Radio Location (s)

[pflaming]

For purely functional reasons I would like to put a new radio where the original was by cutting a larger opening, yet I cannot get myself to mutilate the dash. My dash is shown in the attachment. (1) I would like to see some pictures of what others have done. If memory serves me, it is very difficult to find a stock radio for this dash. (2) What is available to run a 12 volt modern radio off of a newly wired 6 volt harness?

[buds truck]

you can always hide one in the glove box.

[pflaming]

Already have a "beverage" cooler in there!

[tinlizzy]

Could you fab a bracket and mount it in the ceiling?

Lee

[jpwuertz]

I saw an add in my Farm Show newspaper for a company that will rebuild radios for antique cars and pickups with modern components and original look will not be altered. You might check them out:

Vintage Car Radio, 51532 Winding Waters Lane, Elkhart Ind. 46514.

www.vintagecarradio.com

[Merle Coggins]

Unless that's the cut-out for the elusive 610T radio, it looks like your dash has already been hacked up.

Since my truck has the vertical radio cut-out, and still has the original block off plate, I'll probably mount a radio under the dash someplace. I have a 6V to 12V convertor that I plan to install after I get my interior done. Then I'll get a radio installed also. Hopefully I'll have tunes by this summer's cruises.

Merle

[Reg Evans]

Paul,

I have a radio out of a 51 Plymouth you can have for nuttin. Don't know if it works but I think it might fit right in the 610T factory cut out on your dash. If it does fit just let me know and I'll quit my search for a 610T. My dash wasn't cut out from the factory like some were so I can't try it myself.

PM me with your address if interested.

[4852dodge]

My 51 has the same hole in the dash. To put in a modern radio I made a plate that looked like a factory cover plate and cut it to fit the new radio. The radio passes through the dial opening in the dash, no holes were cut in the dash.

[pflaming]

4852: I would like to see a picture of how you did that my bottom opening is only and inch wide, didn't know a radio was that slim. I think the '51 dash opening is different than the '53. I could cut out the center bar, that would be a minor surgery. While wiring I took a look and found there is LOTS of room behind the dash for radio and speaker so I want to put the radio there, but did not want to just 'hang' one under the dash. Am willing to cut to fit but only as a last resort.

I like the idea about hanging from the roof, antenna out the top, as was suggested but that is where my hat and fishing rods will go, rifles go in the back window, dice from the mirror, and a hulla dancer on the dash so every other spot is taken as well.

[pflaming]

Radio Location Solved!!! What a great Post Christmas present. Thank you Reg. I will make this up to you, you can count on it!!! Tomorrow I will see if it works! If it does'nt I will hide another radio in glove box.

[Reg Evans]

I'm really glad to hear it fits Paul. If it doesn't work it might only need a tube or two replaced. Keep us posted.

[Young Ed]

Well you seem to have solved the 610-t issue quite nicely. Those 50s car radios are easy to find. 51-54 should all fit.

[Reg Evans]

Yes Ed ! Now if I can figure out the best way to cut the opening in my dash without ruining the original paint on the dash I'll be in bidness. Ideas ???

[Young Ed]

Reg thats a tough one. Dad just bought a air powered tool called a body saw. Its like a 1/4 scale saws all. That might do it with a minumum disruption. Same with a plasma cutter. But I think no matter what you would end up with an edge. Should I be the first to list a car radio on ebay as a dodge truck one??

[Reg Evans]

Reg thats a tough one. Dad just bought a air powered tool called a body saw. Its like a 1/4 scale saws all. That might do it with a minumum disruption. Same with a plasma cutter. But I think no matter what you would end up with an edge. Should I be the first to list a car radio on ebay as a dodge truck one??

NO ! NO ! NO!..........I'm having some 610T stickers made up now to cover the real model numbers.

All I have now that would cut the dash is a large saws all,a jig saw,and a nibbler. I think they are all too big to get in there.

[Young Ed]

I have a 812 I think radio sitting in the basement. It came with my 51 ply. This is the saw Dad just bought. Haven't tried it yet so I can't honestly say how well it might work for your application.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_22114_22114

[Reg Evans]

Another discovery I found a few years back was that these 46-48 Dodge clocks fit right into the speaker grill for the 48-53 trucks.

[Young Ed]

Ha I've got one of those laying about too.

[Reg Evans]

I have a 812 I think radio sitting in the basement. It came with my 51 ply. This is the saw Dad just bought. Haven't tried it yet so I can't honestly say how well it might work for your application.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_22114_22114

That saw looks like it would be the best solution I've seen so far. Thanks Ed ! I'm ordering one now.

[pflaming]

Mopar 606 on the back of the radio. Hooked it to power (has a good fuse for protection), plugged in an antenna, connected up a 4" co-axial speaker and got a hum. There is no discernable hum change as I move the dial across the numbers.

Any suggestions where to get advise? On the threads there is some one back east and I may contact him, but closer would be better. Followed some 'Motorola' threads, may have been the wrong search. Sure looks good in that dash, got to get it going just no other choice.

Went to google "Mopar 606" . It shows this radio in a dash 'insert' meant for a plymouth. The insert went from top of 'dash to bottom' and the radio was mounted to the insert. I put a radio in a 50 plymouth, but it was a large chrome insert and included the speaker as does this. Tried to get a picture but failed. Go to google and you will find it.

[retired fargo]

If you hear loud hum that in itself is good as it indicates your vibrator (heart of these tube radios) is functional. Most of the time the tubes test out good, most problems usually lie with bad condensors and resistors. You need to contact expert (not me). Many radio repair and restoration sites on the web, but ask around locally if there is an antique radio club in your area, that would be best place to start.

[Mario Loya B1B]

These guys were very helpful in providing a schematic for my radio an answering any questions I had. Nostalgia Air

[bkahler]

Yes Ed ! Now if I can figure out the best way to cut the opening in my dash without ruining the original paint on the dash I'll be in bidness. Ideas ???

Reg,

Keep in mind if you someday hope to install a real 610-T radio in your dash then the 51-53 car radios won't work.

Here is what the 610-T looks like: (which I'm sure you're well aware of!)

And this is what Paul's dash looks like (which just happens to be what my dash looks like as well).

I have a hunch the dealers used car radios more often than they used the 610-T radio. Mine had a radio in it that looks like the one you gave Paul. I gave it away and now wish I had kept it.

Brad

[Reg Evans]

Thanks Brad,

I have seen a couple of the 51-53 trucks with what must be the factory cut out in the dash covered with a radio delete plate. Anybody have one like that so we could compare Paul's cut out with it ?

I see that the 610T has an exterior bezel that covers every thing.

[bkahler]

Reg,

Here is a picture (one of the few) that I have showing my original radio installation. It had a big power amp that was bolted to the firewall behind the radio and of course the speaker behind the speaker grill.

Earlier I had talked to Paul about my radio delete plate and not thinking that it covered the opening but the more I think about it I think it does. Unfortunately that delete plate is in a box loaded on a trailer waiting to make the trip from Arkansas to Kentucky. It will be months before I can get my hands on it.

I'll have to see if I can track down the guy I traded it to and see if he still has it.

Good info in this thread!

Brad