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heatherblair · 04-16-2011, 03:37 PM

We have a 1981 AS International that has no electronic components. There are 2 speakers in front and 2 in mid-bedroom section. What do we install to get music? Also, like to install little tv and DVD player. We have regular household outlets in walls. In credenza behind tambour door there is a whole mess of wires. I'll try and take/post pics. PS - we're newbies if you could not tell. Thanks much.

eubank · 04-16-2011, 03:41 PM

Greetings, heatherblair, and welcome to the forums! I'm sure you'll find lots of folks here with rigs of your vintage to provide you with lots of information! Of course, it would be best if you could post pictures. Lots of them! We all love pictures!

Again, welcome to the forums!

Lynn

TG Twinkie · 04-16-2011, 04:56 PM

Most trailers of this vintage used a automotive radio or maybe an 8 track tape player. In the bundle (or mess) of wires you should find a power wire (+12 volts) (this wire may have an inline fuse) and a ground wire (-12 volts) an antenna wire if it originally had a radio. Along with two wires for every speaker in the trailer. The speaker wires may be the type that are joined as pairs, kind of like a lamp cord in your house.
If you want to listen to music when camping off the grid, just get another automotive type AM/FM radio. You won't be able to get radio stations unless you have an outside antenna. You can however listen to music from your IPOD if you have an FM transmitter. Just put an antenna inside the trailer. Preferably in a place out of sight and plug it in to the the back of the radio.

noreen&sal · 04-16-2011, 05:03 PM

in our 81 excella the radio is in the credenza. Try to find a late teens or younger 20s to figure the wiring. Sal.

DougZ · 04-16-2011, 06:38 PM

What the heck is a credenza???

I don't know what it is, but it sure is fun to say!

Wsmith · 04-16-2011, 08:28 PM

If you plan to go into remote mountain areas you might want to get a radio that has Satellite receiver on it or can be added as a module. Frys.com had a Bose radio on sale for under $100.00. You can usually buy it at the store also if you happen to have one around.

jdalrymple · 04-17-2011, 07:33 AM

A flat panel tv with built in DVD player can be had for around $200 at Wal-Mart of other. The connections were in the curved front cabinet next the refer in my '81. Should be a tv connection from the antenna there, too.

DanielB · 04-17-2011, 08:36 AM

On mine the stereo was in the credenza also. Within the bundle of wires there my blue is the power, white is the ground.. for the stereo. These are fairly thick wires. On mine there are 2 speaker wires. Two sets of two. If you can see the color of the wires that attach to your speakers they will be (should be) the same color up front.

stream lady · 06-21-2011, 04:22 PM

We have the radio in the front stereo cabinel as you come in the camper,the orginal radio still in their, now my question can you put a car radio w/cd player ? would it work with the wires that are their.

Mikethefixit · 06-21-2011, 05:41 PM

The answer is YES. We also have a 77 Overlander with the Radio cabinet just to the right of the door. THE PO installed a Pioneer/w CD player works great. Should work with the 12volt source and speaker wire that should be there.

Splitrock · 06-21-2011, 05:54 PM

I seem to recall that my factory service manual had the wiring schematic for the radio connection harness. A previous owner had removed the OEM radio from my trailer and used the antenna, power 12 volt source, and ground to install a cheap car radio. I have removed everything except the wiring harness and have not tried to install a new radio yet.