Technical Motorola Radio Automatic Control Head

Hi people, I'm in the process of searching for a vintage radio that will fit in my 1949 International Harvester L-120 truck's factory dash cutout. It seems like IH added a spot to install an optional radio, but most trucks didn't get one. I've found a Motorola car radio that will fit, but it's a 2 piece arrangement. It uses a separate "control head" with a matching box - which I'm guessing is a powered speaker. These control heads have a pair of manual cables that extend out of the rear, which go to the box. They also have a 9-pin plug electrical harness on all of them. It looks like it a proprietary plug that Motorola used. I've added some example pics below of what I've found. I'd like to keep this radio project era correct - meaning a functional tube type, 6 volt positive ground system.

I have 2 questions:

1. How does this system work?

2. Can you mix & match pieces?

Cheers

 

IH truck dash with radio delete blanking plate & plugs

 

My buddy had that same radio in his 47 Ford when we were in high school. I'm pretty sure the head and box have to match.

 

I believe what you have is just the tuner. You now need the amplifier part of it. Maybe some electric wizard on the Hamb can tell you how to use a modern transistor amplifier to work it.

 

I bought that '47 Nash control head above.

It fits the factory cut out

The font in the radio even matches the speedo

 

I think this is a compatible unit for that control head.
On ebay right now.

 

Just FWIW. I did a couple of those style radios, faceplate or control with remote chassis. Some of them had 2 speedometer type cables from the dash faceplate to the unit, one large Motorola had a speaker in it too.

Rather than try to find all the parts and get them working, I just had a radio guy put modern internals in them. That was 15 years ago, and it was cheaper than a restoration then. Plus FM, and now Bluetooth is available. Your dash chassis looks more than big enough to house all that, and still use the push buttons. But I’m not a radio guy.
Some of the stuff laying about, none compatible with your unit-no plug.

 

I have been watching the control heads and parts and pieces on eBay thinking it would look good in my 1948 Ford F1 . Very interested in the discussions and replies.

 

Now that the confusion of Christmas is over, it occurred to me I’ve got another Motorola unit. Says “Golden Voice” on it, didn’t come out in the cheap phone camera.

Don’t know if it does any good. Heavy, seems to include the speaker, needs some cosmetic work, etc. looks like the same plug.