TR2/3/3A Triumph radio installation date code

[Chuck Murphy]

I have a Triumph tube type radio. The installation date code (some figures hard to read) is R2BT4 or R2B14. Does anyone know the code to tell when this radio was installed?
Chuck

 

[TR3driver]

That's the Bendix model number, not a date code. R2BT4 was documented in the June 1963 issue of SAMS Auto Radio series. The next Triumph-branded model, 4TBTR was documented in the September 1964 issue, so your radio was probably initially installed some time during those two years.

Note that it is actually a hybrid, with two tubes and two transistors. I had one like that in my 62 Chevy that said "SOLID STATE" across the face, but it still had to warm up

PS, you may know this already; there is a plug that you can install different ways to accommodate positive or negative ground. I don't see any reverse polarity protection, so connecting it backwards would probably be a Bad Thing.

 

[Chuck Murphy]

That's the Bendix model number, not a date code. R2BT4 was documented in the June 1963 issue of SAMS Auto Radio series. The next Triumph-branded model, 4TBTR was documented in the September 1964 issue, so your radio was probably initially installed some time during those two years.

Note that it is actually a hybrid, with two tubes and two transistors. I had one like that in my 62 Chevy that said "SOLID STATE" across the face, but it still had to warm up

PS, you may know this already; there is a plug that you can install different ways to accommodate positive or negative ground. I don't see any reverse polarity protection, so connecting it backwards would probably be a Bad Thing.

Randall,
Thanks for your help.
Chuck

 

[Geo Hahn]

...I don't see any reverse polarity protection, so connecting it backwards would probably be a Bad Thing.

FWIW - My TR4 came with the original Bendix 'Triumph' radio and a battery that the PO had installed backwards. Nice guy but he admitted he did not understand electricity. He had indicated in the eBay auction that the 'radio does not work'.

I swapped the battery around and tried the radio w/o much expectation - but it worked fine! Still using it to this day.

 

[Vila]

I also have a Bendix R2BT4 in my 1962 TR4. The first number in the model number of the Bendix radios did actually indicate the year that radio first appeared. R2BT4 for 1962, 4TBTR for 1964, etc, or visit this website to see the entire year / model number relationship. https://www.bendixradiofoundation.com/documents/AutoRadio_IllusList.pdf Sorry no Triumph radios in the document but it shows the model year coding system Bendix used.

For an early TR4 with the radio bracket that has the three 3/8 inch holes for the two radio controls and light bulb, the bracket need to go into the dash curving inward as shown in Figure 61 of the TR4 Workshop manual. Otherwise the radio will not fit into the bracket properly. The photo above shows my radio temperarily mounted in the bracket prior to refinishing the bracket and getting the face plate chrome plated. If you try to install it on the other side of the bracket the radio will not go into the bracket opening.

When I bought my TR4 it did not have a radio and the radio bracket was mounted this way. Fig 61 is the only official photo I have ever seen with it mounted this way on the early TR4. A few years ago I also ran across engineering drawing on the internet showing the early bracket is shaped slightly different get mounted this way and the later TR4 bracket are reversed and slightly different in shape.

My radio did not have a Pos / Neg stick on it when I bought the radio so I found a picture of a R2BT4 on the net that had a clear picture of the sticker and I made one. If you need a copy of the Pos / Neg sticker send me an email via the contact tab in my personal website at: www.jakegingervila.wix.com/bobs-vintage-cars-
I could not attach it to this posting for some unknown reason.

I am not sure how this radio would fit in the later bracket that normally curves outward.

Vila

 

[Geo Hahn]

...I am not sure how this radio would fit in the later bracket that normally curves outward.

My Bendix radio (possibly 5BTRP?) is installed with the bracket outward:

 

[Vila]

Geo

Yes, early radio (1962, R2BT4) and bracket vs later radio (1965, 5BTR) and bracket

My TR4 has the early TR4 bracket that was used up to body #8379CT on US only cars that only has three small 3/8 inch holes in the bracket and the bracket dimensions and angles are totally different.

The easiest way to spot the difference between the two brackets is the section just under the radio plate section that turns back in towards the floor bracket. On my car that section is more that twice the length of that section on your newer bracket.

Your car has the later bracket with only two small holes for the radio controls and one large rectangular hole in the middle where the radio face plate sticks through the hole from the back.

Two of the 3/8 holes for the older bracket are for each radio control and one 3/8 hole in the center is just large enough for the back lighting bulb to stick through the plate and into the face plate of the radio. For this bracket the entire Bendix R2BT4 radio face plate mount on the front side of the bracket.

 

[Vila]

I am not sure how you would install the R2BT4 radio in the later bracket used after body # 8379 CT.

The R2BT4 radio may or or may not fit in the newer bracket with the bracket facing outward.

Anyone have a R2BT4 with the newer bracket?

Vila