difficulty of replacing radio with CD

[antirice]

I've got a Kenwood CD player and I want to put it in my truck ('88 GMC fullsize), I've done quite a few installs before, what are the steps in replacing a factory radio?

[tmf6902]

Get the wiring diagram for your truck...and the wiring harnes for your radio......on the wiring harness for your radio, the wire should be labeled.....hook up the coresponding wires from your truck by using the wiring diagram to the labeled wires on your radios harness ex. Purple to front left negative or whatever......that's how i did my blazer.....make sure you test it before you put it in the dash though...I always seemed to screw something up....and make sure you have a good ground otherwise you'll get engine noise.

 

if your using amps and all that jazz....I have no idea, i usually leave that to a friend that knows how, or a shop.

 

good luck

[antirice]

yeah, I've got no problem with that stuff, its just that I've never torn a GM truck dash apart before, so I'm kinda scared that I'm gonna get and something

[silverado man]

I think on that year you need to install the cd player in the dash to the right of the stock stereo. I don't think I have ever saw an install that replaced the stock radio because I think the HVAC controls and radio are tied into the same panel, I'm not sure on that but that is just what I think. You might want to try a search on yahoo and see what you can find.

[Cyclic]

Those model trucks are involved but not extreemly hard. The radio is actually 3 pieces. The display/control is mounted in the dash, tape player/eq in center dash, and the actual radio is a silver box just above the gas pedal. You will need a 7 mm socket or driver to remove everything. I forget the size of the tork for the dash. Go to your local shop to purchase the wire harness, antenna adaptor and dash install parts. The display to pocket replacement is optional but recommended, the center dash kit should be available color matched. Remove all parts before installing the new stuff or attempted reassembly.

Start by going under the dash to remove the actual radio. Silver box with held up with a bracket held by more 7mm screws. Completely remove and unplug all wires. Should be several small plugs and an antenna plug. These wires and antenna are rerouted up to the center dash for the new radio. Sometimes they are attached to a bracket inside the dash and must be cut loose. After freeing them up they will be long enough to reach the new location easily.

Remove the center dash by prying the bottom out, then lifting up before pulling out the top tabs. Remove the vents to place in the new kit by removing the small wire retainers carefully as they tend to fly away. Unbolt the component and remove any pluged in wires. The metal bracket under it needs to be removed for clearence. I normally remove the bolt then use metal shears to cut as low as possible inside the dash.

Unscrew all dash bolts, place emergency brake on, tilt the steering wheel down, and place the shifter in low but do not start the truck. Remove the dash, you will then see the bolts holding the a/c controls and the display. Remove and replace with the pocket. Reassemble.

 

If this is not enough to figure out the install.............. get help.

 

Oh and if you want to replace the rear speakers.......... just curl up into a little ball and cry like a baby, they are a PITA.

[antirice]

Those model trucks are involved but not extreemly hard. The radio is actually 3 pieces. The display/control is mounted in the dash, tape player/eq in center dash, and the actual radio is a silver box just above the gas pedal. You will need a 7 mm socket or driver to remove everything. I forget the size of the tork for the dash. Go to your local shop to purchase the wire harness, antenna adaptor and dash install parts. The display to pocket replacement is optional but recommended, the center dash kit should be available color matched. Remove all parts before installing the new stuff or attempted reassembly.

Start by going under the dash to remove the actual radio. Silver box with held up with a bracket held by more 7mm screws. Completely remove and unplug all wires. Should be several small plugs and an antenna plug. These wires and antenna are rerouted up to the center dash for the new radio. Sometimes they are attached to a bracket inside the dash and must be cut loose. After freeing them up they will be long enough to reach the new location easily.

Remove the center dash by prying the bottom out, then lifting up before pulling out the top tabs. Remove the vents to place in the new kit by removing the small wire retainers carefully as they tend to fly away. Unbolt the component and remove any pluged in wires. The metal bracket under it needs to be removed for clearence. I normally remove the bolt then use metal shears to cut as low as possible inside the dash.

Unscrew all dash bolts, place emergency brake on, tilt the steering wheel down, and place the shifter in low but do not start the truck. Remove the dash, you will then see the bolts holding the a/c controls and the display. Remove and replace with the pocket. Reassemble.

 

If this is not enough to figure out the install.............. get help.

 

Oh and if you want to replace the rear speakers.......... just curl up into a little ball and cry like a baby, they are a PITA.

d**n! thanks for the help, joo r0x0r,