so i took out the "original" am radio out of my 65 f100. i sent it off to a pro just to go through it, so that i didn't burn anything up. the radio looks original even stamped FoMoCo on the unit and the speaker. so here's the question. does anyone know if ford radios had switched to transisters in or before 1965 or were they still using tubes? the guy going through the radio says they had, and that this is a unit from an older model ford because of the tubes inside. i doesn't matter much to me i am still going to reinstall it. but just wonderin if anyone knew. thanks for all in advance
spence

 

Welcome to FTE

1964/66's have transistors, 1961's have tubes, not sure about 1962/63's (garbz2 will know for sure). The same transistor radio will be found in 1966/77 Bronco's, but the speaker, mounting hardware is different.

Hemmings Motor News / Services Offered section. Has listing for peeps that can convert original radios to AM/FM, or add a CD player or cassette.

 

64 (Sept 63) first year for transistors. 61 to 63 have tubes. you may find a Transistor unit in older trucks as it has been fifty years and many things are added or swapped. Need to look at the Chassis part number.

All radios are added at the dealer. so a older truck could have been upgraded to a later unit also.

Garbz

 

No part number on chassis, in fact, there is no part number marked on parts after 1956.

There may be a stamped ID engineering number on the chassis, like this example: C6TA-18806-AA.

Uh...Dave, my 1965 had the radio factory installed, and if so ordered, the radio was factory installed.

You can tell the difference: If the three holes in the dash are punched out = factory. If drilled out, there will be burrs around the backside of the dash holes = dealer installed.

All outside mirrors and hubcaps were dealer installed.

Oh and btw; If someone is thinking of chiming in and asking how I know...for sure that the radio in my '65 was factory installed. The answer is: I bought the truck brand new in March 1965.

 

i am pretty sure it was factory insalled. the holes are clean cut with no metal burs or pain scratches/chips. i pick up the radio wednesday and will post the chasis number if it has one. thanks again guys

 

so if I understand NumberDummy, 1966-77 Bronco radio will fit my '65 F100 dash?

 

Since the radio is the same it'll fit, but the speaker, mounting hardware is Bronco only.

 

Thanks. I learm something new everytime I stop by.

 

All 65 66 dash stampings have the speaker holes/slots pre stamped. The face of the dash still was not stamped for a radio. it had to be drilled with the correct five hole pattern.

No 61 to 64 stamping has them, all are cut with what ever hole making device the dealer had laying around. I have yet to see any neat holes.

Radios were a fluff dressup to spiff up a plain jane truck.

Bill,

It may well be that in 65 they started placing them at the factory along with the prestamped speaker openings??? Some research may be in order??? When you checked the box on the order for the truck did the raido come in boxed the cab and was it installed at the dealer?

Garbz

 

these holes are pretty neat but i am starting to think touch up paint may have been added; still not sure. speaker number is c5ta-18808-a know where i can find a replacement? paper's torn. i hear the ohms are different and modern speakers sound quality isn;t as good with old units.

 

Based on a previous post a couple of weeks ago, I believe a 5x7 inch oval speaker with 8 ohms would work.

Classic Car Speakers

 

ID number: C5TA-18808-A = Ford part number: C5TZ-18808-A .. Radio Speaker replaced by either:

C9AZ-18808-F .. Radio Speaker-4 mounting holes / 5" x 7" / 8 ohms.

C9AZ-18808-G .. Radio Speaker-2 mounting holes / 5" x 7" / 8 ohms.

Dave, if the radio was ordered when the truck was ordered, it was factory installed.

AFAIK, only outside mirrors (if ordered) and hubcaps were dealer installed. The mirrors (if ordered) and hubcaps were placed inside the cab at final assembly.

 

I found a very nice original style speaker that is correct for our application at Classic Car Speakers. You'll find it a little over halfway down the page. 5"x7" 8 ohm Ford/Chrysler dash speaker.

 

Radio holes are neat as they are done with a template and drill bits. 61 to 64Speaker holes are not.

Garbz

 

ok.. got the radio back today. and after talking with the guy he told me it was a hybrid. the output to the speaker was in transistor state but there are tubes inside used to pick up the radio freqs. no chasis number but stamped on one side ?97 63 and punched into the metal on the other side next to "installed date" 32bt 030020. going to install it back tomorrow still looking for a speaker and now a bulb that illumintes the display. thanks again for all the input/advice