71LS5

I am replacing my aftermarket radio with the original radio. I have started to take out the gauge cluster and noticed the side panels. Does the guage cluster have to come out to install the radio? I want to to it right so any advice or drawings would be appreciated.

Thanks

TXredc3

I took off the side panels and removed the bezel (instrument panel) both.

kortensi

Same here.
I'll see if i cant dig up the photos.

71LS5

pic mmmm good thanks kort

Sacredgrooves

I am about to go thru the same process...

BSiegPaint

You don't HAVE to take off the whole bezel. I believe the GM instructions tell you at one point to push in all the push buttons to clear the bezel when removing the radio, so it's a tight fit. It would probably be easier to take off or at least loosen the entire bezel to do the job.

71LS5

I loosening the bezel. I assume that the guages are attached with short cables??? Has anyone pulled the bezel away and if so how much room is there to work? All the screws are out but I can not seem to pull the bezel with the instraments away at all. I dont want to foce it obviously.

Pics comments welcome

Buzzardz_vette

I took my original radio to a vette guy to install and he says the wiring harness is in the way so he couldn't install it. Anyone heard of that before?

Buzzardz_vette

Did you get the crews that go up to the upper dash? They hold the wiper control panel on. I missed those the first time I removed my bezel.

BSiegPaint

Don't forget there are two attaching bolts that hold the bottom of the gauge bezel to the top of the console - and the nuts are difficult to get to. There is a little slack in the works to pull it all forward. Don't scratch the console plate with those lower bolts!!!

71LS5

Ok got the darn gauge cluster out. That was a cluster F$$$$. Good design for assembly/dissassembly case study. Anyway, I bench tested my original radio and found the seperate amplifier that is heat sunk to the large heat sink gets dam hot!. So hot that it needs to be correctly mounted. If not I do beleive it to be a fire hazzard.

So who can help me identify where the audio amp was suposed to be mounted? My amp fortunatly has the brackets. A few pictures would be worth many words here.

Thanks!

71LS5

PS the audio amp is correct for the 71. I think that later years had actually a much larger heat sink. My guess is that they had thermal "issues". Also the heat sink has like a 2.5 ft cable with quick connect. It could be mounted just about anywhere.

Buzzardz_vette

I'd like to know where it goes in my 76.

kortensi

In my 71, it was behind the map pockets, mounted to the AC box.
I couldn't find the pictures I had.
I lost a bunch when the computer crashed a year ago.

Jay M

I think I would find a new Vette guy! I can see a kid in the install shop at Best buy telling you that, but a Vette guy should know how to properly route the harnes.

~Jay

71LS5

Kortensi thanks I will look there. Its certainly plausable as the cable is darn long. It can not have direct contact with any thing that can melt or burn. So it has to be right.....

Buzzardz_vette

I've been looking, but haven't found anyone else that works on vettes in my area. I'm going to try to install it myself. Anyone know of a good book that covers radio installs?

Red 69

This is the best pic I can find of the original amp in my 69 as I disassembled it. The amp is only partially visible along the top of the pic. It shared the passenger side screw that held the defroster duct in place. It is a non air car. Hope it helps.
[IMG][/IMG]

71LS5

GREAT RED69! Thats a big help. I will have to see if that passenger side dash needs to come off to get it in. I sure hope not my vynle/plastic is very easy to damage with this age.

Thanks again!

Ron

carbster09

I have taken my 71 apart a number of times. Mostly for the f*(*ing clock that I cannot get to work! the heat sink is behind the pass. dash. It needs to come out and that is not too hard. The whole instrument panel should be removed that is not hard. However they fit like cr*p and with broken pieces here and there tend to fit worse after a reinstall sometimes. Good luck. I am getting fed up with my heavy stock unit. I might replace it with something "modern"...yuck