The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay The Radio Bench 46 AD 1/2 Ton Radio Installation Question?

Hello, I bought a radio off of ebay pictures below, now I want to install it. I think there is a bracket that goes from the back of the radio to the firewall. My question is I see a picture of the bracket on 46chevytruck.com and I found a bracket on chevsofthe40s.com. Will the bracket from chevsofthe40s.com work to install this radio? Or will I need to find an original bracket? Has anyone installed this radio before on a 46 AD Truck and do you have any tips?

Radio Picture 5
Radio Picture 4
Radio Picture 3
Radio Picture 2
Radio Picture 1
Radio Bracket Picture From 46chevytruck.com
Radio Bracket Picture from Chevsofthe40s.com

Thank you.

This radio was also used for passenger car installation, in fact the right angle brackets are turned down and it will fit the passenger dash.
The bracket they have looks adjustable ,take some messurement then give them a call. Or I would think you could make your own bracket looks fairly simple

I fabricated mine from the photos that are on my web page. It is actually really easy and can be done with stock from any hardware store, a drill and something to cut the metal stock. Far cheaper than the part listed.

Hello,

I have a 1941 1/2 ton and the same radio. I am going to fab a bracket as they are a bit hard to find. If I can I will make two and you can have the other. By thE way did you need to get yours repaired and if so who did for your?

Wayne

That would be great, I still have not installed my radio. I bought it on eBay and it was already rebuilt, I havent tested it so hopefully it works or I will be looking for someone to rebuild it as well.

Where should I connect the radio power too? The Amp Meter? Or Accessory connector on ignition switch?

I noticed that you used the letters "AD" in the subject line. Normally I think of AD trucks as 1947 2nd series to 1953. In these years the radio instructions showed power being connected to either the ammeter or the unswitched side of the ignition switch. It leads me to believe that the ignition switch was not designed to handle the radio along with everything else, through the switch. I don't know how it was wired in 1946 but someone may have the instruction sheet.

I forgot to mention one important thing, I am not running the original ignition switch I bought the switch below from chevsofthe40s. I have a 235 motor from a 58 truck and I have converted to 12 volt.

My Ignition

Mauric,
Here is the wiring diagram for the 46.
Radio not shown but you could hook onto the Dome Light at the ignition switch(Panel Truck) since the pickup does not have one.
Just find a switched "hot" lead.
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/electrical/wiring/pdf/46truck.pdf
Harold

I think you want to either hook on at the ammeter or the ignition switch and use an inline fuse. The only question is whether to go through the switch or not. If you are using a voltage dropping device for your heater and your radio then the current through the switch will be the same as a six volt setup.

My ignition switch has 5 connectors (ignition, battery, accessory, solinoid, ground) I have the yellow cable from the DA plug from alternator and the positive coil cable on the ignition connector, the gas gauge on the accessory connector, and the ammetter on the battery connector. I do not have anything connected to the ground or solinoid connectors.

My Ignition Setup/Connected

Should the Radio go on the accessory connector with the gas gauge?

What purpose does the solinoid and ground connectors have? I have the foot starter.

It sounds like the ignition switch is an upgraded version that can handle a key start, hence the solenoid terminal. I don't know about the ground terminal. I would hook the radio up to the accessory terminal along with the gas gauge. Also you need to use an inline fuse.

I dont have a heater/defroster, but if I did where would I connect it? Ammetter or accessory connector?

That is what the accessory terminal is all about. It is switched with the ignition key so that it is not powered with the switch turned off.

I connected mine on the ammeter, because I like to listen to the radio in the truck while I sit and look at the ocean, or park at a car show, etc. Fred is right on about the fuse though, "electricity's safety valve". I'm able to listen for an hour or more, and still fire up the old bus just fine.

According to these heater installation instruction/diagrams.
Diagram A
Diagram B
You would attach the Heater switch to the dead terminal with switch in off position.

Original factory ignition switch does not have a accessory position.
This picture shows a 1954 switch. There are 3 terminals.
I am not sure but a think (1) terminal is for 6 volts from ammeter and the other (2) terminals go hot 6 volts when key is switched on.

For Chevy ignition switch history click here.

Thanks