Notices
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Fat Fendered and Classic Ford Trucks

53-55 radio testing?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 10, 2012 | 05:58 PM
  #1  
wmjoe1953's Avatar
wmjoe1953
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 82
From: Oregon
Exclamation 53-55 radio testing?

Like it says, I have a 53-55 truck radio, and don't know how to wire it to test it. I already know it's positive ground 6-volt, so skip that part of the lesson. I have all three pieces, and have managed to get the power unit to power up, but do not know how to wire in the tuner, and a speaker. Any help would be appreciated. I would like to test it before I sell it (even though I already listed it). Anyone have schematics?
 
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2012 | 08:29 PM
  #2  
carnut122's Avatar
carnut122
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,352
Likes: 1
From: Waleska, GA
Just stand back when you power that baby up. Those old capacitors sometimes blow up. They sound like a shotgun going off, throw out all kinds of black goo, and create a lot of smoke if I remember correctly. At least that's what my antique tube floor model radio did. I was just glad I didn't have my head stuck back there.
 
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2012 | 09:07 PM
  #3  
wmjoe1953's Avatar
wmjoe1953
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 82
From: Oregon
funny. Thanks. I got it to turn on, and found one of the tubes to be not lighting up. I still don't know where to hook up the speaker wires though.
 
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2012 | 07:53 AM
  #4  
jvmcc's Avatar
jvmcc
Laughing Gas
20 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 823
Likes: 4
From: Calais, Vermont
wmjoe53, how are you progressing on your radio? I may have some wiring information if you still need it.
 
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2012 | 08:42 AM
  #5  
oldmerc's Avatar
oldmerc
oldmerc
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,538
Likes: 5
From: Edmonton,Alberta
Club FTE Gold Member
Please post some pictures of radio if it is out of truck, if not how about a real nice drawing
Tubes are still available (military and guitar amps still use them) .Usually the numbering on the tubes lasts very well . Try google search .
 
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2012 | 09:30 AM
  #6  
wmjoe1953's Avatar
wmjoe1953
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 82
From: Oregon
I tracked down some tubes. They aren't too expensive. I haven't gotten any tubes yet, but at least I know where to get the. I figured out the wiring, finally, and can get it to power up, and light up, but with out the last tube (one of the ones associated with sound), I cannot make it produce sound. I did test the speaker too, and it functions. It's al 100% original, which is pretty cool.





 
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2012 | 10:24 AM
  #7  
53 tonner's Avatar
53 tonner
Tuned
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 310
Likes: 25
From: Eagan, MN
My truck originally had one of these radios, but it's long gone. A couple years ago I bought another one on e-bay. About a week ago I my radio to a friend who went to school for repairing TV's, radios, etc. in the '70's. Needless to say, electronics have changed drastically. He will work on this whenever he gets around to it. I told him it will probably be at least a year before I'm ready to put it in my truck. When I ordered other parts from Mid Fifty yesterday, I ordered the radio manual they have listed in their catalog. I left him a copy of the radio info that's in the truck repair manual. If any one has other repair information, where to find parts, wiring schematics, whatever, please share it with the rest of us. I'm not concerned with the sound quality. I just want to have it working.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Fords'nFire
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Jan 18, 2018 01:23 PM
9wire
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Feb 16, 2013 07:52 PM
benbuilder
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
27
Dec 1, 2012 11:25 PM
ajbrown86
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
2
Jun 7, 2007 11:25 PM
aka rotten
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Jul 17, 2006 10:10 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:02 AM.

story-0
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-2
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-4
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-8
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE