1963 radio - try and fix or replace?
 

The radios in The Truck Shop catalog are damn expensive. $650 for a radio?

I need to find someone to fix my radio, looks like I have the original radio, AM only. It just crackles when I turn it on.

Does anyone know what Electro Tech charges?
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Re: 1963 radio - try and fix or replace?
 

They have some prices listed on their website:

http://www.turnswitch.com/radio1.htm

Their number is (877)780-2861

Sometimes you can find them on CL, like here: https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/pt...259917966.html

Re: 1963 radio - try and fix or replace?
 

I've used Electro-Tech (turnswitch.com) for several OE radios in my projects over the years, including my 63 C10.

Re: 1963 radio - try and fix or replace?
 

You could leave the broken radio in place and just use a bluetooth amplifier to run your speakers. It would probably sound better but all music would come from your phone, so no local stations.

I installed one of the Custom Autosound radios in my 51 and I was very disappointed. Now I just run a bluetooth amp.

Similar to this:
https://www.sonicelectronix.com/item...4-2000DSP.html

Re: 1963 radio - try and fix or replace?
 

I chose to have my OEM radio converted to Am/Fm/iPOD at
R & B Vintage Radio. The video he makes on each unit is below, $350.00 plud 25 shipping.

it was upgrades from a 1 channel to a 4 channel 45 watts per channel output. He adds the Subwoofer out if you want that as well, I put in a "dual cone" center dash 4x10 so I'd have stereo sound in the dash and this week I am installing a new floor console with 2-6.5" full range speakers setup (see pics). He repaints the glass and polishes the chrome as well.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0fA...ature=youtu.be

Re: 1963 radio - try and fix or replace?
 

Not to hijack the the thread...but I want my radio to be original but with Bluetooth, Aux, etc...I don't have a radio at all...what chevys would fit the 64-66 radio hole?..impala, Nova, etc? Thanks

Re: 1963 radio - try and fix or replace?
 

Find an old radio and send it to R and B, they do blue tooth as well, I don't have any blue tooth stuff, so all I did was iPod and Am/Fm

Re: 1963 radio - try and fix or replace?
 

on Ebay right now is a 64-66 radio, $75.00, listing # 313402601395

Re: 1963 radio - try and fix or replace?
 

This is cool - I like what you did, jbgroby. Nice and clean.

I have my original radio; I think I might do this.

Re: 1963 radio - try and fix or replace?
 

I recently got a radio for my 63 to do the same thing. I have to fix the hole in the dash first though

Re: 1963 radio - try and fix or replace?
 

Does it do the static when you turn the volume knob? Find some electric cleaner and clean the volume control maybe. Those old controls get dirty and static happens.
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Re: 1963 radio - try and fix or replace?
 

Thanks...but will an Impala or Chevelle radio of the same year fit our opening? I would love to have a wonderbar radio, but not sure about the size needed for the opening.

Re: 1963 radio - try and fix or replace?
 

Holy Mother of God!!!
$645 for the radio conversion?? That’s insane!

EDIT: Ok, am I over-reacting? Maybe this is a reasonable price for what you’re getting. I guess I was just hoping for a less expensive alternative.
I guess, if you want the latest technology in an old radio, you gotta pay the big bucks.

Re: 1963 radio - try and fix or replace?
 

Maybe the conversion seems high but what isn't. I'd still rather have a conversion than the cheap aftermarket junk that doesn't look close to original.
Go buy a new truck and spec out all the options. Who can justify $60,000 plus for a truck? Prices are insane!
What amazes me, is the price of a 10 to 15 year old truck with 200,000 miles. Most are $10,000 plus!

Re: 1963 radio - try and fix or replace?
 

Good point. Can’t believe how much trucks go for now, I don’t think you can’t buy a new truck for less than $45K!

Re: 1963 radio - try and fix or replace?
 

https://www.retromanufacturing.com/p...ant=9371592131

I've used these before, it's nice to have Bluetooth access and able to use your phone. Put the overpriced overlay on the screen and it looks original when the radio is off.

Re: 1963 radio - try and fix or replace?
 

I spliced a bluetooth receiver into the audio input on my original 1964 radio. It's the same process as adding an auxiliary input as shown here, except I had to provide a 12V DC power source to the BT receiver:
https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=509151

This is the receiver I used:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1PCS-12V-24...9-981fd22a8045

I housed it in a little plastic enclosure that I stuck to the bottom of the radio.

The sound quality of the radio doesn't change but for about $10 I can listen to whatever I want to stream through my phone.

Re: 1963 radio - try and fix or replace?
 

Anyone tried one of these from ebay? I think it's a company in Illinois.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/40134367647...2Cchnl%3Dmkcid

Here's one from Retro Manufacturing:
https://www.retromanufacturing.com/p...nt=28587988163

Re: 1963 radio - try and fix or replace?
 

I have a Retro. Works well enough.

Re: 1963 radio - try and fix or replace?
 

What do you guys use for speakers with these Retro radios?
I’m probably going to have two behind the seat after I remove my gas tank.

Re: 1963 radio - try and fix or replace?
 

I purchased a RetroSound radio, but I was wondering if anyone knows of a faceplate that goes across the entire part of the radio area.
It’s the area with the indentation; maybe some base trucks did not have a faceplate?

Re: 1963 radio - try and fix or replace?
 

I just went with the radio delete plate my truck came with. I have a good quality cylindrical blue tooth speaker that fits in my cup holder.

Re: 1963 radio - try and fix or replace?
 

Post #5 above shows how they looked.

Re: 1963 radio - try and fix or replace?
 

Oh yeah - thanks!

Re: 1963 radio - try and fix or replace?
 

I used Custom Auto Sound "Undercover 11 speakers" under the stock seat of my 65 C10 with the RetoSound Laguna radio. I did have to remove the sear adjuster wire for clearance but my seat stays all the way back anyway. They can be repositioned behind the seat when you remove the tank later on. I also put two 3 or 3 and a half inch speakers in the original speaker opening in the dash. With my hearing issues and a loud truck I didn't need anything fancy.