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Topic: Took dash apart, U79 AM/FM Stereo option?

in Forum: C3 Interior

Took dash apart, U79 AM/FM Stereo option?

Posted: 2/5/11 10:19am Message 1 of 14
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Lino Lakes, MN - USA
Joined: 1/8/2009
Posts: 138
Vette(s): 71 Coupe LS5 454 Auto

Found an interesting radio counterpart under my dash.

The code is DS-501. That number comes up as a Delco DS-501 transistor.
 
Online, here's what people are saying:
 
"... it seems this is a multiplex box to provide stereo sound from the stock radio."
 
"external aluminum heatsink w/ two(2) large DS-501 transistors on it along w/ a pair of caps."

Is this for stock radio? I think it may be the Stereo AM/FM option or U79 option.
 
I'm replacing my heater core, so i had to get in there. Found this interesting part.



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Took dash apart, U79 AM/FM Stereo option?

Posted: 2/5/11 10:20am Message 2 of 14
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Lino Lakes, MN - USA
Joined: 1/8/2009
Posts: 138
Vette(s): 71 Coupe LS5 454 Auto
On the back sode of the radio, there's a sticker. It was re-worked at some time.


Took dash apart, U79 AM/FM Stereo option?

Posted: 2/5/11 10:22am Message 3 of 14
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Lino Lakes, MN - USA
Joined: 1/8/2009
Posts: 138
Vette(s): 71 Coupe LS5 454 Auto
I took down the RT speaker.
 
It has soldered wires! They're shot- sound-wise, just worn out.
 
I want to replace these. Are there universal size replacements?



Took dash apart, U79 AM/FM Stereo option?

Posted: 2/5/11 10:31am Message 4 of 14
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Lino Lakes, MN - USA
Joined: 1/8/2009
Posts: 138
Vette(s): 71 Coupe LS5 454 Auto
Forgot. It's a '71.


Took dash apart, U79 AM/FM Stereo option?

Posted: 2/5/11 11:41am Message 5 of 14
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Oak Creek, WI - USA
Joined: 5/21/2008
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Vette(s): 1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190 hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vettes Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!! Now own a 1998 C-5!
See if you can contact Jim (Norsky)  He lives up dere in dat Mn place heh??
Dan



Took dash apart, U79 AM/FM Stereo option?

Posted: 2/5/11 8:00pm Message 6 of 14
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Charlottesville, VA - USA
Joined: 9/3/2010
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Vette(s): 1978 Silver Anniversary L82 Previously: 1965 300hp Coupe in 1967. 1967 435hp Coupe in 1968-70. 1969 350hp T-top w/ac and all power options.
      I suggest that you check with our supporting vendors for replacement speakers. The stock size is 4x6. A big benefit of going with an aftermarket speaker is having a separate tweeter built-in for better high frequencies. That helps to hear the music over the rumble of a big block!      



Joe T

Took dash apart, U79 AM/FM Stereo option?

Posted: 2/6/11 10:11am Message 7 of 14
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Canada
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Vette(s): Coupe 74 - 454 Drive it like you stole it!
Yes, they are 4x6, but I don't think you can connect "new" speakers to your original radio.  The circuitry is not compatible (something about ohm's I believe...).

I think they sell speakers that would fit the original radio; but you still won't get much out of them.  You could also go the other route; which is to replace the radio and speakers.  They sell some that have the decent 70's look face-wise, but have today's goody's (electronic circuit, aux input, ipod connection, sub connections,...).

Steph.



Took dash apart, U79 AM/FM Stereo option?

Posted: 2/6/11 10:37am Message 8 of 14
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Duncanville, TX - USA
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
That is simply the stock amplifier for the stock radio. The space available for the radios was limited, so in order to make it work the amplifier had to be a separate component. ALL early Sharks with a radio had this component mounted on the firewall. I believe the stereo systems had one other component mounted up there, too, but I may be wrong. In '77, a console re-design allowed the use of a "normal" radio head, ending the use of the separate amp system.
If your radio has a small, round, yellow/amber  light in the upper right side of the dial, it is a stereo unit. If it does not have the light, it is a mono unit. I think what you have is the basic, mono AM/FM radio set-up.


Joel Adams
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Took dash apart, U79 AM/FM Stereo option?

Posted: 2/6/11 9:59pm Message 9 of 14
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Lino Lakes, MN - USA
Joined: 1/8/2009
Posts: 138
Vette(s): 71 Coupe LS5 454 Auto
Thanks for the advice.
 
Are you guys sure that my old radio won't work with the new speakers?



Took dash apart, U79 AM/FM Stereo option?

Posted: 2/6/11 10:31pm Message 10 of 14
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Lino Lakes, MN - USA
Joined: 1/8/2009
Posts: 138
Vette(s): 71 Coupe LS5 454 Auto
I've found a few Sony 4 x 6 speakers at the local walmart.
 
They are listed as 4 ohms. If they are less than the stock 10 ohms, then I would think the radio would be fine, correct?



in Forum: C3 Interior


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