1985 C4 Updated Sound System
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Instructor
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 172
Likes: 16
1985 C4 Updated Sound System
Bought a 1985 C4 for my daughter that need some good amount of work. She wanted a car to work on but had no idea of the lack of technology. I have conceeded on a radio upgrade but not looking to spend too much. Has anyone updated their radio that has some newer technology ( blue tooth or aux plug in ) that is an easy swap or am I opening up a hornets nest? It needs speakers and antenna either way. That's in advance.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 1,312
Likes: 383
From: Northern California
It's not easy but several have done it. Your head unit, assuming it's the Bose as most were, will work only with those speakers and wiring as stock. So if you want a new stereo, just plan on installing new head unit, amps, speakers, and wiring as if the car came with no stereo at all. How committed are you to this cause? You can repair/ rebuild all the stock stuff through various providers listed here in the forum using the search feature. Even then it's not cheap.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 44
Likes: 34
As others will point out, the existing stereo, if Bose, will only work with the installed speakers as each speaker has it's own amplifier. If you change the head unit, you have to change the speakers. Although, these system are repairable, i.m.o., it's not worth it as the technology is dated. I replaced my entire system, head unit, amplifier, 4 speakers and new wiring. Improvement in sound is HUGE. Not going to sugar coat it, it's a fairly big job that involves removing dash pieces, door panels, carpet, etc. I was gutting my interior anyway for a refurb so I did my stereo upgrade then. As for cost, you can go from mild to wild. If I remember, my cost was under $1000 cdn which would be $17.98 U.S.
Last edited by Fozzy Bear; Jul 27, 2023 at 05:37 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 30,427
Likes: 1,609
From: Outside the Quick Stop N.J.
Is your car a factory Bose car or did it have the standard radio ?
Also, is it a coupe or convertible ?
I swapped everything in my 89 convertible (Bose equipped) a few years ago and it was not all that hard. Any single DIN radio will fit with no problem, almost all of which have either an aux input or Bluetooth.
Also, is it a coupe or convertible ?
I swapped everything in my 89 convertible (Bose equipped) a few years ago and it was not all that hard. Any single DIN radio will fit with no problem, almost all of which have either an aux input or Bluetooth.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 533
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From: Montdale, PA
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
If you figure the speakers out. I was looking into a replacement but tried this first. I have to say, it really exceeded my expectations, especially for the price. I stream all music from my phone through the FM radio transmitter. I can answer calls, basically everything you do in your modern tech car, minus the voice controls. but if you control your Amazon music on your phone by voice you can also do that. For $16.49. I'd give this a try first.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2023
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The car does have a bose system in it. Not sure how much dash I want to get into but door panels are coming off. Driver side panel off now as I did an upgrade to the 87-96 window regulator which is where I got the idea I'll just simply swap out some old tired door speakers with any similar size speaker. That's not going to work so I'll try the transmitter first and see how that goes before replacing the whole system. Thanks for the responses.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 533
Likes: 132
From: Montdale, PA
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
The car does have a bose system in it. Not sure how much dash I want to get into but door panels are coming off. Driver side panel off now as I did an upgrade to the 87-96 window regulator which is where I got the idea I'll just simply swap out some old tired door speakers with any similar size speaker. That's not going to work so I'll try the transmitter first and see how that goes before replacing the whole system. Thanks for the responses.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 30,427
Likes: 1,609
From: Outside the Quick Stop N.J.
The car does have a bose system in it. Not sure how much dash I want to get into but door panels are coming off. Driver side panel off now as I did an upgrade to the 87-96 window regulator which is where I got the idea I'll just simply swap out some old tired door speakers with any similar size speaker. That's not going to work so I'll try the transmitter first and see how that goes before replacing the whole system. Thanks for the responses.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1606108874
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 172
Likes: 16
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 172
Likes: 16
Definitely going with a touch screen double DIN as there is just too much technology difference for me to overlook. My daughter is getting this car and I want some of the safety features that come with it. The decision I'm facing is to stick with the door speakers or use the dask for front speakers. Was planning on 6.5" in the door but probably looking I to smaller ones and was considering 2x3 for the dash if I go that way. Anyone go dash and love it? Or regret, if so, why.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 1,312
Likes: 383
From: Northern California
I did small tweeters in the dash grilles and speakers in the door also, using crossovers etc. If you want improved sound, it was worth it to me, but the question is; is it going to be worth it to your opinion? I also did a subwoofer cabinet in back and gave up some storage space, for most people that's a no go. If budget is a concern, then I would say the difference from installing dash panel speakers is not huge. The costs will creep up quickly as it is.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 44
Likes: 34
I added dash speakers in my Altima and like AJ says, once your crossovers are adjusted, I found the sound quality improved as they reflect the highs off the windshield at ear level. As for my C4 system, I stuck with upgrading the door panel speakers. There are challenges in mounting both dash and door speakers. The Bose equipped systems do not include speaker cutouts in the dash speaker covers. They are solid plastic. Therefore an opening would have to be cut into the covers. Not a project killer, just another consideration. The lower door mounts also require some modification. Some complain about the inability to balance the sound between the front door and rear speakers as the doors speakers are mounted so low. I don't find this to be a problem. It does require balance emphasis to the fronts. I also have a small amplifier in my system. I am not a big audiophile but find that my system has clear sound even at higher volume and is loud enough to damage your hearing if that's something you're looking for. If you're interested, you can pm me and I can send you some pics of the installation challenges that I encountered in upgrading my system.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,717
Likes: 551
From: Seattle Washington
Still no mention if its got the Bose or not. There are people who rebuild them and can add aux inputs and bluetooth when they do. Although the Bose system was not cutting edge in the 1980's and 90's when car stereo was at its peak it was pretty decent. A lot better than a lot of stuff made since.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 176
From: Hillsborough NC
Original Poster did indicate they had the Bose system. As mentioned above, you can rebuild/modify these units. The below link is a compendium I put together on the system. 84 was a one-off year, but the systems are pretty similar and the techniques/methods should carry over. Reading it should give you an idea of what you might be in for to keep the original system.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...aux-input.html
The DIN size on these cars is unique, it's actually a DIN 1.5 so to fit a full DIN 2 unit, you will need to modify the bezel, etc. Just something to keep in mind.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...aux-input.html
The DIN size on these cars is unique, it's actually a DIN 1.5 so to fit a full DIN 2 unit, you will need to modify the bezel, etc. Just something to keep in mind.