Thumb wheel radio for 1970 Dart

-

Hemiorangeswinger

Dodge Material
Joined
Nov 13, 2012
Messages
785
Reaction score
196
Location
Edmonton
I was just wondering if the A-body thumb wheel radio is deferent then B-bodies or any other model of cars. If so what's the difference? I'm looking into a thumb wheel radio to buy so I can send it off to wards to get updated to FM and iPod hookup, so I wanna make sure I'm getting the right one.

Thanks.
 
yes, I think it is different. One of the mounting locations sit up high on one side. I actually sent a B body thumb wheel to Wards radio and he switched it over to the correct mount and tuned it up for not much money. He can also install an ipod jack.
 
here.
 

Attachments

  • DSCN0475.JPG
    155.4 KB · Views: 616
  • DSCN0476.JPG
    152.7 KB · Views: 601
Thanks! Here's a picture of the ones I can choose from, the one that says Chrysler is obviously not the right one, do the dodge ones look correct?

Thanks for those pics, it doesn't look like any of these radios have those mounting tabs sticking up and out. Did these tabs bolt on?

9D472019-AB21-4F3B-998F-2C8E6321DCD5-4955-000003DDB4D9BFB9_zps9389806f.jpg
 
I just did a search online for a front view and found this... Should there be countersunk bolt holes beside the thumb wheels like pictured for the A-bodies?

A33E3894-2784-4C23-86B9-5858F14930F8-4955-000003E2E6320D8C_zpse3aefd7e.jpg
 
I think there were several face plates. I think there is even a "Dart solid state" IIRC. you may not find one, but what you have would work with no problem. The metal mounts are attached to the whole front chrome plate around the wheels and will need to be changed. Check your dash first of all, and if needed call Wards radio and he will change it out for you with the mount you need.
 
I think my 68 Valiant was even an oddball and had one countersunk hole offset high or low and I had to send it to Wards. I went on a buying spree thinking I found what I needed and "no go" Wards explained that there were dozens of variations on these cars.
 
Both of the 70 darts ive had have shaft type radios not thumbwheel type. Maybe an option or something.
 
Thanks or the info! I'm not sure if those two bottom ones in the picture will work either... See how it says vol and tune below the thumb wheels? And the face of the radio sticks way out and the buttons look like they don't stick out very far.. The dart one I have pictured has bigger wheels by the looks of it and the buttons stick out far.
 
Both of the 70 darts ive had have shaft type radios not thumbwheel type. Maybe an option or something.

I'm going back to the original thumb wheel radio and I've already got the new bezel since my factory one was cut. Wasn't 71 the first year for that style radio?
 
Ive got a 54000 mile original car right now that has the shaft style radio in it.
 
Ive got a 54000 mile original car right now that has the shaft style radio in it.

Is it a 340 car?

I've never seen a 1970 340 swinger (rallye dash) with the knob style radio, maybe the non 340 darts later in the production year started switching over to that style radio?
 
Here is a link for a radio I had that I thought was a 68-9 Dodge abody. The thread says different..I sold it to a guy today that is pretty sure it isnt for 70 b-body..no idea with these...
http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=221248

And here is another link showing some differences...frickin pain in the arse these radios!!
http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=182553&highlight=radio

Dads radio is in at Wards right now getting repaired...its an am/fm and getting the "aux" jack...I asked them about upgrading it to stereo...they said $459 please...I said no thanks....oh he also said dont try splicing the one speaker wire into 2, you will short/burn/blow something up in the circuit board...fyi
 
My dash and bezel was cut for an aftermarket stereo, so I had to source everything to bring it back to the original configuration. The rally dash had the thumbwheel. I sent my bezel to be re chromed and repaired and it was a complete disaster from the start. When I opened the box when it was done, and 500.00 later, UPS had smashed the box and the new bezel. The best part was the repair shop used a donor bezel from a regular "knob style" radio. It still didn't come back right when it was all said and done. The replacement was the correct thumbwheel style but painted black and silver like the Barracudas. Darts had the wood grain. It took a year to get it back. I kept my mouth shut and ordered the wood grain sticker and changed it myself. Probably wont use Auto instruments again.
 
I also have a 70. It has shaft volume and tuner. I think they changed over in 70, not positive.
 
Wow, this is complicating! Haha sounds like you had a bad time with your dash/radio Vitamin c... Hopefully by radio search doesn't go this route! I don't know how much of my dash frame is cut because I haven't looked behind the bezel yet, I'm kinda afraid to now.

Here is my new reproduction rallye dash bezel i Ordered for a 1970 Dart Swinger 340 (from BE&A) it lists the 71 rallye dash (for duster/demon) having the knob style radio.

F92903A3-9D9B-4717-B63F-492F7402E236-9495-000005DD9988D06D.jpg


2FE10AAC-F8AF-4A63-B9D8-7D8A306785A9-696-000000426E0111DF.jpg

I swear my car would have floated when new with the amount of seam sealer that was put on at the factory, :grin: apparently it did a better job holding the water in and rotting the floor out, haha
 
I should have just ordered one like you did. Your current dash situation looks a lot like mine did. If your dash is cut up and missing the correct mounts, you may be able to just make one of those radios you have work without going through finding the correct radio.
 
I should have just ordered one like you did. Your current dash situation looks a lot like mine did. If your dash is cut up and missing the correct mounts, you may be able to just make one of those radios you have work without going through finding the correct radio.


What does it look like behind the bezel of an uncut dash? Weren't they already a large opening similar to how the bezel is cut in my car currently?

Would you or anyone else happen to have a picture of what the opening on the dash frame should look like on an uncut thumbwheel radio?

I might have found a thumbwheel radio that says dart on it for $100... i'm not sure if it works, but that doesn't matter since i'll be updating it. Hopefully i'll know tomorrow. I honestly didn't think this radio thing would be this complicating, but there seems to be a ton of different style radios!
 
the 70 swinger 340 had a rallye dash and thumbwheel radio. the standard swinger had knob style. all 1971 Darts went to knob style.
Is there a cigarette lighter hole in that repo bezel?
I have correct radios and bezels for the 70 swinger 340 cars. just tell me what condition you need. have all done and need assembly - you save money all the way to just install.
same with radios
dart340@att.net
 
the 70 swinger 340 had a rallye dash and thumbwheel radio. the standard swinger had knob style. all 1971 Darts went to knob style.
Is there a cigarette lighter hole in that repo bezel?
I have correct radios and bezels for the 70 swinger 340 cars. just tell me what condition you need. have all done and need assembly - you save money all the way to just install.
same with radios
dart340@att.net

it has the marking where to cut the cigarette lighter on the backside of the bezel, i have to cut it out... not looking forward to that part. I'll send you an email! thanks!
 
Looks like your all set! Hopefully your dash isn't cut up to bad. I think the metal dash looks very similar to the bezel. Mine is missing some of that original structure, but you cant see it when the bezel is installed.
 
-
Back
Top