Guest Calmcsahead Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 has anyone taken their old radio, and upgraded the equipment inside of it so that it maintains its original appearance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick man Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 No. Always keep the original radio intact and fully operational. There are a lot of good places to send it to and while your at it, also get the speaker rebuilt for the specific OEM ohms needed for it's as designed performance. But with that said, I have been known install equipment in the trunk ( Just where this stuff belongs )that provides fm, CD & mp3 , etc and is remotely controlled. That way you are not irreversibly butchering your original radio and also have access to any cutting edge technology hidden right in the trunk.Keeping It Real! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Yeah, keep the AM radio.What?There are invisible FM conversions and hidden iPod jacks. I would agree that whatever you do should not appear to be changed, but the FM conversion I had done in my 55 is completely stock appearing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gunjeep444 Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 How do you get the knobs off a 56 Roadmaster radio? I was going to pull it out, but can't seem to get those off. Looked for a set screw but didn't find one. Do you just pull real hard or pry? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957buickjim Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Jerry, I think behind the knob that there is a spring type retainer that you have to press forward to get the knob off. It is that way on my 57. As it is pulled toward the front of the knob, it will release off the shaft. Hopefully that should work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhead Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 I think I have 3 extra radios if anyone is in the market for one. The knobs are not very good and some are missing, but I do have the radios.I put an Autosound radio in my 57 Special and it looks good and works fine. It has the wide spacing for the knobs, so not necessary to butcher the dash to get it to fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gunjeep444 Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Thanks Jim, when/if it gets warm enough I'll go into town to the unheated garage I have it stored in for the winter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick man Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 (edited) Yeah, keep the AM radio.What?There are invisible FM conversions and hidden iPod jacks. I would agree that whatever you do should not appear to be changed, but the FM conversion I had done in my 55 is completely stock appearing.Yeah, but down deep YOU know you did it. So doesn't it make you feel kinda nasty for doing it? ... just kidding. But take a look at this link to see what this guy did for his stereo/fm solution... Pretty nifty! Peace Edited February 8, 2012 by buick man (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Yeah, but down deep YOU know you did it. So doesn't it make you feel kinda nasty for doing it? Yes, but in a good way. You know I love you buick man Besides a real car geek would say "dude, I like driving with the windows down and listen to nothing but the engine and tire noise. I don't even own a radio!"I would not put a Secret Audio in-dash unit in a Buick. They look cheesy to me. I'd try installing in the glove box or behind the speaker grill. I'll take a pic of that later. That is what I did on my wagon (driver / unjudged) 55. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Pretty neat, buick man. Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillBilly53 Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 The only conversion was putting in a solid state vibrator, but that I was only because I couldn't find an after market real one. Other than that it's all original tube AM. However I did construct a nice oak stained wood housing for my new cd player/mp3 player fm radio and bolted it underneath the dash where the tissue dispenser would go. It's got aux for an ipod. I've got sub in the trunk, amps under the rear seat and speakers in the door I'm obviously not going for originality, but I haven't done anything that's irreversible. Mickey Baker never sounded so good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadmaster75 Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 I put a 240 watt stereo (hidden) in my Roadsmasher; left the working AM as is.6x9 s under the front seat and the 6 1/2 inch round ones hang out of site under the dash.Driving at night with all the lights and blower motor on, and the stereo blasting cleans up the ole regulator contacts and makes the Gennie work overtime! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937-44 Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 I bought a second radio for my car that had been converted to am/fm and modern insides. Up here the selection of am stations is about worthless. Local guy did the work it uses less power, considerably lighter, and good reception. Original knobs, dial and case. My attitude is if it doesn't show and that's what you want to do go for it. Admittedly it doesn't have the delay of tubes warming up, but I still have a working original radio if I ever really feel the need to go back. Carl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Up here the selection of am stations is about worthless. No matter where you are, AM radio is worthless. Rush Limbaugh, Preachermens or Tejano music is what you get here. I have no use for any of that.I'm gonna get XM in my wagon . Terrestrial radio is dino tech. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jim_Edwards Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 (edited) No matter where you are, AM radio is worthless. Rush Limbaugh, Preachermens or Tejano music is what you get here. I have no use for any of that.I'm gonna get XM in my wagon . Terrestrial radio is dino tech.You are being slighted........If you lived around here you could also get AM broadcasts in Vietnamese, Mandarin Chinese, Arabic, and East Indian with a little Czech thrown in for good measure. Save your money! SiriusXM playlists are about as lame as they come regardless of what decade or style of music you may be into and the cost of service has gotten outrageous, almost as costly as DirecTv. Get a good radio AM/FM/cd/MP3/USB. Then you can do what I did, put all your CDs on USB memory sticks and listen to what you want. The radio I stuck in my '78 Lincoln even reads directories on the USB memory stick so if I want to create a directory for different styles of music or separate by decade I can do it and the radio will read it, plus the radio receives all those wonderful AM and mostly awful FM broadcasts if you just can't resist. Edited February 8, 2012 by Jim_Edwards (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gunjeep444 Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 We have a good oldies AM station here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937-44 Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 You're lucky, the only thing my car radios will pick up around here is talk radio. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick man Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 "Yeah, yeah - But whatcha good ol boys in the tex state gonna do come electins time for impordent issues and canidates, shucks an without a dern AM radio n all a tellin ya who ta vote fer? R i g h t .... Will some one just kick me! Ya n puda hat on that too boys...."But all horse kicking aside, don't ya just gotta luv that kleenex box conversion in the video link above? I mean now is that original or what? Maybe even kinda James Bond like ya think? :cool: .... and what the heck are you gonna do with that kleenex box anyaways? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937-44 Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 I do think it was creative. Carl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gunjeep444 Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 We have several C&W stations also on AM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957buickjim Posted February 9, 2012 Share Posted February 9, 2012 The kleenex box is very creative. I was thinking of that myself for my...AM / FM / cassette player...that I have in my Buick. I mounted mine in a spare glove box in the dash with a quick disconnect in the back for removal to install the show glove box. Also have 6" round speakers in the cowl kick panels, again with originals as back up for shows...like Nationals. Wired it with both front and rear original speakers in the Buick so I have a quadrophonic (well, at least 4 speakers anyway) sound when I drive the 57.I will post some pictures when I get the car out of storage next month.By the way David, you ben hittin' that corn likker? Shore sounds like it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 The problem with the old iron is that at highway speeds you cannot tell the difference between a good radio and a bad radio. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 The problem with the old iron is that at highway speeds you cannot tell the difference between a good radio and a bad radio. LOL... Willie has that right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NTX5467 Posted February 10, 2012 Share Posted February 10, 2012 (edited) The problem with the old iron is that at highway speeds you cannot tell the difference between a good radio and a bad radio. Good heavens! Even in a BUICK??? Rather than a Chevy???There's a lot on XM/Sirius that I would never listen to, 'cept for the JAZZ stations with FEW commercials. Seems like one of them now has a Sinatra channel? One day several years ago, I was on one of the XM stations and the story of "How The Rhino______ Got Its Wrinkles". An interesting diversion -- wouldn't have heard THAT on either AM or FM!Head over to www.trueoldies.com to see where their stations are, nationwide. Some are on AM, most are on FM. A good playlist, pretty much like what we heard in the 1970s.In the DFW region, there are many AM and FM stations in outlying areas which still do "local content programming" . . . as "Swap Shop" (items for sale) programs. THAT can be interesting, with some good deals on even-farther-outlying area real estate or rental property. One is the AM station in Cleburne (with a vintage country-western music format). Even the FM station in Jacksboro does it!And I would be remiss for NOT mentioning the DFW station KAAM-AM 770, which is also available online in what appears to be digital stereo which sounds outstanding (online, with a fast connection). One of the few "legends" stations left! Some great music for driving upscale vehicles like Buicks. Also some VERY good "Ask the Experts" shows, too!On Saturday mornings on KLIF-570AM, you can hear Ed Wallace discuss the automotive industry and related histories on his call-in show between 9am-1pm. Also available online. I like the fact that FM is so (generally) noise-free and in STEREO (IF the station has things set-up for real stereo rather than "sound", or plays content with REAL Channel A-Channel B music), but there is still some good stuff on the AM band (other than opinionated "entertainment" talk shows, as Limbaugh or similar). Plus, once you get far from the metro areas and/or on undulating terrain, AM's about all that still gets through. Getting near some high tension power lines is not too good, though.Enjoy!NTX5467 Edited February 15, 2012 by NTX5467 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick man Posted February 12, 2012 Share Posted February 12, 2012 Great reply as usual Mr. NTX5467. The buzz you hear is your AM's great ability to make audible, EMF's. Electro Magnetic Frequencies. You know the one's causing all the health problems. Don't want to live near those. Smart meters are now doing the same thing along with those wireless listening devices and Florescent lights as well. Bad, bad. But talking about bad, The True Oldies Channel with Scott Shannon AM slot affiliate out here in the San Francisco Bay Area, got sold this past summer to a dedicated Bolly Wood Indian music station. Go figure. I use to be a DJ and kinda thought that they were having trouble with revenues due to their lack of local advertisers and depending more with nationals. But with that said we also lost the one and only dedicated truly Classical Music station left out here as well this past year. The new buyers now spin (or more correctly program) X generation playlists. The classical staff to their credit, picked up the pieces and started a nonprofit on the left side of the FM dial and just had their first pledge drive this January. Hope they succeed. Not also to mention, we lost our last dedicated true Jazz station about 15 years ago as well. They too, had to go nonprofit and pledge each year as well and are now surviving in left dial FM. Don't know if anyone has noticed it but try and go to the left area of your FM dial and see if you can get a station without frequency creep and cross over. The real estate is getting tough in this area as the nationals are carpet bombing the rest of the FM range to the right.So, all of this is happening out here as well of all places. The greater San Francisco Bay Area. Forever it has seemed, your last stop to the left for Jazz, Rock n Roll and Classical. Go figure :confused: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RACEJones Posted February 13, 2012 Share Posted February 13, 2012 This maybe an acceptable alternative to replacing the original radio in order to keep everything as original as possible. I plan on buying one for for my '51 and see how it works out.Demo videos of the RediRad classic car AM radio adapter - in use Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NTX5467 Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 In using the "Search" function in DFW, it's interesting that so many particular stations have been given their own little bit of real estate on the FM dial. Whether it be non-profit or National Public Radio affiliates, university radio stations (which have some incredibly good programming . . . KAMU Home Page and their affiliated KTRL station), religious stations, ethnic stations (at several areas), and the normal "main stream" stuff. Another highly interesting thing is that many stations with "oldies rock" formats are NOT in the metro areas! For example, in Abilene, TX, there's the TrueOldiesAbilene.com (true oldies channel) at 100.7FM and then another station with later-model 1970s rock music at about 102.7FM. Highly unusual!On the classical front, there's the City of Dallas-owned WRR-FM at 101.1FM. Several years ago, the City needed some money and wanted to swap frequencies (for money!) with another FM station. The public revolted as the 101.1 signal gets about 95% coverage whereas the other station was more like 80%, so that deal didn't happen. Part of the KTRL programming, when they're not doing their 2hrs of afternoon jazz and big band, is classical -- seems highly unusual from a rural part of the state, but some of it comes from their parent KAMU station at TAMU).Several months ago, the managementof KAAM-AM 770 was going over the number of "Legends" format stations left, of which they are one. Others had been sold and changed to highly different formats. So they highly advocate their listeners patronize their major advertisers, which are some good ones, but aren't generally known away from that station.About a year ago, the people who own WBAP also changed one of their FM stations to simulcast WBAP . . . including Rush Limbaugh . . . on the FM dial. THAT was a loss!Outside of the metro areas, local AM radio is still alive and well as it has been for many years. Hospital reports, school lunch menus, swap shops/trading posts, etc. But it's a struggle against the major media groups trying to "control" what is listened to AND what's on their billboards. There was a series of committee hearings on this issue several years ago, in San Antonio, and other places. That's when it was pointed out that as major media groups own concert venues, billboard advertising companies, and radio stations, they can (as you might expect) control what happens on the radio and in their concert venues to their desires, which can stifle local talent. As local talent usually has younger followers, a niche iindustry of "underground" concert venues which feature local artists has sprung up in Fort Worth and this area. They seem to be doing quite well! Plus performers who frequent particular venues, as Casey James did.AM's not dead, just low on upper end frequency response. But IF all you want to listen to is sports and one-sided politics, that's not needed anyway.Enjoy!NTX5467 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest shadetree77 Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 This maybe an acceptable alternative to replacing the original radio in order to keep everything as original as possible. I plan on buying one for for my '51 and see how it works out.Demo videos of the RediRad classic car AM radio adapter - in useNow that is cool!:cool: I'm going to buy one of those just as soon as I convert my '52 back to 6 volt. That is really awesome that they have a product that supports 6 volt vehicles. Thanks for the link Randy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Calmcsahead Posted February 15, 2012 Share Posted February 15, 2012 This maybe an acceptable alternative to replacing the original radio in order to keep everything as original as possible. I plan on buying one for for my '51 and see how it works out.Demo videos of the RediRad classic car AM radio adapter - in use really neat idea beats taking out the radio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 My solution in my '55 driver. iPod compatibility is a must for me. Cut the speaker portion out of a spare (busted) radio. Didn't sacrifice the original Wonderbar, so David will be happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1957buickjim Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Great idea Mike! Where did you put the speakers for the Radio / iPod combo? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 In the kickpanels. They are way too modern looking, but I wasn't gonna drill into the door panels. I used underseat speakers in my 'Cat, but they are too big for a 55 with four-way power seat. I still may put some in the cargo area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick man Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 hmmm...Mike, It may require me coming over and inspecting that setup with my black light but I can still see the player through the speaker screen! lol....Hey seriously though, that is a neat idea as well. What have you done so you don't ruin the mounting prongs on the original setups by taking the speaker off and on to get at the radio? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 They are just straightened out. I don't normally pull it off since it has a remote that does everything. That is also why I chose not to install grille cloth back on. I didn't know if the remote would work through fabric. Plus, at night there is a cool blue light coming out of the grille. I want to eventually figure out better speaker placement, cuz the kickpanel speakers are truly heinous looking. I have looked at those bullet looking speakers that they install on boats and motorcycles. Down the line... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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