Mopar 6V radio in 12v car?

[Andydodge]

When I bought my Plymouth it had been converted to 12volt, negative earth, however it came with an uninstalled Mopar 602 6volt postive earth radio which apparently has been reco'd. I have used voltage drop/resistors on fuel guages but am not real sure whether these would be suitable.......has anyone had experience in using a 6v radio in a 12 system?.....is there any foolproof way to ensure 12volts don't get to the radio as its not easily replaceable here in Oz, also its postive earth.......will that be an issue as the cars negative earth......thanks, andyd

[Plymouthy Adams]

anytime you reverse the polarity regardless of voltage..the potential to short out when mounting is greatly increased..the entire chassis of the original radio should be ground...so if using this with a droppping resistor..it must be totally isolated from the chassis..am not sure if you want to go this route.

[Captain Neon]

You are better off simply installing a modern 12v radio somewhere out of sight rather than trying to install a 6v+ AM radio. My 6v+ MoPar radio stopped working about 6 years ago, and I now have a modern radio that I can take in and out of my P15 at will. Some other guys keep a battery-powered radio in their cars for listening enjoyment. My dad has a 6v radio that he plugs into his cigarette lighter on his 6v old cars, and runs on alkaline batteries in the more modern cars.

[Plymouthy Adams]

If you are not installing AC and such where the original radio would possibily be in the way..I would install it as they look so good in the dash and if youchoose a modern unit..mount it out of the way out os idght type deal..get a remote control unit...they are very nice...

[James_Douglas]

Change it back to 6V POS and use that orginal warm tube sound!

:-)

James

[Jerry Roberts]

One other method to consider , have the old radio converted to 12 volt negative ground with modern internals and FM too . That should be nice and costly .

[Andydodge]

Thanks guys......Jerry, I have thought about getting it converted, there is a guy about 2000kms away who does it, I've spoken to him a couple of times but it is about $1500.00...........more than I can find or justify, but from what he says it will be the bees knees....lol........its just that I would really like to fill the dash with an original radio face, the blockoff plate looks very boring.......also would like to get an original style clock, even a later model one, so long as it fits the dash and looks o/k........anyway thanks for the input, andyd

[Captain Neon]

I'm with Tim. Install the 6v radio, but just don't wire it in. Hide a modern radio some where else and get your tunes.

[blueskies]

Thanks guys......Jerry, I have thought about getting it converted, there is a guy about 2000kms away who does it, I've spoken to him a couple of times but it is about $1500.00...........more than I can find or justify, but from what he says it will be the bees knees....lol........its just that I would really like to fill the dash with an original radio face, the blockoff plate looks very boring.......also would like to get an original style clock, even a later model one, so long as it fits the dash and looks o/k........anyway thanks for the input, andyd

Andy-

I had mine converted, and it was a fraction of the cost of your guy. I had Bob's Radio and TV in California do mine, converted to am/fm/CD input, four channel stereo 12v neg ground.

You can see pics of the unit on my site.

Pete