Vanagon Original Stock Radio Player

[hurleymobile]

Hey everyone! My first post and my first VW, I'm trying to replace the modern, aftermarket radio player I have in my 1984 Vanagon right now with as close to the original/stock player as possible; however, I can't find anything that works! I just want something to listen to the radio and cassettes with!

Any recommendations or suggestions?
_________________
1984 VW Vanagon 1.9 L automatic

[djkeev]

Welcome to the site!

In the classifieds section here, there are often used OE cassette players listed.

Here is one such example.......

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2481289

My 86 had a similar radio as this, I added bluetooth capabilities to it using off the shelf adapters.

My 90 has a mechless Kenwood in it. Bluetooth or USB only.

I use it for my phone and I stream music from my phone to it.
It is also really nice when using the phone as a GPS for directions.

I do miss the old school look of the original units though........
Simple knobs, simple buttons.....
this "mechless" Kenwood has more buttons and features and colors than an old fart like me knows what to do with!

Dave
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[the joker]

also check cabby/ rabbit sites some older ones had cool stock radio/cassettes

[DanHoug]

for a new radio with BT, weather, CD, etc i'm really partial to the Jensen Heavy Duty series... no Boy Racer techno color show, just an OEM look with high functionality. pick yer features and PN.

https://www.jensen-electronics.com/heavy-duty-stereos/
_________________
-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.

'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd

Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com

[Californio]

You can find the old Blaupunkts all over the place on eBay...just don't ask where they came from. Many include the original (cut) wiring harness.

[9.5isCanadian]

I just installed this unit.

Small, clean look with no CD or cassette though.

So possibly not what you’re looking for but thought I pass it along anyway.

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-vdo-parts/radio-orange-display-usb-mp3-wma-12v-vdo/tr7412ub-or~con

EDIT: my latest issue of Hemmings has this stero company advertised

https://customautosoundmfg.com/product/custom-in-d...m-vwbl-630
_________________
9 1/2 - missing a few pieces.

1987 Getaway Hightop
1980 Sunroof Vanagon
2018 BMW R Nine T
2012 Golf tdi

[djkeev]

[Vanuber]

https://blaupunkt.com/automotive/incar-entertainment/autoradio/car-radio/

No cassette player, but the best after-market option. Seems out of stock at the moment.
_________________
'85 Westfalia 1.9L
'72 BMW R75/5
'71 BMW R75/5
'02 Subaru Forester 2.5L

[hurleymobile]

Thank you so much to everyone for your replies!
I tried the classifieds route that djkeev suggested (thank you again!) with not much luck, but it did help me broaden my options.

I found a post in this thread (https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=) by user 1971BigGuy that includes a photo of the radio that I eventually found on eBay and bought; a more "modern" 2001 VW Jetta AM/FM Cassette Radio. It took way too much shopping around, but I still hope someday to make even more retro alterations when the time is right.

Cheers, all!
_________________
1984 VW Vanagon 1.9 L automatic

[Steve M.]

I just bought this Panasonic radio with weather band for $250.00 on ebay
https://www.ebay.com/itm/332637597193?_trkparms=am...0172.m2966

I saw the Jenson radio with weather band, but did not like the yellow buttons I saw on it.

_________________
This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them.

[syncro2x]

I have a stock one from my 1987 Westy somewhere. Could not believe how bad it sounded. Speakers are not great but head unit is terrible. If you want stock look, go for it. But if you actually listen to it, forget stock.

[Scottn59c]

I'll put in another vote for not bothering with a stock unit.

Go browse eBay and there are tons and tons of old cassette decks. But be selective when you buy one of these, as something that's 25+ years old that has been sitting around for many years is suspect.

I bought four cassette decks before I got a good one. What finally worked for me was a new-old-stock JVC cassette player that's probably from the early or mid-90s, but was all new with new wires and connections, but more importantly, no wear and tear on the internal part.

I have taken apart many cassette decks over the years. There are a lot of things that can go wrong that are not an easy fix. It's rarely just a matter of slapping on a new belt or two. There are worn pinch rollers or capstans, there are times when all the cleaning in the world won't fix a player that grabs and eats tapes, and there are cases where little plastic gears wear or break a sprocket, and then the unit is junk. Most of these decks were just made to be thrown away.

So long story short, I vote for a new-old stock unit if you want a cassette player that's going to work for the long-haul.
_________________
Farfignewton!

[DuncanS]

https://customautosoundmfg.com/product/custom-in-d...m-vwbl-630

This will be as authentic as you will find for an older VW.

[Scottn59c]

[djkeev]

[DuncanS]

The USA-630 is compatible with our optional BLUKIT which enables bluetooth music streaming from your enabled phone as well as hands-free mobile calling through the vehicle's speakers & BLUKIT's built-in microphone.

[jb20thae]