Are AM/FM radios REALLY this expensive?

[cbarge]

Exactly, its just a variable electronic delay circuit.

When i show my car i enjoy demonstrating how the reverb works. yeah,pre-historic surround sound. Just like the kids microphone with the big spring in it. LOL!

 

[WissaMan]

Exactly, its just a variable electronic delay circuit.

Actually it's a mechanical device. I've never taken one apart, but I know if you jiggle it it'll affect the reverb sound. I'd be surprised if that doesn't happen on it's own when you hit a bumpy road

 

[ayilar]

Most repairs for radios of this vintage involve 2 things-capacitors and poor solder joints. I have been out of electronic repair since the 1990s but I recall running a flat rate of $50 plus parts for car audio and amplifiers. To me, the pricing these days is nuts. Parts are dirt cheap.

I recently pulled my Fury’s AM unit and put it on my bench. 3 bad electrolytic capacitors that run about 12 cents each. I was done in 15 minutes. It is rare to have transistor failures. Even so, substitutes are available and cheap. There isn’t much else to these radios.

Would you consider (re)opening a diagnostic/repair business side line for FCBO’ers?

 

[Joseph James]

Would you consider (re)opening a diagnostic/repair business side line for FCBO’ers?

Absolutely.

 

[greyrock]

Very limited electronics if any, more like a mechanical spring if you will.

 

[BigCah]

From time to time I look at AM/FM radios for sale to go with a C-body (for my '67 New Yorker; which despite being L-O-A-D-E-D, only came with AM radio. You don't see them often, and here's one I came across yesterday.

Working AM/FM AM FM Radio 1967 67 1968 68 Chrysler Newport New Yorker 300 | eBay

Anyone else been through this "re-fit" exercise before; or know if this price is realistic?

I have bought from this seller before, and he doesn't pull any tricks, and when he says things are mint/NOS, they really are. Often times radios will need work before they can just go into use. Still, it seems like a WHOLE LOT of $$$ for one of these, but due to rarity, and repairs involved, it MIGHT be in the ballpark?

THANKS.

I purchased an original am/fm for my 1966 300 on ebay for approx $100.
took me 2-3 years to find one at that price. Most are listing at around $400 to $500.
The link you posted didn't work for me so I don't know what you think is a high price.

 

[Mike66Chryslers]

I purchased an original am/fm for my 1966 300 on ebay for approx $100.
took me 2-3 years to find one at that price. Most are listing at around $400 to $500.
The link you posted didn't work for me so I don't know what you think is a high price.

I'm impressed you found a working one that cheap on ebay. I bought one for about that price, but it was broken and missing parts. I just needed it as parts to fix another one I already bought previously.

 

[BigCah]

I'm impressed you found a working one that cheap on ebay. I bought one for about that price, but it was broken and missing parts. I just needed it as parts to fix another one I already bought previously.

Just got lucky....It came with no guarantee. He originally wanted a lot more but kept relisting cuz no one would buy it I guess. It's not perfect but gets the job done. changed out the light bulb and the push buttons don't work. Found some great original type speakers up at electro tech. Also found an original fader control on eBay. The whole thing came out pretty cool, plug and play.

 

[Mike66Chryslers]

Just got lucky....It came with no guarantee. He originally wanted a lot more but kept relisting cuz no one would buy it I guess. It's not perfect but gets the job done. changed out the light bulb and the push buttons don't work. Found some great original type speakers up at electro tech. Also found an original fader control on eBay. The whole thing came out pretty cool, plug and play.

Ah, that's why it was so cheap. Non-working preset buttons would be a showstopper for me. I'd fix those before installing. My two favourite FM stations are almost at opposite ends of the dial.

 

[Imperialist67]

I purchased an original am/fm for my 1966 300 on ebay for approx $100.
took me 2-3 years to find one at that price. Most are listing at around $400 to $500.
The link you posted didn't work for me so I don't know what you think is a high price.

Mine was $400, kind of high, but cosmetic condition was pristine, it goes plug&play into my equally pristine dash, and it needed VERY little work, some cleanup of the thumbwheels and the on/off switch.

I had Mike from RetroRadio go through it, and he did a terrific job. You were QUITE lucky to find one for $100. If you needed to have it worked on, that (the low starting price) less painful.

GOod luck with it.

 

[68PK21 440.6bbl]

Back to the OP... YES!

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[Wrenchygeorgie]

Maybe one of the more difficult installs but worth it.