replacing radio
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Senior User
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replacing radio
I have a '72 F-100 with AC (below dash) and would like to replace the stock AM radio. I started to change it out and quickly noticed the AC unit is in the way. Is there an easy way to replace the radio - without removing the entire AC unit???
Thanks for the help!
Thanks for the help!
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Joined: Sep 2000
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replacing radio
okay- i get the feeling this is going to be of no help whatsoever...
i've got a '68 without AC. i can't remember if the dash setups are the same- but on mine, the radio just pulls straight out. nothing below the dash (if there was anything) would be in the way.
the bigger question is...if you've got an AM setup- how are you replacing it? the AM has one center-mounted speaker in the dash, right? (at least mine does). are you running stereo signal to it with your new radio, or mounting speakers elsewhere in the cab?
i've got a '68 without AC. i can't remember if the dash setups are the same- but on mine, the radio just pulls straight out. nothing below the dash (if there was anything) would be in the way.
the bigger question is...if you've got an AM setup- how are you replacing it? the AM has one center-mounted speaker in the dash, right? (at least mine does). are you running stereo signal to it with your new radio, or mounting speakers elsewhere in the cab?
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replacing radio
I didn't get that far. I would probably run wires to some more speakers. The problem I have is that I can't just drop the radio straight down - because the AC unit is in the way. Thus - the delima?!?!?!?
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replacing radio
hmm. your dash setup must be different from mine. i was thinking that since '67-72 are the same body years, maybe the dashboards would be the same.
on mine, you just undo two screws in the chrome radio housing, and pull the whole mess forward- straight out into the cab. no downward movement to it.
sorry i can't help-
later
sam
on mine, you just undo two screws in the chrome radio housing, and pull the whole mess forward- straight out into the cab. no downward movement to it.
sorry i can't help-
later
sam
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Brea CA
replacing radio
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 30-May-01 AT 07:20 PM (EST)[/font][p]Sam, how did you do that? My ’68 is a little different. There are tabs on the dash in front of the radio on each side that have holes for the shafts to pass through. The only way to get it out through the front is to bend down (and break) the tabs. I have to back the radio out from the rear and drop it from under the dash.
Barry
Just got home and checked my '68 shop manual, it's in volume 3.
Radio - Removal and Installation
If the truck is equipped with air conditioning, radio removal can be accomplished by performing the following steps:
1. Remove the instrument cluster.
2. Remove the ash tray and left defroster tube.
3. Remove the glove compartment liner.
4. Remove the radio attaching bolts and remove the radio through the glove compartment opening.
Barry
Just got home and checked my '68 shop manual, it's in volume 3.
Radio - Removal and Installation
If the truck is equipped with air conditioning, radio removal can be accomplished by performing the following steps:
1. Remove the instrument cluster.
2. Remove the ash tray and left defroster tube.
3. Remove the glove compartment liner.
4. Remove the radio attaching bolts and remove the radio through the glove compartment opening.
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replacing radio
Thanks for the info from your shop manual. Mine is just like you said - the tabs with holes that the radio **** shafts come through from behind. I am a little confused though - why would I have to take the instrument cluster out if I can take the radio out through the glove box.
When I started to tackle this one before, I thought about trying to go through the glove box but again, with the AC, the glove box isn't very deep and I didn't think there was enough room. But if that is what the manual says, I'll give it a shot this weekend.
Thanks for the help.
When I started to tackle this one before, I thought about trying to go through the glove box but again, with the AC, the glove box isn't very deep and I didn't think there was enough room. But if that is what the manual says, I'll give it a shot this weekend.
Thanks for the help.
Senior User
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replacing radio
hmm- previous owner must have modified mine a bit. it's been a while since i pulled the POS radio he had in there, and i didn't bother to replace it yet. maybe my tabs were broken already, and i didn't even notice.
there's no arguing with the shop manual...
sam
there's no arguing with the shop manual...
sam
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replacing radio
I don't know if I'd go that far!!! -about 'no arguing with the manual'- :-)
Things don't always come apart as easily as originally anticipated by the fellas in Detroit........ (at least not for me!)
Things don't always come apart as easily as originally anticipated by the fellas in Detroit........ (at least not for me!)
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Brea CA
replacing radio
I too was wondering why you have to take out the instrument cluster, and the ash tray & defroster tube for that matter. Maybe just for access? Guess you’ll find out when you get into it.
Barry
Barry
Posting Guru
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replacing radio
Those shaft tabs are meant to be gently bent out so you can get the radio straight out, not down and out. Don't know how many of these I did when I was a teenager, driving a 68 and 68 F100 and tired of AM sound. Don't worry if you eventually break the tabs, you can get a remount kit for not much $$$. But, be gentle with them in the first place and you probably won't need the remount kit. If it worries you, pay a competent stereo shop about $35 to do it for you.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Palm Bay, Florida
replacing radio
Guys, just wanted to jump in & add my 2 cents to this: first I don't know much about the '67-'72 FSeries dash layout as to radio removal, but for stereo speakers I believe you can use one of those aftermarket dual speaker assemblies made for a '71-'73 Mustang, I installed one in my '78 and its a bolt in, so you don't have to go cutting your doors up, they are not the best sounding speakers in the world, but unless you are into the big amps & all they will be OK for you.
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replacing radio
i was hoping those things would fit...i've got a radio that's been sitting in the house since christmas. never got it in, because i couldn't figure out where/how to mount speakers for it.
already have gauges under the dash, and gas tank behind seat...not much space left.
thought about making a custom dash panel, to house the speakers and my gauges...but i'm bad at all that fabrication stuff.
sam
already have gauges under the dash, and gas tank behind seat...not much space left.
thought about making a custom dash panel, to house the speakers and my gauges...but i'm bad at all that fabrication stuff.
sam
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,130
Likes: 8
From: Brea CA
replacing radio
I’ve tried to think of a custom way of mounting speakers in the dash but it ain’t easy. The factory speaker is held up to the bottom of the dash by a single clamp that wraps around the square magnet base. One end of the clamp fits through a slot in the dash and the other end is held in place with a single screw. I haven’t found any aftermarket replacement speakers of the same configuration that would work with the clamp. You could fab a custom clamp but if the new speaker is much deeper it will hit the top of the radio.
Cutting holes in the doors were not an option for me, am too much of a purist. Besides, these earlier model trucks used a felt window seal on the outside, which lets all the water run into the door. The later models used rubber for a better seal. Also have the gas tank behind the seat. I ended up mounting some custom two-way enclosures on the firewall just above your feet. They are shallow enough that you won’t kick or bump into them. They sounds great, now if I can just find a place to put that sub……
Barry
Cutting holes in the doors were not an option for me, am too much of a purist. Besides, these earlier model trucks used a felt window seal on the outside, which lets all the water run into the door. The later models used rubber for a better seal. Also have the gas tank behind the seat. I ended up mounting some custom two-way enclosures on the firewall just above your feet. They are shallow enough that you won’t kick or bump into them. They sounds great, now if I can just find a place to put that sub……
Barry