, is the only commonly available GMC 54/55 reproduction radio that I have seen. In fact, I have never seen another reproduction radio that fits the radio cut-out in a 54/55 Chevrolet-truck/GMC dash.

called lmc and they will contact me in 24 to 48 with dimensions of radio. The speaker you speak of was it mounted above the rear view?

I cannot find a photo of the speaker installed. Here is a promotional page. I have an "orphan" original 12v 1954 GMC radio (which I did not know existed until someone sold it to me, mis-representing it as a 6v Chevrolet truck radio).

Retrosound makes modern radios that will fit the AD trucks and most other trucks. Crutchfield carries Retrosound products.

So lmc contacted me and told me that their radio will not fit the 54 opening. I then contacted classic parts who carries a 54 specific radio that will fit the opening. Will most likely go with that product.
http://www.classicparts.com/1954-Retro-Sound-Radio-Kit/productinfo/69%2D703A/

DavidF,

As posted above, the 1954/55 radio is not the same as earlier Advance-Design (47-53 Chevrolet truck) and New Design (47-53 GMC) radios. If you find 54/55-specific radios (other than the two styles posted above), please post the part numbers/vendors here. 54/55 trucks need more radio-choices.


54GCPGMC,

That is a relatively new listing for Classic Parts. It looks like that is a radio that has an adjustable knob-stem to knob-stem distance and added a 54/55 (and later) trim plate?

If you buy that radio, please take pictures of the installation and let us know how it works out. Its price ($300) is much better than the one I posted ($500 w/o speaker). Maybe this competition will bring down that one's price?

I checked out the Retro Sound radio and it has everything one would want plus less than 6" deep. I plan on buying this one
Retro Sound.
My radio I got from Classic (Chevy Duty) doesn't have all the gizmos this Retro has so
if anyone needs one like this send me a PM.

Jim,

The radio at your link does not work in a 54/55 truck. What you post is most likely helpful to 47-53 owners, but those of us with 54/55 trucks have "special needs".

NONETHELESS, Retro Sound does list a 54-49 "Apache Radio" but that causes an identify crisis for those of us that have a non-Apache Advance-Design 54/55 truck. That 54-59 "Apache" radio ($279 - available in March) most likely works because of a 54/55 mounting plate and movable posts/stems.

Thanks for another 54/55 option.

so I ordered the one from classic parts. Will let you guys know how well it fits. Also has anyone mounted speakers behind the bench seat? How well does it sound?

I did! Speakers
And they sound bad. However I think it's more the fault of the speakers not where they are located. I bought them from either LMC or Classic Parts, I don't remember and they are too small. I plan on replacing them with a set of 8" woofer, tweeter, mid-range combos.

nice. well Classic called me and said that the radio is on backorder until march. I then realized that it is cheaper to buy directly from retrosound. Anyway wont be getting them till spring time.

i got my radio last year from eclker's it fits the 54-55 1st
truck i can not remember the name , i paid $279.00
it has all the bells and whistles that i will never use
i wanted a radio to listen to all the rock and roll music
on the fm dial,i used the original radio plate the one they
give you is chrome plastic and did not look good

Tim;
I discovered that my future radio (once it's restored) for my '54 350 is from a 1960 GMC F370,which appears to use the same radio shell as the '54-E-55. I believe the same radio shell would also fit '55-'59 GMC trucks too.(The measurements and design appear to be the same.) I'm having a rough time replacing a broken tube in my radio,because the number that's needed for ID is on the glass,which is long gone.
Speed

What tube?...

You might start by finding someone who has a working radio. I don't know if there would be a manual for you. If all else fails, try someone who does vintage guitar amplifier repair. They might be able to help narrow things down.

What year radio are you looking for a manual? Is the Chevrolet truck radio that year similar?

Can you guys even hear a radio when you're driving your bolts? When I'm doing 55-60 mph I'd need a bed full of amps and speakers to hear over the noise my truck makes. I have no sound suppression in cab, but I can't think any would be enough to be able to enjoy a nice radio.

No problem hearing the radio in my Suburban.

I found that a heavy rubber floor mat, really helps with noise. Also, on my Panel truck, I've put Dynomat under the mat, and that makes a difference too. Now that it's quieter, I can hear all kinds of other noises that need fixed!

Spoke with Classic they said 2nd week of april they will have the radios back in stock. Same answer from Retrosound.

Speed 6351
The tubes used in your radio, are: two 12AB6[one for RF the other for IF] one mixer 12AE6 ,one second detector 12AV6,one output 12V6 and one rectifier OZ4

Thanks Bill.
I'll see what I can scout up;maybe I can make it work again. It'd be good to have a radio that pulls those distant stations in once again. Seems like I remember seeing replacement knobs,bezels and glass available,so I might have a shot!
Speed

So I just ordered the radio from retrosound. Will get back after install.

Got my radio from retro today and everything looks pretty straight forward. As far as the opening goes you have to trim it about 1/8th on top and bottom for radio and faceplate to fit smoothly. The universal brackets are nice and solid and the knobs are metal not plastic. will update when fully installed.

almost finished with install. Just need to drive around and see where the speaker suits me best.
[IMG]http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll149/Countryss/radio2.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll149/Countryss/radio1.jpg[/IMG]