Factory Am/FM - NEW OPTIONS?! Evidence to discuss!!

[dbarker]

Hi all, as we all should know by now the elusive D1TA & D2TA am/fm stereos are made of unobtanium.

I got to looking and found this handy little pdf: http://www.bendixradiofoundation.com/do ... usList.pdf

It lists all the radios available for our trucks and all the others out there at the time. (YES, i was extremely bored!)

What I noticed however, is that a great number of the car radios have the same basic bodies as our Unobtanium radios.

For Example: Here is our D1TA Please note the circular scratches around the shafts. This is important to my observation and madness




Now, Here is a cherry example of a 1968-1971 Fairlane/Falcon/Comet/Montego/Torino Unit. Looks to be a D1OA code on this unit making it a 71.


They're the same radio with just a couple minor issues... the circular shaft guards. Looking closely you can tell theres no room for the left right speaker slider under the buttons. It's the same face our D1TAs.

They seem far more abundant on EvilPay. The question i have is... Has anyone tried swapping one of these units in? Do the shaft guards get in the way of proper fit?

If they fit other than the shaft guards... anyone been nuts enough to take out the dremel? It'd be a shame to hack up a cherry unit like that but....especially since these Fairlane units are commanding the $300 FleaBay prices.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/68-71-FO ... 869wt_1167

Based on that pdf i listed, the 72 D2TA radio for the F-Series pickups was the last run of the unit. It wasn't used in any other cars that model year in the pdf. IF and i do mean IF these radios are a match like they appear to be, this could open up a whole new world of Factory FM for our old bumps. Since FM was much more popular in the cars than the pickups, and used in multiple model lines. And based on this possible evidence it seems we got FM based on a need to clear old FM radio inventory from the other lines as in 72 they switched to a new style unit.

[dbarker]

Anyone want to chime in??

[Montana71-F100]

Nice detective work! I have a saved search on E-bay for an AM radio for my 71 with the part number D1TA 18806. I get e-mails from E-bay with that part number and the listings say the radio is from a Mustang. If that's the case with AM, I'm guessing it's possible with AM-FM too.

[fordman]

if yuo look at that page again you will see several different truck part numbers from benidx. both are for 71 trucks.

1FBTPP = ED1-D1TA
1FBTPX = ED-D1TA
1FBTP = D1TA

if you look at the torinos radios they also have to rings around the stems. and they look similar to the truck radios. they are out there. you just have to use the bendix radio site numbers as guide and the photos. some of the dentside radios will also fit in our bezels. you just have to make the disission to buy one and let it look not factory correct.

[dbarker]

yeah, i dont want the dentside style. i want the correct look like the ones above.

but its good to know theres a greater supply out there that people may not be aware of. I searched and searched this site for info on the car radios and found nothing.

Hopefully, this will help guide some people to look in the cars while they're out scrapping.

[fordman]

i like that link you put up. it now gives proof of some radios i have here.

[mr_josh]

Wanna bet that the "shaft guards" just thread on to the shafts?

[dbarker]

Wanna bet that the "shaft guards" just thread on to the shafts?

Having looked over the pictures, I believe you may be on to something here... Theres a very real possibility that they are threaded on there.

Theres currently 2 of these on EvilPay. One is an unmarked glass one like ours. The other is marked as Fairlane on the top of the glass.

I'm eager to find out if these are a legit option that wont require hacking up a dash bezel.

[fordman]

i bet they dont unscrew.

[dbarker]

i bet they dont unscrew.

I was looking at an AM radio that had those guards. It looked like they were being held on by a securing nut as there was a nut set into the guard and a second one outward for mounting to the dash.

But you are correct, they may not come off. Even if they don't im betting they fit our trucks without much issue.

[wobblefoot]

Hey dbarker,
Excellent thread as I love my am radio in my 69, Im tired of adjusting my fm converter and am looking for an am/fm that looks stock youve opened alot of windows.Thanks

[dbarker]

Glad to help out!

Just a side note: observations of ebay the last couple of days have seen 3-4 of these radios marked with the FAIRLANE tag on the glass get listed and sold within a single day.

Average prices look to be $200 with one currently listed at Buy it Now only with a $400+ price tag. Theres a couple of them up right now i'm watching. I'm not ready to buy one yet, and plan to start covering the bone yards in the area as summer break is upon me.

[dbarker]

Well, we shall all soon have the full details.

I buckled and purchased one of these units. I will photograph the full install for archiving here. My first order of business will be opening it up and cleaning it up.

As for stereo speakers, I plan to go simple and install a in dash replacement with the dual speakers.

And so, the journey begins....

[Mancar1]

Yes, thanks for the info. I am also looking at replacing my AM in the 68 with a AM/FM.