Radio upgrade
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
Best to stay around that year, and you will need a AM/FM mono type radio if you want plug and play. One from a Ford car around that time will fit also. I found a AM/FM radio from a 78 Granada fit perfectly.
Any other type of Ford radio is going to require some more wires and different plugs, and more speakers. My old 80 had a Ford AM/FM/FM stereo/8 track, but it had the stereo wiring running out to each door and a speaker inside each door.
Any other type of Ford radio is going to require some more wires and different plugs, and more speakers. My old 80 had a Ford AM/FM/FM stereo/8 track, but it had the stereo wiring running out to each door and a speaker inside each door.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,990
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From: Florida
In 82? or so they switched to a plastic connector for the main power wires,so that'll have to be dealt with if you get a newer Radio.You can always make a conversion harness that plugs into your factory rubber type harness.I can explain what to do if you want.Also,the AM Radios only had the dash speaker,so I don't think the holes will be in the door for the speaker wiring unless you have power options.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
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From: Northern California
1970's Car and van Radios and 1980-1981 Truck radios are a direct swap. Plug and play. You will need the stereo speaker harness and to drill the holes in the doors for the rubber conduit.
1982-1984 are also compatible and use the **** and shaft type, but the connectors changed in 1982 so the connectors on your 1980 or 1981 will have to be changed or adapted like Fordzilla suggests.
1982-1984 are also compatible and use the **** and shaft type, but the connectors changed in 1982 so the connectors on your 1980 or 1981 will have to be changed or adapted like Fordzilla suggests.
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Tuned
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 399
Likes: 1
From: Winnipeg Canada
Thanks for the valuable information guys. I'll look around for an '80 -'81 AM/FM Ford truck or other appropriate unit. The radio I have wasn't being used and didn't have a (mono) speaker but I found one last week. I would like the FM band so that's why I was asking.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
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From: Northern California
The Most comon Radios in 1980-1981 are as follows from most popular to least...
1: AM Only
2: AM/FM Mono
3: AM/FM Stereo
4: AM/FM Stereo 8 Track Tape
5: AM/FM Stereo Compact Cassette
6: CB Radio: (Could be added to any radio above)
1: AM Only
2: AM/FM Mono
3: AM/FM Stereo
4: AM/FM Stereo 8 Track Tape
5: AM/FM Stereo Compact Cassette
6: CB Radio: (Could be added to any radio above)
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Rusty_S
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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Nov 23, 2014 04:07 PM
