Want to swap AM-only radio for am/fm/cassette

[Bigblue84]

Hi, first time poster. My 1984 mostly stock ranger has the original AM-only radio. I like the looks, but would rather listen to FM, and also be able to play my large cassette tape collection. I really like trying to leep the truck looking original, so no digital screens for me.

Has anyone done this, and how did you go about trimming the bezel? I have the brushed "steel" panel. Am I lucky and the slightly bigger am/fm/cassette just slides in?

Thanks for any input. Also, if anybody has one of these oldies lying around, maybe we could do business. The ones on ebay roght now look preety rough AND expensive- not my favorite combination.

 

[Bjorn Toulouse]

This unit would seem to be what you're looking for:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1984-FORD-T...ash=item4892fb2766:g:LZQAAOSwGYVW9VxV&vxp=mtr

I'd offer under $100.00 and see what he says.


Rex

 

[Bigblue84]

Thanks, I did see that one.

The main question is if the heaed unit with the cassette player will fit into the space cut out in the bezel for just the am radio. It looks like it will, but I would like to know for sure before dropping a 100 bucks...

 

[Bjorn Toulouse]

Years ago, I had a '79 F-150 with am only. A friend totaled his '80 Merc Marquis with AM/FM/cassette. I pulled his radio (which looked identical to Ebay unit) and it was a bolt in.


Rex

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I think the metal looking dash trim comes either with the three hole or single hole set up for the radio. I have only seen the straight wood grain like that, the curly woodgrain I have only seen as the one big hole.

So for like 10 screws and a couple bucks at the JY you can just get the right trim if you want.

And if you want fancy matchy-matchy you can probably get the factory radio with the equalizer and the clock (later first gen) while you get the trim too.

 

[Bigblue84]

Thanks, I am not having any luck so far at jy. My trim has three holes: two for the knobs, and a kind of square one for the radio. I see quite a few with the longer, single opening, but none with one like mine. I am wondering if the am/fm/cassete radios I see on ebay are too tall for my opening, or if they are a direct fit. Since I don't have any examples yet to look at, I am hoping somebody here will know... Thanks for all the replies so far!

 

[Mark_88]

I installed a radio from a 1993 Topaz in my 1988 Ranger dash without having to change anything. Even the wiring was compatible with the am/fm/cassette so it was all plug and play with the exception that I had to buy a mount bracket.

I still have it, actually, and I can measure it up if you need specifics.

The main things are 1) will the trim from a later model fit 2) is the wiring compatible and 3) do the mounts fit or can you modify the inside to take what it needs.

I no longer have the 88 dash but I do have both the radio/cassette and the wiring that was standard on the 1988 Ranger (and also most vehicles up to 1997 or later).

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

'84 wiring would probably be different than '88 (same stuff just not plug and play)

83-88 trim will interchange as long as it is for the radio you want.

 

[Bigblue84]

Thanks everyone.
So, I am hearing that wiring on 83-84 should be the same.(broncoII or ranger, yes?)
Also that the metal trim came in 83-84 in both the three-hole style, and in the one longer opening style.
And if I find a radio in any ford from that time period with two knobs and a cassete, it will probably match, as far as wiring?

I found an 84 ford brochure on ebay, but it doesn't say if the cassette radio was an option (unless I missed it...). Does anyone know if the am/fm/cassette player was even an option in 84?

Has anybody done some cut out work on there metallic trim to accomodate a slightly larger depth? If so, what did you use to match the black bevel paint?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

If trolling junkyards grab the pigtail to go with the radio, you may have to wire it yourself.

 

[Bigblue84]

Good point on the pigtail.
Thanks.