'89 Bose Replacement project (advice pls)

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May 27, 2004 | 10:10 PM

Stonecutter908

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Racer

Joined: Mar 2004

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From: Downingtown, PA

'89 Bose Replacement project (advice pls)

I am 2 weeks into owning my first Vette and the Bose stereo has got to go. I tried the capacitor "band-aid" fix mentioned throughout the site but it isn't cutting it. I finally made the decision that the whole system needs to go.

So, I have been reviewing the archived posts of previous C4 Bose stereo replacement projects and they are very helpful. But, I now am hoping for some fresh advice and/or some feedback from ppl for have replaced and can give a review on the satisfaction of the work done to their systems.

I am not looking to do anything fancy. I would like to put in a head unit the same size, I believe it is a 1.5 din. And it would be nice to be able to mount the speakers in the plastic Bose mounts.

I plan on using Crutchfield and doing the install myself by using the stock wiring. Unless I am pointed in another direction from this post.

Music taste = LedZep, Who, Beatles, mostly classic rock.

Thnx!

p.s. General/Audio forum seems a little dead so I figured I hit the C4 area instead.

May 27, 2004 | 10:36 PM

bogus

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From: San Pedro CA

Re: '89 Bose Replacement project (Stonecutter908)

General Audio comes and goes.... the traffic is slow there at times, noticed myself it had died recently. It seems to jump whenever people are installing systems or not!

Some suggestions - stay away from 1.5 din units. They are nice for fit, but the features just are not there. I recommend an Alpine head...

DO NOT USE STOCK WIRE!!! It is old and wierd... for the best result, use aftermarket wire. I recommend 16 guage, at the very least.

for the front speakers, I would recommend you get a sheet of 1/4" MDF and make a baffle. Get some nice components... something better than what Crutchfield sells... CDT, Boston, Focal... take your pick...

Subs... JL Audio, ID... couple to choose from.

What I would consider is a pair of 8" subs in the rear enclosures.

I would also recommend amplification. I like JL Audio or ARC. A nice 120 x 2 will work the fronts perfectly! Then a nice little 250 watt mono to power the 2 8" subs!

The amps can be placed either against the rear bulk head, or, under a false floor.

I hope these suggestions help!

May 28, 2004 | 07:25 AM

jerkyboy

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Joined: Jun 2002

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From: Northern VA

Re: '89 Bose Replacement project (bogus)

I don't mean to hijack the thread but I have an 89 vert and want to do the same thing. Bogus, what size fronts would you recommend? The vert speakers are in the door, rears are on the floor. What alpine head unit do you recommend?

May 28, 2004 | 10:14 AM

Bodhi

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From: Richmond VA

Re: '89 Bose Replacement project (Stonecutter908)

Go with a single din and the Metra mounting kit which gives you a pocket under your deck. It will hold 3-4 CD's (which shoot out like throwing stars under hard acceleration :jester )

I went with an Alpine CDA 9815 deck with Boston Acoustic 6.5" co-ax's in the rear & 4.5" components up front. Definitely run new wire but leave the old wire in place in case someone wants to enjoy the utter crap of the original Blose.

Best thing I ever did was get rid of the Bose. It was outdated junk when these cars were new.

May 28, 2004 | 11:21 AM

jerkyboy

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From: Northern VA

Re: '89 Bose Replacement project (Bodhi)

Bodhi, how hard was the install?

May 28, 2004 | 11:28 AM

Bodhi

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From: Richmond VA

Re: '89 Bose Replacement project (jerkyboy)

Quote:

Bodhi, how hard was the install?

I had the shop I bought the system from install it. They did a very nice job. I'm sure the guys over in audio/electronics could give you better advice.

May 28, 2004 | 09:23 PM

89vert

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From: Byron Center MI

Re: '89 Bose Replacement project (jerkyboy)

I have an 89 vert and I put a Pioneer DEH-P8500 in with Rockford Fosgate 6-1/2" rounds in the front and 6x9 in the rear. The front speakers I made a mounting plate to hold them. It wasn't that bad and I angled them up for better sound. The rears just mounted right in the mounting plates that the Bose pods mounted to. This was not quite enough volume for highway travel with the top down so I put a 640 watt 4 channel amp in and now it is much better sounding than the Bose I pulled out. Yes I used new wiring for all and left the stock harness alone. Hope this helps. :hurray:

May 28, 2004 | 10:36 PM

1989redvette

Burning Brakes

Joined: Oct 2002

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From: Meadville PA

Re: '89 Bose Replacement project (Stonecutter908)

i did this last fall in my 89 vert here is what i used i used the pioneer am/fm/cd player deh47 .it fits nice and its digital display fits nice with the dash board in the 89's.. i installed 4 1/2 inch 3 way infinity cappa plate speakers in the dash and then also installed infinity cappa 6 1/2 inch 3 way round speakers in the doors ... this allready sounded good but i wanted to add some more so i hooked up two rockford fosgate 8" 2 ohm subs and mounted them where the original rear speakers were. i had to make a wood holder that held the subs but its under the carpet and is unseen. i powered them out of my preamp hookups through a clarus 600 watt amp bridged ..i used speaker grills from radio shack to cover te subs and i tell you what it sounds great i get alot of compliments on the sound... i think i had 400 bucks in it after i sold all my blows crap on ebay.. i also ran new wire as the old stuff sucks..lol... at any rate the install is clean and it sounds great you can hear at with the top down no problem.. :cheers:

[Modified by 1989redvette, 10:38 PM 5/28/2004]