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I installed an OE radio in my 54 today so I thought I’d share photos and the process.
This is the template that you use as provided by Ford. I could only find small versions of this so I used my computer to enlarge the template to the correct size. I taped this to the dash following the instructions as written on the template, then center punched the holes to be drilled out.
This photo is with the template removed. I used painters tape to assist in preventing paint chips.
Three holes are drilled. I used the needed 2 13/16 inch hole saw for the face of the radio, and a 7/32 drill bit for the upper mounting screws.
The chrome bezel and bezel gasket go in first. Simply bend the tabs on the bezel to the back of the dash sheet metal to secure it in place. There is about a 1/16 of an inch of play with the bezel for adjustments.
I removed the ashtray to help see in getting the tuner unit in place. Removing the defrosters vent hose helps to provide a little extra room as it is a tight fit. Secure the tuner unit with four screws - two seen in the photo, and two on the bottom lip of the dash (these two bottom holes are pre-drilled in all cabs as the radio was typically installed by the dealer and the holes are needed to get the template in the proper place).
Installed tuner. Connect the power lead to the ACC terminal on the ignition switch.
Next up is the power unit. It installs high under the drivers side dash. The cable hanging down from the power unit connects to the tuner unit. The speak wire connects to the power unit - remove the driver's side sun visor and drop the speaker wire down the post to the power unit - tuck the speaker wire under the rubber molding of the headliner to the center of the cab just above the rear view mirror as this is where the speaker and the speaker grill are installed.
The power unit is secured to the firewall by a 5/16 threaded stud that extends out of the back of the power unit. A pre-stamped knock out hole is on all cabs for the threaded stud to pass through.
That's all the further I went today. Next up is the antenna and the speaker.
My OE radio is a Motorola from 1953. The vibrator has been replace with solid state circuitry, and fully re-capped in the tuner and power unit. The two OE tubes remain in the tuner unit. I did connect the power lead and all works at this point - getting the antenna and speaker installed will tell if the radio fully works. I will be adding the needed noise suppressors/condensers too.
Brian, you have guts drilling a big hole in that beautiful dash! But the final result is great. It looks awesome.
Twenty years ago I bought a radio from an old man from his 55 F800. But I never put it in my truck. Two things: a) I wanted to keep my truck like my Grandpa had it, 2) I didn't have the nerve to cut up my dash, and c) where I live in the ridge and valley section of PA we only get one AM station.
So I sold the radio at Carlisle for a little profit.
Nice installation. If it winds up non-op there is a great vintage radio shop in Lewiston. He did my '54 Merc radio
Thanks! You made it possible by providing the chrome bezel ring! Folks, I had been on the lookout for the chrome bezel ring for many years - finally found one close by here in Idaho! These rings are not easy to come by.
Brian, you have guts drilling a big hole in that beautiful dash! But the final result is great. It looks awesome.
Twenty years ago I bought a radio from an old man from his 55 F800. But I never put it in my truck. Two things: a) I wanted to keep my truck like my Grandpa had it, 2) I didn't have the nerve to cut up my dash, and c) where I live in the ridge and valley section of PA we only get one AM station.
So I sold the radio at Carlisle for a little profit.
Tell me about it Abe! I was nervous - dreamed about it the the night before so I had gone over the process in my head a thousand times before actually making the cut. Having the right tools is key! When it comes down to it, as these were dealer installed I figured what the heck, if a local mechanic at a Ford dealer in the early 50s could do it, so could I.
Tell me about it Abe! I was nervous - dreamed about it the the night before so I had gone over the process in my head a thousand times before actually making the cut. Having the right tools is key! When it comes down to it, as these were dealer installed I figured what the heck, if a local mechanic at a Ford dealer in the early 50s could do it, so could I.
But those Ford mechanics did many of them from 1953-56. But at some point he had to do his first one.
About the ring, I am sure guys would take the radios, tube box and speakers but forget the ring. But I thought the rings were reproduced.
But those Ford mechanics did many of them from 1953-56. But at some point he had to do his first one.
About the ring, I am sure guys would take the radios, tube box and speakers but forget the ring. But I thought the rings were reproduced.
Abe. the bezel ring has been reproduced but availability is very limited - I had one on backorder for nearly two years that I recently canceled. There is a place that makes a non-chrome one, but I was certainly going for the stock look. Many that are found on eBay or where ever have the back mounting tabs broken off. If someone buys one, they will have to get creative in mounting it.
Nice job on the radio install. One of the best features in our old truck is the radio. You will enjoy it. If you do not have a good am station local you can have an fm/Bluetooth module added even to a 6v radio.
Beautiful job Sir!
I entertained not putting the radio back in mine, due to the 6v power supply and the cost of them is nuts. Considered a period correct clock in the hole. My brother convinced me otherwise and he’s having the radio internals updated.
From 1977 when I bought my truck until about 1998 when I started to fix up it up and joined FTE and began learning more about 53-56 trucks, I thought they never had a radio. The 48-54 Chevy trucks I was familiar with as a kid had a radio delete but my 54 Ford did not. At some point I learned where that crazy round radio went!
From 1977 when I bought my truck until about 1998 when I started to fix up it up and joined FTE and began learning more about 53-56 trucks, I thought they never had a radio. The 48-54 Chevy trucks I was familiar with as a kid had a radio delete but my 54 Ford did not. At some point I learned where that crazy round radio went!
Abe, I knew pretty early on that the radio was optional. When I bought mine in 1978 I learned it was a Deluxe cab and the radio was an available option. I stopped by the Ford dealer in Weiser, Idaho and asked about it and they had two NOS complete kits on the shelf at the time (small Ford dealer in farm county). I got a little excited for a minute until he told me he needed $200 for the complete kit with installation - that was too much for me as a 15 year old kid at the time as I had only paid $800 for the entire truck. I'm not even going to say how much I paid for this one. Yep, I should have purchased both kits...
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