My 55 F100 has the original round face (no push button) AM tube radio. When I got it the light still came on but it didn't play. Could have been because of the mice that had build a winter home in the speaker but more than likely the tubes. Anyway, I have an old german guy that is currently rebuilding it. Says it very rare and has only done a couple over the years.

Anyone else have one and or had it rebuilt. I'm hoping for the best.

Tom

 

Tom,
I have a '55 parts truck (custom cab) that has the hole for the radio, but no radio. It has the speaker, but the mice made a home or a meal out of it. I see these radios occasionally at the swap meets, and they are usually asking ~$200 for a "restored" unit. Tubes are still available, but getting more expensive. Good luck!
Kent
56 F-100

 

Kent: The guy that has mine quoted me "about" $100-$150 so the $200 sound about normal. I'll let you know how mine turns out when I get it back.

Tom

 

Tubes are almost never the problem, believe it or not, they are very reliable and last practically forever. Far more problematic after all these years are the waxed paper capacitors which weren't very good to begin with and tend to 'leak' electrically. Certain radios used a 'vibrator' power supply to boost voltage which can cause problems, replacements for these are available through

http://www.tubesandmore.com

although you can try smacking it sharply to loosen the vibrator points. If you are handy with a soldering iron one can replace the paper capacitors, clean the tube pins and sockets, tuning cap and such and usually restore them to service for $10 to $40 in parts -- the high figure if a replacement vibrator is required.

The old tube car radios are popular with DX'ers, they tend to be extremely sensitive and selective, very good radios since AM is included mostly as an afterthought on modern sets.


Keep 'er between the ditches.