1981 radio wires photos

[rcarlisle]

For reference if anyone is ever searching for more on the radios.  1981 F150 AM/FM stereo, 2 speakers in doors.

Power lead.  I assume the blue/red is the constant on and y/blk is switched power.  Ground through radio chassis.  Color for switched changes at the plug.  


Speaker connector


Speaker connector going into dash - you can see where the leads are looped together for 2 speaker setup.  


Speaker lead, sorry it's a bit overexposed.


Radio end of wiring.


This would likely have been easier with the dash pad removed.   And I need to invest in some dielectric grease - these connectors are well stuck.  Now I have to check the wiring going to doors.  There is evidence of other wires spliced in.  

[ctubutis]

rcarlisle wrote

For reference if anyone is ever searching for more on the radios.  1981 F150 AM/FM stereo, 2 speakers in doors.

Power lead.  I assume the blue/red is the constant on and y/blk is switched power.  Ground through radio chassis.  Color for switched changes at the plug.

BZZZZTTTTT!!!!!!! Thank you for playing. :)

Yellow hashed is fused, switched power; LB/R is variable (dimmable) dash & interior lighting.
ON EDIT, I believe it's only a 5A circuit, not sure.

Orange on any radio is the power antenna signal sire, generally not used on trucks.

Yes, ground through the case. :)

[ratdude747]

Yep... old radios didn't have volatile memory (radio station presets) or built in clocks, so no need for constant power. That's a circuit that has to be added if retrofitting a new radio.

In my case, I added dedicated power and ground wiring for the radio and CB... and for the CB and radio switched power, used a relay running off the old yellow wire. Was a partially successful attempt to improve radio reception. My stock connectors were mostly hacked off when I bought it (the truck had an AM radio stock), so other than the switched power and illumination (and the aftermarket door speaker wiring), I was starting from scratch.

[rcarlisle]

Starting from scratch isn't a bad thing.  Trusting factory wiring can be iffy.  

[ratdude747]

Yeah. A PO had partially installed an el-cheapo ("American" brand) aftermarket FM radio and speakers (generic Jensen)... I replaced the speakers with some high-mid Sony's, and after trying a couple vintage aftermarket radios (and blowing one up being a moron), I scored a custom autosound USA-1 unit on ebay for relatively cheap (already with the correct knob and logo kit for a bullnose!) It was at that point that I ran dedicated power and ground for everything. It works OK... I'm just happy to find something that kinda looks stock that has station presets and a line-in hookup (originally for a CD changer, but I use for my phone as an MP3 player).

The door wiring is still a bit hillbilly, but it works. If it ever bothers me, I can easily redo it later.