I have a small but nonetheless tricky problem, my 76 Ford Country Squire did not come with the antenna and radio. I have an antenna but I am dumbfounded on how to install it and I'd like to know what radio I should get for it. I'd like a more modern one with a cd player but I don't really want to spend $300+ on a USA Model2 RetroSound. I just want to be able to hear and play something.
Hit the junkyards for a radio/cd/cassette player from any fox-chassis model: Fairmont, Zephyr, Mustang, Capri, Granada, right up to 1989 from 1978. Even the antennae give good reception on AM/FM. I think the CD versions came out in 1983 and up. If you find one with an amplifier, get the EVTM for that model and year. Take all the harness you can find. The 1980-82 Lincoln Versailles radios are altogether different in shape and configuration. The 1980-81 TBirds should fit though. The trouble with the amplifier in the FOX-chassis cars is getting all the harness and mounting the dash mounted switch close enough to the radio. Switches are tough to find. Even the Grand Marquis radios will fit and they often had the amplifier (behind rear seat back, accessible from the trunk) EVTM = Electrical Vacuum Troubleshooting Manual First, get the unit (radio, amplifier, etc.) then get the year specific EVTM for it. Usually hooks up on your ACC side of the ignition system for the radio and amp (blue-white wire), and main light switch for the radio light (yellow with black hashing) Some use an orange wire for the AMP and power antenna.
Your car was a radio delete? If so, SAVE THE PLATE! They are worth money as they are about as scarce as hen's teeth! Finding an am/fm radio from a car that takes the 2 post radio is not going to be terribly easy. Custom Autosound does make them, on a modern chassis and they fit right into the Ford dash, without cutting at all. Check auto flea markets and yard sales. You never know what you will find. Ford radios from the 70s up to about 85 were all the same, so any will fit. For 86 the Crown Victoria and Grand Marquis went to a singe DIN flat face that would mean cutting the dash. The problem is that most car companies used a single DIN radio, but Ford used a DIN and a half. When you get in there you may well find all the power and speaker wires run, since it was a standard feature, and the base wire harness would include those plugs. For the antenna, you will have to find out where, on the back of the right front fender, the reinforcements are for mounting the radio, and then drill the appropriate hole. Ford style antennas are available after market. Good luck!
check the clearence rack at crutchfield.com. most radio purchases come with a free mounting kit and wiring harness. i picked up a sony with remote/cd/aux inputs. for under $200
Well that's the best tip so far! And if you don't know, who cares and have the shop where you bout it install it.......or make sure you gat the UHF for the BETA VCR, a jigsaw to cut your dash...........WHA????? Norm,Mike..... Did you read his post?...... don't make his head explode!
Good information guys. I will go search around and post an update if, no when I find something. oh and yes it was a radio delete model. I definitely will not get rid of the face plate.
I'd say hit the salvage yards, flea markets, and small car swap meets for a used radio. I put one of those modern "old timie" looking radios in the 1955 Chevy maybe in 1989. I think it's been on a dozen times. We hear music everytime I start the engine, even though it's nothing special.
I may have a factory AM/FM stereo from a 78 Grand Marquis that I can get you. I'll find out tomorrow. If so, I will clip the wires so you have the pig tail to go with it. It will come with the factory knobs, too.
Unfortunately, the Grand Marquis is gone, so I can't get the radio. I'll keep a look out for one, though.
