Question about shaft style stereos

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MCPObr44

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Hey guys,
I was wondering if someone with more first hand knowledge than me could explain these "shaft style" radios from back in the day. I have my 71 valiant, and I want to put a little bit better of a radio in. It doesn't have to be fancy, just an FM radio would do. But I can't figure out for sure what fits and what doesn't... without hacking up my dash. Obviously I would prefer to avoid that. So....

I've got one of these right now.
s-l1600.jpg


And looking around on ebay nets me lots of radios like this...
s-l1600.jpg


Not that I would get that exact radio, but it will serve as an example for now.

What I would like to know... are all these supposed "shaft style" radios more or less standardized? Could I theoretically get ANY shaft style radio (like the one above) and have it fit decently in my dash? Or was every single car manufacturer doing their own thing before din radios came along?

That said, are there any decent shaft style radios I should be looking for? A certain brand that was well regarded perhaps? RCA, Realistic, Sony, Craig, Pioneer ectectect. I'm looking for an AM/FM/Cassette rig that doesn't need an amp to get decently loud to hear over the stock slanty cruising down the road. Nothing that rattles fenders, just something so I can hear simon and garfunkel well enough.

Thanks fellas
 
Retro Sound makes some. Look them up. I haven't really found anything I like yet regarding a shaft radio. I am in the same boat. I am NOT cutting my dash. I also do not like remote mounted radios like in the glovebox. That's just stupid tome. I don't want to lose my glovebox.
 
Pioneer SuperTuner ... it was the Go To stereo in the 80s !
Oh! Well that example picture I posted above is a pioneer supertuner. You can sort of see the super tuner emblem under the right hand knob there.

Lucky odds?
 
I used a lot of Pioneer, Kenwood, and Alpine stuff back in the day and was pleased with the quality. I never had an issue with the shaft spacing, and I did a probably a dozen or more car stereo installs over the years. If I recall correctly, there were some units that had an adjustment mechanism to change the shaft spacing if needed. If I could find a good (maybe new???) shaft unit I'd snap it up in a heartbeat for my 66 Valiant.
 
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Two shaft radios are gone except for ridiculously priced things like retro sound. Google hidden or secret car stereo. There are a few options.

The cheapest thing would be to buy a modern one and mount it somewhere out of sight. Most modern car stereos can be had with remotes, but the all seem to be infrared. This means line of sight which won’t work if you can’t point the remote at it. Some clever guys have taken the IR remote apart and taped the LED to the front of the hidden stereo and wired it back to the remote.

Most also have Bluetooth, but that is a pain because you have to use your phone.

My dash was already cut, so I just decided to use a modern $69 stereo.
 
I have an nos made in Korea cassette deck I found in the back of a parts car recently. The box was rough so I chucked it out This thing definitly has the retro look.
Unfortunately, you wont find any aftermarket stereo that will fit that factory face plate. You will have to make a custom face plate for it.
 
I have an NOS RCA shaft style AM/FM 8 track I am never in a million years going to use. Totally collecting dust.It's cool as all hell too.
 
What I would like to know... are all these supposed "shaft style" radios more or less standardized? Could I theoretically get ANY shaft style radio (like the one above) and have it fit decently in my dash? Or was every single car manufacturer doing their own thing before din radios came along?

Many of those radios, from "back in the day", had adjustable shaft spacing too.
 
I have an nos made in Korea cassette deck I found in the back of a parts car recently. The box was rough so I chucked it out This thing definitly has the retro look.
Unfortunately, you wont find any aftermarket stereo that will fit that factory face plate. You will have to make a custom face plate for it.
I bet I could design up a pretty cool 3d printed custom faceplate that has whatever markings I could want on it.
 
I just installed a NOS Kenwood am/fm cassette. Fit nice! More wiring involved. You can find them on ebay. New ones make better sound, but you either have to cut the dash or mount it somewhere. You could make a small console. And those shaft style radios are similar. You can ask for the dimensions from the seller on ebay
 
Coupla options: Modify the stereo to accept a stereo jack so you can plug an MP3 player directly into your stereo. They have a bypass that cuts off the radio circuit when you plug it in. Looks stock, has a plug where-ever you want it.

Kinda like this
https://www.walmart.com/ip/iSimple-...-lbo9qecEk7z4p3F90ZkzLVCFPwzooigaAkmcEALw_wcB

Googling this provides many DIY options, too.

You can send the factory AM radio to have it updated, as mentioned. Looks spendiest.

You can buy a factory AM/FM radio and some MP3 players have FM broadcasters that will play to a predetermined station. Can be kinda spendy, looks stockiest. Only your fender tag and build sheet knows fer sure.
 
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I've never heard anybody call them a shaft radio.
2 knob radio is what we call them.
I worked at a stereo shop as a teen for a short stint. Still install all my audio equip in all my cars. I've got jbl's components up front and rear and a jbl12" sub to hear the lows over the exhaust.
 
This stereo I have has adjustments for the shaft position. I would sell it if anyone is interested....im never going to use it.
I modified a factory AM with bluetooth and it works great. Cost about $30 and a little bit of time but still looks completely factory. If you just want FM you can buy those little FM modules. I thought about it but there is no good radio around here anymore.
 
Mike,

What exactly did you use?
I basically removed all original electronics and added blue tooth module and amp.
I used the original volume pot to turn on/off the modules and control the volume. I also used three of the original push buttons to control the blue tooth functions.
Blue tooth antenna connects to car antennae and has a range of about 50 feet.

Amplifier
TPA3116 TPA3116D2 120W+120W Dual-Channel Stereo Digital Audio Amplifier 12V~24V | eBay

Blue Tooth
LN-BT02 Bluetooth 4.0 Audio Receiver Board Wireless Stereo Sound Module For Car | eBay

FM module (optional)
TEA5767 FM Stereo Radio Module for Arduino 76-108MHZ With Free Cable Antenna | eBay

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20190427_134545.jpg
 
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I used a JVC KD-X340BTS radio (the model # seemed like a subliminal suggestion). Bought the kick panels for oval speakers & bought the 4x6 speakers separately. They are a little weak, but I have 6x9s in trunk divider that carry the load.

My dash was already pretty hacked, so when I had it out I filed it to fit the faceplate of the radio nicely before I refinished it. Doesn’t look factory at all, but works nice. Good solution for a cheapskate....
 
If you just want some quality sound install a modern unit under the seat and use the remote to control it. Get one with a USB to connect your phone.
 
Those new radio's are ridiculous. To change the station you have to look at the miniscule buttons and hope you hit the right one. I have a sony receiver and I can't figure out how to turn it on or off. They have too many useless features and make listening to a radio a chore.
 
If you just want some quality sound install a modern unit under the seat and use the remote to control it. Get one with a USB to connect your phone.
No, I don't think that will work. My phone has neither usb, or bluetooth.
I would rather have an older rig from the 70's or 80's that fits nicely into the original stereo location. That way I can listen to my local FM station and play my cassettes when I'm out of range.
 
I think there are a couple companies that sell new old school radios
 
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