Bose System
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 25
Likes: 2
Bose System
My 86 coupe is showroom new and 100% original parts.
Bose is getting tired - Gremlins acting up.
I hate like hell to replace it but it doesn't seem like I have a lot of options.
Any ideas - any recommendations?
Bose is getting tired - Gremlins acting up.
I hate like hell to replace it but it doesn't seem like I have a lot of options.
Any ideas - any recommendations?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,229
Likes: 698
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 64
Likes: 13
From: Spartanburg SC
My '94 coupe is also 100% original and my plan is to keep the Bose (and the car) as stock equipment. There are other threads on here that detail vendors who repair the Bose unit. The speakers can be fixed with new capacitors, all not needed on my working system. Then again, I don't need hands-free phone, Bluetooth and all the latest features some really like. It's only original once after all. Most times my soundtrack is the faint rumble of the stock mufflers. Just my 2 cents.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 176
From: Hillsborough NC
How handy are you with a soldering iron?
I am in the process of documenting the amp capacitor replacement procedure and would be very willing to send you the images and parts lists for the capacitors to replace them in your amps.
This way you can order the parts before taking anything our of the car.
Job is not particularly difficult, you just need to be reasonably comfortable with a soldering iron. Plenty of videos on YouTube showing you this technique.
What's up with your system?
I am in the process of documenting the amp capacitor replacement procedure and would be very willing to send you the images and parts lists for the capacitors to replace them in your amps.
This way you can order the parts before taking anything our of the car.
Job is not particularly difficult, you just need to be reasonably comfortable with a soldering iron. Plenty of videos on YouTube showing you this technique.
What's up with your system?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 2,611
Likes: 46
From: Pine Bush New York
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Team Owner
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 53,881
Likes: 5,651
From: Plantation Florida USAF(Retired) 1966-1990
U.S. Air Force
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
NCM Sinkhole Donor
If you read there is another post also with Bose system failing, and now is good time to upgrade your system with modern technically!
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,502
Likes: 3,302
From: Hartford WI
I'd go with that. Nice to have the ability to change components without being hamstrung by the old Bose system. New units are capable of much more than something 30 over years old. So unless you have to have an original unit for competitions, newer is better
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,229
Likes: 698
From: Clifton Park, NY ............Clearwater, FL ... 85 Original Owner
I'm sure all true, but I've yet to see an aftermarket radio that doesn't look like crap
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 11,865
Likes: 67
From: 1000 Vin Scully Ave, L.A California
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 176
From: Hillsborough NC
Just curious - Does the cassette deck work properly? A working cassette deck is very valuable in terms of the original radio. Having the radio reconditioned by a pro will cost in the neighborhood of $400 from what I see on the Internet, and would only be worth it if the deck is still working properly. If not, I would say put it aside and use an aftermarket unit. If the speakers are working properly, there is an adapter to mate the new head unit to the factory harness and use the amps in the speakers. Several major vendors sell this kit, but definitely do not just hook up the outputs of a new radio to the inputs of the bose speakers, hilarity will not ensue.
I like the original systems and have reconditioned mine myself (I actually just finished replacing the 49 capacitors in a spare head unit I have and it sounds brand spanking new). If you have the ability to do the work yourself, the costs of the individual components are very low (around $75 for head unit and four speakers).
I like the original systems and have reconditioned mine myself (I actually just finished replacing the 49 capacitors in a spare head unit I have and it sounds brand spanking new). If you have the ability to do the work yourself, the costs of the individual components are very low (around $75 for head unit and four speakers).
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,590
Likes: 60
From: ft myers FL/Munising MI
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 25
Likes: 2
Can uou give me his url coordinates
I recently replaced my bose radio on my 85.....did a search for 85 bose radio..corvette...and found a guy in British Columbia who sell and refurbishes original radios....got a complete one from him, could swear it was new, cassette and all, and works great.....it was $450 bucks...pricey but worth it to keep it stock....replaced the speakers with bose replacements from Ecklers...60 a pop but they work great....I've turn a wrench or two on the engine, but I'm a stickler for keeping the interior stock...