Hello everybody I'm new to the forums. I recently purchased a `66 F-250 in desperate need of TLC. About 30 years ago I owned a `65 F-100, so when I saw this one on my local Craigslist I was already sold on it. The truck needs a lot of work but my first task is to install the factory AM radio. As soon as I picked up the radio and got ready to install it, I've found that I can't get the bezel off. I removed the ***** and the screws on either side. I then removed the little horseshoe clip around the tuner shaft and tried lifting the bezel off the radio only to find the dial indicator and everything else wants to come off with it. Is this correct? Is there some secret to getting the bezel off? I don't want to force anything and break something. Please help? Thanks- John

 

Here's a couple of pictures of the original radios. Even though one is a Chrysler model the other is a Ford model.
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I hope this helps you.

 

Definitely leave your tuner shaft in place with the bezel. If you pull the bezel off without the tuner shaft coming with it then it will likely chew up the big plastic gear on the backside. Then your tuning won't be smooth. You'll hit a rough spot about 3 times going from the one end of the dial to the other. I'm going to try to remove the good plastic gear from an old rusty bezel and put it in nicer bezel replacing a messed up gear. Delicate surgery.

 

Thanks for the replies guys. So I keep the bezel intact. Once the two screws are out of the bezel face, should I be able to simply pull it off the radio without damaging anything? When I go to install it does the bezel only go on the outside of the dash or does the other plate go on and then the bezel?

 

The plate then the bezel.

 

Five holes in dash: o O O O O / Outer holes are for the screws that retain bezel/lens.

Large center hole is for the bulb that lights up the dial. Two other holes are for the shafts of the radio chassis to pass thru.

 

Those radio's are a PITA. In my foggy memory there is a flat spot somewhere on the tuner control shaft or gear, this has to be lined up perfectly for it to come off. Start with the tuner all the way to the left/lowest number and the turn the tuner shaft slowly until you feel/hit the flat spot and it should come off..

 

Thanks everyone, because of your collective help the radio is in and to my surprise works! Now I have all of the poor quality gospel music I can stand. Lol! Again, many thanks.