Motorola 610-T Restoration

[HanksB3B]

Ed,

Would like pictures of "The Few of These" I wasn't quite sure if this meant they are installed or on the bench. I'm also interested not just in the radio but in the power unit/amp and speaker. Because of the dashboard factory cut-out I'm becoming more and more convinced there are other options than the Motorola 610-T out there.

Thanks,

Hank

[Young Ed]

Yes a few of these is actually an entire shelf of them. I wont see them for a while but I will get some pictures of one when I do.

[HanksB3B]

1. What model number(s) are the radios?

2. Are they complete radios in working order, or in need of restoration.

3. Are they possibly for sale?

4. Would one fit Old Yeller?

50 Questions,

Hank

[HanksB3B]

It was tough to press the "undo" button and modify the dashboard to fit the Motorola 610-T. I had to cut out the center bar that I previously sourced the correct metal gauge of, $ to have it fabricated, $ to have the body shop weld (along with some pooly executed holes) to return it to factory shape seen in the first photo. It was like Deja-vu in reverse. (See post#42).

Hank

P.S. I told Paul Flaming "This is one of those jobs where taking as much time as possible is the best way to go." I would have been fired on my first day of work back in 1951 because installing the radio (in-progress) and the speaker (done) is going to take more than one day. Still haven't decided how to handle the antenna.

Edited April 5, 2012 by HanksB3B

[pflaming]

Hank, aren't there some hi tech antennas that 'apply' to the front or rear windows? I had a 50 plymouth, when I put an antenna on it, I discovered a factory painted over, knock out. Does the truck have the same?

[Merle Coggins]

I looked into hidden antennas when I was doing my interior and radio install. Every one I found stated it had to be mounted away from any metal structure of the vehicle. Since there isn't much in these cabs that's NOT metal so I stayed away from them. Maybe one would work tucked up in the headliner, but I wasn't willing to try it. I first mounted a short rubber flexible antenna up in front of the radiator. It worked but the reception wasn't great and it was very directional. That's when I came up with the idea to put a retractable into the stake pocket in the bed. That one works great, as long as I remember to extend it after I pull the cover off.

Merle

[pflaming]

Merle: You live in Wisconsin, if memory serves me correct. It seems to me a long antenna with a wolverine's tail attached would be a perfect answer for your truck.

[Merle Coggins]

Merle: You live in Wisconsin, if memory serves me correct. It seems to me a long antenna with a wolverine's tail attached would be a perfect answer for your truck.

That one would have to be attached to the rear bumper. And I think squirrel tails are more popular.

Merle

[Zeke1953]

Hank, I got my antenna from these guys -http://www.antennax.com/. If the mounting hole hadn't already been drilled in my truck I think I would have gone with a hidden antenna. I can only get a few stations but that might be due to my location. I got one of those RediRad units so I can play all my classic rock songs through that big mono speaker - just like the old days. Zeke

[Jeff Balazs]

For what it is worth.....If you look at the DEPETCA Gallery.... Dennis in Minn has a pretty clever antenna setup on his red truck.

I am certain that this type of installation can be done without drilling any holes in the body. Just run the cable through the firewall and under the cab then come up in the gap between the cab and the bed. Couldn't be any simpler.

Jeff

[HanksB3B]

I won't be drilling any Antenna holes before really figuring out the best way to go and am certainly open to and looking forward to good suggestions. I like Merle's only my stake pockets are occupied by my pickup bed "fence" (or whatever you call it).

The Mopar (ha, or could be) Antenna I bought on eBay is very good quality stainless steel and looks like they did back in the day. Not sure I'll use it as designed requiring a rather large hole in either the cowl or fender.

Since being informed that radios were optional and installation was performed at the Dealership, source photos provided by forum members have been very helpful to say the least.

As of today I'm done fabricating the minor but important bracketry for the speaker, power unit and radio the really best part is that other than the dashboard modification I did not have to drill any new holes. I even cheated having to drill the bottom of the steering column support by using industrial grade velcro to attach the base of the radio support bracket. The single bolt (see post#) used to attach the bracket to the radio hols it in a 90 deg. position at the steering column support and it's not going anywhere.

Thanks,

Hank

Edited April 6, 2012 by HanksB3B

[Jeff Balazs]

Hank;

Dennis of Minn. has mounted his antenna directly to the wood "stake" set up he has on his truck. Looks like a pretty common right angle mount antenna. I am sure you could do something very similar to this and not have to drill any holes in your cab or bed.

Jeff

[HanksB3B]

Thanks Jeff,

In what thread and post # did you see this? So far that seems like the least obtrusive route to go. Does an antenna need a ground wire in addition to the wire that must be attached to the mast?

Thanks,

Hank

[Jeff Balazs]

Hank;

It is a photo in the DEPETCA Gallery....look for a red truck that belongs to a guy named Dennis. You will see what I mean.

No ground on an antenna.

But you might want to drag a lightening chain.......

Jeff

[HanksB3B]

No ground on an antenna.Jeff

So that means on my initial bench test start-up as long I have the antenna jack plugged into the radio (with no temporary aligator clip ground wire) the antenna will do what it is supposed to do?

If so that's great. Thanks,

Hank

Edited April 6, 2012 by HanksB3B

[Merle Coggins]

I've seen Dennis' truck in person and can say that his radio mount works well. He also has a spot on the other side where he can stick a magnetic mount CB antenna for road trips.

[Reg Evans]

4. Would one fit Old Yeller?

50 Questions,

Hank

Yes Hank,just about any radio would fit Old Yeller cause the dash has never been cut.

[HanksB3B]

I've seen Dennis' truck in person and can say that his radio mount works well.

Merle, Thank you. I guess I'll PM Dennis and ask for a close up picture and where he bought his antenna/mount.

Reg, Are you sold on the idea of the 610-T even though I now believe it was originally for 1953 Pilothouse trucks and have yet to see a factory-cut-out dashboard that accepts (without modification) a Motorola 610-T.

My Best Regards,

Hank

[Reg Evans]

Hank, is the Motorola identical to the MoPar 610 T you ask.

I wouldn't know because I've never laid eye nor hand on either. All I know is that some 51 and 52 trucks have the factory cut out and some don't and that the cut out when provided will accept a radio from early Dodge or Plymouth car. What do ya get when you cross an elephant and a rino ? An elefino would be my answer to both questions.

Like this one.

or this one

[HanksB3B]

I would say a factory cut dashboard would have to be modified to receive the upper radio picture in your post.

The lower picture however looks like it might be a direct fit (see my post # 42) What Model is this Radio. Do you have the Power Unit for it?

It's interesting to see the automobile radios like Young Ed's in post #46.

I'm going with the 610-T as shown in post #42 because I like the "art-deco" look, I have too much invested in it to not use it and according to that dashbord installation sketch it matches the 51-53 series dashboards but untill proven otherwise (by actually seeing a 53 factory cut-out) I believe the 610-T went into production in 1953 and not before.

Mopar Myth or Mystery,

Hank

Edited April 6, 2012 by HanksB3B

[Dodgeb4ya]

Maybe the 610T is only for the last 200 1/2-3/4 ton trucks in 1953! Guess I'd say you can use what you want and what sounds good/makes you happy and keeps on working a long time. I guess thats kinda the same as putting disc brakes/dual carbs ect in a Dodge Pilot House truck. Do as you like to keep yourself happy:D

[Dennis_MN]

Finally got the truck out of the barn today, but not without problems which I will cover in a later post.

The following pictures show the antenna mount on my wood rack. I do have the bracket grounded but that is because I had the first radio in the glove box and the antenna was the only source for ground. The regular radio mounts where it is supposed to mount and is well grounded.

The first picture is the bracket alone, I have no idea what is came from but I had to punch the big hole in it and screw it to the wood.

Next is a shot of the right side with a big washer to hold my magnetic CB antenna, and the last is the shot of the antenna and the wire routing between the box and the cab.

By the way, the only reason that the antenna was removed for the first picture is that I busted the antenna taking off my dust cover so I bought a new one with a spring base to prevent that problem next year.

If you have a bracket and want me to punch a hole in it with my greenlee, just mail it to me.

[HanksB3B]

I think I need to be de-brief'd. It took a long time but well worth it!

Sounds Great!

Hank

[48Dodger]

Post a video on youtube and crank it to eleven!

48D

[HanksB3B]

Tim,

It's just a crumby AM radio. Oh no hear comes Jeff he's making me...no Jeff that would be just plain mean...he's making me tune it to KLAC 570...DODGER RADIO!

Way to go Hank!

Hank

P.S. Tim I'll try to figure out how to do that and I promise when Jeff isn't around to pick a good station.

Edited May 21, 2012 by HanksB3B