Toyota 8 Track Player

[Cruiser804]

Been working on tracking down an OEM 8 track or cassette player for the 40 for a while. Came across a NOS 8 Track and install kit not too long ago.

I tracked down the player manual as well Install kit came with a template for installing the speakers but it seems to show installing the speakers in the door next to the seat so I installed based on the openings in the door

install kit included the speakers and the wiring harness to connect the player to the radio, power and the speakers. There is an existing plug with 12v coming off the harness. The radio has a single spade connector that the harness connects to.

Like the CB40M, the radio turns off when the player is activated/turned on. The player is turned on by inserting a tape.

The install kit comes with mounting hard. The installation manual is pretty basic. Not sure exactly how the player is supposed to be mounted under the dash with the fan vent.

Harness from player to radio and harness power

 

[Cruiser804]

Been working on tracking OEM 8 track or cassette player for the 40 for a while. Came across a NOS 8 Track and install kit not too long ago.

I tracked down the player manual as well Install kit came with a template for installing the speakers but it seems to show installing the speakers in the door next yo the seat so I installed based on the openings in the door View attachment 3751345View attachment 3751346View attachment 3751347install kit included the speakers and the wiring harness to connect the player to the radio, power and the speakers. There is an existing plug with 12v coming off the harness. The radio has a single spade connector that the harness connect to.

Like the CB40M, the radio turns off when the player is activated/turned on. The player is turned on by inserting a tape.

The install kit comes with mounting hard. The installation manual is pretty basic. Not sure exactly how the player is supposed to be mounted under the dash with the fan vent. View attachment 3751366Harness from player to radio and harness power

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Some pictures of speaker installation

 

[Cruiser804]

Some pictures of speaker installation View attachment 3751373View attachment 3751374View attachment 3751375View attachment 3751376View attachment 3751377View attachment 3751379View attachment 3751380View attachment 3751381View attachment 3751382

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Bought a Klein adjustable hole saw made for drywall and ceiling tiles. Worked great for cutting the holes. I cut the vinyl side using the template and a razor blade.

 

[Cruiser804]

Instructions show it mounting here. Doesn't seem possible.

 

[fireflyr]

Now if I can just find that case with my Molly Hatchet, Outlaws and Marshall Tucker 8-tracks…..
I loved it when a song would pause midway so it could change to the next track. I remember my Toyota getting broken into in the late’70’s and them taking everything but leaving the case of 8 tracks
You should win an award. For something.

 

[OGBeno]

:drooling:

 

[lcwizard]

What's next, a 45 turntable where the rear heater goes?

 

[CruiserTrash]

@Cruiser804 This is incredible work.

What’s the first tape you’re gonna play once it’s all installed?

 

[1969FJ]

Well. very cool but I would have issues between installing something so nice or keeping the 8 track as a museum piece. It is really cool.

 

[charliemeyer007]

I'll take never paying taxes ever again over bringing back 8 tracks

 

[cruiseroutfit]

 

[Paul_A]

I think your speaker wire is going to get abraded to bits in that door retainer slot. Why not drill a hole and add a grommet lined up with the door?

 

[lcwizard]

REI is running a sale on their portable 8 track storage case

 

[Cruiser804]

Now if I can just find that case with my Molly Hatchet, Outlaws and Marshall Tucker 8-tracks…..
I loved it when a song would pause midway so it could change to the next track. I remember my Toyota getting broken into in the late’70’s and them taking everything but leaving the case of 8 tracks
You should win an award. For something.

There's a 8 track and cassette revival underway. Apparently, 8 tracks require maintenance and rebuilding, meaning redoing the splices. If you try to play an older tape that hasn't been rebuilt chances are it will come apart.

Couple sellers on eBay sell rebuilt tapes. Not inexpensive 15 bucks and up.

 

[Cruiser804]

@Cruiser804 This is incredible work.

What’s the first tape you’re gonna play once it’s all installed?

It's all hooked up and plays. I have a video but don't have social media account to post it. I bought 3 rebuilt tapes, Kiss - Rock and Roll Over, Rush - Farewell to Kings and Cheap Trick - Heaven Tonight. Kiss got the honor.

 

[OGBeno]

It's all hooked up and plays. I have a video but don't have social media account to post it. I bought 3 rebuilt tapes, Kiss - Rock and Roll Over, Rush - Farewell to Kings and Cheap Trick - Heaven Tonight. Kiss got the honor.

I was going to say, Rush: 2112 would be a great first track.

Or, Zeppelin: Good Times, Bad Times

 

[CruiserTrash]

There's a 8 track and cassette revival underway. Apparently, 8 tracks require maintenance and rebuilding, meaning redoing the splices. If you try to play an older tape that hasn't been rebuilt chances are it will come apart.

Couple sellers on eBay sell rebuilt tapes. Not inexpensive 15 bucks and up.

It would take me a while to dig it up, but there’s a guy out there dubbing fresh 8 Tracks on brand new tape. Request an album, wait a while, and get a “brand new” tape in the mail, complete with artwork stuck to the front. I think the only thing he’s reusing are the plastic shells.

Regarding cassettes, yes, there is a minor revival going on. I’ve been playing in bands for 25 years and have dabbled in being a recording engineer/producer/studio owner on and off for the last 15. Cassettes are a great thing for small independent bands. Compared to vinyl records they’re inexpensive to have made, maybe $250-400 for a run of 100 (versus $2000-4000), fans buy them because they’re fairly cheap ($7-10 instead of $20-40), and even if a buyer doesn’t have a tape player they’re a good vehicle for the digital album. Lots of people just buy the “digital” version, meaning an official non-pirated set of audio files for the same price as a cassette. Well, inside the cassette you can include a piece of paper with a link to download the album - basically you buy the tape and the download at the same time for the price of one. People like physical media, something they can touch, liner notes they can read, etc. My bands sell far more cassette+downloads than downloads alone. And a brand new cassette actually sounds pretty dang good if the material is mastered properly!

I have a cassette deck in my 60 and regularly listen to brand new cassettes I buy from small bands all over the world. It’s great for when you’re in the backcountry out of cell range - you can’t stream Spotify or YouTube if you don’t have cell reception!

Anyway, that’s why I fully support this 8 Track venture you’ve embarked on. It’s going to be really cool when you’re done and you can cruise down the road jamming that first tape.

 

[Engineer8000]

Neil Diamond Greatest Hits

 

[lcwizard]

There's a 8 track and cassette revival underway. Apparently, 8 tracks require maintenance and rebuilding, meaning redoing the splices. If you try to play an older tape that hasn't been rebuilt chances are it will come apart.

Couple sellers on eBay sell rebuilt tapes. Not inexpensive 15 bucks and up.

People and their obsessions to old tech. Next thing you know people will be rebuilding and reviving their old trucks.

 

[CBFJ]

It would take me a while to dig it up, but there’s a guy out there dubbing fresh 8 Tracks on brand new tape. Request an album, wait a while, and get a “brand new” tape in the mail, complete with artwork stuck to the front. I think the only thing he’s reusing are the plastic shells.

Regarding cassettes, yes, there is a minor revival going on. I’ve been playing in bands for 25 years and have dabbled in being a recording engineer/producer/studio owner on and off for the last 15. Cassettes are a great thing for small independent bands. Compared to vinyl records they’re inexpensive to have made, maybe $250-400 for a run of 100 (versus $2000-4000), fans buy them because they’re fairly cheap ($7-10 instead of $20-40), and even if a buyer doesn’t have a tape player they’re a good vehicle for the digital album. Lots of people just buy the “digital” version, meaning an official non-pirated set of audio files for the same price as a cassette. Well, inside the cassette you can include a piece of paper with a link to download the album - basically you buy the tape and the download at the same time for the price of one. People like physical media, something they can touch, liner notes they can read, etc. My bands sell far more cassette+downloads than downloads alone. And a brand new cassette actually sounds pretty dang good if the material is mastered properly!

I have a cassette deck in my 60 and regularly listen to brand new cassettes I buy from small bands all over the world. It’s great for when you’re in the backcountry out of cell range - you can’t stream Spotify or YouTube if you don’t have cell reception!

Anyway, that’s why I fully support this 8 Track venture you’ve embarked on. It’s going to be really cool when you’re done and you can cruise down the road jamming that first tape.

Where can we find your music?