AM radio upgrade keeping it looking original

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Offline 426HEMI

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AM radio upgrade keeping it looking original
« on: January 13, 2008 - 12:06:13 PM »
I am wondering who has converted the AM radio that came in most E-Bodies and what they had done and how it turned out.   I want to original look but with some punch.  Even if I have to have another unit somewhere but I want to keep the dash original.   :feedback:

I sent an e-mail to this company and got a really good response.  Here is the web site  http://www.turnswitch.com/  They make it to where it is 180w and 4 chanels.  They also make the am radio to where it is am fm.  I like what I see anyone ever try them?
« Last Edit: January 13, 2008 - 01:41:39 PM by 426HEMI »
Got a pretty good start on my M46 optioned Barracuda restoration but now it is on hold till I can gather more funds.  Still need a few parts for it.  SIU Graduate 75 AAS Automotive Tech, 94 BS Advanced Tech Studies, 1997 MSED Workforce Education and Development

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1998 Dodge Darango

Gordon




Offline CHUCKS71

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Re: AM radio upgrade keeping it looking original
« Reply #1 on: January 14, 2008 - 08:42:54 PM »
 :iagree:I would love to keep my dash stock with an A.M. radio upgraded to A.M./F.M. so I can use my Sirius satellite! :popcorn:
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Offline hemiken

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Re: AM radio upgrade keeping it looking original
« Reply #2 on: January 15, 2008 - 04:16:21 AM »
Hey Guys can you tell me why this radio option gets bad static, this is what i will be running for now. :smilielol:

I will be runnig a radio in one of the cars.

Thanks for the e-mail Gordon and the link buddy.
My brother was real interested in it for his 8-track. :2thumbs:
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Offline BruteForce

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Re: AM radio upgrade keeping it looking original
« Reply #3 on: January 15, 2008 - 09:55:23 PM »
Quote
I like what I see anyone ever try them?

I like what I see, too, but $400 is steep. I asked if they had a kit version of the upgrade, they said no and wouldn't sell me the circuit board. I'm a bit bummed.

I googled around and couldn't find any other upgrade solutions. Any others people know about? Anyone know who makes a circuit board?

Offline 426HEMI

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Re: AM radio upgrade keeping it looking original
« Reply #4 on: January 15, 2008 - 11:02:02 PM »
I have seen someone in the past but cannot remember who  was doing them.
Got a pretty good start on my M46 optioned Barracuda restoration but now it is on hold till I can gather more funds.  Still need a few parts for it.  SIU Graduate 75 AAS Automotive Tech, 94 BS Advanced Tech Studies, 1997 MSED Workforce Education and Development

1970 M46 Barracuda
1998 Dodge Darango

Gordon

Offline thedodgeboys

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Re: AM radio upgrade keeping it looking original
« Reply #5 on: January 26, 2008 - 10:53:26 AM »
I had my am 8 track upgraded to am fm 8 track still works and I can hookup my ipod and play it without using an fm modual.

I cant think of the vender but I have his card I will find it and post some pictures.

it aslo changed it to a 4 channel speaker out very cool.
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Offline 426HEMI

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Re: AM radio upgrade keeping it looking original
« Reply #6 on: January 26, 2008 - 04:13:00 PM »

That would be good.  I want to keep mine looking original and give it some boost so it sounds really good.   :bigsmile:
Got a pretty good start on my M46 optioned Barracuda restoration but now it is on hold till I can gather more funds.  Still need a few parts for it.  SIU Graduate 75 AAS Automotive Tech, 94 BS Advanced Tech Studies, 1997 MSED Workforce Education and Development

1970 M46 Barracuda
1998 Dodge Darango

Gordon

Offline wally426ci

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Re: AM radio upgrade keeping it looking original
« Reply #7 on: January 26, 2008 - 04:56:44 PM »
I would LOVEto listen to my Ipod in the Challenger. I suppose if one of my cassette players work, i will hook one up. otherwise im watching this one!  :popcorn:
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Offline Moparal

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Re: AM radio upgrade keeping it looking original
« Reply #8 on: January 26, 2008 - 04:57:13 PM »
I will have my original am converted to am/fm and be running wireless satellite.  I saved the site and loved the price :2thumbs:

Offline thedodgeboys

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Re: AM radio upgrade keeping it looking original
« Reply #9 on: January 27, 2008 - 11:55:22 AM »
Ok Looks like I used the same place 426hemi mentioned S-M Electro-Tech (turnswitch.com)  :2thumbs:
The conversion was just as described and works great they fixed my 8 track and added support for my ipod.

However the photos on there site are a little misleading  :nono:  I was expecting it to come back all shiny and freshly painted… It was not.  :eek7:
They cleaned it up touched up the white lettering but left the chrome and housing alone.  :faint:

The only noticeable change to the face is the LED behind the glass when the power is on. The color changes to indicate the mode the deck is in- am, fm & ipod. :woohoo:
I like it! With my car I am going for the stock look and dont have room to hide a separate head unit in the glove box (my EFI ECM is in there) 

I am planning a small sub under the passenger seat for extra base and I enlarged the dash frame to install better speakers under the stock grills. I won’t be using the center speaker (I think, see how it sounds) they do offer an adapter to work with a 3 speaker arrangement.  :thumbsup:

In short I am happy a little pricy $500.00 for all I needed fixed and added and a little disappointed about the clean up. I would do it again!

Sorry the photos are so large...
« Last Edit: January 27, 2008 - 12:03:51 PM by thedodgeboys »
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Offline thedodgeboys

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Re: AM radio upgrade keeping it looking original
« Reply #10 on: January 27, 2008 - 12:00:38 PM »
See the green light :bigsmile:
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Offline BruteForce

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Re: AM radio upgrade keeping it looking original
« Reply #11 on: January 27, 2008 - 01:16:57 PM »
It looks good. Can you pop the top off the radio box and post a picture of the reworked guts, please?

Offline 70RAGTOPR/T

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Re: AM radio upgrade keeping it looking original
« Reply #12 on: January 27, 2008 - 05:23:34 PM »
I thought Y1 had a radio conversion???

Offline 426HEMI

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Re: AM radio upgrade keeping it looking original
« Reply #13 on: January 27, 2008 - 07:23:08 PM »
Looks as if they did a pretty good job of keeping it original.  I really like it.  Isn't the base radio cheaper than that?  That is what the e-mail I have from them says.
Got a pretty good start on my M46 optioned Barracuda restoration but now it is on hold till I can gather more funds.  Still need a few parts for it.  SIU Graduate 75 AAS Automotive Tech, 94 BS Advanced Tech Studies, 1997 MSED Workforce Education and Development

1970 M46 Barracuda
1998 Dodge Darango

Gordon

Offline thedodgeboys

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Re: AM radio upgrade keeping it looking original
« Reply #14 on: January 27, 2008 - 07:33:13 PM »
I thought Y1 had a radio conversion???

They quit offering it.  :clueless:

Looks as if they did a pretty good job of keeping it original.  I really like it.  Isn't the base radio cheaper than that?  That is what the e-mail I have from them says.

They did keep the outside all original only adding the new plug on the outside & the led inside. You do have to guess what FM station you are on untel the station ID's itself.
Then you set it with the preset.

The base price is cheaper, I needed to have my 8 track fixed and one switch\wheeel replaced plus the ipod hookup.

It looks good. Can you pop the top off the radio box and post a picture of the reworked guts, please?
 
Give me a couple of days I will see if I can open her up.
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