Head unit upgrade
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 829
Likes: 191
Head unit upgrade
'96 with Bose system. The speakers and amps are in perfect working order and I want to keep them.
I want to upgrade to a modern Bluetooth digital head unit. Nav is not necessary but acceptable if included.
What brand/model units fit good in the dash and work well with the factory amp and speaker system?
Thanks
I want to upgrade to a modern Bluetooth digital head unit. Nav is not necessary but acceptable if included.
What brand/model units fit good in the dash and work well with the factory amp and speaker system?
Thanks
Racer
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 451
Likes: 14
From: Okehampton Devon
What brand/model units fit good in the dash
I used this fitting kit with a single DIN Pioneer. . It gives you mountings to fit to the original ones, and a matching storage pocket underneath the head unit which takes a phone if you use one for music like I do.
I can't answer your question about the amp and speakers, except to say I believe the Bose head puts out a tiny pre-amp level, and all other stereos put out line/speaker level which would be way too much for the Bose amp to handle. I think I read on here that you can install restrictors of some kind to match the two up. I'm sure someone will have that info.
BTW check the width of your new head against the console. Mine fits, but without it's trim ring, and then only just.
I used this fitting kit with a single DIN Pioneer. . It gives you mountings to fit to the original ones, and a matching storage pocket underneath the head unit which takes a phone if you use one for music like I do.
I can't answer your question about the amp and speakers, except to say I believe the Bose head puts out a tiny pre-amp level, and all other stereos put out line/speaker level which would be way too much for the Bose amp to handle. I think I read on here that you can install restrictors of some kind to match the two up. I'm sure someone will have that info.
BTW check the width of your new head against the console. Mine fits, but without it's trim ring, and then only just.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 98
From: Ashland PA
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
If you upgrade your HU and want to keep the Bose speakers you will have to hook up your speakers to the RCA jacks on the back of the radio, the bose speakers have there own amps built into each speaker. Metra has a harness that will make it easy just go to Crutchfield web site and type in your car info they will show you everything you will need.
