Convert a 68-69 dart/valiant thumbwheel radio to a rallye dash radio.

[moparmat2000]

This thread is for converting the more abundant standard dash 68-69 dart/valiant thumbwheel AM radio to a harder to find 68/69 rallye dash radio. Its actually quite simple really. You dont even need the rallye dash chrome mounting plate, just the stock 68/69 dart/valiant radio, an adaptor bracket i make and sell in the interior parts for sale forum, and some hand tools most of you probably have. The brackets are made from heavy gage .040" thick stainless steel, and when installed are quite solid.

First thing you need to do is remove the four 1/4" faceplate screws, and 2 large phillips screws on either side of the roller dials, and remove the dart valiant faceplate

 

[moparmat2000]

Second, you tape the display face with autobody masking tape so it doesnt fall off, and cover up the radio with plastic or paper to keep aluminum dust out of the radio for the next step. You take one of my adaptor brackets, and line it up at the phillips screw mount next to the Left hand side VOL and Tune rollers, and draw a mark with a sharpie where you will file down the aluminum to create a step down for the new bracket. Not much needs to be removed. Only .040" or 40 thousandths of an inch in depth for the adaptor bracket to sit, and allow the faceplate to fit back on and sit flush.

This part can be done with an air high speed with a scotchbrite roloc, or a hand file. Notice the tape holding the display glass in place. I had already unwrapped the radio out of the plastic after machining this stepped edge in the aluminum for the bracket to show the pix more clearly.

 

[moparmat2000]

The dart/valiant faceplate now needs to be modified. The Left side mounting tab now needs to be cut off the die cast faceplate. The RH passenger side is left alone, since it locates in the same spot on the rallye dash. The mounting tab can be cut off with a high speed cut off wheel, hacksaw, etc, then file the eges smooth.

 

[moparmat2000]

Deburr the side of the radio faceplate that sandwiches against the adaptor bracket to make sure the pieces all fit flush and tight against one another. I used a scotchbright rolocs on my high speed and dressed this area up removing the rough casting flash, however a small hand file works well for this step. Take care not to file off the locating pin on the faceplate.. Now reassemble the radio with adaptor mount on Left side sandwiched in between the radio faceplate, and the area you just machined or filed 40 thousandths out of. The last picture shows a rallye dash face plate, and standard dash faceplate below it. My mounting bracket requires no bends, because of the location its at depthwise on the radio chassis puts it at the correct depth to fit the dashboard frame mounting point on a rallye dash.

 

[moparmat2000]

When you have the faceplate off the radio for this mod. This is now a good time to give the radio a little love, and repaint the pointer if its faded, polish up the faceplate lens, give everything a general clean up, and maybe replace the bulb for the display backlighting if its burnt out.

 

[moparmat2000]

One last thing, the rear radio support, will need to be unscrewed from the lower dash frame moved over, and reinstalled to line up w the dart valiant radio rear mount.

 

[moparmat2000]

Thread bump.

 

[moparmat2000]

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[moparmat2000]

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