I know that the 1969 'Birds have the longer push buttons. Are there any other GM radios that will have the same longer buttons and work in my 9er?

Thanks,

PJay

NO

That's kinda what I thought. Dang-it.

No need to have a functional one.. There are many ways to add tunes if your radio is just a 'pretty face'...

That may be what it comes down to.

The old radios can't compare to the new ones for sound quality anyway. My multiplex with factory amp is just for looks in the 69 because the Hidden Audio sounds so much better. And my 67 has even better tunes with just an MP3 and amp....

Whatever ya do, DON'T CUT THE DASH! Both my '69 'birds have been altered. The convertible just had the bar cut in the bezel opening. The cammer dash had the PO's son do a real hack job to install a DIN style AM/FM CD player. The old factory radios can have new guts put in to have better performance and modern conveniences. Vikki had a link for that put up in a similar thread. I forgot to save it, for that's what I'd like to do.

I'm really into the MP3 lately. 1000 songs on it and it's smaller than a cell phone. Set it on random and it's better than any radio station and has every cruising song you can think of. Use it in any vehicle and have it playing perfect sound through the vehicles speakers. IMO It can't be beat.

my 69 radio hole was already cut, and had a non working castette radio in it...I replaced with the same style/size unit....and I figure it was/is "time correct" for the late 70s....lol

cant hear much when doing 85-90 anyway....but in town , yeah ,good usic...casettes with only 69 music....or CD player hooked into the castette...

Bjorn,
You can buy a cassette adaptor and use the MP3 with that. It's like having a cassette with 1000 songs on it and you can access any song or album easily.

too many choices! lol

just take a jigsaw to the dash and open it up a little...my parents did...now any radio can fit.

There are some that will fit, but the buttons are shorter. If it's just for looks it doesn't matter.

PJ, the road back is a long expensive one unless you get really lucky. For example...$250-$300 for an uncut dash, another $50-$150 for the stock AM, another $100 for a new applique(if you need one), $220 for a Secret Audio, whatever you want to pay for speakers($50 min. for the split front speaker). That's just to make it look like it's supposed to. Then there's...CD changer, kickers, amps...ask me how I know.

Robert

I was planning on using an Mp3 setup but just wanted the original radio to fill the hole. It would be nice if it worked. I do actualy listen to am radio often so it wouldn't go to waste if it did work.
I thought that the 69's were unique. I guess it will just be a hole until I find the correct one. Are there any repros out there from anyone?

For my 74, I found an original non-working am/fm unit on ebay for $100, and had it rebuilt with new internals including an mp3 connector (switches automatically from radio to iPod when connecting the device). Four channel speaker support, and it still looks and operates like the original unit.

I have all my music on the iPod, so I don't need any CD player.

http://www.frojdh.com/bilder/main.php/view/ta74/radio_02.jpg

very cool!!!

Now that's the way to go.

How long are the push buttons supposed to be?

only the 69 firebird has the long buttons.be careful if buying one on ebay cause there is somebody making the longer buttons and installing them on 68 to 72 a body radios and selling them for big bucks.if the radio has chrome buttons,be careful,very careful

So how do you tell the difference Terry?

Is this one right?

That one looks right...

I have an A body AM in the garage. I'll measure it.

Robert

The buttons on the A body radio stick out 1". They pull out to 1 5/8" to set the stations. Other than that they look exactly like the bird version.

Robert

Thanks Robert. This is what I ended up with...

Now that's a 'pretty face' for your original looking Bird!
Doesn't matter how good it works.. There are ways to deal with that...

Is there any decent way to replace that middle bar on the dash? Mine, like many others, has been cut out but is the only really bad part of my dash.

Thanks Jim. I think I'm going to get that MP3 hookup installed also (I'll keep it hidden). I really prefer the stock look.

I would find some black plastic that is close to the same type. Maybe from another used/broken dash? Get some fast drying epoxy glue and try your hand at reconstruction.

You're welcome! I like the stock look too. My 69 still has it's original radio...then it has the 'Hidden Audio' in the trunk. The 67 is less original so I settle for an aftermarket radio in that car.... Just depends on what your eye is looking for..