Does anyone know if Ford offered an 8 track tape player as an option in any of their trucks in the 60's? How about an AM/FM, that would be cool also.
I remember seeing some that looked like a standard AM radio but when the cartridge popped in the dial flipped up out of the way.

Yea, I know who wants one of those! It's the nostalgia thing for cruise night.

cheers

 

Even the AM Radio was an option. Check your owners manual and it might show the available options. Same basic radio (tube versus transistor aside) 1961-1966 in our trucks. Same radio as early Broncos and Econolines, too. I have not heard of an option AM/FM or 8-track and they don't call it out in the 1966 Salesmans Fact Book For Light Trucks (this is what the salesmen used to know what was available on each model)

 

My understanding is AM radio through 1970 in the trucks. In 1970 The Ranger XLT was introduced. I believe the XLT package had the AM/FM radio.
As for 8-Track players you could get them as an add on feature. I don't know when they were put into trucks as a unit.
In 1965 Ford put them in three car types one being the Mustang. I think in 1967 they became standard in almost all cars made by Ford. I'm not sure when they became standard in trucks, if they did at all.
I have the tape player in my 64. I also have live radio recordings from the late fifties to 67 on 8-track tape.

 

So you must have the "Wolf-Man Jack Show, Baby" coming to you from the Valley where it's 500 degrees. Hooowwwllllllllllll..........
I remember the Wolf-Man live on KFWB in the South-land in the 60's! he was the greatest......

 

This talk of 8 tracks makes me miss my quadraphonic sound system that I had in the 80s.

 

*Click*!!!!!

 

Beginning in 1970, the AM/FM radio was an option for all F100/350's, was not part of any package.

No car came w/a 8 track as standard equipment, it too was an option as was the AM & AM/FM radios.

AFAIK, 1968 was the first year of the AM/8 track radio for cars.

 

You got to remember that when these trucks were new they were mostly WORK trucks. The boss wasn't paying you to listen to no G** D*** sissified rock and roll music! If the work truck had any radio you considered yourself among the fortunate. They didn't have cup holders, either.

On a serious note. Our trucks were pretty spartan and basic. How often do you see a Slick with factory installed power steering or brakes? An 8 track tape player was leading edge technology and didn't appear in cars until the later 60's. Anyone remember the 4 track tapes, the forerunner of the 8 track?
The options for trucks always seemed to lag a few years behind the availability in cars.

 

Here's some reading material for you.

History of the 8-Track Tape-William Lear Invents the 8-Track