70 GS Radio - AM to AM/FM install - What am I missing?

For my 1970 GS, it came with an AM Radio # 04APB1 and I wanted a FM radio with the stock look, so I found an AM/FM radio # 14AFP1 which based on the number is from a 1971 Buick A Body. So I assumed it would fit.
After seeing the radios side by side, the AM/FM is a bit larger and deeper plus with an added heat sink on the side. Even without the heatsink the radio case is still too wide to fit in the dash.

Am I missing something? Does the radio have to slide in and install a different way? Is the radio dash opening on a 71 larger? Anyone have pics of their radio/install?

Thanks,
Nick

Pics 1, 2, 3 are the AM/FM radio held up to the dash.
Pics 4 and 5 is the AM radio sitting on top of the AM/FM radio.

 

I think your problem is that the radio gets installed from the back of the dash. You need to lift it up behind and push the selector housing through the opening. The 2 studs should go through tabs in the dash. There is also a bracket that supports it as well.

 

Yep, from the back. Remove duct work and ashtray for better access.

 

Thanks Fred. Looks like these two tabs (red circles below) should be vertical and that's what the two posts on the front of the radio mount to. Guessing whomever had it over the years bent them down because there was an old school Alpine radio slide in there when I got the car way back when. Least they bent the tabs down and didn't hack them off. And they left the L bracket in there to hold the back up.

That makes sense if it has to go in from the back...Wonder if I can slide it sideways from the glove box since I didn't install that yet. Will try that once I fix those tabs.


Thanks guys! This is all good info as this is my first restoration and first Buick GS.
Nick

 

Cool to see “Utah” in the name. Howdy from Bountiful

 

Hey Nick

If it is not too much trouble, could you provide a photo or two of where the radio light goes into the radio. I need to change the bulb on mine and I cannot locate where the bulb is.

Cheers

 

It’s on top, sometimes covered by a piece of metallic tape. Like Jason said, remove top cover to replace.

 

Thanks guys. So, I guess the radio has to come out.

Cheers

 

Hey Randy...Looks like I have to do the same thing. The AM radio I have lights up but the AM/FM version I have doesn't. I was thinking it's inside somewhere and will have to open it up. I'll post some pics when I get to it, probably later this week. I decided to start the headliner process yesterday instead of opening the radio. Not sure what I'm doing, but I'll definitely see what's inside.

Plus I gotta figure out how to bend those mounting tabs up without too much damage to the nicely painted dash.

Nick

 

The light assembly is pushed onto a bracket under the big hole in the top. You have to remove the top (I think like 5 screws) to get to the bulb.

 

Just straighten out the two tabs and remove the A/C duct and you are good to go. The bottom brace you see is also bolted to the bottom of the radio. Before you install the new radio it's probably a good idea to check out the front speaker in the dash to make sure it's in good shape. Or, you can replace it with a modern, more hi-fi speaker if you chose.

 

Ray makes a good point on the speaker. Check it out while you can get to it.

 

speaker is probably shot or the material has rotted. Remember that u have to use an 8 or 10 ohm speaker. The orig type speaker may still be available from GM.
There is a company that sells orig style speakers but I do not have the internet link

 

Already changed...First thing I installed up in the dash.

Original was toast. I bought a new front speaker from Todd last year. Rear speaker is in the mail. Finally getting around to testing my radio using two 4 ohm speakers in series to get the 8 ohm load. I probably should have done this a while back as well

 

@Randy Lutz I took the cover off the radio to show the light. Looks like you can get at it from the top without removing the cover, but guess you still need to get it out of the dash

 

Thanks very much Nick. All is clear now.

Cheers

 

Before I do something stupid, how do the radio knobs come off?