C4 with Bose/Need Help
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
C4 with Bose/Need Help
I have a 1993 with Bose. I would like to install a new radio and 4 new speakers. Can someone please explain how to do this. What I am considering is a Pioneer 6600 head unit, along with Pioneer 4 way 6x9 in the rear and 2 way 5 1/4 in the front. I am lost, any help would be appreciated. 
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Did you read the C4 Audio FAQ?
I don't like Pioneer. There are better options.
Do you want bass? Do you want marginally better sound with some additional features?
I highly recommend Alpine for a head unit...
I don't like Pioneer. There are better options.
Do you want bass? Do you want marginally better sound with some additional features?
I highly recommend Alpine for a head unit...
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 698
Likes: 1
From: louseyville Ky
I just put a new unit in my 96. Not much fun. Are you doing it your self or having it done? If you do it your self I can send you a e-mail with some information. Be prepared to spend some time on it. In the end it will be all worth it. The Bose system is a pain.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
Originally Posted by bogus
Did you read the C4 Audio FAQ?
I don't like Pioneer. There are better options.
Do you want bass? Do you want marginally better sound with some additional features?
I highly recommend Alpine for a head unit...
I don't like Pioneer. There are better options.
Do you want bass? Do you want marginally better sound with some additional features?
I highly recommend Alpine for a head unit...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
Originally Posted by 96dblblack
I just put a new unit in my 96. Not much fun. Are you doing it your self or having it done? If you do it your self I can send you a e-mail with some information. Be prepared to spend some time on it. In the end it will be all worth it. The Bose system is a pain.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
After doing some more research I am leaning towards 8" subs in back and 4" two-way speakers in front. An amp to power the subs and run the front speakers off an Alpine deck. 
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,815
Likes: 0
From: Port Orange Florida
Let me save you some frustration.After you finish re-wiring for the front 4" you are wanting.You gonna want some power through them.Moreso than the deck will give.
Skip the re-wire and just two amps in.You gonna do one might as well do two at the same time and be done with it.
4 gauge for batt. to a distribution block for both amps.
4 gauge ground to distr. block and then to each amp.
2 pairs of RCA's can be run in the sides of the center console.Tons of tucking room in there.About 3/4 hollow.One for the front channels and one for the sub amp.
Have fun goofin with the RCVR behind the dash.Work from the bottom as the glovebox is nowhere close to it.Remove the air vents to shine a flashlight in there for the antenna lead.Kneel outside the car looking at the fusebox but imagine behind it towards the front of the car.You have to peel the carpet back and move some plastic.It's easier than it sounds.Ignore all the wires behind the Bose headunit.They are useless.The wiring harness you want is at the rcvr.
Good Luck
Skip the re-wire and just two amps in.You gonna do one might as well do two at the same time and be done with it.
4 gauge for batt. to a distribution block for both amps.
4 gauge ground to distr. block and then to each amp.
2 pairs of RCA's can be run in the sides of the center console.Tons of tucking room in there.About 3/4 hollow.One for the front channels and one for the sub amp.
Have fun goofin with the RCVR behind the dash.Work from the bottom as the glovebox is nowhere close to it.Remove the air vents to shine a flashlight in there for the antenna lead.Kneel outside the car looking at the fusebox but imagine behind it towards the front of the car.You have to peel the carpet back and move some plastic.It's easier than it sounds.Ignore all the wires behind the Bose headunit.They are useless.The wiring harness you want is at the rcvr.
Good Luck
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
Originally Posted by Shoregasm
Let me save you some frustration.After you finish re-wiring for the front 4" you are wanting.You gonna want some power through them.Moreso than the deck will give.
Skip the re-wire and just two amps in.You gonna do one might as well do two at the same time and be done with it.
4 gauge for batt. to a distribution block for both amps.
4 gauge ground to distr. block and then to each amp.
2 pairs of RCA's can be run in the sides of the center console.Tons of tucking room in there.About 3/4 hollow.One for the front channels and one for the sub amp.
Have fun goofin with the RCVR behind the dash.Work from the bottom as the glovebox is nowhere close to it.Remove the air vents to shine a flashlight in there for the antenna lead.Kneel outside the car looking at the fusebox but imagine behind it towards the front of the car.You have to peel the carpet back and move some plastic.It's easier than it sounds.Ignore all the wires behind the Bose headunit.They are useless.The wiring harness you want is at the rcvr.
Good Luck
Skip the re-wire and just two amps in.You gonna do one might as well do two at the same time and be done with it.
4 gauge for batt. to a distribution block for both amps.
4 gauge ground to distr. block and then to each amp.
2 pairs of RCA's can be run in the sides of the center console.Tons of tucking room in there.About 3/4 hollow.One for the front channels and one for the sub amp.
Have fun goofin with the RCVR behind the dash.Work from the bottom as the glovebox is nowhere close to it.Remove the air vents to shine a flashlight in there for the antenna lead.Kneel outside the car looking at the fusebox but imagine behind it towards the front of the car.You have to peel the carpet back and move some plastic.It's easier than it sounds.Ignore all the wires behind the Bose headunit.They are useless.The wiring harness you want is at the rcvr.
Good Luck
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,815
Likes: 0
From: Port Orange Florida
My rcvr(the one you said was in your hatch) was under my dash.It is were you plug you antenna and wiring harness for your aftermarket deck into.I seriuosly hope yours is under the dash too.That's a long way to run 4 small wires and a antenna extension.Possible for sure but a PITA.
I simply bought a GM harness adapter(typical GM type harness) and extended the wires about 18" to give ample room to reach my Sony HU.Simply plugged it in.It will contain the power, ground ,ant. remote lead and memory wire.All the wires you need to run your deck properly without speaker leads nor the amp remotes.I bought a 8" ant extension and unplugged the factory ant lead and pulled it back towards the Sony HU.It will move about a foot without great trouble.I just put those two together and that was it.It is relatively easy.Just wierd how they used a RCVR and a HU.The Bose HU is kinda like a dummy unit.It does nothing more than take your commands and give to the rcvr.
I simply bought a GM harness adapter(typical GM type harness) and extended the wires about 18" to give ample room to reach my Sony HU.Simply plugged it in.It will contain the power, ground ,ant. remote lead and memory wire.All the wires you need to run your deck properly without speaker leads nor the amp remotes.I bought a 8" ant extension and unplugged the factory ant lead and pulled it back towards the Sony HU.It will move about a foot without great trouble.I just put those two together and that was it.It is relatively easy.Just wierd how they used a RCVR and a HU.The Bose HU is kinda like a dummy unit.It does nothing more than take your commands and give to the rcvr.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
Originally Posted by Shoregasm
My rcvr(the one you said was in your hatch) was under my dash.It is were you plug you antenna and wiring harness for your aftermarket deck into.I seriuosly hope yours is under the dash too.That's a long way to run 4 small wires and a antenna extension.Possible for sure but a PITA.
I simply bought a GM harness adapter(typical GM type harness) and extended the wires about 18" to give ample room to reach my Sony HU.Simply plugged it in.It will contain the power, ground ,ant. remote lead and memory wire.All the wires you need to run your deck properly without speaker leads nor the amp remotes.I bought a 8" ant extension and unplugged the factory ant lead and pulled it back towards the Sony HU.It will move about a foot without great trouble.I just put those two together and that was it.It is relatively easy.Just wierd how they used a RCVR and a HU.The Bose HU is kinda like a dummy unit.It does nothing more than take your commands and give to the rcvr.
I simply bought a GM harness adapter(typical GM type harness) and extended the wires about 18" to give ample room to reach my Sony HU.Simply plugged it in.It will contain the power, ground ,ant. remote lead and memory wire.All the wires you need to run your deck properly without speaker leads nor the amp remotes.I bought a 8" ant extension and unplugged the factory ant lead and pulled it back towards the Sony HU.It will move about a foot without great trouble.I just put those two together and that was it.It is relatively easy.Just wierd how they used a RCVR and a HU.The Bose HU is kinda like a dummy unit.It does nothing more than take your commands and give to the rcvr.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Originally Posted by crheinish
Great info, thanks! Could you explain to me how wire in a new radio. For example, what do you do with the antenna, extend it? Will the radio reciever in the hatch be used or discarded?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Thanks for the complements!
However, I am not sure who is commenting on what, but, to clarify:
From 1990 to 1996, the Bose system had a stand alone reciever module. In coupes, it's located inside the dash.
In convertables, it's in the back... somewhere...
However, I am not sure who is commenting on what, but, to clarify:
From 1990 to 1996, the Bose system had a stand alone reciever module. In coupes, it's located inside the dash.
In convertables, it's in the back... somewhere...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
Originally Posted by bogus
Thanks for the complements!
However, I am not sure who is commenting on what, but, to clarify:
From 1990 to 1996, the Bose system had a stand alone reciever module. In coupes, it's located inside the dash.
In convertables, it's in the back... somewhere...
However, I am not sure who is commenting on what, but, to clarify:
From 1990 to 1996, the Bose system had a stand alone reciever module. In coupes, it's located inside the dash.
In convertables, it's in the back... somewhere...