Radio in my PicUp

rfitzpatrick

Well-known member
Even if I found one -- where would you install it, what problems would I likely deal with. This would be in a Closed Cab '31

Thanks
 
When driving the model A , I prefer the music that it makes . If I did install a radio in the model A truck , I would mount it in the seat riser .
 
A period radio might be fun to install. Main box under the gas tank, tuning knobs strapped to the steering column.
 
I installed one on both of my A"s I put them under the dash . I installed heavy duty plastic brackets and used a 12 volt radio and installed a 6volt to 12 volt adaptor, making sure that it was insulated from the rest of the car. It works great . The radio has a remote to change stations so no need to turn any controls.
 
I put an era radio in my Coupe around 1946. The controls strapped to the steering column. The main box with the tubes was on the shelf behind the front seat backrest. Suppressors on each spark plug were an absolute necessity.
 
When I restored my big 29 AA, I lengthened the cab 6", made my own mail pouches about 2" wide x about 12" long, went to WM and bought an am fm cd radio, it fit in the mail pouch.
carry on nick c
 
Even if I found one -- where would you install it, what problems would I likely deal with. This would be in a Closed Cab '31

Thanks

Antenna is mounted on back of trunk box. You could mount it on the bed side at the back. You want it far from the engine.
If you listen to AM use resistor plugs and a coaxial by pass cap on the generator or alternator output and the ignition input.
 

Attachments

  • 2 door dash.jpg
    2 door dash.jpg
    20.1 KB · Views: 171
In my P/U, I put a shelf above the windscreen and put a radio on that. There wasn't much point - the A is too noisy to be able to hear it while driving. A waste of time in my book!
 
Even if I found one -- where would you install it, what problems would I likely deal with. This would be in a Closed Cab '31

Thanks

Buy this Sony portable wireless. You can hang it nearby you or place it at any place you want. Connect you phone through bluetooth and use Pandora, Radio.com (has lots of AM/FM radios) or any music software you like.

Moreover, it is great to receive or do phone calls when driving your A. I have my phone with a magnet.

Sony SRS-XB12 Extra Bass Portable Bluetooth Speaker, Black (SRS-XB12/B) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P85CDHG/?tag=atomicindus08-20


For long hours trips, let's say all day out in a picnic, I have in the A a phone battery charger at Amazon. Charges the phone and speaker more than once with a full charge.

Power Bank 25000mAh Portable Charger Battery Pack with 3 Outputs & 2 Inputs Huge Capacity Backup Battery Compatible Smartphone,Tablet and More https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KYGZ6WC/?tag=atomicindus08-20

My car also has a Motorola period radio with the valves box attached to the firewall on the engine side. Only has AM, you can't hear it well with all the noice of the car when driving. Works fantastic. The antenna is under the car. Good conversational piece.







hope this helps
 
Last edited:
My wife has bluetooth hearing aids and listens thru her iPhone or iPad. I prefer no radio anyway since there is so much other noises while driving a Model A.
 
Not that I use it much, but I have a Bluetooth speaker that picks up from my phone, mounted near the rear view mirror using Velcro, when I do use it I play period music...mostly at car shows.
But sometimes I will blare some good old rock when taking a long road trip
 
Pickup cabs are already too small, so the radio would have to be mounted in the box.


The sound of the engine is all the music I need to hear.
 
how about a battery operated boom box?

That's kind of what I did - in a retro way.

I found a junk 1934 Philco radio and installed a high quality Bose bluetooth speaker. The cabinet was refreshed and strong magnet feet atrached. It sits firmly atop my toolbox. I play '20s - '40s music via my cell phone and internet when cruising around. People love it. At car shows I play period baseball games like the 1934 world series or old radio shows like the green hornet or the lone ranger. All this is available free via the internet.
 

Attachments

  • 20220806_074915.jpg
    20220806_074915.jpg
    101.9 KB · Views: 23
Your cell phone and GPS are 5 volt negative ground. All you need to connect direct to a 12 or 6 volt battery is a cigarette lighter accessory plug. That plug only allows 5 volts to pass through. Only wire it direct to your battery and not through the car wiring.
 
Your cell phone and GPS are 5 volts negative ground. All you need is a cigarette lighter accessory plug wired direct to your battery (12 or 6 volt). The accessory plug only allows 5 volts to pass through. Only wire it to your battery and not to the car wiring.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top