Well I've had an old Alpine 7854 in the car that I got for free for the past 3 years which finally broke (CD player is dead)

I just want to buy a good head unit and new 4x6 and 6x9 speakers that will match the head unit (aka, I don't need a head unit with options or power my speakers can't handle, vice versa I don't need speakers capable of producing sound my head unit can't push). I really don't care if it costs me 600$ or 300$, but again I don't know what I "need" and what is just wasted money. I don't "blast" my music ridiculously loud but I want it to be loud and clear. I was looking at Boston Aucostic stuff (746 front, NX97 rears) but again, just because it's expensive, I may not even need them. My buddy has jensen 25$ each speakers up front in his 86 monte carlo with base blockers and he can turn his stereo up to the point it hurts my ears and it still sounds good (no cackling or stuff like that).

I'm not going to run an amp or kick panels. Any suggestions for a good head unit/speaker combo would be greatly appreciated as I have no idea what I need.



Also is this connector typical? My old alpine head unit had a connector on it that directly hooked into the one in the car. Is this something I can do myself on a new head unit? I don't want anyone else touching my car, so leaving it at best buy for them to install it is pretty much not going to happen.

 

That connector looks to be the one that plugged into the back of the aftermarket head unit. If you trace the wires back your going to find one of two things.

1) A wire adapter that plugs into the factory wire harness
or
2) A bunch of wires soldered and/or connected with wire connectors.

If the factory radio harness is still there then you just buy an adapter when you get your new head unit. The adapter connects to the aftermarket radio harness and plugs directly into the factory connector. This is the cleanest way to do it IMO.

If the factory harness is chopped up look at the wires that come off that connector in your hand. Most aftermarket harness's have each wire labeled. If that's the case you'll be able to match those up to the new radio you get. Most aftermarket manufacturers also use the exact same color code which helps.

 

my suggestion. ebay. if you plan on upgrading your speakers later with subs or anything Id suggest tri preout preferably 4v. Otherwise any decent head unit should do u fine. Stay away from sony/jensen/etc cheap ****. Clarion, Alpine, Pioneer make some good ones.

 

Well I'm just going to do head unit, and all 4 speakers. no amp, subs, or anything else.

I've read that some of the newer alpine stuff isn' t that good. Is that true? I'm leaning towards a clarion HU at this point, but I have no idea which one.



Thats my connector, so it looks like I'm in luck, just remove it and buy another connector when I get the new HU.

 

The previous owner did it the right way! If you end up purchasing another Alpine you may be able to just plug that harness into the new deck if they are the same style.

If not then it's going to run you about $15 for the adapter harness.

Best of luck!

 

Alpine's with their touch glide thing are very prone to breaking. You might want to check out this thread: https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=309159

 

if you go through crutchfield they may be a little more expensive but you have a warranty, and with your new speakers they might even have a deal for the HU and speakers. Also they come with speaker connectors, and the Adapter to plug into your cd player and factory harness for free. It's worth a shot.

Muirner

 

Alpine changed their harnesses a while back, but at least the harness isn't hacked.

I always make it a point to never buy a car with an alarm or radio because most mobile electronics installers hack the crap out of any wire they see. It's sad, but its the truth.

PS- I'm an installer, but not a hacker