Topic: AM Radio 8 Track San Jose 1968

[bullitt68]

I posted perviously about the dash speaker which has now opened up a can of worms unfortunately. It turns out that the original unit was modified at some point and all of the internals have been changed for a modern amplifier, AM/FM with aux plug etc. It still looks factory or will when installed, however, don't think I can use it unless it can connect to the factory wiring. I have replaced every wiring harness in my car and would like to keep everything as original as possible. Which means I would have to find a new AM 8 Track or get my old radio put back to how it should be, unless of course there is a way to get the right connections on the back of the radio to mate with all the new wiring.

FYI I was originally told that the AM radio plays through the dash speaker and the 8 Track through the door speakers, but now believe that all sound should just play through the door speakers.


It looks like someone tried to splice the original wiring harness with the new wiring harness at some point, but it's just a mess!

[67gtasanjose]

You should be able to market the converted radio for more than enough to buy another 68 8-track. There is no going back once these get gutted.

The factory type dash harnes is reproduced. Buy a new one.

If you have interest in another, I have one that is restorable. PM me if interested.

[bullitt68]

You should be able to market the converted radio for more than enough to buy another 68 8-track. There is no going back once these get gutted.

The factory type dash harnes is reproduced. Buy a new one.

If you have interest in another, I have one that is restorable. PM me if interested.

Hi Richard. yes I am interested I will PM you. Just to confirm that there would only be 2 door speakers correct and no dash speaker

[MrBill]

I posted perviously about the dash speaker which has now opened up a can of worms unfortunately. It turns out that the original unit was modified at some point and all of the internals have been changed for a modern amplifier, AM/FM with aux plug etc. It still looks factory or will when installed, however, don't think I can use it unless it can connect to the factory wiring. I have replaced every wiring harness in my car and would like to keep everything as original as possible. Which means I would have to find a new AM 8 Track or get my old radio put back to how it should be, unless of course there is a way to get the right connections on the back of the radio to mate with all the new wiring.

FYI I was originally told that the AM radio plays through the dash speaker and the 8 Track through the door speakers, but now believe that all sound should just play through the door speakers.


It looks like someone tried to splice the original wiring harness with the new wiring harness at some point, but it's just a mess!

That was a homemade hack conversion, as the original AM/8-track in my old 68 GT350 convertible had a "FM" conversion that used the factory wiring harness coming out of the back of the radio. Strictly a bolt in affair that worked great. Still have a case or two of 8-track tapes as well, but nothing to play them in at the moment. Tempted to do a similar conversion in my 66 "C" code convertible, but have not found a suitable AM/8-track radio to convert just so I have something to use the 8-tracks in. 

Bill S.

[67gtasanjose]

Hi Richard. yes I am interested I will PM you. Just to confirm that there would only be 2 door speakers correct and no dash speaker

Yes, only the door speakers would be used in a factory-installed 8-track car and there would not be any of the dash speaker installation hardware (studs) in place.

On another note, regarding trying to use the factory wiring harness on the converted radio you have, the answer is no. Two issues I know of (ohm values of the converted radio output is one) but the primary issue is that the factory radio circuits share the "negative" within the factory speaker harness while the converted radio REQUIRES it's speakers wired into each speaker channel using two wires. This aspect of the circuits cannot be modified to work using the stock Ford wiring harness and stock style radio plugs on that converted radio. I did research this years ago now.

[Bob Gaines]

Yes, only the door speakers would be used in a factory-installed 8-track car and there would not be any of the dash speaker installation hardware (studs) in place.

On another note, regarding trying to use the factory wiring harness on the converted radio you have, the answer is no. Two issues I know of (ohm values of the converted radio output is one) but the primary issue is that the factory radio circuits share the "negative" within the factory speaker harness while the converted radio REQUIRES it's speakers wired into each speaker channel using two wires. This aspect of the circuits cannot be modified to work using the stock Ford wiring harness and stock style radio plugs on that converted radio. I did research this years ago now.

Richard ,it appears that there are two separate wires in the factory harness (plugs)going to each side speakers. There may be sharing of what you are referring to negative side internally in the Ford radio however as the picture of the factory plug end shows there are two distinct separate wires that go to each door speaker. I see no problem making that work. I have done it many times in the past before. It was apparently done successfully in the OP's cars case although the workmanship of the wiring was sub par. I would make a better adapter plug with heat shrink covering soldered wire connections instead of what was done but that basic adapter design will work fine .

[67gtasanjose]

Richard ,it appears that there are two separate wires in the factory harness (plugs)going to each side speakers. There may be sharing of what you are referring to negative side internally in the Ford radio however as the picture of the factory plug end shows there are two distinct separate wires that go to each door speaker. I see no problem making that work. I have done it many times in the past before. It was apparently done successfully in the OP's cars case although the workmanship of the wiring was sub par. I would make a better adapter plug with heat shrink covering soldered wire connections instead of what was done but that basic adapter design will work fine .

My reply is in reference to the modified radio's requirements. I spoke with a radio guy who does the retrofitting work to see if it were possible to use the factory 3-wire plug for 2-speakers and only change out the guts. He said no, not for the Aurora Design version anyways. It requires 2 wires for each speaker or the logic board  that is the part of the conversion work, shuts off open or shorted circuits. 2-speakers need 4 wires, 4-speakers need 8 wires but if wanting one speaker, I imagine you could do it and still look stock with an AM-only radio.

On edit, I have a picture of the factory 3-wire speaker plug end of a 68-year model AM/8-Track player that I have on the shelf.

[Bob Gaines]

My reply is in reference to the modified radio's requirements. I spoke with a radio guy who does the retrofitting work to see if it were possible to use the factory 3-wire plug for 2-speakers and only change out the guts. He said no, not for the Aurora Design version  anyways. It requires 2 wires for each speaker or the logic board  that is the part of the conversion work, to operate. 2 speakers need 4 wires, 4 speakers need 8 but if wanting one speaker, I imagine you could do it with stock AM -only radio.

Something must be missing in the translation.  It is simple to modify a stock harness with a 3 wire plug. If you have  3 wire plugs going to both sides and one of the wires is a common then you simply snip the common. You will now confirm "2 independent wires" going to each speaker . Those two confirmed wires are the ones that you use for the speakers. Like I said before I and others have done this many times since the late 60's !!!!  I can only imagine why your radio guy didn't think it could work.   

[Bob Gaines]

Just to be crystal clear the two independent wires going to both sides will meet the audio requirements of the after market radio output.

[Bob Gaines]

My reply is in reference to the modified radio's requirements. I spoke with a radio guy who does the retrofitting work to see if it were possible to use the factory 3-wire plug for 2-speakers and only change out the guts. He said no, not for the Aurora Design version anyways. It requires 2 wires for each speaker or the logic board  that is the part of the conversion work, shuts off open or shorted circuits. 2-speakers need 4 wires, 4-speakers need 8 wires but if wanting one speaker, I imagine you could do it and still look stock with an AM-only radio.

On edit, I have a picture of the factory 3-wire speaker plug end of a 68-year model AM/8-Track player that I have on the shelf.

I can understand the confusion now. That plug you picture comes from the back of the stock radio and incorporates both output sides.  The plug you show is not relevant to the discussion about aftermarket upgrade plug coming from the radio or adapter plug now .  We are also talking about what goes out the speakers. I explain previously how to achieve two independent wires to each side speaker where the adapter plug connects to the plug from the aftermarket upgrade.

[Bob Gaines]

The radio /tape upgrade is very expensive now to have done and enhances performance. I would redo the adapter plug and keep the upgraded radio given the mods are virtually invisible once installed. Given the things you have been able to accomplish refinishing other parts this should be a piece of cake for you to do. Just my opinion

[67gtasanjose]

I can understand the confusion now. That plug you picture comes from the back of the stock radio and incorporates both output sides.  The plug you show is not relevant to the discussion about aftermarket upgrade plug coming from the radio or adapter plug now .  We are also talking about what goes out the speakers. I explain previously how to achieve two independent wires to each side speaker where the adapter plug connects to the plug from the aftermarket upgrade.

If I understand the O.P. correctly, he wished to use everything stock in appearance outside the chassis of the AM/8-Track player while using a factory AM/8-track player. Keeping the radio he has on hand would require a 4-pin connector for the two door speakers. It would in all honesty be easier to obtain later style Ford 4-pin speaker plugs for both radio and speaker harness side and build a unique harness that closer matches what Ford MAY have done. Then add back in different 3-pin Ford type connector to correct wiring for supplying the12v switched and 12v constant and lamp feed for the display. I agree, this can be done to the radio he already has. Obviously, not CONCOURS but it would clean up the messy wiring he now has while isolating each of the 4-wires (required) for the aftermarket internal components of his radio.

[bullitt68]

Thanks guys I appreciate the help and advice on this subject. Ultimately what I am looking to achieve is using my current modified Radio/8 Track and have a clean acceptable (to judges) wiring harness. I am not sure if the under dash radio harness is judged or not. My plan is to use the new wiring harnesses I have for the door speakers regardless. So if there is a way to connect the door harnesses to the radio that looks factory/clean looking, that would work for me. In a perfect world I would have some new wires (original appearing harness) coming out of the back on the radio that would look as correct as possible connecting to the door harnesses. I will check with my vintage radio guy and see if he is able to make something like that. He is familiar with the original radios and this conversation. I will have to replace the speakers as well so hopefully the ohms can be matched to the unit if required.

Great news on the dash speaker not being used, as I need to try to repair the dash speaker area of my dash pad, as it is sagging for some reason. Perhaps it is missing some foam under-padding, So far I have just test fit it. I will compare it to the other original dash pad and see what that reveals.

FYI I have posted a separate thread on that subject.

Hopefully there is a workable solution that looks the part and functions correctly

[Bob Gaines]

Thanks guys I appreciate the help and advice on this subject. Ultimately what I am looking to achieve is using my current modified Radio/8 Track and have a clean acceptable (to judges) wiring harness. I am not sure if the under dash radio harness is judged or not. My plan is to use the new wiring harnesses I have for the door speakers regardless. So if there is a way to connect the door harnesses to the radio that looks factory/clean looking, that would work for me. In a perfect world I would have some new wires (original appearing harness) coming out of the back on the radio that would look as correct as possible connecting to the door harnesses. I will check with my vintage radio guy and see if he is able to make something like that. He is familiar with the original radios and this conversation. I will have to replace the speakers as well so hopefully the ohms can be matched to the unit if required.

Great news on the dash speaker not being used, as I need to try to repair the dash speaker area of my dash pad, as it is sagging for some reason. Perhaps it is missing some foam under-padding, So far I have just test fit it. I will compare it to the other original dash pad and see what that reveals.

FYI I have posted a separate thread on that subject.

Hopefully there is a workable solution that looks the part and functions correctly

A adapter plug can be made that is much less obnoxious then what is there now and connect to the stock harness to the doors speakers.The possibility is there that there may be minor deductions for ether the adapter plug and or the back of the upgraded radio if noticed. We typically judge from a kneeling position looking in from the door opening. It is hard to see too much in the center congested area of the under dash area so there is a advantage to conceal things. It will depend on how well the wire is routed wether or not out of the ordinary things are noticed. You will have to make choices that you think are best for you.

[bullitt68]

A adapter plug can be made that is much less obnoxious then what is there now and connect to the stock harness to the doors speakers.The possibility is there that there may be minor deductions for ether the adapter plug and or the back of the upgraded radio if noticed. We typically judge from a kneeling position looking in from the door opening. It is hard to see too much in the center congested area of the under dash area so there is a advantage to conceal things. It will depend on how well the wire is routed wether or not out of the ordinary things are noticed. You will have to make choices that you think are best for you.

Great thanks Bob that is very helpful information. Hopefully my radio guy can work some magic. Ideally using correct coloured wires etc and even better would be stock harness coming out of the back of the radio with mods inside the chassis