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I have looked high and low and can't find what I want.
There are adapters for sale which let you replace the factory head unit and keep the Bose amps/speakers. I don't want that.
I want to put in a new head unit, and a small form factor 4-channel amp behind it. Then use the existing wiring to my new speakers. ( 6.5 on doors and rear)
I'd like to avoid disconnecting the factory radio and then cutting off the connector. I want some kind of harness that connects to the existing connector and just presents wires I can solder to the new head unit connector.
Does this make sense, and does such a product exist? I don't need a $100 product that allows me to use the Bose system, I only need the wires!
I got an adaptor pigtail on ebay for about six bucks when I did mine. I didn't even think about it because GM made about 74 jilliion cars with that same radio
I think I understand what your want.
That said, I'm not sure it will work quite how you want... for example, the door woofers have their own amplifier in each door, so my understanding is that from your new amplifier you would need to run speaker wire to the new door woofers/speakers.
So if I understand, you want to find an adapter that can be placed between the factory speaker wires and an amp, from the radio area to the door and rear speakers? If I got that right, I am not sure it is a great plan, it would save you from running new home runs from each speaker location, but the factory wires are probably a fairly small gauge, since the amps are located near the speakers. I could be wrong, I have not checked them. Additionally, having installed a new headunit already, I can tell you there is not much space in there for an amp. I have a box sitting with all new door and rear speakers, small sub and amp, etc. that will be installed over the winter, but I will be running new speaker wires and RCA's with the amp in the rear hatch area, maybe in the big storage area.
I think I understand what your want.
That said, I'm not sure it will work quite how you want... for example, the door woofers have their own amplifier in each door, so my understanding is that from your new amplifier you would need to run speaker wire to the new door woofers/speakers.
I would be removing all the bose stuff from the doors. Only using the old wires from the head unit to the new speakers. So basically I just want access to the wires but I don't want to cut off the factor connector behind the dash.
I have a box sitting with all new door and rear speakers, small sub and amp, etc. that will be installed over the winter, but I will be running new speaker wires and RCA's with the amp in the rear hatch area, maybe in the big storage area.
This is exactly what I want to avoid. I don't want anything in the hatch, and I don't want to rewire the car.
I would be removing all the bose stuff from the doors. Only using the old wires from the head unit to the new speakers. So basically I just want access to the wires but I don't want to cut off the factor connector behind the dash.
For the door speakers/woofers, would you be putting new amps in the doors? The existing wires going from the head unit to the door woofers are meant for line-level signals, not intended for powering those speakers.
You will end up rewiring it though, eventually. It's super easy, and the wiring is a mess, but it's not necsesary to do this upgrade.
running new wires from the center stack to the doors is super easy. And, if you replace the bose crap, you're likely going to go with a 6"round mid/wofferand mayvbe a 3.5" mid/tweeter, so you'll want to run two pairs to the door anyway, directly from the amp in the center stack.. It literally takes 15 minutes to run, you can't see it, and don't have to hack int o the factory harness.
For the door speakers/woofers, would you be putting new amps in the doors? The existing wires going from the head unit to the door woofers are meant for line-level signals, not intended for powering those speakers.
Great answer! I will now be running all new speaker wires. Thank you!
The signal wires going to the door BOSE amps can be used for feed the new speakers. same gauge as speaker level wiring GM has used since I can remember.
The signal wires going to the door BOSE amps can be used for feed the new speakers. same gauge as speaker level wiring GM has used since I can remember.
I think this is a lofty statement without know what sort of speaker or woofer arrangement is being planned for the doors.
the signal wires are shielded and like 24 ga. You could reuse the tweeter wires, for tweeters (if you biamp) the signal lines for the woofers are not suitable for amplified singals.
the signal wires are shielded and like 24 ga. You could reuse the tweeter wires, for tweeters (if you biamp) the signal lines for the woofers are not suitable for amplified singals.
which is exactly why I'd change it. ... OP wants to run an amp, 24 gauge is not recommended. I'd at least go 14 guage. 18 is acceptable, but if you're going to run new wire, I'd just to lower gauge.
Running new wires from the center console to the doors is beyond trivial, will take even a novice like 20 minutes. no reason to rely on crap wire fo a new install.
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2004 Replacing Bose System
