Ward

iTrader: (1)

Since I'm replacing my (stolen) radio soon, I am looking into doing this. I posted a while back about it, but nothing ever really came of it. After some more digging around, I may have found a stock Volvo module that will make it work. I picked up one off ebay for $10 shipped, it's out of a 98 S70. By the looks of it, I'm guessing that the 2 blade connectors are for +12V defrost power to pass through, and the plug on the side is for the antenna. Has anyone else ever done this before?

Shadyredeyes

Never done this but I am intrested to see the progress. That would make a great mod. I can't stand looking at a big ugly antenna, keep us updated.

Ward

iTrader: (1)

I'm still waiting on the antenna module I bought from ebay to show up, the seller is taking his sweet time shipping it. I also found while searching around on google that some late model bonnevilles and aleros, as well as C5 vettes had a similar module that I believe would work too. If the weather was nicer I would go hunt one down at the junkyard. The only part numbers I found are both for a C5 vette:

#15850056
#10322514

I'm not 100% sure if they would work, but they look like good candidates. Also, this mod requires that the defroster grid be in good shape. I read several threads from alero owners where cracks in the defroster grid cause radio noise with the defroster on. My guess is that the cracks create tiny electrical arcs when the defrost is on, and electrical arcs create RF noise.

thenjoshsays

iTrader: (1)

Did you find this info from some writeup on another site or anything? I'd love to hear more about it too... I've been trying to decide what I'll be doing to ditch that ugly ugly antenna.

Ward

iTrader: (1)

No, I haven't actually found any detailed info on a swap like this. The closest thing I found was on a C4 corvette forum, a few guys said they had done it by disconnecting the rear defrost and then hooking up the antenna, and even then they weren't very specific.

Awesome-X

Well this certainly looks interesting. I'd like to see how it turns out.

Ward

iTrader: (1)

The part showed up today. After some quick inital testing with my multi-meter, it looks promising. There are 2 blade type connectors on it, one male, one female. My meter shows them to be a dead short, so I'm pretty sure that's the 12V pass-through to the grid. There is also an antenna plug on the side of it, and an aluminum mounting hole. Meter shows the aluminum mounting hole and the antenna outer band (antenna ground) to be a dead short, so I'll just need to bolt it down using a good ground. The antenna center (feed) is not connected to either the 12V connectors, or the ground. I'm really tempted to take it apart and see how it's wired, but the case is plastic welded together.

Also, the Volvo part number on it is:
3533921

ericjon262

tisk, tisk, putt'n ford parts in a pontiac you oughta be banned!



Keep us posted on how it turns out!

Ward

iTrader: (1)

Well, the car already has Ford Bosch 19# injectors, so this won't be the first time

rjshull

How hard would it be to install a rear defroster on an 88 bird as mine doesn’t have one? I am almost done building a new poll barn for a work shop so I am going to start stripping and rebuilding my car this summer and since I also hate the antenna, I was also thinking about doing this if possible. I am also thinking about switching from the hatch to a notchback, don’t know if that would change anything or not. I am also looking at putting power windows and locks into the car which should also be fun.

Pocket

iTrader: (24)

Non defrost to defrost requires swapping the hatch glass. Notch hatches also came with or without defrost, so pick accordingly

Itd be cheaper/easier to swap power doors onto the car and paint them to match than to upgrade the guts of them

rjshull

Didn't think about just swapping doors but that sure would be easier especially since when I am done with the car it is going to go from the light blue to a darker midnight blue. Since i am looking to change my Formula350 to a manual w/t-tops I am going to need to get a donor car so I need to make sure it has pwr w/l also and I should be set.