CD Player

[Joe Sette]

Does anyone know what factory Bose units will swap into my 1985 Vette, currently with Bose? I'd like to replace the factory tape player with a factory CD unit.
Thanks
Joe Sette

[DanS711]

Hey Joe,

I put a 10 CD changer in my C-4 and left the original unit in the dash. It's a Sony, bought it at Best Buys for about $159.00. It connects to the original radio unit in the well behind the passenger seat. It connects through the antenna wire ( You may need to buy adapters), you unplug the antenna wire from the radio unit, plug it into the CD adapter and hook a cable back to the radio. Hook up a hot wire, a bat wire and a ground and you are set. ( all of which are in the connector for the radio). you set one of your radio stations to somewhere around 89.7 and that's where the CD plays. It has a remote control head that is about 1 1/2" X 4" and can be put anywhere. I mounted the main unit behind the drivers seat with industrial strength velcro that holds in the original carpet, the remote unit lays on the console. Works great and I didn't have to cut or modify a thing.

Dan

[Joe Sette]

Dan,

I considered a cd changer; one of the issues is the head unit itself, not enough presets! What I would really like to do is swap in a later model CD player. I figure they are all the same exterior dimensions; the issue, other than wiring, is the compatibility between the head unit and the amplifiers. Have to chase that down.

If I can get a used OEM unit with the connectors and pigtails, I can wire it up, again assuming there are no compatibility issues.

[Joe Sette]

Found the following comment on

http://www.carstereohelp.com/

There is an upgrade to CD! The 94-96 Chevrolet Camaro CD play fits physically, there is a wire harness available to adapt the newer stereo to the old style wire harness with a small modification.

Waiting for further info about harnesses

[Joe Sette]

Well, I'm responding to my own post. I have installed a BOSE CD player from a 2002 S-10 Blazer in my '85. This was pretty straightforward. Metra makes a harness, 70-1853 that takes care of the wiring. However, this particular model radio is different from the others. Metra tech support helped me resolve the wiring problem.

The radio was a perfect fit in the opening, sounds great, and looks good. Best of all, the radio was significantly less expensive than the Camaro units.

[Tony B.96LT4]

Joe,
Thanks for your input. Always good to know that other GM radios will physically fit the Vette. Does the radio itself look like the later model Vette radios?

[Joe Sette]

Don't know! Remember, this is a 1.5 DIN size. I have pics, comparing old and new.