I am 2 weeks into owning my first Vette and the Bose stereo has got to go. I tried the capacitor "band-aid" fix mentioned throughout the site but it isn't cutting it. I finally made the decision that the whole system needs to go.

So, I have been reviewing the archived posts of previous c4 Bose stereo replacement projects and they are very helpful. But, I now am looking for some fresh advice and/or some feedback from ppl for have replaced and can give a review on the work done to their systems.

I am not looking to do anything fancy. I would like to put in a head unit the same size, I believe it is a double din. And it would be nice to still use the face plates for the speakers to keep the look the same.

I plan on using Crutchfield and doing the install myself. Unless I am pointed in another direction from this post.

Music taste = LedZep, Who, Beatles, mostly classic rock.

 

If you come up with anything, please let me know. I can't seem to get any response here regarding replacing my system in my '92. Here's my thread about the Bose experience. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=826240. I also just want something affordable, I'm not exactly the kind to live or die by the professional stereo stuff, I just refuse to throw good money after bad. Did I mention that I also had a '91 Vette with the Bose Gold system that had all the speakers and the unit itself replaced under warranty because it hissed and sounded like a $100.00 mass merchandiser unit? A year after I traded in the car, I found a GM service bulletin that said the antenna wire on the '91s needed replacement if the system made continuous hissing noise. Thank you Mr. GM dealer, again.


[Modified by dwaltz, 2:04 AM 5/28/2004]

 

I have not replaced my systemin the 93 yet but I have researched it. Here is a web page explaining how to remove all componants on your vette.
http://www.carstereohelp.com/strcorvette.htm
Heere is another site with detail.
http://www.corvetteradios.com/default.html
After looking into repairing with the cost of the bose parts, I decided to replace the whole thing with after market but because my 93 has the CDM tuner box behind the glove box, I don't think I can use factory wiring.
As far as head unit replacement, I have been ridiculed here for wanting to use a "same size" double din head unit because of the price & features are so much better on a single din but I personally don't like the look of a single din with an "adaptor" to fill the hole.
I personally like the Clarion ADZ 625 double din head unit for its "non flash" looks & it will fit perfectly.

Now as far as speakers, after removeing the front pods in floor board, 4x6 plates will fit but so will 5.5 with some modification for mounting. For you with an 89, it looks like a 5.5 will fit in the same bose speaker mount as the original bose. As farf as the rear, if you disguard the whole bose box, there is enough room for 6x9. If you keep the bose mounting box, you can use 5" rounds.

Everyone has different taste & listening preferences so a speaker will sound different to you than it will to someone else. Go to a car audio store (not Best Buy or Circuit city) & listen to different speakers. Find the ones you like & buy them reguardless of what ANYONE tells you.
Now the bad news, be prepared to install your own speaker wire. Its a PITA but you can use larger guage wire for a better sound since the aftermarket head unit will send more power to the speakers than the bose did.

Depending on what speakers you buy, you can replace the whole system for less than $600, have a good sounding system & not have to worry about amps, compassitors, running power & ground wires for amps & alternator output.
Whew long post...........too much coffee.


[Modified by vette-freak, 6:50 AM 5/28/2004]

 

Stonecutter908, when you pull your Bose amps & speakers what do you plan on doing with them?

I have the stock Bose in my 35th Anna and want to keep it all stock; a spare set of Bose amp/speaker assys might come in handy when repair becomes necessary on my system.

BTW, I have a Pioneer (similar to DEH-P77DH) CD/FM/AM in my IROC and the features and sound are great. Plus it fits right into the dash with no cutting nor additional bezel and has a removable face plate. Though I paid over $200 from Crutchfield I believe it can be had via discount outlets for less.

 

Here's my setup. Panasonic Ghost HD, Boston Acoustics FX series 6X9's in the rear, Boston FX 6.5's in the doors, Alpine tweets in the dash. Sounds great, especially with the top mounted in the rear cargo area. Last night I just installed a small amp to push a JL Audio W0 10. It sounds great and was less than $300 for the total system, but I had some of the equipment already.

Running the wires were not that hard. Hardest part was getting the bose out of the doors. After about 20 minutes a door and bloody hands they were out.

If you choose to put tweets in the dash, I would recommend placing them as far to the sides of the car as possible. I put mine in towards the center and the imaging is not that good because of the angle of the windshield. I chose to build a box which would be removable to save weight for when I decide to auto cross/dragrace if I decide to try it.

Good luck and have fun.


[Modified by 89Corvette6spdFX3, 3:41 PM 6/1/2004]

 

My 90 had an after market stereo in it when I bought it as well as an amp in the back, the Bose speakers are still there. I also have been looking for a double din to fill the entire space, but the couple I have found are no where near as slick as the single din units.

I'm still looking since the Kenwood unit in the car works just fine for now. I would definitely suggest price checking before purchasing from Crutchfield though. You can beat their prices pretty easy in most cases, but it's hard to be their tech support.

Dave

 

well when I bought my vet it had the jvc el Kameleon and the bose system won't handle the stereo. But it doesn't play cd so it will come out. I ordered some jvc 5 1/4 which which don't fit because crutchfield said it was 5 1/4. These things sounded normal and after I ran 200 watts to each from a fosgate amp wow they came to live they where really loud. But they didn't fit.

So now I'm thinking about doing it all cliff audio it supposed to be some high quality audio. Since I could get them cheaper the price cause I have a license to resell audio. But first I will get the 4 inch in the front and still thiking about either 4 inch on back or mostlikely I will go 6x9 and maybe a 10 or 8 inch in the back compartment. Maybe after I will add an amp to run the speaker they get louder this way. If size is an issue I will get the triangle sub and will make a custom box so it will fit inside the compartment. no one will know there is a sub there.
By the way mine is an 87.

 

I wanted to give an update on my gameplan since this does seem to be a common topic for C4 owners. I have been doing some more research and looking into suggestions from the post and came up with a final action plan.

I have contacted Bose directly and they have offered me the same $75 a speaker restoration job that others have mentioned on here. My plan is to pull the rears and take this on 2 speakers at a time. If I am not happy with the rears, then I am not going to bother with the fronts. If that does happen, I will reaccess and decide my next move. I don't want to have to take the doors apart more than once. If I take on that job, it is going to be for a permanent solution. If the rears work out, and I am happy with Bose's work then I will send the fronts in and spend a total of $300.

Factors that lead me to this decision ...
1.) only $150 to test the waters. I was planning on spending double that just on a new head unit.
2.) really do prefer to stay stock in the end.
3.) the vette is my secondary car, so I don't need a booming system. if it was my primary, no doubt I would put more major dough into a serious audiophile system.

I will make a point to post my end results when all is said and done. Cheers!

 

Good luck, hope it works out soundwise for you. btw, your radio size is 1 1/2 DIN on an '89 not a double DIN if you do replace it.

 

Final Update: all speakers were removed, shipped to Bose, refurb'ed for $75 a pop and installed back into the car.

The front doors were a huge pain to take apart and reinstall the speaker boxes, many hours spent on this. The following site was very useful ...

http://www.carstereohelp.com/stereor...etteFspk89.htm

All in all, the project was a success. For $300, I now have a stock solution that sounds as good as new ... well what I imagine new used to sound like.