What are the differences between van & truck AM/FM's? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bagged91 · 01-04-2005, 11:50 PM

Like it says, any differences? How do you tell??????

Thanks - Joe

HuggerCST · 01-05-2005, 02:00 PM

Since nobody answered, I'll attempt it. The only differences that I know of are the lenses, and the location of the antenna plug. I don't think the lense on the van radio has delco on it, and the hole to plug in the antenna on the van radio is in the back. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but here are some pics of a truck radio.

teeitup · 01-05-2005, 02:21 PM

The van radio has DELCO printed on the left center side

*rickspickuppart* · 01-05-2005, 02:27 PM

original van radios had the heatsink on the back and the truck radios have them on the right side

sdkid · 01-05-2005, 02:45 PM

What year vans do these radios come from?

*Don Loverink* · 01-05-2005, 03:27 PM

The numbers are different also between the van radios and the pickup radios, for the stations.................

Bob Moore · 01-05-2005, 05:42 PM

I have had 2 van AM/FM radios and both had the heat sink on the side. I have always thought the diff was in the "style" of printing on the dial just like the PRNDL is different on a P/U tilt vs. a van tilt.

*Don Loverink* · 01-05-2005, 06:14 PM

Thats it, the style of printing on the dial is different between the van and the pickup radios, the numbers are different, they sell a decal that goes over the existing one so you can make a van radio look like a pickup radio, they also sell the lens with the delco on the right side for a pickup, where the antenna plugs into is also different...............

bagged91 · 01-05-2005, 10:12 PM

Got it! Thanks again guys, you're great!!!!

L8R - Joe

Rod · 01-06-2005, 12:13 AM

How many am-fm owners have antenna hole out the bottom near heatsink edge.

saskred · 03-16-2016, 07:35 PM

For reference - this is a picture of a van AM/FM radio that is currently for sale as a "truck" radio on a site I saw recently. You can see the Delco is on the left side and the numbers are different from the truck radio.

If I'm wrong --- correct me. But I'm pretty sure this is the van model. Heat sink is on the side but still a van am/fm.

saskred · 03-16-2016, 07:36 PM

Here is a closer picture of the face of the same radio.

57larry · 03-16-2016, 09:28 PM

do they both fit the same in the dash radio hole?

saskred · 03-16-2016, 10:16 PM

Yes - I think they are nearly identical.

The only differences it seems is that on the van am/fm the heat sink can sometimes be on the back of the unit. Also the van radio says "Delco GM" in block letters on the left hand side of the dial/display area and the truck radio says just "Delco" in script letters on the right hand side. And the numbers on the truck display are more narrow looking than the bolder looking numbers on the van display.

The van unit should fit in the trucks just the same as far as I know. Its just some people sell van radios as 67-72 truck am/fm radios at full price.

71swb4x4 · 03-16-2016, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 57larry

do they both fit the same in the dash radio hole?

Yes

**FirstOwner69** · 03-17-2016, 01:01 AM

A little known fact is that some van radios are equipped for a second/rear speaker with a fader behind the tuning knob. Not stereo by any means but definitely better sound. Look for a blue wire for the second speaker.

Here's a pic of my converted van radio that has the rear speaker. Since I have factory buckets, I mounted the rear speaker from the van pointing out the back of a spare console. The sound is a little muted but much better.

01-04-2005, 11:50 PM	#1
bagged91 Out draggin' Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Pitman,NJ Posts: 1,574	What are the differences between van & truck AM/FM's? Like it says, any differences? How do you tell?????? Thanks - Joe __________________ 91 GMC Xcab LB-Bags/bd/caddy clip SOLD 72 C10 Cheyenne Super LWB SOLD 92 GMC K1500 Burb 72 C10 Burb (ex. Cheesewagon)SOLD 72 C20 Burb parts truck 71 C10 Burb "project"

01-05-2005, 02:00 PM	#2
HuggerCST Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: North Louisiana Posts: 4,501	Since nobody answered, I'll attempt it. The only differences that I know of are the lenses, and the location of the antenna plug. I don't think the lense on the van radio has delco on it, and the hole to plug in the antenna on the van radio is in the back. I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but here are some pics of a truck radio. Attached Images __________________ Wynne 70 CST short fleet Hugger orange & white, 350/350, ps, pb, air, tilt, tach/vac/speedwarning, original buckets, AM/FM, oak bed floor, shoulder belts, 3.5"/5.5" drop, 20" American Racing VN425s. Build thread 53 Chevy shortbed 69 Camaro Click here to subscribe Chevy GMC International Truck Club Louisiana Charter Member http://www.louisianaclassictruckclub.com

01-05-2005, 02:21 PM	#3
teeitup Just like to part out trucks!! Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Meriden, Ks-North of Topeka 10 miles Posts: 27,396	The van radio has DELCO printed on the left center side __________________ 67 Chev swb stepside 4x4 283 4 speed SOLD 72 blazer 4x4 4 speed Cheyenne 72 GMC swb 4x4 fleet 4 speed, original paint 1958 Cameo (one of 1405 built, it was my dads) 2020 chevy Apex 4x4 crew cab 1969 Z28 with the 302 1980 chevy swb 4x4 1964 chevell Malibu SS 1976 K20, sold new originally out of my dads chevy dealership Members that I've met, over 200 probably closer to 300 in the 12 years I've been on this site, everyone I met "It was a pleasure"

01-05-2005, 03:27 PM	#6
Don Loverink Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Brainerd, Minnesota Posts: 1,063	Radio The numbers are different also between the van radios and the pickup radios, for the stations.................

01-05-2005, 05:42 PM	#7
Bob Moore Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Tacoma WA Posts: 1,365	Am/fm I have had 2 van AM/FM radios and both had the heat sink on the side. I have always thought the diff was in the "style" of printing on the dial just like the PRNDL is different on a P/U tilt vs. a van tilt. __________________ 67 C-20 LWB, tilt, speed alert, vac, 454, T400 67 C-10 SWB, factory air with more to follow

01-05-2005, 02:27 PM	#4
rickspickuppart Account Suspended Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,284	original van radios had the heatsink on the back and the truck radios have them on the right side

01-05-2005, 02:45 PM	#5
sdkid Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Pierre SD Posts: 1,533	What year vans do these radios come from?

01-05-2005, 06:14 PM	#8
Don Loverink Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Brainerd, Minnesota Posts: 1,063	radio Thats it, the style of printing on the dial is different between the van and the pickup radios, the numbers are different, they sell a decal that goes over the existing one so you can make a van radio look like a pickup radio, they also sell the lens with the delco on the right side for a pickup, where the antenna plugs into is also different...............

01-05-2005, 10:12 PM	#9
bagged91 Out draggin' Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Pitman,NJ Posts: 1,574	Got it! Thanks again guys, you're great!!!! L8R - Joe __________________ 91 GMC Xcab LB-Bags/bd/caddy clip SOLD 72 C10 Cheyenne Super LWB SOLD 92 GMC K1500 Burb 72 C10 Burb (ex. Cheesewagon)SOLD 72 C20 Burb parts truck 71 C10 Burb "project"

01-06-2005, 12:13 AM	#10
Rod Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Eastern - Manitoba Canada, Winnipeg Posts: 4,369	How many am-fm owners have antenna hole out the bottom near heatsink edge. Attached Images __________________ Senior active founding member. 70 3/4 ton GMC Suburban 4x4 250/4 spd. 71 1/2 ton Suburban Chevy 4x4, 350/350 72 Chev 1 ton tow truck 402BB w/Holmes 440 wrecker on propane 2005 FLSTSCI Harley Springer 85 FXSB Harley Lowrider 72 Triumph 650 Bonneville 5spd "Poor people don't have hobbies" Quote from wife.

03-16-2016, 07:35 PM	#11
saskred Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 104	Re: What are the differences between van & truck AM/FM's? For reference - this is a picture of a van AM/FM radio that is currently for sale as a "truck" radio on a site I saw recently. You can see the Delco is on the left side and the numbers are different from the truck radio. If I'm wrong --- correct me. But I'm pretty sure this is the van model. Heat sink is on the side but still a van am/fm. Attached Images

03-16-2016, 07:36 PM	#12
saskred Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 104	Re: What are the differences between van & truck AM/FM's? Here is a closer picture of the face of the same radio. Attached Images

03-16-2016, 09:28 PM	#13
57larry Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 1,160	Re: What are the differences between van & truck AM/FM's? do they both fit the same in the dash radio hole?

03-16-2016, 10:16 PM	#14
saskred Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 104	Re: What are the differences between van & truck AM/FM's? Yes - I think they are nearly identical. The only differences it seems is that on the van am/fm the heat sink can sometimes be on the back of the unit. Also the van radio says "Delco GM" in block letters on the left hand side of the dial/display area and the truck radio says just "Delco" in script letters on the right hand side. And the numbers on the truck display are more narrow looking than the bolder looking numbers on the van display. The van unit should fit in the trucks just the same as far as I know. Its just some people sell van radios as 67-72 truck am/fm radios at full price.

03-17-2016, 01:01 AM	#16
FirstOwner69 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wisconsin & Arizona Posts: 4,839	Re: What are the differences between van & truck AM/FM's? A little known fact is that some van radios are equipped for a second/rear speaker with a fader behind the tuning knob. Not stereo by any means but definitely better sound. Look for a blue wire for the second speaker. Here's a pic of my converted van radio that has the rear speaker. Since I have factory buckets, I mounted the rear speaker from the van pointing out the back of a spare console. The sound is a little muted but much better. Attached Images



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