'71 240Z OEM Radio Mount

[Huw]

Hi all,

Does anyone have a photo showing how the stock radio mounts in the 71 zeds? 

I had understood that it mounts on the bracket that runs across from the the dash (shown in diagram from manual) without any additional bracketry. 

Previously had a modern unit in there with the metal cage.  Going back to stock.  Not in my shed, with a non-zed specialist mechanic (for other stuff as well). 

Huw

[gav240z]

Hi Huw,

Do you still have the brackets on the chassis of the radio?

Reference pics of a NOS TM-1081ZB(S) radio I took from an eBay listing a few years ago.

https://goo.gl/photos/sXHcEMFqGQPd3K5ZA

there is a square bracket that sticks out on the driver side and a smaller one that is more flat in profile on the passenger side of the car.

Best photo i have to hand is this:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/zFHAiWNqnZG18dLU6 (Passenger side)

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Pk6CZgu1zATjSLWG6 (Driver side square bracket)

[Huw]

Thanks Gav, I had been gathering photos as well but hadn't had any with those two brackets. 

My radio just has the case without the brackets.  That would explain the difficulties.  Strangely, no materials on line for it.  I couldn't see it on the part diagrams etc, so that photo is great. 

I suspect we will have to make something to replicate the bracket. 

 

Edited March 6 by Huw
Addition.

[Huw]

Well, just to provide the information for anyone else who has the radio but not the brackets.  

You can see them on the below:

S30 World provides a useful exploration.  https://s30.world/articles/a-hitachi-km-1520zc-radio-deep-dive

Useful photos on the S30 World site included: 

And, after all that, with some upcoming longer work drives that may see me on the phone, I am thinking of putting in the ClassicAutoSound unit instead!

(Existing would get packaged up neatly for if I ever pass on the car)

[joe71_240z]

Hi Huw

The radio you have doesnt look right for a 71 as it doesnt have the vertically mounted power antenna switch. What month is your 71? I have 09/71 production date and it has the radio with the vertically mounted power antenna switch.

[gav240z]

Yep that photo above is a North American AM/FM radio. We didn't get that radio in our market. The brackets are indeed different again the TM-1081ZB(S) radio(s). As the manual above states that is a KM-1520ZC radio. Although I suspect Huw just used those photos as reference and are not the actual photos of his own radio.

[gav240z]

On 3/6/2026 at 10:51 PM, Huw said:

Thanks Gav, I had been gathering photos as well but hadn't had any with those two brackets. 

My radio just has the case without the brackets.  That would explain the difficulties.  Strangely, no materials on line for it.  I couldn't see it on the part diagrams etc, so that photo is great. 

I suspect we will have to make something to replicate the bracket. 

 

Did you have any ideas about making the brackets? I have a few of these radios in my stash, some missing brackets, but they are quite thick gauge steel and not something you could easily "make" with regular hand tools. I would be interested in making more to suit my radios, perhaps something we could make open source or available to the community, since they are often missing. Along with the original wiring loom/connectors etc..

[Huw]

Ah, my ignorance shows through.   I hadn't clicked to that but had noticed the difference in the brackets.  

If could get hands on the bracket it would be easy enough to copy.  

[Huw]

6 hours ago, gav240z said:

Did you have any ideas about making the brackets? I have a few of these radios in my stash, some missing brackets, but they are quite thick gauge steel and not something you could easily "make" with regular hand tools. I would be interested in making more to suit my radios, perhaps something we could make open source or available to the community, since they are often missing. Along with the original wiring loom/connectors etc..

If you have some, it would be useful to trace out or scan.   I don't think they would need to be particularly strong.  There will be movement through the dash as you drive which may flex/fatigue if too thin but otherwise it should live a fairly sheltered life.   I had been thinking of attempting with hand tools in the first instance (on assumption that I wouldn't be able to find something that could be copied). 

But I am certainly not an engineer etc!

Edited March 18 by Huw

[Huw]

So, in terms of short update, I have tried my hand at 'reverse engineering' the piece on CAD.  

The only variable I don't know is the height of the two protrusions for the bracket - - so I have guessed by (i) taking a measure off the mounting bracket and the radio and calculating the 'gap'; and (ii) uploading a whole bunch of pictures to AI - some with measures to give scale, and sent a prototype off for printing (yes, I wish I had my own but the cost of the printer could go to other projects. 

My measurements are not great as I only have fairly rudimentary tools (have yet to invest in a vernier at home, most serious work is done at dad's shed). 

Hopefully I manage to get something that works.  Although, I still think it will ultimately get 'bubble wrapped' and put away with my original aerial for the next owner wit ha Classic Auto Sound one going in - will see.