Hey guys could you tell me what options do you have to get a am/fm radio in a 71 pickup. I know they made one in 72 I think (hard to find) is there a after market one you can get that you won't have to hack up your dash? Thanks Rick

I know they are listed in a option panphlet I have,but no numbers are listed.
http://images7.fotki.com/v125/photos/2/229137/823271/DSCN1761-vi.jpg

http://images8.fotki.com/v112/photos/2/229137/823271/DSCN1767-vi.jpg

Shoot,back then and up into the 80s there was the small pattern(foreign) and the big pattern(US).Like headlights used to be,plum simple.I had in-dash am/fm/cassettes in all my trucks,I still do.I kept the Alpine unit that was in my`84.It has a 100w component amp and I have the matching cellular phone that pauses the tape or turns down the radio when a call comes in.

Most aftermarket dealers (including those who support this board) carry an aftermarket AM/FM with casette that fit our dash perfect. They work a whole lot better then the originals.
You can sometimes find an original for like $300+ or a VAN version that is very similar for a bit less. The original radio's are very pricy and don't work very well especially when 20 feet or more from a transmission tower!!

Thanks for the imformation on the radios.Do you know what year van to look for that fits? thanks Rick

If your gonna be looking in wrecking yards I'd cut a template of you holes in a piece of shoe box type cardbard. You could stick it in your pocket and compare it to whatever you find to know for sure. That's if your striving for a correct looking radio. If you want to listen to music, There's aftermarket ones that will fit and probably perform a whole lot better than something very used with 30 yr old technology. When I was a kid and these trucks were a few years old whacking the dash a few times was often neccesary to tune in a station.

I am just looking for one that fits without cutting the dash. I am not into the exact onr that came with the truck. Just a am/fm! Thanks guys for your replies.:)

I have a Pioneer tape deck. I had to use the cover plate, but it just fits in the dash with no cutting. Impala Bob's has them in their catalog for around $200. They are not listed on the website. I haven't ordered from them, so don't know what to tell you for quality/avaliability of the product or service.

Look on ebay for shaft radios. Most of these aftermarket radios are cheapie Kenwoods with fancy knobs that don't pickup anything. If you look at their counterpart it's a $89 radio(ie kenwood). the chevy faceplate and knobs mark it up to $200
The alpines in the 80's are a good choice but are getting pricey. NONE of the major stereo manufactures make a decent shaft radio anymore. If they even offer a shaft radio it's a junk $80 unit. Ie Je**en and ke**ood

You can find some refurbished originals here (http://www.originalcarradios.com/). Rather pricey though.
John

I run and sell these. You may be able to get a little more radio for the money, but these fit and look good.
Get the USA-1 (not the 64W cheaper model) and just use them. Don't try to make a "boom box" out of them and drive huge speakers etc...they are nice little radios if you use them for normal listening.

That template idea was a good idea, I think that I am going to have to try that, also I am glad to see that the picture of the dealer installed am/fm is different than the factory installed am/fm unit. There is one for sale on ebay NOS dealer option.

lmctruck.com has several choices from the lower $200 and up ... am/fm/cassette and also with CD changer controller. Don't know how good they are, but they make them out to be really good.

lmctruck.com has several choices from the lower $200 and up ... am/fm/cassette and also with CD changer controller. Don't know how good they are, but they make them out to be really good.


I believe Those are the lame radios I was commenting on. Some don't even have a seperate treble or bass just "tone". I guess it depends on what you're looking for. I'd prefer to put in a shaft radio that was aftermarket than cut the dash but I don't want to pay for an overpriced radio with similar knobs as the original that sounds like a $75 unit.

LMC sells Autosound stuff that has been thoroughly trashed on BBs by those who obviously know a good stereo, like installers. They are a decent radio for mild volume listening, but not a worthy head unit for a high power amp and speakers, i.e., a clean sounding stereo system.

Do a search on "shaft style receiver" on google, ebay, or any car audio seller (Crutchfield, CarDomain, etc.) and prepare to be dissappointed. I have use for a shaft style receiver, with or without cassette or CD, that has a jack for a multi CD player and either at least 20w RMS or jacks for a separate amp to power all or 2 of 4 speakers. Fat chance finding one.

If anyone finds one, post up. FWIW, I'm sure many board members would be very grateful.

most companies carry post style radios that will work without cutting the dash.

I run and sell these. You may be able to get a little more radio for the money, but these fit and look good.
Get the USA-1 (not the 64W cheaper model) and just use them. Don't try to make a "boom box" out of them and drive huge speakers etc...they are nice little radios if you use them for normal listening.
Whats your price tag on those?

You probably saw this but I put mine in the glovebox, then you can pick any deck you want.

I cant believe they are still selling cassette decks as a new item...they are rapidly going the way of the 8 track