When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I'm looking to get rid of the OEM Bose unit. 3 of my 4 speakers have quit (because of the caps) and I would like to take this opportunity to upgrade to a double DIN unit with a little more of a modern look.
The question is whether to get all of the applicable dongles/harnesses to be able to re-use the original wiring or buck up and just rip out all of the old and learn how to do a full stereo system install (head unit and speakers)
I replaced the radio in my 84 with a nice little unit and ran new wires and changed the speakers. It plays CDs and has Bluetooth as well as USB. Works great with my android phone for phone calls and streaming Sirius XM.
Depending on the year you might just have to run new speaker wires. When I redid everything on my 89 I was able to get an adapter harness for the power/ground/memory to the head unit, then just ran new wires to the speakers.
On my 88 I replaced the Bose and Bose speakers. I used the original wiring but cutting off the Bose electrical plug adaptors at the speakers. You will need the electrical service manual to do this. If you run new wire then you can do any thing you want.
It is not rocket science. Just run new wire. There's not much to be gained by using the stock wiring. I'd also recommend installing an external amp instead of using the head unit's built in amp.
Thanks for all the replies guys. My vette is a 92, not sure if that matters though since the consensus seems to be to just rip out the old and install the new.
My 93 coupe had a Kenwood DPX 503 double din head unit with a wiring harness that worked
with the Bose speakers and amps. I removed the speakers with their enclosures and fabricated new enclosures. The rear speakers were easy, but the front speakers enclosures had to go under the existing carpet. I made everything out of 3/8" plywood. I didn't take pictures of mine but another CF member gave me the inspiration for my front enclosures. I took measurements off the Bose units and replaced with mine.
Thanks for all the replies guys. My vette is a 92, not sure if that matters though since the consensus seems to be to just rip out the old and install the new.
I really wouldn't. Why waste time pulling it out and risking ripping something bad? Leave it there.
I just had new wires run and left the old ones there. Best Lies did the install of the wires. Left the leads running and I finished it up the way I wanted.
For speakers, I bought stock Non-Bose speaker enclosures and put new speakers in them. Unless you need other options, that seemed to the the easiest way.
I didn't 'rip' my stock wires out either. I just ran new wires. It looked like the stock wires were in with the rest of the car's wiring loom. I used MB Quart speakers; 6 1/2" components up front and 4x6 two ways in the rears.
I replaced the radio in my 84 with a nice little unit and ran new wires and changed the speakers. It plays CDs and has Bluetooth as well as USB. Works great with my android phone for phone calls and streaming Sirius XM.
this looks like it is 1.5 din and that it would fit in the stock 1.5 din bezel.
Quote: This looks like it is 1.5 din and that it would fit in the stock 1.5 din bezel.
did it?
It is the face plate that fits the opening 1.5 din fairly well. The unit itself is a single din, the face plate/LCD is detachable. Here is a link to the unit I purchased:
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
I reused all stock wiring. In my 89, I pulled the door speakers and bypassed/removed the internal amps and added speakers (with new wire) in the dash. For the rear, I pulled the OEM speakers and made new baffles. Finally, you can buy conversion plugs for the head unit. IMO, that's the easiest because you don't have to pull carpet, panels, etc...
Later, when the interior was completely gutted, I rewired the rear while adding an aftermarket amp. Still using the headunit-to-door wires. Those are the toughest to replace due to the doorjamb loom. Didn't see the need. Plus, after adding caps to remove low frequencies, I'm also still using the Bose door speakers sans bass.
I'm looking to get rid of the OEM Bose unit. 3 of my 4 speakers have quit (because of the caps) and I would like to take this opportunity to upgrade to a double DIN unit with a little more of a modern look.
The question is whether to get all of the applicable dongles/harnesses to be able to re-use the original wiring or buck up and just rip out all of the old and learn how to do a full stereo system install (head unit and speakers)
I gave up on my Bose and installed a single din Kenwood H/U and replaced speakers with Rockford Fosgates front and rear. I did not cut the original harness but used factory connectors to source power and grounds. I also ran a separate ground from the frame to the interior to eliminate any ground and noise issues. Also ran new 14 gauge speaker wires from H/U to all 4 speakers. All connections were soldered and wrapped with heat shrink.
While I was at it, I removed the broken power antenna and disconnected the relay under dash so as to prevent any 12 volt drain, and replaced the antenna with a black fixed height 31" antenna. I made sure to ground the antenna to the frame as well. The sound system is so much better than the stock one and should I ever sell my car, I have all the Bose stuff than can be put back in an unmolested harness. (Don't mind the tape on the shifter. I stuck it there so I wouldn't scratch the button and took it off after I shot the picture) I also used this Alpine mini amp with the Kenwood H/U: Alpine KTP-445U 4-channel Power Pack Amplifier which fits perfectly underneath the head unit on the tranny hump.
Last edited by Izzy Dizzy; Mar 12, 2018 at 08:49 PM.
Reason: more info
Just got my 1st 87 c4 a few weeks ago....this pwr.antenna relay,...where and what exactly is it?....i came out to a dead battery a cpl.days ago....not my d/d, but.....
asking because my pwr.antenna isn't working and actually is stuck. So im getting ready to dove into it...
Just got my 1st 87 c4 a few weeks ago....this pwr.antenna relay,...where and what exactly is it?....i came out to a dead battery a cpl.days ago....not my d/d, but.....
asking because my pwr.antenna isn't working and actually is stuck. So im getting ready to dove into it...
Ok, I'm jogging my memory here and there are two things regarding relays. The power antenna relay is located close to the rear hatch lock area towards the drivers side. There is a harness under the paneling and you'll see the antenna wire there as well. The relay is just a simple black box with a plug on it. Simply unplug it if you're not using a power antenna, and if you decide to ditch the power unit and install a fixed height antenna, this is where you make the antenna wire connection.
The other relay I disconnected was for the Bose system and that is located to the right of the radio, kind of behind the big pad. You must remove some trim under the right side of the dash and lay under there and look up with a flashlight. Same kind of relay mounted to a metal support brace (to the right of the radio) I was able to disconnect the plug and tape it up so it wouldn't rattle.
I searched on this forum and youtube and found the exact locations of both relays when I did the aftermarket radio and antenna replacement. If I come across those videos, I repost them on this blog.
Hope this helps.
Ok, I'm jogging my memory here and there are two things regarding relays. The power antenna relay is located close to the rear hatch lock area towards the drivers side. There is a harness under the paneling and you'll see the antenna wire there as well. The relay is just a simple black box with a plug on it. Simply unplug it if you're not using a power antenna, and if you decide to ditch the power unit and install a fixed height antenna, this is where you make the antenna wire connection.
The other relay I disconnected was for the Bose system and that is located to the right of the radio, kind of behind the big pad. You must remove some trim under the right side of the dash and lay under there and look up with a flashlight. Same kind of relay mounted to a metal support brace (to the right of the radio) I was able to disconnect the plug and tape it up so it wouldn't rattle.
I searched on this forum and youtube and found the exact locations of both relays when I did the aftermarket radio and antenna replacement. If I come across those videos, I repost them on this blog.
Hope this helps.
Shorty antenna installed: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...installed.html
Dash cut a way video. Look to the right of where he's pointing and you'll see the bose relay. He doesn't point at it, but it's there. Look at the light blue module he points at, then look to the right and you'll see the metal frame running vertically. The bose relay is the little square one kind of underneath the harness.
Thanks guys.....idk if mine is a mess or not....someone has installed a.aftermarket head unit. Everything looks like it was installed well, (of course theres no wiring adapter). The rear speakers work, and.sound good. The fronts,....the passinger side works but the drivers side dosnt. I can see that speaker wires are ran, and a "rca" cable is hooked up to the head unit. I dont think im goin to sweat it much, ......exaust note sounds good ! !!.....
Bet that dash.pads a pain in tha a___ to get off?...
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.
Audio upgrade
