Old Radio New Internals - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

CreditGod · 10-08-2009, 07:55 PM

I have a nice old radio with the push/pull buttons i would like to know how to put todays technology inside. they user on here named 73-87 knows how to do it and i sent him an email asking how it is done. But if anyone else knows how to do it i would like to know because I am doing a complete frame off restore and I love the look of those old radios.

BruthaMan · 10-08-2009, 08:02 PM

One source you can check out is RetroSound. I put one of their new units in my restoration along with a JL Audio amp and speaker system. Really sounds clean. I was skeptical on getting their unit, but pleasantly impressed once we hooked everything up. I also bought some NOS radio dials used on the 70s/80s style units to put on the RetroSound, so that it would have a resemblance to stock.

Another option. You can find original GM radios for these years on Ebay. Specifically, there is a seller there that makes a small modification with an ipod input, so that you can have the original radio, but plugin your ipod or other device and play mp3 music through it.

James McClure · 10-09-2009, 07:46 AM

I have a factory unit from a 77 Caprice wagon that worked when I junked the car. It is a real oddball radio. It's an AM with an 8 track sterio tape player. I don't have the tapes anymore but I do have the radio.

bigblock73 · 10-09-2009, 08:19 AM

S&M Electrotech in Blaine MN did mine...look them up, they are online. It is awesome, I am very happy.

**truckfan** · 10-09-2009, 09:04 AM

how is the sound on the eletrotech? those old radios really sucked. some of them were not true stereo either.

**truckfan** · 10-09-2009, 09:06 AM

wait, i see. they swap the guts. very cool

Jonboy · 10-09-2009, 11:17 AM

Jeff, is yours an 8-track? Do they rebuild the tape mechanism too?

bigblock73 · 10-09-2009, 11:19 AM

No, mine is AM/FM only. They repair/rebuild ALL auto radios.

Jonboy · 10-09-2009, 11:22 AM

I have a few 8 track decks, and thought that would be a cool idea for my Trans Am when I get that far. It came with a cassette player, but the 8-track is more period cool to me.

10-08-2009, 07:55 PM	#1
CreditGod Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: dallas, texas Posts: 90	Old Radio New Internals I have a nice old radio with the push/pull buttons i would like to know how to put todays technology inside. they user on here named 73-87 knows how to do it and i sent him an email asking how it is done. But if anyone else knows how to do it i would like to know because I am doing a complete frame off restore and I love the look of those old radios.

10-08-2009, 08:02 PM	#2
BruthaMan US Army Veteran Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,049	Re: Old Radio New Interanals One source you can check out is RetroSound. I put one of their new units in my restoration along with a JL Audio amp and speaker system. Really sounds clean. I was skeptical on getting their unit, but pleasantly impressed once we hooked everything up. I also bought some NOS radio dials used on the 70s/80s style units to put on the RetroSound, so that it would have a resemblance to stock. Another option. You can find original GM radios for these years on Ebay. Specifically, there is a seller there that makes a small modification with an ipod input, so that you can have the original radio, but plugin your ipod or other device and play mp3 music through it. __________________ 1972 C10 Highlander - The making of a daily driver

10-09-2009, 07:46 AM	#3
James McClure One shot, one kill. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saratoga Springs NY Posts: 859	Re: Old Radio New Interanals I have a factory unit from a 77 Caprice wagon that worked when I junked the car. It is a real oddball radio. It's an AM with an 8 track sterio tape player. I don't have the tapes anymore but I do have the radio. __________________ 1984 K20 350M engine with 465,000 miles. Well, it's finally done!! Almost 2 years of work, but it was really worth the effort. Little stuff left to do is mount winch, wet sand & buff out and build belly pan\running boards. Body work takes lots and LOTS of beer!!!! God, Guts and Guns made America and God, Guts and Guns will preserve it! The worst thing you could do is get into my sights, but that don't matter, you'll never know it, cause you'll never hear the shotJim or Paladin whichever you choose.

10-09-2009, 08:19 AM	#4
bigblock73 yeller Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 13,824	Re: Old Radio New Interanals S&M Electrotech in Blaine MN did mine...look them up, they are online. It is awesome, I am very happy. Attached Images __________________ Jeff 73-87.com 73-87.com Facebook page 73-87 cab corner 6x9 speaker brackets for sale 67-72 cab corner speaker brackets for sale 47-54 cab corner speaker brackets for sale Last edited by bigblock73; 10-09-2009 at 08:20 AM.

10-09-2009, 09:04 AM	#5
truckfan Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lawrence KS Posts: 821	Re: Old Radio New Internals how is the sound on the eletrotech? those old radios really sucked. some of them were not true stereo either. __________________ 1981 Chevy C30 440 Holmes 42K one owner miles

10-09-2009, 09:06 AM	#6
truckfan Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lawrence KS Posts: 821	Re: Old Radio New Internals wait, i see. they swap the guts. very cool __________________ 1981 Chevy C30 440 Holmes 42K one owner miles

10-09-2009, 11:17 AM	#7
Jonboy Slots go on anything! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 5,957	Re: Old Radio New Internals Jeff, is yours an 8-track? Do they rebuild the tape mechanism too?

10-09-2009, 11:19 AM	#8
bigblock73 yeller Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 13,824	Re: Old Radio New Internals No, mine is AM/FM only. They repair/rebuild ALL auto radios. __________________ Jeff 73-87.com 73-87.com Facebook page 73-87 cab corner 6x9 speaker brackets for sale 67-72 cab corner speaker brackets for sale 47-54 cab corner speaker brackets for sale

10-09-2009, 11:22 AM	#9
Jonboy Slots go on anything! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 5,957	Re: Old Radio New Internals I have a few 8 track decks, and thought that would be a cool idea for my Trans Am when I get that far. It came with a cassette player, but the 8-track is more period cool to me.

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