TC Radio

[split1atom]

As usual with a kid, the first thing she wants to do is get music! I guess I cant blame her, I did the same. Our factory unit is bad. Is there any of the later model box radios that fit in? Id like to keep the factory look....and save the money over a new one that doesnt visually fit. Thanks in advance, Bob & Marha.

[zoomie]

Most radios are changed out due to bad caps,but you get lucky sometimes and get a good one I've put several radios in these in the stock location with very little modification . If you get answer one you'll be able to integrate mp3 player of your choice, the alternative is to use a company that puts the newer stuff in a classic radio for your vehicle model.

[tjc78]

An aftermarket single DIN unit will fit right into a Townie dash nicely with no mods. Order it from Crutchfield and they will send you everything you need to do it right. I just put a Sony unit with bluetooth and a Sat Radio tuner in my Fiance's Elantra for a little over $200 all in. Probably like $150 w/o Sat.

[split1atom]

Wow! The last radio that I put in a car was my oldest girls ride probably 6 years ago. It was over 2oo then. For a buck fifty, I'd order a new one. For the radio illiterate...ok, me, can you tell me what DIN stands for? A big reason that I was looking for a stock ford unit is that I dont want a bunch of dancing lights and strobing shit bouncing around on the face plate. I'd like a radio that looks like it didnt come from Fisher Price. They make aftermarkets that look more factory?

[miamibob]

Not sure what "din" stand for but it's reference is to size. Car stereos are labeled as single DIN and double DIN. The "DIN" label refers to the size of the in-dash stereo unit, or "head" unit. Single-DIN and double-DIN stereos are about 7 inches wide, with 2 and 4 inches of height, respectively. Stereo depth will vary, so you may need to measure the car-stereo cavity in your dash. Bobby

[sly]

Crutchfield will supply a nice adapter plate for you since the older town cars have a completely proprietary size hole. The adapter plate WILL remove the premium sound knob if it is present, but then it won't be used any more anyhow. The new head units generally work better than the old amps did when new.

here's a bad pic of mine.

[split1atom]

Bob/Sly, thanks! That makes a bit more sense now.

[tjc78]

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_158BT40...P.html?tp=5684 This is unit I got. It is $170 now. I must have gotten it on sale.

There is no Premium Sound knob on an 89 so the opening is a perfect match for an aftermarket unit. Crutchfield will provide a bracket that will allow you to use the four screw holes the factory radio was secured with. The one catch with a box TC is you put the trim piece on the radio BEFORE putting the dash back on. It will look nice and clean that way.

You may also need an amp by-pass cable that you install in the trunk to eliminate the factory amp. (to the right of the spare tire on the seat back).

[zoomie]

you can also just run all your own wires, to insure new wires along with new speakers, my personal preference is Alpine,kenwood,pioneer,sony(decks only) in that order too.

[split1atom]

TJC, thanks tons! I cant believe that radios of that caliber are that inexpensive. Things have changed. Zoom, thanks as always.

[gadget73]

DIN is some European sizing standard. It refers to all sorts of nonsense, but all you're interested in is the size of the hole. Its single DIN. The GM radios from the mid 80s through at least 2000 were DIN and a half, and the massive things now used are sometimes double DIN.

definitely need at least the amp bypass cable. Crutchfield may include this. They're pretty good about giving you whatever wiring and mounting stuff you need. I used to use them for shopping and then buy stuff elsewhere but they have gotten their prices to the point where they are competitive with anywhere else, plus when you figure in the adapters that are included and the fact their customer service and shipping times generally rock, its a good reason to buy from them.

[split1atom]

Thanks gadge! Makes up for telling me that my car was ugly!

[miamibob]

As far as I know, all the GM radios were DIN 1 until around 94 or more likely 95. Then they were bigger in front and smaller in the rear to account for the duct work behind them. The massive 2 DIN's came later....Bobby

[gadget73]

I've worked on plenty of 80s GM products with din and a half radios. Think G bodies and B bodies mostly but the S10 family also had them. GM also had that nonsense with the wierdo two piece radios where the controls and digital display were next to the instrument cluster and the tape deck part was over in the middle of the dashboard. I remember that in the full size trucks and I think it was the Grand Prix or something that had it too.

Thanks gadge! Makes up for telling me that my car was ugly!

mine is ugly under the trim too. I just use factory stuff to cover up the ugly spots. I didn't really mean that in an offensive way, though I guess I was in a bit of a mood when I said all that.

[miamibob]

My refererence to "GM" was for Grand Marquis and not General Motors. Is that where the confusion came in? Bobby