AM/FM Radio for J20

Area for General FSJ related chat.
Post Reply

Topic author
J20Hunter
Posts: 54
Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2014 5:46 pm
Location: Ill

AM/FM Radio for J20

Post by J20Hunter »

Ok I have a 83 J20 .Did they put a am/fm radio in these or just AM ? Or is there a replacement that you guys know that will fit hole with no Cutting Thanks
User avatar

Tatsadasayago
Posts: 3684
Joined: Thu Aug 28, 2014 2:22 pm
Location: Sacramento, CA

Re: AM/FM Radio for J20

Post by Tatsadasayago »

In 83 you could get either and cassette player was an option.
There is a company, RetroSound that makes current radios with the vintage look, but they are pricey.
You can find them online and even on ebay.
RetroSound Retro Classic
Image
Back in the day the dual post radio openings were fairly standardized so many GM, Ford and Dodge radios shared the same dimensions.
I believe the J-Trucks in 83 still used this style radio style.

Failing that, you might still find an older used aftermarket AM/FM unit or hit the pick n Pull yards for a factory original.
1977 Cherokee Chief - The Blair Jeep Project III
A collection of parts flying in close formation

Topic author
J20Hunter
Posts: 54
Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2014 5:46 pm
Location: Ill

Re: AM/FM Radio for J20

Post by J20Hunter »

Thanks tried a Ford one too big I will look around Thanks
User avatar

FSJunkie
Posts: 657
Joined: Mon Mar 25, 2013 5:47 pm
Location: Flagstaff, Arizona

Re: AM/FM Radio for J20

Post by FSJunkie »

I have a Retrosound. Nice radio, fits in factory opening and uses factory knobs. Don't have to hack your dash apart. Plenty of features in the base model, seems to be made decently well. Receives stations well. I like mine a lot.

However the factory AM/FM radio sounds just as good, just doesn't have the aux inputs. I got one off ebay for $20 a few years ago and put it in my Hornet.
1972 Wagoneer: 360 2V, THM-400, D20, D30 closed knuckle, D44 Trac-lok 3.31.
1965 Rambler Ambassador: 327 4V, BW M-10 auto, AMC 20 3.15.
1973 AMC Ambassador: 360 4V, TC-727.
1966 AMC Marlin 327 4V, T-10 4 speed, AMC 20 Powr-lok 3.54.

Topic author
J20Hunter
Posts: 54
Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2014 5:46 pm
Location: Ill

Re: AM/FM Radio for J20

Post by J20Hunter »

Thanks for info

74cherokees1980
Posts: 49
Joined: Wed Jan 01, 2014 8:39 pm
Location: Ypsilanti, MI
Contact:

Re: AM/FM Radio for J20

Post by 74cherokees1980 »

I just wish my factory radio worked


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

74cherokees1980
Posts: 49
Joined: Wed Jan 01, 2014 8:39 pm
Location: Ypsilanti, MI
Contact:

Re: AM/FM Radio for J20

Post by 74cherokees1980 »

FSJunkie,

What model retro sound radio did you get. I can't find one specifically for an fsj and don't want to buy one that doesn't fit


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

letank
Posts: 4009
Joined: Wed Oct 03, 2012 9:16 pm
Location: SF bay area

Re: AM/FM Radio for J20

Post by letank »

The specs for our vehicle is a mini chassis... such as those for beetle and porsche...
Michel
74 wag (349 Kmiles... parked, next step is a rust free body)
85 Gwag (229 Kmiles... the running test lab)

74cherokees1980
Posts: 49
Joined: Wed Jan 01, 2014 8:39 pm
Location: Ypsilanti, MI
Contact:

Re: AM/FM Radio for J20

Post by 74cherokees1980 »

Letank,

What kind of vehicle do you drive. I own a 1974 jeep Cherokee s


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

serehill
Vendor
Posts: 1953
Joined: Sun Nov 20, 2011 4:00 pm
Location: Mesquite Texas

Re: AM/FM Radio for J20

Post by serehill »

He's a more economic solution. I've seen many reports on the Retro sound. They just about balance out both ways but some say the sound quality is not that good. I know they do not put the electronc specifications on their site. It doesn't always prove the radios quality anyway.
Retro sound is 12 watts this one is 30 watts.

12 Watts RMS is the model that retro sound recommends for your truck.

It's really about THD though.
personally for an analog unit the retro sound is overpriced.


40 BUCKS Come on


Some modern amenities too. Neither unit is state of the art.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-AM-FM-Car-S ... BQ&vxp=mtr


ALL of the amenities of the retro
Last edited by serehill on Fri Oct 30, 2015 7:24 pm, edited 4 times in total.
1980 Honcho 258 4 speed mostly stock with 4 " lift.

WIP

You know the rude dude from IFSJA


1980 Cherokee wrangled & mangled
MSD complete system
Eddy intake
Holley 650
Comp cam 270H
4" Rusty's
Ramsey 12K winch
208
Built to drive not sit in the garage.


No longer strangled. I didn't build it for anyone else.
If you can't improve it why waste your time?
User avatar

FSJunkie
Posts: 657
Joined: Mon Mar 25, 2013 5:47 pm
Location: Flagstaff, Arizona

Re: AM/FM Radio for J20

Post by FSJunkie »

74cherokees1980 wrote:FSJunkie,

What model retro sound radio did you get. I can't find one specifically for an fsj and don't want to buy one that doesn't fit
Mine's the Retro Classic. I have an early FSJ which has a different dash opening than a later one, so when I bought my radio I ordered it alone without a faceplate or knobs. Luckily the factory radio's faceplate and knobs fit it perfectly!

However, you have a different dash opening than I do. A radio for a CJ-5 or CJ-7 should drop right into a later FSJ (1974-1986). Even the knobs look right.

http://www.retrosound.com/product-p/197 ... 4-900c.htm

18 watts x 4 channel RMS all by itself, which is plenty of blast for most people's needs. That's about the power of the original Jeep radio. If you desire more, it has RCA connections for an external amplifier and that can be as big as you want.
1972 Wagoneer: 360 2V, THM-400, D20, D30 closed knuckle, D44 Trac-lok 3.31.
1965 Rambler Ambassador: 327 4V, BW M-10 auto, AMC 20 3.15.
1973 AMC Ambassador: 360 4V, TC-727.
1966 AMC Marlin 327 4V, T-10 4 speed, AMC 20 Powr-lok 3.54.

Jeep Bob
Posts: 1
Joined: Tue Jul 11, 2017 4:54 am

Re: AM/FM Radio for J20

Post by Jeep Bob »

Tatsadasayago wrote:In 83 you could get either and cassette player was an option.
There is a company, RetroSound that makes current radios with the vintage look, but they are pricey.
You can find them online and even on ebay.
RetroSound Retro Classic
Image
Back in the day the dual post radio openings were fairly standardized so many GM, Ford and Dodge radios shared the same dimensions.
I believe the J-Trucks in 83 still used this style radio style.

Failing that, you might still find an older used aftermarket AM/FM unit or hit the pick n Pull yards for a factory original.
I didnt see Retrosound offering a cassette player for a Jeep radio so I ended up going with http://www.vintagecarradio.com
Post Reply