REGAL 84+ radio differences.

Status
Not open for further replies.

druggles85

Pendejo
Oct 25, 2009
282
468
63
Exeter, NH
So anyways. I have an 83 base model Regal. The car had a major mouse problem. The radio was so rusted from all the mouse piss, and so discusting that when I pulled it. I threw it straight in the dumpster. I can get an AM/FM Bluetooth radio at Walmart for $20 so who cares right...

Anyway I picked up a radio out of a late 80's Grand National, the one with the equalizer. $20 for that one, I figured I'd take the chance, not knowing if it even worked...

Well it works great, but it doesn't fit in the dash hole. The radio is physically the same size as my old one. But the mounting bracket nuts hit the frame inside my dash... Nothing I can't fix with a Dremel.

I guess I'm writing a goddamn novel to ask if I'm going to be able to get a radio bezel that fits... My old radio was a "post" style cassette so obviously that bezel won't fit. Will one for an 84+ car fit my dash? I'd hate to not be able to use this radio.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20200817_202228102.jpg
    IMG_20200817_202228102.jpg
    2.9 MB · Views: 342
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

565bbchevy

Geezer
Aug 8, 2011
9,590
12,611
113
Michigan
If the radio is from a GN then the 84' and up Regal/GN radio bezel should fit but their might be a problem matching the woodgrain of the 83' if you have that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 user

druggles85

Pendejo
Oct 25, 2009
282
468
63
Exeter, NH
If the radio is from a GN then the 84' and up Regal/GN radio bezel should fit but their might be a problem matching the woodgrain of the 83' if you have that.

Awesome, I can paint the wood grain black that's no problem. The dash bezel is out of my car anyway. Had to pull the check engine light bulb, and only half my gauges work, half of the time. LMAO
 

ck80

Moderator
Moderator
Supporting Member
Feb 18, 2014
5,742
9,111
113
Look for an 84-87 base regal radio bezel. Woodgrain strip is so thin it won't be noticeable, you're more likely to have an isue with color fading than grain pattern being noticable. There's a bigger issue though.

The dash pad has a removable sub skeleton piece the radio, climate, and cig lighter mount to which has the different opening size.

When they changed to the 1.5 din from the shafts style and redesigned the bezel, they ALSO changed there the studs, slots, and clips were distributed at to go into the metal skeleton. You're going to be LOTS of hours of precise measuring and modding to add extra mounting slots and holes for the newer bezel to mount to. A 1984-up BEZEL DOES NOT FIT AN UNMODIFIED 1983-DOWN DASH

If you cut the parts off that aren't shared in common it won't mount secure and hold to the dash well.

You've got 4 choices:

Get a shafts style radio, even if aftermarket, to be plug and play.

If your dash is messed up and cracked, when you replace it go 1984-up.

Replace the radio pod sub skeleton with a 1984-up piece

Get an aftermarket 1 din radio, carefully trim the 1983 bezel to be rectangle, and cover the cut edges with a trim kit from the new radio.

That's about it, anything else will either look like poop or not work well
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users

druggles85

Pendejo
Oct 25, 2009
282
468
63
Exeter, NH
Look for an 84-87 base regal radio bezel. Woodgrain strip is so thin it won't be noticeable, you're more likely to have an isue with color fading than grain pattern being noticable. There's a bigger issue though.

The dash pad has a removable sub skeleton piece the radio, climate, and cig lighter mount to which has the different opening size.

When they changed to the 1.5 din from the shafts style and redesigned the bezel, they ALSO changed there the studs, slots, and clips were distributed at to go into the metal skeleton. You're going to be LOTS of hours of precise measuring and modding to add extra mounting slots and holes for the newer bezel to mount to. A 1984-up BEZEL DOES NOT FIT AN UNMODIFIED 1983-DOWN DASH

If you cut the parts off that aren't shared in common it won't mount secure and hold to the dash well.

You've got 4 choices:

Get a shafts style radio, even if aftermarket, to be plug and play.

If your dash is messed up and cracked, when you replace it go 1984-up.

Replace the radio pod sub skeleton with a 1984-up piece

Get an aftermarket 1 din radio, carefully trim the 1983 bezel to be rectangle, and cover the cut edges with a trim kit from the new radio.

That's about it, anything else will either look like poop or not work well

There we go. That's what I was afraid of. LOL, that's why I came on here and posted this.

Is it crazy to replace an un-cracked but slightly warped dash to upgrade to a 30+ year old radio? I'm assuming i'd need the under hood side of the wiring harness too?

Keep in mind, my voltage gauge and my temperature gauge both work but not at the same time depending on how I wiggle the cluster. Gas gauge is dead and is not the sending unit. Speedo works but the trip odometer is dead. So is my pulse wiper motor. Might be nice to be able to upgrade that to the newer style.
 
Last edited:

81cutlass

Comic Book Super Hero
Feb 16, 2009
4,639
13,542
113
Western MN
I put a later din 1.5 radio in place of the factory din 1 80 Buick dash.

Bought a 84-87 bezel on eBay and dremeled out a few spots that interfered in the metal skeleton mount. Not every clip that usually is used in the 84+ bezel clips into the 78-83 skeleton but it's not a big deal.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 users

druggles85

Pendejo
Oct 25, 2009
282
468
63
Exeter, NH
I put a later din 1.5 radio in place of the factory din 1 80 Buick dash.

Bought a 84-87 bezel on eBay and dremeled out a few spots that interfered in the metal skeleton mount. Not every clip that usually is used in the 84+ bezel clips into the 78-83 skeleton but it's not a big deal.

I can handle that the 84+ bezel only has 4 clips on it right?

Then again if the guy still has the dashboard I might need to buy that. Just because. Lol
 

druggles85

Pendejo
Oct 25, 2009
282
468
63
Exeter, NH
So yeah. I have the radio in the hole. But I'll never get a bezel on it. Probably can't buy the substructure without buying an entire dash. Not sure the opening is the same size either...

Of course I pulled out my gauges and found not all of the printed circuit seems to have copper left in it. No wonder my gauges don't work. LOL.

Why does this car need to fight me every step of the way.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20200826_190047228.jpg
    IMG_20200826_190047228.jpg
    3.3 MB · Views: 342
  • IMG_20200826_190319529.jpg
    IMG_20200826_190319529.jpg
    3.5 MB · Views: 360
  • IMG_20200826_144508231.jpg
    IMG_20200826_144508231.jpg
    3 MB · Views: 397
  • IMG_20200826_144458671.jpg
    IMG_20200826_144458671.jpg
    2.8 MB · Views: 340
  • IMG_20200826_190133688.jpg
    IMG_20200826_190133688.jpg
    3.4 MB · Views: 369
  • IMG_20200826_144515657.jpg
    IMG_20200826_144515657.jpg
    3.4 MB · Views: 337
Status
Not open for further replies.

GBodyForum is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.

Please support GBodyForum Sponsors

Classic Truck Consoles Dixie Restoration Depot UMI Performance

Contact [email protected] for info on becoming a sponsor