My Factory AM Radio is now mp3 Compatible!

[Frizzle Fry]

Cool, let us know how it works!

After doing the mod the only thing requiring a ground is the light. So I simply relied on the mounting contact points for that instead of a dedicated wire.

Yours will work that way but the light will always be on and not varied with the dash dimmer.

[watahyahknow]

i didnt read the whole story but from the looks of it you just used the knob of the original radio to turn the sound louder or softer , if theres a guy here thats an electronic wizard or at least knowlegable about the cirquits on the original (working) radio he might be able to point out where to cut the original tracks place resistors or other stuff to modify the signal so it dont overload the system and solder the wires for the rca's on directly so the signal flows directly intoo the original preamp of the old radio , you could then tap the signal of the cirquitboard right after the preamp not using the mainamp from the radio so the radio/tapeplayer can allso be used through the big amps and speakers
a smal switch behind on of the presetsknobs can switch between the outside and inside signal or insert an old tape to select it / silence the radiosignal, it would save you some hacking and the potmeters

theres a whole website about these sort of hacks along with picking locks and the sort , its http://hackaday.com/ if you guys are interested .... its pretty thechnical at times though

[jonesky2]

old thread but couldnt you use a push pull pot? instead of using the old one?

this is a guitar pot but you get the idea http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Electron...pull_Pots.html

[67chevy1series]

wow i need to get 2 am radios the first one to leanr on and the second to actually do it!

[ol_skool_chevy]

Thats Crazy man. You remind me of the professor on gilligan's island. I would have never thought to do that...
I guess thats why I'm gilligan

[kieth]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

Thanks guys. The basic idea was pretty simple, but making it work the way I wanted it to using some of the factory parts took a little trial and error. Now that it's all figured out it would be cake to do again. I just wired up the radio back light today so I went outside a few minutes ago to check it out after sun down and it looks great

I think I'll move the Omnifi face-plate somewhere else in the future and put the ashtray back, but for now this works.

You could run a stand-alone CD changer or HD-Radio unit this way too.

Here's a link for jaros http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mp3

I am using a Garmin Nuvi 765T with a ram cradle bracket attached to a old 66 gmc ash tray face. This gpa has a MP3 player built in and volume control. I am doing to add a 4 channel base amp and a mono rear sub woofer. This keeps the cost down and If I want the dash to look original I just take out the gps and put the painted original ash tray back in its place.

ps the cord will not show like it does in the picture.

As you will see in the picture it is just temporarily mounted but will be functional in a few weeks. Kieth

http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-G...2_FCsG9GR-A-LB

[Frizzle Fry]

Nice man. I'm all about Pandora Radio these days. Unlimited songs and more variety than any mp3 collection. Still connects through my am radio setup. Just need to get the tahoe back on the road...
Posted via Mobile Device

[watahyahknow]

kieth : the center hole for the original radio look big enough to use as a frame for a small bare touchscreen you now have mounted above it you could stick the screen at the back of the opening mount rotary knobs straight to the metal that give pulses and mount a nice faceplate in front of it or leave it like it is , you can operate a remote digital radio mp3 cd dvd player with the knobs and virtual knobs on the smal sceen and dont have to hack up the stock dash

[oldblue1968chevy]

I love it I wish my dash wasnt hacked..

[Tims37chevy]

Or you could use this http://redirad.com/

[dracko]

whoa! that RediRad sounds like the cats meow. and incredibly simple to hook up. thanks for posting that link!

[watahyahknow]

looks to me like just another fm modulator , you need a stock working radio for that

[shawno72]

How much to do mine?? Serioulsy I would be interested in paying you to do it.

[watahyahknow]

if you know someone with and electronics background he could do one better
he can install a minijack that dumps the signal on the circuitboard straight intoo the end amplifier of the radio , that way youre original radio will work normal untill you plug the external device in and he can prolly make it so you can use the volumeknob of the radio for the mp3 player as whell

[Frizzle Fry]

Originally Posted by watahyahknow

if you know someone with and electronics background he could do one better
he can install a minijack that dumps the signal on the circuitboard straight intoo the end amplifier of the radio , that way youre original radio will work normal untill you plug the external device in and he can prolly make it so you can use the volumeknob of the radio for the mp3 player as whell

Could be done, but then you'd be stuck using the factory quality audio circuitry. I haven't actually heard a working original radio but I can't imagine it compares with even modern factory radios (which are often replaced/upgraded).

[Frizzle Fry]

Originally Posted by watahyahknow

looks to me like just another fm modulator , you need a stock working radio for that

That's all it is. Wired through the antenna input -> http://compare.ebay.com/like/1504993...=sbar&_lwgsi=y

[Frizzle Fry]

Just to clarify, the purpose of my mod was to allow me to use the factory radio (knob) to turn on/off and control volume of an audio system composed of audio source(ipod,hd-radio,etc)/amp(s)/crossover/speakers.

The main motivation was to avoid having to buy another head unit just for the pre-amp functions.

[watahyahknow]

i know and its a mod that about everyone can do when they have some mecanical sence

[Tims37chevy]

Just send matt an email from Redi Radand tell him Tims37 sent ya he's a great guy to deal with I put one in my all original 6 volt Chevy and it works great!

[Frizzle Fry]

Originally Posted by Tims37chevy

Just send matt an email from Redi Radand tell him Tims37 sent ya he's a great guy to deal with I put one in my all original 6 volt Chevy and it works great!

Please stop hijacking this thread.

[Jdhitch]

Thanks for the great post Frizzle! I just bought a truck and the radio doesn't work either (same radio as yours). I am going to attempt your mod this weekend with the hopes of rocking pandora. Do you have any advice on trouble shooting the radio to find out why it's not working?

[Frizzle Fry]

Troubleshooting the stock AM radio? No. I went right to modding

[LIGHT EM UP]

Wow wish I could do that you should build an easy kit for dumdums lol and sell it you really could make some money or let the person send you a radio and for a fee build it for them
Posted via Mobile Device

[watahyahknow]

i think everyone that has a little electric knowlege could put it together for you

[kieth]

I think we could use one of these, it has the volume control thing whipped and allows simple inputs and outputs.........could be a pre amp for the other amps...

Kieth

http://electric-avenues.com/audio/amplirider/


how about taking this pot and replacing the one in the radio ?