If you've looked into GM factory radios with any interest, You've likely noticed like me, that double DIN Cd players or Cd with cassette units are quite better then in the past, though people in the press, and readers I've noticed still want a way around them to use aftermarket A/V systems
I JUST came across a website offering information on factory radio installs (the URL I bookmarked). Many questions regarding Bose systems and the like.
I wanted to use a newer GM radio in a pre-1990s car. I had been told, even recently, that no one thought it was possible. I found a diagram to three common GM radios covering the wire and connection output/inputs. It allowed me to mate to an older GM recepter and use the new radio! It allow the RDS function to work as well, w/o additional hardware...has super fine volume and bass for mostly factory spec speakers. It can be done, and the only problem facing me still are the space requirements and memory for the clock, that I can live w/o
Bill

 

It's been posted here before. I put a 2001 Chevy CD player into a 1986 Olds 442. I bought a wiring harness that connected the factory 1986 connector to the 2001 radio without splicing any wires. Cost was $23 and I bought it at Dealer Automotive Services in Hopkins, MN.

 

Bill

Would it be possible to get the URL, that you got your info from?

I want to install a 2001 S10 CD radio, in my 91 Z28.

Thank you in advance.


Bob

 

I converted my 95 Riviera over to BOSE, it was not that difficult. It was not a direct swap mind you, but it is not by far impossible.

John

 

DAS, I think I know of it, but never been there...strange
I mention the link but didn't have it handy. I will include it. The problem I haven't gotten around is a mod to get the radio flush mounted, and the fact the mounting is certainly different from Cadillac to Pontiac/Camaro, but the radios are typically the same built with the mounts moved.
I read also that a PC's clipboard for cut and paste, which I use frequently, should be able to store more then one item, but I have no idea how that's done. Anyone know, fill me in. I use Windows ME on this PC and Win98 SE on my bookPC that is offline for now... having problems with the new hardware camera/printer and it freezes up...UGH
Anyway, The RDS is the most exciting feature but the CD runs flawlessly being my radio is dated January of 2003, it should have lots of life. It was stored for roughly a year
BILL


EDIT>> I did forget to bookmark, luckily AOL keeps most frequent searches in memory
Here's the link, Nice site and I got email back to, with some delay.
http://carstereohelp.net/wireharness_Delco1.htm
I used the traditional GM female conn from the 1980s, and the yellw seperate for back up power unconnected....for now.
The problem aside from the clock, the CD starts at track one every time. The radio memory is not a problem.

 

For my Eldorado, which was an 84 with Bose, the previous owner mismatched a Pioneer CD and different door mount speakers, the Bose units ran thru the amp, The easiest fix here if using headunit power is by pass the BOSE enclosure amp and wire to the speaker. The Imp. is lower so the volume is different...to which I adjusted my fader.
The other problem that Bose sees as normal, at the time, was to provide a concert experience by reversing the stereo channels front to back... I felt this was wrong and had to rewire to get left back in the left side. This was a long time ago, so memory fades, but I seem to recall running wires across my Olds Cutlass dash as well...hmmm



EDIT>> I feel I'm going a bit OT, but as far as splicing wire connectors, do away with sticky electrical tape that doesn't last and messy and hot solder you have to deal with, over at Walmart, I found orange reusable screw on connectors that have an internal male/female cone/bevel that allow more then one wire to mate together, no fuss, no muss. You can use these over and over and never have a wear issue, except maybe the terminal ends over time. They are a godsend

 

Would this harness adapter work? This goes from large 12 pin to the small 14 pin plugs.

 

I'm now familliar with that one. I rigged up several that allow me to use Delco decks of newer vintage, however, that one is for radios of 1990 vintage. My two cars are late 1980s.
The pin association should be covered at the site link I did put up.
I need to cut some material that is excess in the dash to allow the radio to fit. I'm not sure about my Firebird as the radio sits so close to the rear molded mount. There are slip on side posts, where as the Deville uses top mounts. The kits don't allow for a close tolerance between these and the radio so it sits too low to mount properly. Anyways, I'm going to seek some installer advice as well. In the past, I'd been quoted $50 for a pro install. That didn't seem to harsh
Bill

To add, the 2000+ radios have the most wire connections. The email I got from the site says their bench test setup took over THREE years to build and they had no answer for me. I didn't wire all the power and grounds together, but still got my unit working. The memory is the biggest setback however. Any security codes weren't a concern on this deck, but be wary, some do it seems

 

That looks like the non-RDS cable. I believe that's what I have.

 

I'll have some more pics, as I've just been adding new camera shots thanks to my Sony 4.1 MP Cybershot, it's a super nice step up from my entry Concord cams I started with. The pictures are more vibrant and the Macro does what I need.

That being said, My car is a former theft recovery which seems to explain why the factory harness was rewired in but subsequently broke (the white pull tab. Two examples first. The harness on my Bird mentioned above and the one fashioned for Kenwood and Pioneer radios (my two cassette units using the same harness!) shown as an aid for fellow enthusiests


My recent Sony required me to buy one for it at $15 used... Always ask Best Buy car installers for any extra parts to save a buck.
Since the RDS (Radio Descriptive Service) CD unit was put in and being tested, I didn't get shots yet for that one. They're forthcoming. Also of note, the additional two/three wires used as memory (and tied to the VFD -vacuum fluorescent display, employed in the Cadillac) seems to change on a few GM cars I've owned and looked at. I grabbed factory harnesses from junkyards (it's obvious too, I'm not the only one!) that have the most wires connected to work with, so you don't wind up short on anything. The Cadillac and Pontiac (I own) have distinctly different connectors in this regard. With all the splicing and mating, it cuts the extra room short, so I'm not sure what practice would best suit me, I like swapping headunits and some prefer not of course

Bill

 

In my haste to doublecheck the text, I forgot the pics, well, anyway;

BILL

 

The reason I deviate here is this harness (pic below>) was a surprise, it worked on two aftermarket units I would not have suspected. a 45w per channel (4) Pioneer late model and an earlier Kenwood 25/30 x 4 unit! I'll get pics of the screw on connectors I advocate as well.
Looking again at that shot, I could see it's still hard to make out a bit, but it makes clear the Firebirds' tight dash space you have to work around
I'm debating what to do about the splices, I feel they take up too much space, but at the same time, my car had the factory LED upscale model GM Delco, for the time, that ran into problems and is now in storage awaiting a donor or may get trashed, sadly.

If I didn't mention before, GM Delco radios seem tough to find and one just sold on eBay (about 2 weeks back) over $100! It's best to hold onto for selling the car if you invested in aftermarket hardware. I pick them up from the Goodwill for $5 or $6 bucks. The RDS was an eBay find though.

 

This evening I tested the RDS Delco unit in my Firebird, like the Cadillac, that does have spare room, both top and bottom space are used up so it can safely be assessed GM/Delco changed sizes on these units, however cassette and CD, or CD only are the same size, and it can be observed by pulling the bottom of the unit. The CD mech is quite nice, comparing to my Sony, I'd be hard pressed to say Sony's better.
I'll be getting pics to show which connections I used. I mapped them out on paper while wiring it, but not sure which to wire for constant memory. Stations retain presets, unlike my latest Sony cassette player (1998 model, IIRC). My old/vintage Sony CD pullout seemed to have an onboard battery for memory, worked like a charm, sadly the player became problematic and retired.
As it stands, the Deville's speaker system does sound better then my F car's.... I'd assume a minimum of bass enhancement would do wonders.
Bill