I am helping a friend with his car stereo and I have never installed a head unit to replace an older style post unit. Is there anything that I should be aware of, or things that I am going to need to do to make it work right? He has an early 80's Monte Carlo with a post style receiver. The new one will more than likely be a Sony. Thanks

Matt

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irocet@hotmail.com

drive.to/Stang_Kilr

88 IROC-Z -- 350 L-98, 700R4, Flowmaster, K&N, MAF Sceens Gone, Airfoil, March Pullies, Comp Cams Magnum 1.6 Roller Rockers, Accel U-Groove Plugs, Accel 8.8 mm Wires, Hypertech Cap & Coil, Hypertech Chip, Hotchkis Strut Tower Brace, One Loud Stereo!

 

Use a wiring harness. Less pain...

 

You probably will need to buy a mounting kit specifically designed to be compatable for that particular car. I recommend Metra brand mounting kits. (I think you can get them at Circuit City.)

I also strongly suggest (as previously mentioned) using a wiring harness. (These can be obtained anywhere and brand mkes little difference.) This will allow you to avoid cutting the car's factory harness. This simplifies things now and especially simplifies things in the future.

 

Thanks guys. I was planning on using a wiring harness and a mounting kit. I just was not sure if the old one being a post style if I may run into something I had never seen before. Thanks

Matt

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irocet@hotmail.com

drive.to/Stang_Kilr

88 IROC-Z -- 350 L-98, 700R4, Flowmaster, K&N, MAF Sceens Removed, Airfoil, March Pullies, Comp Cams Magnum 1.6 Roller Rockers, Bosch Platinum Plugs, Accel 8.8 mm Wires, Hypertech Cap & Coil, Hypertech Chip, Hotchkis Strut Tower Brace, One Loud Stereo!

 

I had a 78 Malibu, and I did an install in an 81 Buick century, so our HVAC/Radio consoles would be the same. That radio just has a large mounting plate and I'm guessing that you have a single panel that covers both the HVAC controls and the radio. If that is the case, you will need to cut a DIN sized hole in the plate to make it fit. I'm betting that the install kit won't come with a new plate, so go to a junkyard and pick one up and start from there. That way, if you don't do it right the first time, you can always go get another and not have to worry about messing up the original plate. To cut the hole, I used a dremel (black&decker wizard) with a cutting bit. Just take it slow and it is easy to do. I got it right the first try, and I am a complete ignaramous with power tools.
Ching....$.02

Chris Payne
'92 RS
'84 S/E

 

This is a pretty straightforward car, but there are a few things you should know.

The radio in the car now...is it the original factory one?

The wiring harness that you'll go out and buy...that'll plug in with no problem. But I'm sure that factory radio has an analog dial, not a digital display. Your new digital radio needs a constant source of battery power to retain the station presets and clock. You'll have to tap into the orange cigarette lighter wire for constant power yourself.

You also have two options for mounting the unit into the dash:

Option 1:
Don't buy a mounting kit. The woodgrain dash panel with the three holes for the factory radio...you take it out of the car, cut a 2x7" rectangular hole in it. The new radio will come with a mounting sleeve. Secure the sleeve into the hole you cut, and the radio will then slide into the sleeve.

Option 2:
Buy the mounting kit, Metra part # 99-4544. Go to the junkyard, and get a woodgrain dash panel from a 1985-1988 Monte Carlo, the kind with the big huge radio in it. Assemble the kit, install the radio in the kit, bolt the kit to the car, and snap your new dash panel over all that.

 

Thanks alot. All of that information should be helpful. I should be working on it this Sunday sometime.

Matt

------------------
irocet@hotmail.com

drive.to/Stang_Kilr

88 IROC-Z -- 350 L-98, 700R4, Flowmaster, K&N, MAF Sceens Removed, Airfoil, March Pullies, Comp Cams Magnum 1.6 Roller Rockers, Bosch Platinum Plugs, Accel 8.8 mm Wires, Hypertech Cap & Coil, Hypertech Chip, Hotchkis Strut Tower Brace, One Loud Stereo!