Radio for my New Holland TN65

KenPauling · Sep 10, 2004

I just got a TN65 with cab and it appears everything is set up for a radio in the cab (speakers and antenna) but the box for the radio is empty! What radio will fit in the opening and where can I get one? I heard that only an audiovox will fit the factory connections, but nobody in this area sells audiovox. The dealer said I can get a radio much cheaper than buying it from him. Where? Anybody have a similar experience or know where to get a radio that fits at a decent price? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

PineRidge · Sep 10, 2004

Ken you may want to send JASTN70D a PM and ask John which radio that he used. He has a new TN-70D with cab and I believe that he said he found a radio via the Internet that cost him $60. as opposed to the dealer cost of $200. It made a neat looking installation in his case and saved him a few bucks in the process.

mahlers · Sep 11, 2004

Try going down to your local GoodGuys stereo store and see if they still have the adapter installation kits that they used to have. Every car stereo manufacturer has their own standard plug setup, and there are kits to convert from one to another. All you do is plug one side of the converter harness into the tractor's plug, and the other side into the stereo's plug. Way back in college I worked at a GoodGuys, and those kits were the ticket - and since most of the install guys weren't exactly electricians, those adapter kits saved the company from a ton of customer complaints. Customers don't like it when they go to change stations and their windshield wipers start going or their horn starts honking...

spencer200 · Sep 11, 2004

New Holland has a radio that fits into the tn series cab for 50.00 the part number is zae3000hd I dont understand why a dealer would tell you 200.00 unless they just where not interested in selling you a radio.

AndyMA · Sep 12, 2004

Any radio with a DIN size chassis and front panel will fit. I installed a Pioneer AM FM CD in my TN75D. I cut off the Audivox connector and used butt splices to connect in the Pioneer adapter that came with the radio. Only six wires, +12, ground, Left Speaker +, Left speaker _, Right Speaker +, Right speaker _. I figured them out with a VOM in a couple of minutes.

Andy

EquipmentJunkie · Sep 12, 2004

I have breakfast with some of the service guys from my local New Holland dealer once a week. This very subject of radios in TN tractors came up about a month ago.

Yes, you can use another brand of radio. In fact, one of the dealer's salesmen installs Brand-X radios in some of the TNs that he sells. However, the service guys didn't think this was a good idea. (The service department will be responsible for the Brand-X radio, if it breaks.) They claimed that the Audiovox radio is built heavier to withstand the vibration and punishment that a tractor encounters. Hence, the higher price.

I don't know if it is a legitimate claim or not...just repeating what I heard from guys in-the-know.

If I'm not mistaken, larger Deere tractors also used Audiovox radios a number of years ago.

AndyMA · Sep 14, 2004

I agree that the Audivox tractor radio is possibly designed for a higher vibration area. As the designer of the original Bose car audio systems and one who worked on audio systems for Delco, I will tell you that quality car audio systems are designed for a rough environment. also I don't think that the NH TN mount to a heavy steel plate attached to the head liner is a "bad" spot for a radio. My Pioneer CD has been in my TN for over 200 very bumpy hours without skipping a beat.

Andy

KenPauling · Sep 19, 2004

Thanks for your help. I told the dealer about the New Holland radio for less than an arm and a leg and he seemed suprised! (I'm not sure if he was suprised I knew about the $57.95 radio or if he was suprised that New Holland sold one for less than $200.00) I gave him the part number and he ordered it for me. Its great to be able to tell dealers about what they have available to sell thats reasonably priced! He said its an AM-FM "manual" radio with a cassette player.(finally I can play all my oldies but goodies tapes on something my kids won't mess with or complain about!) Thanks for everyones advice and great help! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Rowski · Sep 20, 2004

Is there such a radio that has AM, FM, CD player, and weather bands? Where to get one?

Also I want to use my cell phone in the tractor. Around here the cell phone signal is marginal. An external antenna is a must. The roof of the TN is plactic so my magnet mount will not work. I could make a bracket on the side of the tractor but I'm afraid brush will rip it off. Any Ideas??

Soundguy · Sep 20, 2004

For the am fm / cas/cd / weather radio.. check out a marine radio. I've seen some nice units.. all weather, and loaded.. and pricey...

For the cell phone idea.. how about a bracket on the tip top of the cannopy.. or even instead of a bracket.. use clear rtv silicon, and put a healthy glop on the cannopy and then add your cell phone antenna. The rtv, once cured will be a good adhesive.. yet easy to remove if you really wanted to.

Also. A larger magnet could be 'hung' on the underside of the fiberglass to the magnetic munted antenna that is on the roof... even a combination of these ideas.. rtc the antenna on.. then rtv a big magnet on the underside. between the rtv and the magnets.. it should be good to go.

Soundguy