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As I was getting this truck right the past couple of years, one thing I wanted to do was to get the original radio working again.
When I got the truck, the radio had no response when powering on and I wasn’t sure what the issues were. I removed the ***** and dial scale and realized that the light was burned out. Once replaced I realized that the radio did indeed have power, but still no sound.
Upon further investigation I found out that there was NO speaker. I figured it would be an easy replacement, but to my amazement and hunting everywhere online I found absolutely zilch in the aftermarket for a bolt-in replacement speaker for a ’61 – ’66 Ford Truck. I figured I would need to “make something work”. Total cost for this repair: one afternoon and about $22 in parts.
After replacing the bulb, power but no sound. I didn't have to do any electrical troubleshooting in the harness because I had the 12 vdc to the radio. I found out there was no speaker so I took the GRN/BLK leads and some alligator clip wires and connected it to an old guitar amp speaker. When I powered it on I got the vicious motorboating sound through the speaker. The electrolytic caps would need to be replaced.
Radio out. Usually these old solid state units only need the electrolytic caps replaced to get them to work.
Cover off. The main electrolytic cap is located on the left-hand side and is a multi-section unit. The others are black with a yellow stripe.
Main cap can out. Use a 20 - 30 watt soldering IRON (not a gun) and some desoldering braid to remove the solder and pull the can out. Cap values are listed on the can.
Electrolytic caps installed. Note: Electrolytic caps are polarized. The POS+ and NEG- must be oriented correctly or it will fail. These are like batteries. The Nippled" end is positive. I had to make the correct value capacitance for one of the can cap sections. Since I didn't have the exact values on hand, I wired three caps in parallel to achieve this. The Cap Can outer case is negative, and the negative cap leads are soldered in to where the can mount tabs went. Since all I had on hand were axial caps, I also made sheathed ends for the bare wires (radial caps are closer to stock and this procedure wouldn't be needed if I did have some on hand). Once tested I used clear silicone around all of the cap bases to prevent them breaking loose from shock.
Field testing. A set of alligator clip leads are your friend. I plugged in the unit, supported by a box as to not stress the wiring. MAKE SURE TO GROUND THE UNIT if testing like this (white clip wire to dash), or you will have no output. Guitar speaker clip-leaded in background. This could also be achieved on the bench using a 12-volt DC power supply and antenna.
With the radio now working, time to get the speaker set up. I bought a 4-inch unit at Auto Zone and used plumbers strapping from Home Depot to make this setup. It is totally reversible if I find an original speaker later.
Speaker mount finished. I cut then Dremeled the edges of the strapping so they weren't sharp. Now I can use the original speaker grille and it looks stock. This speaker is head and shoulders above the original one.
End result? Date night with my baby. I broadcast CBS Radio Mystery Theater shows from the 1970s on my homemade AM Transmitter. Made for a fun night.
Hope this may help and give some of you ideas on getting your old radio working again. Obviously if you have voltage, a good speaker and the caps are replaced and it STILL does not work, there may be other issues with the unit and probably should be sent to someone who can properly troubleshoot it.
WOT,
Couple links for you.
Speaker. This guy knows, and I think makes his speakers. They are great, bought one for my '66 F250. And my 1957 Chevy and my 1958 Cadillac. Fit perfect. It's going to blow your $22 budget! Classic Car Speakers
Another link to a post in this forum. How to add a MP3 input to your radio. Bummer is that the photos now don't display. Photobucket turned off all post from them. Subject for another post.....
Anyway https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-addition.html
Couple links for you.
Speaker. This guy knows, and I think makes his speakers. They are great, bought one for my '66 F250. And my 1957 Chevy and my 1958 Cadillac. Fit perfect. It's going to blow your $22 budget!
Thanks for the link! Somehow I thought I had checked out that site but didn't find what I was looking for. Ya, definitely more than the $12 or $14 I spent on this one.
09-16-2017, 11:43 AM
radio working again. 
