I would like to ad an new radio to my 89 GTA (single din is fine) but would like 21st century feature like SD, AUX or USB. Has anyone swapped their radio and able to keep the wheel controls? If so and model suggestions?

 

Do you have steering wheel control on your vehicle right now? If so you can add a SWC adapter to retain them as long as your new head unit is SWC compatible. If your vehicle presently does not have SWC I think a way may be to retrofit and new steering wheel and dissect a wireless remote to operate the new radio. If their was a way to get the cams in the steering colum would be better.

 

Yes I am looking to keep my SWC. Any suggestions on radios that look more stock.

 

IMO stock is ugly, this unit is nice, they give you free connections and if you scroll down to expandability there are a couple units that interface it. but if you get one with a remote seems to me that would be better. i have swc on two of my car and always hit the buttons accidentally. so i did not hook them back up when i put a aftermarket unit in, i can reach the controls fine and i always get clarion units the controls you use more are offset toward the driver. they sound good too and automatically hook to my htc/android phone and play without me having to mess with anything
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...ion-CZ702.html

 

A company called "PAC" makes adapters that will allow you to use your OEM steering wheel controls with aftermarket radios. You just have to find out which aftermarket units are compatible and buy the correct model.

 

I put the PAC SWI-JACK in my 89 TTA years ago with my JVC head unit.

Works fine but sometimes a bit erratic as the buttons change function at random ... so it's not 100% perfect but was the only plug and play adapter out there then.

Maybe they improved on the design since then; here's their website:
http://www.pac-audio.com/swi/

 

I'd recommend the Metra version.
Very reliable and easy to program.

ASWC-1

 

Do you use that one on a Trans Am with the steering wheel controls?

Looking at Metra's website and the ASWC-1 unit for the 89 Trans Am I get "The ASWC-1 has not been tested with your vehicle. Call us at 1-800-253-8324 for further information" :-(

I would like to find a better alternative to the PAC unit I currently have if possible.

 

Let me get in touch with my buddy tomorrow. He's an Advanced MECP tech at the local Best Buy (Yes. He's good and knows what he's doing). He recently told me about one from Axxess that was basically self programming. I'll have to see what he's used it on and how well it worked.

 

Really appreciate that, seems to be a really nice kit so would be good if it does work with the 89's as well.

 

Damnit. I forgot to get a hold of him.

I think he's working tomorrow (technically today). My bad.