How to Remove Radio from 280

[hippie_elmo]

Hello-

I would like to know how do you remove the radio in a 1973 280. I have a old Clarion radio in there right now that the tape player doesn't work and I would like to get it fixed.


I was thinking of putting in the Becker radio that came in it, but I think the wires were changed when they put in the Clarion radio.

[pkzip]

Call Ed Ebel at Becker North America. They have a web site and a toll free number (sorry, I do not have either right now)

[Mark DiSilvestro]

The radio should come out through the same opening it sits in without having to unbolt the console. Generally, with most older, analog Japanese round-knob radios, you pull the knobs off, unscrew the control shaft nuts then remove the plastic faceplate to reveal some arrangement of steel plates that can rotate or tilt to release the radio.
If that Clarion is a digital/din mount there are diffeent variations. Usually some type of key or tool is inserted into holes at the sides of the faceplate to release hidden clips. You'll have to figure it out.
If you want to reinstall the Becker, you'll probably have to find or fabricate the correct harness connectors to match the Becker.

Happy Motoring,
Mark

[hippie_elmo]

Well, I was able to remove it today. It is very easy becuase it is held in by screws. There is no wireing harness, there are just wires. I think I'm going to just have the Clarion fixed instead of trying to get a Becker in there.

[Mark DiSilvestro]

Is it still possible to find someone to fix your average older Japanese radio? Might be easier/cheaper just to find a Sony or JVC replacement. Let me know what you find out.

Happy Motoring,
Mark

[hippie_elmo]

Mark-

I found this place that does repair work for older radios on the internet. http://www.carradio.com/ I asked them if they could repair my radio. I was thinking of getting a new radio but it work funny (old car---new radio). And another thing,is that a new radio may not fit. They didn't cut any of the console area to make the Clarion fit, the Clario radio is smaller and it is held in by a heavy metal face plate.

[Mark DiSilvestro]

Most modern replacement radios should fit the 'DIN' opening in the 114 - 115 console without any cutting. Unfortunately, the New Millenuim-Video Jukebox styling of some of them really looks awfull in one of these older cars.
I've accumulated some boxes full of assorted old car radios over the years, mainly from yard sales and flea markets, including several German radios, so I usually have a suitable radio to install when I get a 'new' car. In my 1972 250 I'm currently using a later, 123 series, Becker Europa AM/FM/Cassette purchased for $20 at a flea market. It's black and the knobs don't match the original Becker but it looks OK in the 250 console.
My 1960 220S never had a radio. Installing one was more difficult because, while some of my radios would fit in the dash opening, due to the contour of the wood dash paneling, almost none of the faceplates would
fit. I wound up installing an original 220S
Becker 'Brescia' AM Wonderbar tube radio that I got at a yard sale 18 years ago. Amazingly, it still works. For FM I temporarily hung a mini-Blaupunkt radio under the dash until I can find a decent small FM/cassette to install. (But a vintage,'reel to reel' tape player would look really cool in this car!)

Happy Holidays,
Mark

[hippie_elmo]

I was thinking about getting a new radio instead. Allot of the "New" radio's are not made very well. For a rebuilt Stereo AM/FM Becker Ed wants about $220.00 for it. But the wires are are cut on my car. So I'm first going to see how much they want to fix my Clarion. It's funny I never heard of Becker in tell I got my Benz.

[Mark DiSilvestro]

I think that the Beckers weren't widely availible aftermarket, mostly as original 'factory' radios in Mercedes and less frequently in other German cars. All of the Beckers I've seen were German made. Blaupunkt used to be a decent German radio then started
mmnufacturing in Japan during the late '70s.
The latest Blaupunkts I've seen were made in Malaysia or Singapore. I don't know if Becker still manufactures in Germany. I know that, in the early '80s, BMW switched from Japanese Blaupunkts to Alpine and Pioneer units with the BMW name on them. I think I heard about
Mercedes doing the same thing on their more recent models. I don't have anything really against Asian radios but, rather than pay a premium for a Singapore Blaupunkt, I'd rather have a JVC or a Pioneer. (or a German Becker or Blaupunkt!)

Happy Motoring,
Mark

I recently pulled out the Blaupunkt from my 72 350 SLC and slid in a Kenwood CD player. Sounds much better, but looks kinda out of place. For $150 bucks though, I'm happy.

One thing I would recommend is that you screw the removable face plate on so that it is permanent. I did this because being very close to an insurance adjuster, if the the radio gets stolen and it is considered removable, it is not covered by your policy unless you get a rider for it. If it is a permanent mount, it is covered without a rider.

Good luck.

Steve

[hippie_elmo]

I thought it would look funny too. All I want is a cassette player and a radio. I have found out that allot of older car radios have a pre-amp in them, which makes them sound very loud. I also have a 1993 Plymouth Grand Voyager(JUNK) and the radio in there is a piece of JUNK!.