rebuild factory radio on an 87? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

crisco · 04-13-2011, 02:31 PM

I have the factory knob radio in my 87 suburban and want better sound. It only works on the right side and crackles on the left.
I don't need an ipod hookup, I can use an antennae adapter for that.
Has anyone had the factory radio cleaned and repaired? Or found a decent inexpensive after market knob radio?
I replaced the back speakers but haven't done the dash ones yet.

RandyP · 04-13-2011, 03:03 PM

There is a huge difference between the crystal tuned radios and the electronic tune radios. Which do you have in the 87? Either were available that year. The ETR radio should have a digital face/display, but still the knobs.

Or you could go with what the 89-91 Burbs had in them, just need a different bezel and cut your dash some.

Either way, replace the speakers with something a bit nicer and listen to the difference it will make.

Malo83 · 04-13-2011, 03:10 PM

"cut your dash some"

Altec · 04-13-2011, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malo83

"cut your dash some"

If your cutting it for a factory radio, that's not so bad...

RandyP · 04-13-2011, 03:34 PM

Exactly. Had we not just put a used chunk in my 87 (from where the PO had a cd player installed), I would have just made the hole larger and went with a bigger GM radio. Especially since I have like 10 cluster bezels for them.

But the ETR radio does sound better, a lot more crisp and no fading in and out at all.

crisco · 04-14-2011, 09:59 AM

I have thatradio on the top in your picture, the ETR one
it works just sounds terrible on the left side

04-13-2011, 02:31 PM	#1
crisco Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: rochester Posts: 71	rebuild factory radio on an 87? I have the factory knob radio in my 87 suburban and want better sound. It only works on the right side and crackles on the left. I don't need an ipod hookup, I can use an antennae adapter for that. Has anyone had the factory radio cleaned and repaired? Or found a decent inexpensive after market knob radio? I replaced the back speakers but haven't done the dash ones yet.

04-13-2011, 03:03 PM	#2
RandyP Getting Old; Going Broke Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Owasso OK Posts: 2,764	Re: rebuild factory radio on an 87? There is a huge difference between the crystal tuned radios and the electronic tune radios. Which do you have in the 87? Either were available that year. The ETR radio should have a digital face/display, but still the knobs. Or you could go with what the 89-91 Burbs had in them, just need a different bezel and cut your dash some. Either way, replace the speakers with something a bit nicer and listen to the difference it will make. Attached Images __________________ *Why is every used 350 sbc out of a corvette?* There's only two things that excite a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys. *VEGETARIAN: That's an old Indian word meaning "I don't hunt so good."* When the going gets tough, switch to power tools. Last edited by RandyP; 04-13-2011 at 03:04 PM.

04-13-2011, 03:10 PM	#3
Malo83 Cruzzzn' Vet Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Porterville,Ca. Posts: 1,918	Re: rebuild factory radio on an 87? "cut your dash some"

04-13-2011, 03:34 PM	#5
RandyP Getting Old; Going Broke Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Owasso OK Posts: 2,764	Re: rebuild factory radio on an 87? Exactly. Had we not just put a used chunk in my 87 (from where the PO had a cd player installed), I would have just made the hole larger and went with a bigger GM radio. Especially since I have like 10 cluster bezels for them. But the ETR radio does sound better, a lot more crisp and no fading in and out at all. __________________ *Why is every used 350 sbc out of a corvette?* There's only two things that excite a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys. *VEGETARIAN: That's an old Indian word meaning "I don't hunt so good."* When the going gets tough, switch to power tools.

04-14-2011, 09:59 AM	#6
crisco Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: rochester Posts: 71	Re: rebuild factory radio on an 87? I have thatradio on the top in your picture, the ETR one it works just sounds terrible on the left side

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