Well I did find two other items I need to replace on this project. The clarion radio turns on but nothing, just static. The power antenna does not go up or down as well. Anyone have some advise on antenna replacement?

How about any aftermarket stereos? I would prefer to keep it stock, but not looking so good. It looks like a small area as well so I don't want to do any cutting. Any suggestions on a stereo that will fit would be appreciated.

 

I bet the antenna in unplugged... You can check this buy pulling the stereo out and or check then power antenna, as far as it not going up or down, It has no power. I replaced mine not to long ago. You have to pull your passenger rear trunk pannel out i also pulled my tail light to make it a little easier and trouble shoot it from there, make you have a 10mm small socket and ratchet

 

Boy those Clarions are pretty well bullet-proof so its worth doing some digging. Ty has a good point to check to see if antenna is plugged in AT BOTH ENDS. You don't say what yr your RX is but at least for the early cars (79-80 SA) the radio hole is unique and it will take some chopping to get an aftermarket unit in, which would be a shame.

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

Also the 79 80 don't go up and down with the radio power button. Its a switch on the center console panel that does it.

I think you have an 82 FB so I think it will be tied to the power button for the radio.

 

There are companies that make modern radios designed to fit in the old pre-DIN shaft mount cutouts. I've never bought any, but you see them listed on auto restoration websites. Black Dragon carries a couple, I know.

I wish I'd kept my original Clarion rather than cut my dash for a DIN mount, but I was young and not so bright back when I first bought the car, & having the ability to play those newfangled CDs seemed Oh So Important. Never expected the car to still be with me a couple decades later.

 

On my '85 GS, I replaced my stock antenna back in '93 with an aftermarket mechanical. I didn't like to see the limp black rubber masts that most people would install. Looks too cheap and easy, reminds me of a limp u know what....

The replacement has since died, so I now have to source a new one. I remember it being tight on the hands, but I don't think changing it out was all that difficult. I was a "Universal"fit model.

If your antenna motor is still running, it would be easier if you just replaced the mast. I know on other cars it is possible to buy only the mast.

I don't know if this works on the RX, but on other cars replacing the mast is as follows:

1. turn on the radio
2. Once the mast motor finishes it's up cycle, turn and remove the retaining ring around the mast. Pull out the old mast and guide cable. It's this cable that usually breaks.
3. you might need a long nose pliers to remove the broken off piece of plastic cable that doesn't lift out with the antenna.
4. Feed the cable end of the new mast into the hole.
5. Tighten the ring and turn off the radio and pray it works!

The above worked on my Maxima. I think I ordered the replacement from on-line and was less that $15.

 

You guys are really hard core to want to retain the OEM stereos.

My Clarion had those old school mechanical presets just like my '65 Mustang did. idk if i would ever want to go back to those 'good ol' days.' When I pulled the Clarion out I was impressed by the weight. Just surprised I didn't see vacuum tubes, LOL.

-really- My 2000 Tundra drives me nuts because I don't have an mp3 input.....

If you don't want to chop up your console, just find one at a salvage, and go to town on that one.

 

My stock SA clarion has a cable I made that lets me use my ipod or your mp3 player.

So there! https://www.rx7club.com/1st-gen-archive-71/audio-building-stereo-line-port-s1-s2-stock-clarion-675720/

These were top of the line stereos back in the day. Replace the old speakers and
make sure all the connections are good and you shouldn't need a new stereo unless
you insist on CDs.

And yes, we are hardcore in the 1st gen section, from stereos to waffles to RWL tires.
We're preserving the 80s like no one elses business!

 

I am able to get the mast to go up after cleaning it and some light oil. It won't go down un assisted, so it looks like I will pull it out this weekend and see what happens.

 

I have an 85 GSL. When my power antenna quit working, I removed it. I put a spoiler over the hole, so there's no evidence of an external antenna. I bought a new universal (non-power) antenna at AutoZone. I plugged it in, and it worked. To mount it, I removed the carpet that runs along the inside of the hatch area, and mounted it right in front of the tail lights. A few pieces of duct tape was all that was needed. My antenna works as good as the power antenna did, but is completely invisible both from the inside as well as the outside.

 

I've always been partial to the stock Clarion system, it captures the heart and soul of an original FB.

In it's time back in the early '80's (when I was a graduate student) it was the cutting edge in car audio. And it still holds it own today, mine is on almost every time the 12A turns.

The system is totally stock 85 GSL, except the antenna, which is a Radio Shack replacement I was lucky enough to snag about 8 years ago (there is a similar one on the market now, check ebay or email Tim). I just love the way it goes up and down whenever you turn the radio on, although sometimes it's a distraction watching it while driving.

Check out this rendition of Alison Road.



And another Clarion video:



and another:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd76LCo_W2k

 

This post has got me rocking the Clarion. Here's a new video, this one shows the Radio Shack going down.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCA3sfi7UA0

 

You got me all dizzy at the end of that one. Your wife must think your nuts out there
blaring the stereo and videoing your car I know mine sometimes does.

 

She thinks I'm crazy. But I know you guys are more reasonable and love to hear an old Clarion belting out the tunes.

 

This has inspired me to figure out why mine is not working.. I can pull it up with my fingers so I have a feeling I need to take the tail light out and have a look

 

Wow talk about hijacking a thread...geez.

 

Hopefully some of the hijacks will prove useful, if not inspirational.

In any event I hope you got that old power antenna to work, but if not I just noticed this ebay ad for a power antenna replacement that looks a lot like the radio shack unit I've had good luck with (see videos above).

And it's very reasonably priced at $27.90, shipping included. I'm thinking of getting one for a back up.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWAX%3AIT

 

Thanks for the link. I am going to pick one of these up.

 

Inspired by your post, I started a new thread to let people know about the power antenna on EBAY and find out their experiences. Mine's on order, let us know how it goes with yours.

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/possible-successor-radio-shack-power-antenna-962443/