pflaming Posted January 15, 2009 Author Report Posted January 15, 2009 Attached is the opening in my dash and the cover plate which has an opening which I think is for an ashtray. For some reason, someone cut it in half yet it still covers both openings. It has an upper lip which tucks into the top opening, but evidently the portion cut out had the "__?__" (tabs) needed to hold it in. Even so it is usable if someone wants it. PF Quote
bkahler Posted January 15, 2009 Report Posted January 15, 2009 Paul, Your cover plate looks just like the one I have (without the opening of course!) which makes me believe my cover plate will work. Its been 9+ years since mine was painted (yeah I still haven't finished the truck) and my memory isn't quite what it used to be! Brad Quote
pflaming Posted January 15, 2009 Author Report Posted January 15, 2009 It looks like you have two sets of knobs: light, panel, etc. Interesting. Quote
Zeke1953 Posted January 16, 2009 Report Posted January 16, 2009 As Reg is painfully aware, I happen to have what might be the only surviving 610-T radio installed in my '53 stakebody. I don't want to cause any additinal stress for my friend, Reg, but if it would help this discussion, I will be happy to post a picture of my radio, as installed, but with the face plate removed so the cutout can be seen. Zeke Quote
Jim Gaspard Posted January 16, 2009 Report Posted January 16, 2009 Please do. I can update the laminated copy in my wallet that I carry for swap meets and road trips. There have to be more out there. I might even suggest you take your holy grail to the next Antiques Road Show that comes to town. That said, the stock cut-out for your 610-T should match all of ours that sit empty except for a delete plate. Jim in Dallas (Got to 24 degrees last night) Quote
Reg Evans Posted January 16, 2009 Report Posted January 16, 2009 As Reg is painfully aware, I happen to have what might be the only surviving 610-T radio installed in my '53 stakebody. I don't want to cause any additinal stress for my friend, Reg, but if it would help this discussion, I will be happy to post a picture of my radio, as installed, but with the face plate removed so the cutout can be seen. Zeke Yes Zeke. Thanks for your thoughtfulness. Please do so. I'll try to turn away when the photo begins to download . Quote
Zeke1953 Posted January 16, 2009 Report Posted January 16, 2009 I'll get those pictures posted this weekend. I have a theory as to why we don't see many (any) 610-T's. You'll notice in the picture Brad posted that the radio has two components, the tuning mechanism and the power supply, where all the tubes, vibrator, etc. are located. This power supply unit is not enclosed - just has a cardboard cover over the top. Many of these trucks, mine included, developed leaks from the antenna mount, if it is on the driver's side or from the windshield wiper mounts. The water drips into the power supply and causes all sorts of problems. The tuning module is enclosed in a metal case, just like the entire models 802 and 806 were, so no water can get in unless it rusts completely through. Separating the two components in the 610-T's doesn't make sense to me. When I had the radio restored at an antique radio shop in Connecticut, the owner didn't have a clue as to how rare it is. Zeke Quote
Young Ed Posted January 16, 2009 Report Posted January 16, 2009 Zeke due to the dash layout the 53-54 plymouth radios are the same way. The dials etc are in the middle and the power supply and speaker are next to it. Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted January 17, 2009 Report Posted January 17, 2009 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. Here is a picture of my trucks radio delete cover plate. Today I will look up behind to see if it is precut for the 610T. Quote
Zeke1953 Posted January 17, 2009 Report Posted January 17, 2009 Here are the pictures of my 610-T with and without the cover plate. The cutout on the dash seems a little too rough to have been done at the factory. I suspect that a template was supplied with the radio and it was installed by the dealer. Zeke Quote
bkahler Posted January 17, 2009 Report Posted January 17, 2009 Here are the pictures of my 610-T with and without the cover plate. The cutout on the dash seems a little too rough to have been done at the factory. I suspect that a template was supplied with the radio and it was installed by the dealer. Zeke Zeke, thanks for posting the pictures. Looks like I can give up looking for a 610-T radio as it would never work in the opening that I have. Now I kinda wish I had told the body man to repair the dash with no radio opening. Oh well I do have a 51 or so radio from a dodge car that I think fits the opening just fine. Brad Quote
Reg Evans Posted January 18, 2009 Report Posted January 18, 2009 Interesting Zeke. Your 610T is installed to the left of center of the steering column and the factory cutout dashes with the radio delete plate are more centered on the steering column. What's it all mean ? Quote
Zeke1953 Posted January 18, 2009 Report Posted January 18, 2009 I see what you mean, Reg. I consulted the "Bible" as written by Mr. Bunn and he says (Page 111-112) that some B-3 and B-4 series trucks have the radio delete plate from the factory and others don't. All I can figure is that mine did not have the factory delete plate installed and the owner had his dealer install the radio when he bought the truck. When I got it, the p.o. also had installed the combination ashtray/cigarette lighter on a bracket underneath the dash below the radio. The radio speaker is huge and takes up the space behind both screens on the right of the dash, so the ashtray could not go there. Zeke Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted January 18, 2009 Report Posted January 18, 2009 Here is a picture of my trucks radio delete cover plate. Today I will look up behind to see if it is precut for the 610T. Here is a picture of an original radio cutout on one of my trucks. View is from the backside. Quote
Frank Elder Posted January 18, 2009 Report Posted January 18, 2009 It looks more hand cut than stamped by the factory, but that's probably just the age factor. Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted January 18, 2009 Report Posted January 18, 2009 It looks more hand cut than stamped by the factory, but that's probably just the age factor. Look at the picture and you can see the lower 90 flange degree bend and the upper opening has a completely folded over metal 3/8" lip, the delete panel has never been removed. Picture is upside down. Bob Quote
Zeke1953 Posted January 18, 2009 Report Posted January 18, 2009 Bob, that cutout is a lot different than mine. I found this radio currently for sale on eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1954-Mopar-812-Push-Button-Radio-1951-1952-1953-Dodge_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a0Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem400023236554QQitemZ400023236554QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories) and I wonder if it would fit your truck. Zeke Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted January 18, 2009 Report Posted January 18, 2009 Bob, that cutout is a lot different than mine. I found this radio currently for sale on eBay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1954-Mopar-812-Push-Button-Radio-1951-1952-1953-Dodge_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1205Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a0Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem400023236554QQitemZ400023236554QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories) and I wonder if it would fit your truck. Zeke Zeke- That is a 1951 Plymouth radio. I have one and I think I will check the measurements to see if it would fit the opening. I am not going to put one in this truck-too much drive train noise. Bob Quote
Reg Evans Posted January 18, 2009 Report Posted January 18, 2009 Yes......It will fit the opening perfectly. Quote
Frank Elder Posted January 18, 2009 Report Posted January 18, 2009 I musta had my beer goggles on last nite:D Thanks for the clarification. Frankie Quote
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