How to Remove 70s Radio Assembly

[mello mike]

I didn't see anything that specifically details how to remove this assembly on this forum. Does anybody have any pointers and tips? Bought a new SONY radio and I need to get the old radio/8-track out.

Here's a pic of what I'm talking about:

[DPeakMD]

If you have a Control Panel above the stereo, pull that out and then look down through that hole and you'll see a couple of screws coming in from above into the frame around the stereo. I think there are also a couple on the sides which you can see already in the cabinet. There'll be a mess of wires back there to match up with your new stereo. Good luck!

[mello mike]

Thanks Dallas.

So does the whole thing come out or just the shelf that the radio sits on?

I looked for some screws on top from the control panel hole but didn't see any. I did see four rivets on the back wall underneath the shelf but the space is too narrow to fit a drill in there to drill them out. I also see some rivets holding the bottom of the assembly to the main unit. Do I need to drill those out too?

[DPeakMD]

It's been a few years since I worked on one, so forgive me. I also think mine had been removed by a prior owner who replaced rivets with screws. So yours may vary. I definitely remember there were screws from on top b/c I took every other screw out that I could see and it held fast until I discovered those. It was more by feel than anything else because it was impossible to look into the hole and straight down and back towards the front of the radio frame. When I took out those two screws the hole she-bang came out rather quickly into my not too prepared arms!

I would start drilling rivets and see what comes loose. Could you use one of those drill flex extensions to get to those rivets? I remember that the frame came out with the radio attached to it.

[mello mike]

Originally Posted by DPeakMD

Could you use one of those drill flex extensions to get to those rivets? I remember that the frame came out with the radio attached to it.

Thanks Dallas. When you say "frame" are you talking about the shelf the radio sits on and the two sides?

Drill flex extension? Never used one. I assume I can get one of these at the big box stores, correct?

[FreshAir]

Here are several choices . Amazon.com: flexible drill extension US Home Improvement They can be found at any hardware supply.
Neil.

[mello mike]

Originally Posted by FreshAir

Here are several choices . Amazon.com: flexible drill extension US Home Improvement They can be found at any hardware supply.
Neil.

Thanks FreshAir, you learn something new everyday.

[mello mike]

Okay, I got this unit out today. I forgot I had a smaller electric drill.

For the benefit of those who may need this info in the future, here's how you remove the radio assembly. There are four rivets on top and four rivets underneath at the back. I took a putty knife and cut the rivets to the top and drilled out the rivets underneath. That's it! Once those eight rivets are removed the unit will fall out. Note that the sides do not remove, just the shelf assembly.

Has anybody reused the shelf assembly with a newer radio? Trying to decide how to mount the new radio where the old radio used to be.

[mello mike]

Got this project done yesterday. I used the old shelf unit and mounted the new CD Radio in it. I also wired a switch to eliminate phantom battery drains while Boondocking. For my IPOD I also wired a 12v power point.

The pics show the shelf unit with the 8-track, radio, and the face plate removed and the final installation.

[JFScheck]

Great Work - was the old system transistors or tubes?

[DPeakMD]

Looking good Mike!