Again, this goes back to the @#$%ing Bose in my 86,
When I get my new aftermarket head unit, can I get a plug so I don't have to cut the factory wires?
I realize I have to run new wires for the speakers since the Bose set up is a package deal..... :rolleyes:
Piiiisssst......:skep: anyone wanna buy a 86 bose cassette player part doesn't work drivers front speaker doesn't work...make offer:skep:... :lolg:


[Modified by The13Bats, 3:43 AM 4/21/2003]

 

I just cut the wires when I did my '85 a couple weeks ago. I figured I would never put the old system back. I actually recycled the speaker wiring as well. I know a lot of people don't like the idea, but it seemed easier, and I don't notice any noise problems.
Also put in a 12" sub to boot! You never realize how crappy the BOSE system is until you get the new system in. I can't believe I lived with blose for that long.

 

Rsafier,
I pretty much see your point, some people will call some of what I'm gonna say, "shadetree" but I pulled the cover off one rear Blose speaker the other night....I see 4 wires going to it, I assume all 4 go all the way back to the head unit or at least two do, since I'm not going to run an amp at least not to start with I plan to re-use two of these wires for the after market speakers,
if all 4 go to the head unit I will likely splice them together in other words at the speaker connector two wires will be on one post ( + ) and two wires will be at the other post ( -), this would be almost the same as using double the gauge speaker wires, in my case any resistance where the wires are together wouldn't be enough to matter, I like to solder all connections of wires unless it's something with a terminal like most speakers have male blades so I put females on the ends of the wires...
The only big reason I don't really want to cut the factory plug off is even if I did cut it I would want to use connectors in case I ever needed to remove the aftermarket head unit for service, so I figure just get the plug some places make for it....
I saw one web site that told the wire color codes I would love to see a blose wiring layout....
Did you hide your sub? I'm not into heavy base but I have seen some clever ways of hiding subs in vettes..... :thumbs:

 

Simply go to any place that sells car audio equipment and ask for a wiring harness for an 86 Corvette, they will most likely have it in stock, if not they can order it. Using an aftermarket harness is far better than butchering your stock harness for more reasons than just the obvious. An aftermarket harness will allow you to splice and re-splice over and over again, if you use up all the wire on that harness you just buy another one, they're only about $10. On the other hand, if you screw up the stock harness your just plain screwed.

 

I couldn't find a wiring harness for the BOSE system. I actually picked up a GM radio harness, but it is for a stock system, NOT BOSE. The BOSE system has three sets of funking connectors. One each for the front/rear speakers, and then a power/remote/gnd connector. There is also one single wire that seems to activate the amp power relay for the BOSE speaker amps. I really didn't want to have to splice wires, but decided to after already having it all apart. I used crimp connectors.

As for my sub. I took out the stock storage bins, and replaced then with a piece of MDF cut to the same size. Then put a 12" sub into one side, using the tub (its ~1 cu. ft. of space) as a box, with the MDF acting as a top. I also didn't want insane amounts of "thump". Depending on how I set my amp and headunit I can go from mild to wild (at least for my tastes). Yet even at high volumn it is still crisp. One thing I do has to say is replacing with 6x9s in the back gives a decent amount of bass by itself, I was suprised. I ended up putting a highpass filter on the regular speakers, because along with the subs output it was a little too much and droned out the mids too much.
Only thing I don't like it is the lack on both storage bins. I am going to modify my current design and give myself access to the passanger side bin, then just figure out how to mount the amp somewhere a bit more hidden without worrying about overheating.

 

Yep, rsafier...seems everything about the Blose is a pain in the butt...I have a pair of never used older 3 way 6X9's I plan to try, noones ever heard of the brand "powermark" ( watch someone say, "Now they suck" ) But these babies have 100OZ magnets on them the magnets are almost as big as the 6" part of the speaker so they might not even fit....the big cone is a plastic like stuff, there are 4 lugs for wires that have little jumpers that you can cut and wire each speaker part sepparate....or wire them full 3 way...I just wanna try them if they sound good I'll keep them if they suck out they go but it's free to try 'em.....If I ever put in a sub I believe I would angel a piece of mounting board from the back edge of the storage bins to the back at an angel that the sub would just fit in, I have a book about porting and all that jazz to do it right so in some cases I believe I might be able to mount the amp under the board outta sight but still keep it cool enough but a sub is last on my list....you set up looks good in a mean sorta way, but I would miss the bins...
Cheers, C. :thumbs:

 

OK, let me see if I can figure out what the hell you are saying here. You are saying you can't find a harness except for a stock GM harness but it isn't for a stock Bose system it is for a stock system? First of all the stock GM harness is the same harness whether your car came with Bose or not, just different connectors. Then you say you couldn't find a harness anywhere yet you found a stock GM wiring harness? Dude that is double talk. If you are removing your Bose HU and putting in an aftermarket one (I certainly hope you're not trying to run aftermarket speakers on a stock C4 Bose HU) you simply go to any audio shop as I said before and purchase a GM harness for your year Vette. This keeps you from having to butcher your stock radio harness. If you purchased a GM radio harness then you don't have to splice stock harness wires to the HU, ok? If that's not what you're talking about then perhaps you can clear it up for me.

As for the stock Bose speaker wire, if you plan on not putting much power to the speakers and of course never plan to reinstall your stock Bose system then using the Bose speaker wire will suffice. However, it is extremely simple to just run new speaker wire it only takes about 10 minutes if that.

 

its always funny when manufacturers stuff the biggest magnet they can find on a speaker. like those subs with the 200oz magnet, but 100 watts of powerhandling and 8mm of 1 way xmax
'

i got the wiring harness at pep-boys for my 86.

 

Don't laugh too hard but they say they handle 1000 watts....like I said I can try them for free....
Cheers. C. :flag

 

Nomad,
part of what you asked was addressed to someone else, but I plan to find a harness...I would have assumed that in my case the 86 offered one plug that fit any stereo that was in my car....
As far has me running new speaker wires I most likely will....
cheers, C.

 

actually yhe harness has one side that plugs into the vette, then bare wire on the other side. you splice that wire into the wires coming from your new head unit. use Pep boys, they sell Metra kits, which are the best.

this is the part number, i believe: AWWHGM1




[Modified by Kale, 2:01 AM 4/27/2003]

 

:iagree: yep :yesnod: