rebuild factory radio on an 87? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

crisco · 04-13-2011, 02:31 PM

I have the factory knob radio in my 87 suburban and want better sound. It only works on the right side and crackles on the left.
I don't need an ipod hookup, I can use an antennae adapter for that.
Has anyone had the factory radio cleaned and repaired? Or found a decent inexpensive after market knob radio?
I replaced the back speakers but haven't done the dash ones yet.

RandyP · 04-13-2011, 03:03 PM

There is a huge difference between the crystal tuned radios and the electronic tune radios. Which do you have in the 87? Either were available that year. The ETR radio should have a digital face/display, but still the knobs.

Or you could go with what the 89-91 Burbs had in them, just need a different bezel and cut your dash some.

Either way, replace the speakers with something a bit nicer and listen to the difference it will make.

Malo83 · 04-13-2011, 03:10 PM

"cut your dash some"

Altec · 04-13-2011, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malo83

"cut your dash some"

If your cutting it for a factory radio, that's not so bad...

RandyP · 04-13-2011, 03:34 PM

Exactly. Had we not just put a used chunk in my 87 (from where the PO had a cd player installed), I would have just made the hole larger and went with a bigger GM radio. Especially since I have like 10 cluster bezels for them.

But the ETR radio does sound better, a lot more crisp and no fading in and out at all.

crisco · 04-14-2011, 09:59 AM

I have thatradio on the top in your picture, the ETR one
it works just sounds terrible on the left side

RandyP · 04-14-2011, 11:21 AM

That would be your speakers then. You'd probably be amazed if you put new speakers in front and back. Even better sounding if you'd get some of the 6x9 brackets and put real speakers in the back, guessing you still have the 4x10's.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=345494

The last radio I had refurbished cost about $55. They redid the display LCD's, rebuilt the cassette drive and cleaned it all up inside and out.

motornut · 04-14-2011, 11:24 AM

just try plugging one in if you can borrow one with the same plugs on the rear
(quite a few years the same)
I found a screw threw the wire in a door sill in a 82 camero,speaker was cracky
it may tell you speaker,radio,or old wire

motornut · 04-14-2011, 11:25 AM

and any holes in the rear wheel wells will leak water to the speakers

crisco · 04-14-2011, 12:28 PM

I replaced both rear speakers, the left still doesnt play worth a crap

04-13-2011, 02:31 PM	#1
crisco Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: rochester Posts: 71	rebuild factory radio on an 87? I have the factory knob radio in my 87 suburban and want better sound. It only works on the right side and crackles on the left. I don't need an ipod hookup, I can use an antennae adapter for that. Has anyone had the factory radio cleaned and repaired? Or found a decent inexpensive after market knob radio? I replaced the back speakers but haven't done the dash ones yet.

04-13-2011, 03:03 PM	#2
RandyP Getting Old; Going Broke Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Owasso OK Posts: 2,764	Re: rebuild factory radio on an 87? There is a huge difference between the crystal tuned radios and the electronic tune radios. Which do you have in the 87? Either were available that year. The ETR radio should have a digital face/display, but still the knobs. Or you could go with what the 89-91 Burbs had in them, just need a different bezel and cut your dash some. Either way, replace the speakers with something a bit nicer and listen to the difference it will make. Attached Images __________________ *Why is every used 350 sbc out of a corvette?* There's only two things that excite a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys. *VEGETARIAN: That's an old Indian word meaning "I don't hunt so good."* When the going gets tough, switch to power tools. Last edited by RandyP; 04-13-2011 at 03:04 PM.

04-13-2011, 03:10 PM	#3
Malo83 Cruzzzn' Vet Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Porterville,Ca. Posts: 1,918	Re: rebuild factory radio on an 87? "cut your dash some"

04-13-2011, 03:34 PM	#5
RandyP Getting Old; Going Broke Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Owasso OK Posts: 2,764	Re: rebuild factory radio on an 87? Exactly. Had we not just put a used chunk in my 87 (from where the PO had a cd player installed), I would have just made the hole larger and went with a bigger GM radio. Especially since I have like 10 cluster bezels for them. But the ETR radio does sound better, a lot more crisp and no fading in and out at all. __________________ *Why is every used 350 sbc out of a corvette?* There's only two things that excite a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys. *VEGETARIAN: That's an old Indian word meaning "I don't hunt so good."* When the going gets tough, switch to power tools.

04-14-2011, 09:59 AM	#6
crisco Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: rochester Posts: 71	Re: rebuild factory radio on an 87? I have thatradio on the top in your picture, the ETR one it works just sounds terrible on the left side

04-14-2011, 11:21 AM	#7
RandyP Getting Old; Going Broke Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Owasso OK Posts: 2,764	Re: rebuild factory radio on an 87? That would be your speakers then. You'd probably be amazed if you put new speakers in front and back. Even better sounding if you'd get some of the 6x9 brackets and put real speakers in the back, guessing you still have the 4x10's. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=345494 The last radio I had refurbished cost about $55. They redid the display LCD's, rebuilt the cassette drive and cleaned it all up inside and out. __________________ *Why is every used 350 sbc out of a corvette?* There's only two things that excite a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys. *VEGETARIAN: That's an old Indian word meaning "I don't hunt so good."* When the going gets tough, switch to power tools.

04-14-2011, 11:24 AM	#8
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	Re: rebuild factory radio on an 87? just try plugging one in if you can borrow one with the same plugs on the rear (quite a few years the same) I found a screw threw the wire in a door sill in a 82 camero,speaker was cracky it may tell you speaker,radio,or old wire __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350

04-14-2011, 11:25 AM	#9
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	Re: rebuild factory radio on an 87? and any holes in the rear wheel wells will leak water to the speakers __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350

04-14-2011, 12:28 PM	#10
crisco Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: rochester Posts: 71	Re: rebuild factory radio on an 87? I replaced both rear speakers, the left still doesnt play worth a crap



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