My 89 has 24,000 miles and is all stock. I want a cd player. What kind of radio and CD player can I buy that woun't require cutting the dash, Or should I not do it, nothing wrong with the one thats in there.

 

Look for the GM-oversized din players. A popular one is the pioneer (forgot the model # something like DF 700), because you can usually shop around and get one new under $200, and it has preamp RCA jacks and a CD changer controller on the base model. But by now there's probably a plethera of trick oversize players out there with souped up videographic displays or whatnot. And... In my opinion: I wouldn't bother trying to keep the bose. It will add $100+ to the reciever and is a pain. I would just replace the speakers/amps in the hatch and doors with aftermarket speakers (when you pull the factory reciever), so you can use the factory wires without the problems or cost of the bose system.

Look around in the sound systems section on this forum (way down on the front page...) they have a lot of good stuff in there and could provide more details to your answer.

Be forewarned, if you lose the amp/speaker enclosures as I mentioned, there will be just a little tweeking to fit a pair of full-size speakers in the hole. I snagged 6x9s in the hatch and 5&1/4s in the doors on my `84 and they sound excellent for under $400.

 

1)If you mostly want to play CDs consider a CD changer with an FM interface (and the RCA interface for later upgrades if desired) and a wireless remote.

2)For a new receiver a 1 1/2 DIN will fit nicely into the opening. Check out the Pioneer web site for some ideas.

3)Lastly you could just replace the entire Bose system as suggested.

I happen to like the Bose and am considering the first option above.

 

You can put just about any kind you want in without cutting anything.
I have a complete aftermarket system with about 10 hours on it that I pulled out of my 84 before I sold it. Let me know if you're interested.

 

I would seriously reconsider and look at a single din and a kit to fill the hole. Many makers make the 1.5 din size, but they a limited number and limited choices. By getting a single din you save money, increase your options, and keep your reusable or resale value.
1. Single din are cheaper for the same quality and features by a wide margin than 1.5 din units
2. There are countless single din units available from all makers giving you the opportunity to buy one that fits your needs instead of settling
3. Since 1.5 cars are more rare, it will be much harder to sell the unit. Or, if you want to put some money into it and keep it as you move from car to car, you can do this also and not have to unload it when you change vehicles.
Just something to think about.

I'd get a $20 metra dash kit and pop in a din unit. Pioneer makes the DEH-47 and DEH77 units. Skip the 47. It only has one set of RCA outputs. The 77 costs to much. For about half the price, you can get a 4400 with the same features in a din size. It has 2 sets of RCA and one for sub also.
http://WWW.pricegrabber.com has all the pioneers listed at good prices. Try http://www.mmxpress.com also. I think they are running a year end sale.

Second, get a wire harness. This will allow you to plug the deck directly into the car without cutting any wires.

Third, if you have bose, you need to either buy an $80 line converter that adds noise and engine whine, and also doesn't use the superior amp of the pioneer, or replace the speakers and remove the bose speakers and amps entirely. The latter is what I would suggest doing. The pioneer's built in amp, which is rated 12wx4 continuous, 45wx4 max, is much cleaner and stronger than the bose. The speakers at this point are 15 year old pieces of paper. If you tell me your budget I can recommend some speakers to replace them.

If it isn't bose, the CD will work with the speakers you have. However, they are still paper and the above applies. It won't sound half as good as it can until they are replaced with even the cheapest of speakers.
Hope this gives you some ideas. Check the audio section for more information.

:thumbs:


[Modified by 92TripleBlack, 9:39 PM 11/23/2002]

 

I like the pioneer 1.5 din because it fit nicely in the hole (I haven't get it yet but my sys. is Pioneer so I can up grade when I have the money). Recommend getting a CD changer and an Amp. for the new sys. the CD player will be just for testing new disc that you just buy or some thing that you want to listen and too lazy to change the disc in the CD magazine. THe CD changer and the Amp. can be install in the thinggy behind the passenger and it fit very nicely in there. behind the driver already took up by the ABS so you can't use that.

I install a total of 6 speakers, two on the dash (had to buy the regular cover from the junkjard, bose sys. cover won't work), two on the door and two at the rear. Using the head unit to power the dash and the 4 Ch Amp to power the rest of the speakers.

 

You'd need the 77 to power a 4 chanel amp or an external fader. the 47 only has one set of RCA outs. The money you save on a single din vs. din 1.5 would pay for the changer. As for the dash speakers, skip them. They will only compete with the door speakers for mids and highs and ruin your stereo soundstage. The best use of the space is to get a good 4 channel amp, install quality 6x9 in the rear so you can get some bass, and install component speakers in the fronts. Put he woofers in the doors and tweets in the dash. Competely stealth and it will sound great. Again, the extra money saved from going din could pay for the upgrade to seperates in the front. :yesnod: