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Old Nov 4, 2011 | 10:59 AM
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I'm trying to install an aftermarket radio. I have a diagram but it doesn't specify colors of some of the wires. I've narrowed down some of the wires but I'm having trouble with the most important ones.

Anyone know what color the power, ground and illumination wires are in a 73?

And is there an Ignition wire?
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Old Nov 4, 2011 | 12:07 PM
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If it's the same as a 74 and if memory serves me well, you'd have a 3 prong connector with a black wire for ground, a grey for the illumination and a switched yellow wire. There was no constant power wire.
Nick
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Old Nov 4, 2011 | 12:14 PM
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Correct for 74 & same for 73. You can get constant power from the orange lighter wire.
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Old Nov 4, 2011 | 12:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Ganey
Correct for 74 & same for 73. You can get constant power from the orange lighter wire.
Originally Posted by dembo
If it's the same as a 74 and if memory serves me well, you'd have a 3 prong connector with a black wire for ground, a grey for the illumination and a switched yellow wire. There was no constant power wire.
Nick
Ok, so splice the lighter wire to use for the regular power and use the yellow 12V ignition wire, right? Forgive if it sounds like a dumb question, I've never done a radio install before and all these wires and names are beginning to blur.
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Old Nov 4, 2011 | 12:47 PM
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The switched (ig.) yellow wire normally goes to red power on the stereo.
The orange constant is for stereo memory normally yellow. Make sense now?
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Old Nov 4, 2011 | 12:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Ganey
The switched (ig.) yellow wire normally goes to red power on the stereo.
The orange constant is for stereo memory normally yellow. Make sense now?
Yep, I think so. Here's to hoping I don't blow anything up

Ok, next question. I'm looking to put an amp/sub box in the back. Where is a good place back there to use for ground?
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Old Nov 4, 2011 | 12:57 PM
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Thanks so much BTW
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Old Nov 4, 2011 | 01:01 PM
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Normally if you have the 2 power wires reversed there's just no memory.
The waterfall if metal in 73. The center storage compartment works great for the amp.
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Old Nov 4, 2011 | 04:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Ganey
Normally if you have the 2 power wires reversed there's just no memory.
The waterfall if metal in 73. The center storage compartment works great for the amp.
The waterfall isn't metal in mine. I noticed that in some one else pic that it was in other years.
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Old Nov 4, 2011 | 04:21 PM
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I have both Stereo HU gnd. & Amp. gnd. to battery.
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Old Nov 4, 2011 | 04:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Ganey
I have both Stereo HU gnd. & Amp. gnd. to battery.
Oh you can ground to the neg post on the battery? I was wondering if you could. Cool.
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Old Nov 4, 2011 | 04:59 PM
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Hey, below is a sketch on how I wired my add-ons. I did add a painless fuseblock to take the strain from the car harness. In the battery tray I added two junction blocks like the one you have next to the master cilinder. One heavy gauge wire from the battery - and another from the + to the junction block. *The extra fuse panel is located in the rh storage box. I didn't use a stand alone amp but a amp/woofer combo of 150W for a more compact setup
Nick



Junction blocks


Cirkit boss fuse panel
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