Radio rebuilding/FM conversion, recommendation?

[TransAm525]

Now that I'm done restoring my 1978 Trans Am (for the most part), I'm going to start restoring my great grandfather's (now mine) 1960 Ford F-100 from the frame up over the next few years. I acquired an original radio for the truck, which needs restoration. Has anyone used a classic car radio restoration business that you would recommend? I would like to have the radio completely restored to look like new, but with the internal components changed to receive FM radio stations.

[dtpontiac]

I had my 65 Tempest Factory Am Radio converted to Am/Fm with an aux port to connect my ipod. It works great and I'm very happy with the conversion. If you do a search in electrical section there are probably others, but this is the guy I used in NJ

http://mysite.verizon.net/vze6kave/

[6t7gto]

DT,
what kind of dollars for the conversion?
what wattage output?

thanks,
david

[TransAm525]

6t7gto,

I don't want to increase the output or modify anything else (no Ipod or CD player connections, etc.), just convert the internals to FM so I can actually listen to decent radio channels. I want to keep the radio 100% stock on the outside, to include keeping the original AM station face dial. Along with the FM conversion, I want the radio completely restored, to include new zinc plating of the case, painting of the dial and needle, polishing (or replacement) of the face lens, and re-plating of the chrome parts. I have no set price. The truck has been a daily driver for 5 years and was my great grandfather's, which I have driven since I was 10 years old, so no expense will be spared.

[Stuart]

Doesn't a '60 Ford truck have one of those funky radios with a round dial? My brother-in-law had a (I think) '59 four wheel drive that I always liked. I have a '66 F-100; they had a different style radio as well, where the dial was totally separate from the body of the radio itself - if you remove the radio there's just two small holes in the dash where the volume knob and station selector knob stuck through.

In the old days you could buy FM converters that plugged inline with the antenna cable, made by Audiovox, Sparkomatic and a host of other companies. They worked pretty well and were simple to install, but I imagine they stopped building them 20 years ago. There are some for sale on eBay: http://shop.ebay.com/fm-converter_W0QQ_nkwZfmQ20converter You mount it under the dash or in the glovebox and the original AM radio stays original.

[TransAm525]

Yep, this is the same radio. There is a large dial (like a clock) with the AM station numbers and a knob in the middle to swing the needle and two knobs on the sides. My truck didn't originally come with a radio, but I acquired an NOS antenna, an original radio, and the factory assembly manual template for the radio and speaker hole location, so I'm going to convert as if it did come with one. Too bad your brother didn't hang on to his truck. The four wheel drive versions are very hard to find these days. Floating around in my family is a 1966 F-100 (long bed, 460 engine) which I am trying to buy from my grandmother. They originally used it to pull their fifth-wheel trailer, but since my grandfather passed away, they don't travel anymore. I'd like to use it as my hauler to pull the 78 Trans Am and 60 F-100 every time we move.

[Engine-Ear]

TA525,

I sent a radio to Antique Radio Doctor (aka Barry Dalton) in Grants Pass, Ore., I will PM you his phone number.

He did a GREAT job and the price was very reasonable....he also set up my radio for a 4-ohm speaker load (the original was 10 ohms, and those are getting hard to find).

[GTOGreg]

OT, but cool story TransAm525. I wish I could find my Dad's '76 F100 as that is what I learned to drive in and it was flat SOLID. Good luck with your resto. Back on topic, I'm looking for a FM conversion as well. S/M seems to be the best I can find from a reputation standpoint. A basic conversion is like $385 and then you have some a la carte options on top of that (ipod, etc...)

[Engine-Ear]

$385?? GTO Greg and the group, please consider my invention - it's called RediRad (short for Rediscover Radio) ... you leave your stock AM (or AM-FM) radio alone and mount a small adapter behind the dash...then you take the CD player, iPod, satellite downconverter or whatever you already have and listen to your music on your terms... and it's hundreds LESS than any conversion out there!

please check it out - www.rediscoveradio.com

Thanks!

[GTOGreg]

Thanks Engine-Ear. Your product fills a nice little niche that is being ignored by everyone else in that you keep EVERYTHING intact. For someone that just wants iPod (or other Aux-in stuff) without upgrading everything - that is a value price you've chosen. I'm not sure if I want more power out of mine, along with a hidden dual cone center, so I'll have to give it some thought. I think you are on the right track with your product though. I wonder what kind of response you would get if you ran an ad in Hemmings for that? Good luck!

[VintageIgnition]

I offer AM/FM radio conversions also. 45, 90 or 180 watts. mono or stereo. ipod, xm or cd changer ready. Let me know if you have any questions.


Thanks