Bench testing the radio

[Linda]

Todd,
Not sure I could figure out which parts are bad to swap in from your radio. I would be glad to use the super Caig spray on it though to see if I can get it to work for you. Teaching myself radio repair is a bit over my head.lol
There is a guy recommended for repair I may take mine to and go from there.
Jt, Thanks for the offer on your radio, but I think I will try the guy who was recommended, might be some little simple thing, then I can keep my shiny non working radio lol
Would be useful if there was a radio guy on the site who could give us some simple tips on checking these dead radios, and thereby saving some of them . I like the conversions being done too.
Thx
Linda

[todd lorber]

OK, Linda. I was just up there earlier today (someone cut through the iron fence with a sawzall, so I had to weld it up) and I found the radio. You are welcome to it-it's a spare and I have no use for it.

JT, can you elaborate on the upgrade that you did. I'm still welding up holes in my floor pan, so I'm a ways off, but I figured that having a way to stream from phone to radio might be a good thing. However, I don't want to spend a ton on it, since I'm not really able to hear it while driving. I saw an upgrade on line that ran about $400.00 at the low end and went upward from there. I think that is beyond what I want to spend.

Thanks.

[Linda]

Thx Todd. Let’s chat and see what we can work out, or see if you might need any parts, early or late.
You are right, music is hard to hear in a convertible.
Those conversions are nice. Seems you go the whole way or don’t bother..

Linda

[mraitch]

the music issue is why I love the Miata seats - as well as their ability to actually 'recline' - lol

[70-1600]

Todd, Linda:

You can find a complete write-up of the upgrade I did to my stock radio on my subject titled "70 Stock Radio Conversion". There are a number of vendors out that do this type of conversion - I sent in a stock vertical mount radio (high windshield model) that I purchased (I think off eBay) to a vendor (Joe's Classic Car Radio - seriously, that's their name!) and they performed a complete upgrade to the electronics. Like you, I was not sure I wanted to spend the money to go this route. But I love good music while I drive, I really wanted to keep the stock look and I did not want add in a slew of other extras under the dash or in the trunk. So I bit the bullet and went for it.

These vendors maintain the "mechanical" functions (on/off, volume control, tone, tuner, push buttons, etc) but gut out the "electronics" and replace it with a solid state AM/FM stereo tuner and amplifier (4 channels out). They also can add in (for an extra fee, varies by vendor) elements such as pre-amp outputs, AUX input (3.5mm jack), USB and Bluetooth. I had them do the basic upgrade with a few extras (AM/FM stereo, 4 channel output, AUX input and pre-amp output, no USB, no Bluetooth) and send the unit back to me. Oh, and they also added a multi-color led in the tuning dial that indicates what function the unit is operating under - AM, FM or AUX input. Then I just "swapped out" the old for the upgraded unit.

My work was installing it into my center console stack and wiring it up. The additional wiring out of the unit made for some challenges to fit it in 2 ways: 1, the aux input was on the bottom-facing edge of the unit, so I needed a low profile right-angle 3.5mm cable to fit it in against the tranny tunnel; 2, the pre-amp outputs are on the rear of the unit, snugged up against the defroster duct that runs from the heater box up through the dash, so I needed a low profile right-angle RCA connector to route that to my sub-woofer set up. I also did some harness repair behind the console stack because some connector bodies had disintegrated. Here is the completed installation of the "converted" unit.

IMG_7295.jpeg

You'd never guess by looking at it that it's been upgraded! I am happy with the functionality I now have in a completely stock look (no hacking of the center console stack to get all those functions). The vendor provided complete instructions on how to manipulate the "stock" knobs to control the modern functions that are now in it. Have a look at my write-up and let me know if you have any questions.

-jt

[fj20spl311]

If the radio from Todd doesn't work out, I got a radio in the stuff I just picked up that you are welcome to also.
I may have a second radio out of my yellow car, if I did not give it to Peter with the dash and console.

[fj20spl311]

70 Stock Radio Conversion

[fj20spl311]

West-Southwest Region: Aurora Products radio conversion specialist

Bob’s Radio & Television : (Oceano, CA) tubehead@att.net (805) 489-8200

Radio Roy’s Antique Radio : (Redwood City, CA) radioroy@pacbell.net (650) 369-0890

Hector’s Car Audio Tech : (Pomona, CA) hcaraudiotech@yahoo.com (909)-629-4530

Sierra Classic Car Audio : (Zephyr Cove, NV) (916) 491-9210

LaJolla Audio : (San Diego, CA) (858) 581-6545

Hot Rod Electrical : (Laguna Hills, CA) hotrodelectrical@msn.com (562) 706-5556

Barry’s 8 Track & Classic Car Radio Repair : (Prescott Valley, AZ) barry8track@cableone.net (928) 533-9666

Cruz Classic Radio : (Santa Cruz, CA) jeremy@cruzclassicradio.com (831) 818-0006

RS Gauge Works : (Phoenix, AZ) (602) 978-1746

[Linda]

Nice efforts to help , guys. No sense wasting AM radio! I actually like the “Talk” stations too.
Phil, great resource of radio shops for anyone who wants to comparison shop for price on a conversion. Hmmmm
Music in a car can be pretty cool though, I agree. Especially on a warm summer night , during a cruise along the ocean or up in the mountains looking out to sea.... And that is why we have this thread:
viewtopic.php?f=38&t=6606

Linda

[todd lorber]

Thank you for the writeup. Great option.

[todd lorber]

By the way, do most of you keep the antenna and hole in the driver's fender, or do you seal it up?

[Linda]

Keep

[S Allen]

I put this info in the tech wiki.

Radio Conversion Options

Thanks to all for the discussion and info.

S

[Solex68]

Linda if you want to "tune" your radio then these pots should probably be turned. If nothing else you can turn slighty right and left and park them back where they were to at least, clean the contacts inside by moving them (like your steering wheel horn, LOL).
I would pick "One" station you hope, or want to get. Use your knob in the front of the radio to get close to it, then play, ever so gently, with the pots in the back of the radio to see if you get closer that station. This of course while it is powered on with the antenna and speaker. Not sure if you can get contact cleaner inside the pots but that would help too.
.

radio tuning.jpg

[Linda]

Hmm that is worth a try. I had read cleaning the “pots” was useful and that the Caig spray worked wonders. Unfortunately I did not know where the “pots” are , except in the kitchen Anyway, I should give that a try if only to encourage others with dead radios.
AM is good for those daily Coronavirus briefings we get on talk radio...
Thx
Linda