Was there a default radio for the 73-78? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

wazzabie · 10-05-2021, 07:14 PM

Were radios optional on the 73-78?

**1957 Chief** · 10-05-2021, 09:03 PM

Not sure on those years, but I have an 84 that has no radio.

Bubba

kipps · 10-05-2021, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1957 Chief

Not sure on those years, but I have an 84 that has no radio.

Bubba

What's there instead? A steel blanking plate, or some sort of plastic cover?

wazzabie · 10-05-2021, 11:03 PM

I'm looking at the SPID on a 78 and there is no rpo code listed for the radio. So I assume this meant no radio installed but I'm not sure if there was a default radio with no rpo (perhaps AM only radio).

**78 Big10 454** · 10-06-2021, 02:16 AM

My 1978 was a radio delete.

ACS · 10-06-2021, 02:45 AM

My 76 has no radio. Just a plastic block off plate.

**MJN** · 10-06-2021, 08:16 AM

Standard equipment was no radio- both the AM and AM/FM were regular production options. Trucks with no radio came with a plastic block off plate made to match the dash bezel.
The different trim packages didn't include the radio either- you still had to choose AM or AM/FM. Even the cigar lighter wasn't included in the base trim/standard model trucks. That was included in the next trim above the base model Custom/Custom Deluxe trim levels.
https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/gm-...tion-kits.html

**THI** · 10-06-2021, 10:06 AM

When I bought my 1985 K20 new both a radio and heater were an option - same on my 1988 K20 Suburban. I ordered both vehicles rather than buy off the lot at that time.

36chevy · 10-06-2021, 10:16 AM

I would also like an original radio for my 82.

wazzabie · 10-06-2021, 11:26 AM

My SPID lists no radio but I have the windshield with built in antenna. Not sure why.

ACS · 10-06-2021, 11:49 AM

Here’s what a 76 radio block off looks like. It’s fastened from behind through what would be the volume and tuner holes on the gauge surround. And below that is the no cig lighter - mentioned in a post above.

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wazzabie · 10-06-2021, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACS

Here’s what a 76 radio block off looks like. It’s fastened from behind through what would be the volume and tuner holes on the gauge surround. And below that is the no cig lighter - mentioned in a post above.

Attachment 2137422
Attachment 2137421

Do you have a windshield antenna?

ACS · 10-06-2021, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wazzabie

Do you have a windshield antenna?

No. And the glass is original PPG FLO-LITE

wazzabie · 10-06-2021, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACS

No. And the glass is original PPG FLO-LITE

Do you have the cold climate package? I see you have a heater only.

ACS · 10-06-2021, 06:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wazzabie

Do you have the cold climate package? I see you have a heater only.

I don’t see that - but I do have Canadian Base Equipment.

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wazzabie · 10-06-2021, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACS

I don’t see that - but I do have Canadian Base Equipment.

Attachment 2137495

I wonder what Canadian Base Equipment included. Maybe the user manual was different and the stickers did not contain US regulations.

ACS · 10-06-2021, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wazzabie

I wonder what Canadian Base Equipment included. Maybe the user manual was different and the stickers did not contain US regulations.

Another source on the web suggest it meant Canadian Warranty, Canadian stickers, Canadian Owners Manual in English or French and Canadian Certification by the CMVSS (Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards)

Otherwise it’s got a MPH speedo, with KmH in smaller blue font, but we didn’t go metric on speed until Labour Day 1977.

Pontiac1976 · 10-06-2021, 07:18 PM

Ace easy way is to look at the lower center housing for None A/c your will have three leavers in the housing sticking out, two all most side by side one off by it shelf.
Most times the radio have to be ordered by you. Or if it was ordered by Dealer or a early special order buy. That would be the only radios other option did at the Dealer installed options.
Or in some cases they would take easier option out one truck put in your your truck for the sale. As I bet windshield antenna got the radio taken out put in another truck for the sale. Before you got to see the truck with the radio in it at the dealer.

wazzabie · 10-07-2021, 11:29 AM

The SPID sheets would these have been printed at the factory or at the dealerships? I think they were printed at the factory. So the RPO options that were on the truck is what came from the factory.

**MJN** · 10-07-2021, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wazzabie

The SPID sheets would these have been printed at the factory or at the dealerships? I think they were printed at the factory. So the RPO options that were on the truck is what came from the factory.

SPIDs were printed at the assembly plant- not by the dealer. Any dealer add ons or accessories were not printed on the SPID

wazzabie · 10-07-2021, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJN

SPIDs were printed at the assembly plant- not by the dealer. Any dealer add ons or accessories were not printed on the SPID

Interesting. Was there another form for the dealer add ons?

**MJN** · 10-07-2021, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wazzabie

Interesting. Was there another form for the dealer add ons?

Possibly the purchase agreement, invoice, receipt- usually those have the added items on them, prices, etc.

10-05-2021, 07:14 PM	#1
wazzabie Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: WA Posts: 369	Was there a default radio for the 73-78? Were radios optional on the 73-78?

10-05-2021, 09:03 PM	#2
1957 Chief Proud Vet that loves the USA Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Beebe, AR Posts: 459	Re: Was there a default radio for the 73-78? Not sure on those years, but I have an 84 that has no radio. Bubba

10-05-2021, 11:03 PM	#4
wazzabie Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: WA Posts: 369	Re: Was there a default radio for the 73-78? I'm looking at the SPID on a 78 and there is no rpo code listed for the radio. So I assume this meant no radio installed but I'm not sure if there was a default radio with no rpo (perhaps AM only radio).

10-06-2021, 02:16 AM	#5
78 Big10 454 78 Big10 454 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Pismo Beach, CA Posts: 838	Re: Was there a default radio for the 73-78? My 1978 was a radio delete. __________________ 1978 Chevy SWB C-10 2WD 454/400

10-06-2021, 02:45 AM	#6
ACS Registered User Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 136	Re: Was there a default radio for the 73-78? My 76 has no radio. Just a plastic block off plate.

10-06-2021, 08:16 AM	#7
MJN Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Maquoketa, Ia/ Orr, Mn Posts: 2,992	Re: Was there a default radio for the 73-78? Standard equipment was no radio- both the AM and AM/FM were regular production options. Trucks with no radio came with a plastic block off plate made to match the dash bezel. The different trim packages didn't include the radio either- you still had to choose AM or AM/FM. Even the cigar lighter wasn't included in the base trim/standard model trucks. That was included in the next trim above the base model Custom/Custom Deluxe trim levels. https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/gm-...tion-kits.html __________________ '51 South Bend Model "9A" '56 Chevy 3600 NAPCO '74 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20-restored on 37's '72 GMC Sierra Custom K2500- in progress '08 GMC Envoy Denali '12 GMC Sierra 2500HD Denali '17 GMC Yukon XL VCCA member #58596 http://www.nohrco.com

10-06-2021, 10:06 AM	#8
THI Active Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Traverse City, MI Posts: 174	Re: Was there a default radio for the 73-78? When I bought my 1985 K20 new both a radio and heater were an option - same on my 1988 K20 Suburban. I ordered both vehicles rather than buy off the lot at that time.

10-06-2021, 10:16 AM	#9
36chevy Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Miami Florida Posts: 55	Re: Was there a default radio for the 73-78? I would also like an original radio for my 82.

10-06-2021, 11:26 AM	#10
wazzabie Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: WA Posts: 369	Re: Was there a default radio for the 73-78? My SPID lists no radio but I have the windshield with built in antenna. Not sure why.

10-06-2021, 11:49 AM	#11
ACS Registered User Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 136	Re: Was there a default radio for the 73-78? Here’s what a 76 radio block off looks like. It’s fastened from behind through what would be the volume and tuner holes on the gauge surround. And below that is the no cig lighter - mentioned in a post above.

10-06-2021, 07:18 PM	#18
Pontiac1976 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 752	Re: Was there a default radio for the 73-78? Ace easy way is to look at the lower center housing for None A/c your will have three leavers in the housing sticking out, two all most side by side one off by it shelf. Most times the radio have to be ordered by you. Or if it was ordered by Dealer or a early special order buy. That would be the only radios other option did at the Dealer installed options. Or in some cases they would take easier option out one truck put in your your truck for the sale. As I bet windshield antenna got the radio taken out put in another truck for the sale. Before you got to see the truck with the radio in it at the dealer. __________________ 1977 REG cab Long Bed with a 1984 Front Clip, 82 305 .60 over 9.0.1 flat top pistons, 4bbl, TH350, w/84 SS-intake & cam , w/ 1977 big block rad, 1975 gear box, 1984 master w/ metric fittings top & SAE fitting @ portion block, 1975 3.42 gear open diff. Duel 77-87 Factory air cleaner, duel inlet from rad support . Down sized 9' to new 8' Steel flat bed Was a 77 454 w/308 gear. Taken out 550 lbs. up front with motor clip change.

10-07-2021, 11:29 AM	#19
wazzabie Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: WA Posts: 369	Re: Was there a default radio for the 73-78? The SPID sheets would these have been printed at the factory or at the dealerships? I think they were printed at the factory. So the RPO options that were on the truck is what came from the factory.



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