somebody else mentioned it already I believe. New radios have digital tuners, and they simply don't receive signal like the old analog ones. Radio is considered a thing of the past because of music streaming services.

 

It's true, AM is kind of an afterthought these days, and radios may not even be offered in new vehicles. Back in the day more people lived in the sticks and sensitivity and selectivity was important, to be able to reliably pull in distant stations.

TV was the same way, if you lived in a big city with a bunch of powerful stations, a cheap tuner section worked fine enough. It wasn't necessary to buy a quality set.

"Madman Muntz" was famous for clipping out parts on a prospective production set to the point where it barely worked, to keep the prices down on his wares. Then he'd say "Guess you need to put that last part back in" and walk away.

 

What head unit are you using? It could just be that the one you bought just has crappy AM reception. Wouldn't be the first time I have heard of this problem with cheap stereos and AM stations.

 

It is cheap. Just a Dual deck I got from VatoZone. Cd-less. Only radio, usb, sd card, and aux input. Regukar 59.99 on sale for 49.99 reduced to 39.99 and I had a $25 dollar credit.

 

I'd say the stereo just lacks in pulling in good AM reception.
I've read about the issue on other Dual decks, just browsing amazon I saw a few complaints on the reception on other decks of theirs.
I can't imagine their am/fm circuitry is any different across their models.

 

I dug around in my storage shed and found some radios. I have 2 new in-the-package shaft-style manual tune radios. They both have the trim adjuster. I have a really old digital. It has a trim adjuster. I have a couple of newer digitals. They do not have the trim adjuster. Somewhere in modern production they decided we didn't need AM radio any more. I wish they would have ask me!

 

FM signal is great. The Inland Empire is only 65 miles east of LA. And we have FM repeaters between us and tje greater LA area. AM, not so much. The funny thing is, AM talk radio is so huge here you'd think they'd have repeaters.

 

maybe this might help too
New car stereo - bad radio reception - Car Talk
guy had same issues.

 

Next week I'm going to try two things. In-line power filter, and also a new antenna cable. The thing is so old that simply taking the old deck ouc could have messed up the wiring or insulation inside.

 

Mine don't work in the O-F-F position.

 

Good idea to replace the old antenna, I been down that route with the FM stations weak, found the old antenna wireing did not like being messed with.

 

Any idea where to get an antenna for our trucks at a decent price? Or do you guys replace with newer style antennas?

 

Few years back I took a antenna off a new truck(company truck hehe) and used it and fixed the weak FM problem I had.