I don't know if everyone knows this but I just learned it today and thought I would share. At least with the newer guys doing restoration.
On a C4 with a bose system, there are no front speakers in the dash pad. They're just blanks. Bose system is a 4 speaker system (2 each side and 2 in rear each side.) I was going nuts trying to find dash speaker replacements for my system. For what it's worth, there it is.

 

Yes, that's correct. I think the standard radio system (non BOSE) used the dash pad speaker slots.

FWIW

 

are the amps for the bose in the speakers or radio unit.
Honestly I just purchased a 1990 and the previous owner said he just spent $500 getting the amps fixed. Well the who system sounds like hell. Volume up and down all the time (no...it is not speed sensitive volume, I have it tuned off) I would like to replace the whole system. Whats involved?

 

Amps are in the speakers. Replacing the system at the minimum requires buying and installing a new head unit (the head unit and receiver are separate units in the Bose system). Crutchfield sells a wiring harness that will allow you to use the existing speakers. Since you more than likely won't be happy with the bare minimum, what you do next really depends on what you want. You can simply replace the speakers with speakers that fit the existing enclosures, you can buy bigger speakers and build custom enclosures, you can add amps, subs, tweeters, etc. Just depends on what you want and how much you want to spend.

 

The BOSE is actually a pretty good system and will be very expensive and time consuming to replace with a comparable quality system. Many of the car audio shops will tell you how bad the BOSE system is or quote you exorbitant prices to repair the system in an effort to move you INTO an new after market system which they happen to sell.

The folks at Factory Car Stereo in Florida are real Corvette audio experts and do a GREAT job at very reasonable rates. If they repair your Corvette BOSE system it will be fixed right the first time. Check it out.....

http://carstereohelp.com/corvette.htm

 

First I've heard of them and they are only 90 mins or so away. Have you used them before?

I'm rather partial to the Bose system because it sounds good and looks factory, but my rear amps are 'lazy' and it takes them about 15 minutes or so before they really start thumping. I'd like to have them refreshed along with getting the iPod adapter added to the CDM.

 

Yes, I have used the Factory Car Stereo guys several times always with excellent results. They were very helpful in assisting me score a 97.1% in national Top Flight judging at the NCRS Nationals. Check them out, you will not go wrong....

 

I put in a aftermarket deck used existing wiring and put in new speakers. in my 89 convertible i assume coupes are the same for the rear speakers the top partof the box can be removed and you cant fit 6x9 in them. I managed to jam a thin 5 1/4 in the doors w/o any modifications. I just found my 500 watt fosgate amp (made in 98) at my moms house. This was when they were awesome I am tempted to install as it still works fine.

 

I would definitely install that amp.
I'm not sure about coupe vs convertible, especially for the early C4's. I have a '95 coupe. You can either put in 6.5" low profile speakers and use the existing housings or you can make custom housings and go 6x9 or even bigger.

 

Hi, I gave up on 11 miles of wire and an ancient Bose system with a box of cassettes and cd's.Fuses, testing, figuring out what.
Drove this morning straight to a stereo place, told them , tear it out, put in a basic Bluetooth for IPhone music system, low end price and asked what time today I can pick it up?
MZee

 

I just replaced my Bose with a Jensen head unit and JVC speakers from Crutchfied. I'm not an audiophile, just wanted some music for the longer drives. Bluetooth, SD card slot, USB, CD AM/FM. Almost embarassed to say that I only spent $ 249.00, free shipping, (NO TAX) included dash adapter and wire harness specific to my '92. It's a double din, so it fills the space nicely. Speakers fit right in, I even used the existing speaker wiring, with the intent of upgrading to a heavier wire at a later time. 4 hours of my time ( half spent getting the amp out from it's hiding place behind the glove box) and every joint in body aching, and I was done. It even came with a small remote (???)

 

amazing, 249.00 , won't happen to me like that.
The stereo place already called, snag, have to take the amp and unit out,diagnos what to do, bring the car back in two days, more than they thought, finish it Thursday LOL
MZee

MZee

 

True, no dash speakers on my 84 bose equipped system. Mine didn't have the bose stereo just the bose speakers and amps.

Currently ripping it all out for a simple single din with bluetooth and app compatible system which i'll add amps and subs to later, just finished adding 6x8 dash speakers,

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/audi...l-project.html

In the process of adding the door speakers but first comes fixing the non working power window on the passenger side.

 

Hey GQ-Rod, how hard was removing the dash in your car? I had a hell of a time with the clips..especially going back in. I dread having to do that again for a new system.

 

Believe it or not i had taken it off rather easy, i then installed it to show how the speakers fit and again it was cake, BUT when i installed it the third time it was a BEAR !!!!

I knew the risk going into it, but i really wanted speakers that high up especially for the highs. Yes i could have gone with tweeters in the A-pillars, but for the way i like to listen to music it was worth all the time, effort and risk to install decent speakers, now i know what not to do and what do look for so if down the road i decide to make a new dash from scratch the hard part is already done.

It's even better to just go with 3 1/2 or 4 inch speakers in the a-pillars if you really want speakers up front.

I did not install the speakers for the final time until after i installed the dash.

The driver's side metal tab was bent, i had to use a 2 foot long screwdriver to bend the tab as i gently pushed the dash forward to get it in.

Needless to say i would NOT recommend going through all this work on older c4's because the dash plastic is BRITTLE !!!!!!!!

You really run the risk of creating worse stress cracks if you don't do the install right. And even then Murphy's law will still bite you.

Although most older c4's have that big crack down the middle i'm GLAD i did not fill it and texture paint it.

Because the dash actually bows upward in the middle creating tension, which combined with the age of the dash, the humidity and heat down here it would have no doubt cracked upon installation any way.

Really the only thing to do is get a new repro dash OR do what i did and order a suede dash cover.

My dash has the crack in the middle and a couple of spider cracks forming, so really a cover was the best option on my budget.

I ordered it from dashmat they are decent quality and it does fit well.

 

I would recommend any one removing the dash pad to use 2 people. 1 on driver side one on passenger. Pull it out evenly supporting it in the center. Lay it down on something soft and flat (i used a beach towel). Do what you have to do and put it back using two people. These older C4's are pushing 30 years old. You have to treat 'em gentle.