Car AudioCar audio related questions and helpful hints for building the best sound system for your car or getting the most out of what you have.
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If you have a Bose setup currently, it will not work with anything else. Bose systems are meant to work as a whole and will not work the same with any stock replacement decks. There are some adapter kits you can get to work when replacing the deck, but it may not be a simple install if you're using a OE radio.
If you've already got the radio, I would recommend running new wire and installing some "standard" speakers in place of the Bose stuff. It's a pain, but will make any other future stereo changes much less of a headache.
I just went through this deal myself. I put a non bose gm radio in mine and as soon as you turn the volume barely up its too loud and it will fry your amps. You can get a converter to reduce the output of your radio to pre amp output and wire it in to your factory harness, or like i did and put in a after market head unit. I used a set of adapters that have speaker wires on one end and male pre out plugs on the other. I plugged them into the back of my head unit, and wired the other end into the factory speaker wires. Then you hook the pink wire, the one thats by itself in the radio harness, to the amp turn on wire on your head unit. Mine works great, Ive still got bose amps and speakers, but a new head unit. Hope this helps
If your going to replace one piece you're probably going to have to repace it all, unless you take it to a car sterio shop. They have the equipment to rig something up that'll work.
If the only reason you want to swap is to play CD's I'd look into getting a universal CD changer. I imagine the Bose system is pretty good and repacing it with stock would be a step down. CD changers work good and only take like 15 minutes to install.
__________________ '91 Firebird 3.1
Aluminum UDP, Wonderbar, Cooper Cobras, high flow cat, K&N, more when I get the money...
Thank you guys for all the good info and replies, I'm most interested in what bubbatwo0_0 did for his stereo set-up that's exactly what I was looking for. I have a cheap Sony XPLOD head unit that came with the car, and the stock Delco cassette deck but would like to use the Sony if possible. Id also consider buying a new Alpine deck to make it work.
bubbatwo0_0 can you send me more info regarding the installation you did and what part numbers/brands you used to complete it?