'72 Radio Replacement

[Wendell Allen]

Hi All.....

The stereo in my '72 is one of those Kraco pieces of junk that was in the car when I got it. And I'm finding original '72 replacements of either kind pretty expensive when I can find them, and same is true of the aftermarket units that I see in MidAmerica and elsewhere. But I've found an original AM/FM stereo out of a '76 that I hope can be negotiated to a reasonable price, as defined by my lack of budget. It comes with the antennae and "vector", what ever that is. My questions are:

1) Will the '76 stereo will physically fit in my '72 without modifications to the stereo or the car?

2) Will the wiring and speaker harnesses snap in without an adaptor or splicing?

3) Does the '76 stereo require the noise suppressor that I found on the steering column when I took it apart for a rebuild? (at least that's what the guys at Corvette Steering said it was)

4) Does the '76 stereo face look like the '72? The judging manual doesn't give much information to go by other than some lettering and lighting information.

Some assumptions on my part are that the knobs from a '72 will work on the '76 stereo and that they're not very expensive. So I'm not really concerned about that part of the deal.

And please don't get the intent behind my questions wrong. I don't want to purchase the stereo out of the '76 and try to pass it in judging when I get to that point, even if it can potentially be done. That would be unethical and I'm aware of this. But I'm hoping to get something that at least looks and functions as original for a reasonable price until I have the money to do it right.

Any help you can provide would be appreciated.

Regards,

Wendell

[Joe L.]

Re: '72 Radio Replacement

Wendell-----

The 72 and 76 radios are nearly identical, if not identical. I'll have to check my references later to be absolutely certain. If there is any difference at all, it would relate only to the length of the shafts. However, my recollection is that 72-76 are the same. 1968-71 are different. Also, I believe that all or most of the knobs are the same for 72-76. The face plates are the same for 72-76.

The "vector" that you are referring to is probably the external diode/amplifier assembly. These are different for original mono or stereo radios, so you have to have the correct one.

As I recall, the in-car, harness wiring is the same for both mono and stereo radios, so IF YOUR CAR STILL HAS THE ORIGINAL WIRING AND CONNECTORS (which is doubtful if someone previously installed an aftermarket radio), the 76 radio should be installable without wiring or connector changes.

The installation of all original noise suppression equipment is very advisable. In fact, it's more necessary with old-technology radios than with the contemporary units with far more advances internal noise suppression circuitry. That's why GM installed the noise suppression components in the first place. Believe me, they didn't do it because they wanted to spend some extra, unnecessary money building the cars.

[Reba 8804]

Re: '72 Radio Replacement

Joe is correct (as usual); the knobs and dial face are the same. I am not sure about the main wiring harness in mono and stereo; the wiring and connectors from the amplifier to the radio are different. My '72 also had an aftermarket system when I bought it. However, someone had left the amplifier and wiring from it behind the dash. If you are that lucky, all you will have to do is plug the new radio in.