12 Disc Changer
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 956
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From: Maryville TN
12 Disc Changer
I found a good deal on a factory DELCO 12 Disc changer and need to see what I need to hook it up in my 98 C5. The guy I bought it from swears that all the Vettes were pre-wired for the changer. Well I have looked under all the carpet in the back and can't find any way to hook it up. Do I just need to order the factory harness from Ecklers and hook it to the head unit and run it up under the carpet to the rear cargo bay to mount it.
If this is what I need to do, how hard is it to get to the hook up on the back of the unit?
If this is what I need to do, how hard is it to get to the hook up on the back of the unit?
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,661
Likes: 67
From: Ocean Springs MS
Hey, Outlaw, greetings from Memphis. Now on to answers. The car is prewired in a fashion. There is no wiring in the back. The wiring is two harness connectors in the passenger footwell that connect to the CD changer harness. You will need the harness, and possibly the C5 specific mounting bracket for the center storage well. My advice would be to contact Bob at the parts dept. of Fichtner Chevy (in my experience, they have the best combo of price+shipping on GM parts, and are a Forum Dealer and Vendor) The harnesses vary by year, and Bob will know the proper part number. I think their installation kit includes both the harness and bracket. See there website:
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c5/ken...rtspage6.shtml
For more info.
This link will get you to the review that I and 2 others have done on installing the changer:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/revi...7&cat=4&page=1
Good luck. It's not that hard to install. In fact, I just removed and replaced mine, while putting sound/heat insulation in the rear of my C5.
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c5/ken...rtspage6.shtml
For more info.
This link will get you to the review that I and 2 others have done on installing the changer:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/revi...7&cat=4&page=1
Good luck. It's not that hard to install. In fact, I just removed and replaced mine, while putting sound/heat insulation in the rear of my C5.
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 14,542
Likes: 5
As mentioned above, get the kit from Fichtner, that's all you should need. It includes really detailed instructions.
I did it and it looks factory because it is factory. The plugs are there, but you need the harness and the mounting brackets. The fiberglass in the trunk even has the dimples for the moutning screw locations.
If you don't have the plugs, here is a forum tech tip:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=121&TopicID=1
I did it and it looks factory because it is factory. The plugs are there, but you need the harness and the mounting brackets. The fiberglass in the trunk even has the dimples for the moutning screw locations.
If you don't have the plugs, here is a forum tech tip:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/techti...=121&TopicID=1
Gr8Corvette
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 2
From: Indian Harbour Beach Florida
As previously mentioned, the "prewired" means from the the back of the CD player to the passenger side footwell. This means you do not have to take the CD player out of the dash to connect it.
I bought my harness kit (which you have to buy) from Fitchner Chevrolet. They had the best price I could find. It took me 3 hours to install because I am a klutz and ****, so I had to write down each panel and carpet piece I took out and then reread the instructions. A normal person could do it in an hour. A person familar with the procedure could probably do it in less than 20 minutes. It is easy.
I bought my harness kit (which you have to buy) from Fitchner Chevrolet. They had the best price I could find. It took me 3 hours to install because I am a klutz and ****, so I had to write down each panel and carpet piece I took out and then reread the instructions. A normal person could do it in an hour. A person familar with the procedure could probably do it in less than 20 minutes. It is easy.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Athens Ohio
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I could be mistaken, but I thought that the connection for the 97-98 models was on the driver's side and involved some splicing of wires. Check with Fichtner as others have said.
