New CD/Radio in Old Style?

[theGman]

I was wanting to upgrade my 95's stock CD/Radio to a new model. My problem is that I like the simplicity of operation of the stock unit.

Is there a modern radio which has the simple control panel style of the original radios?

Thanks in advance!

[kevm14]

We both have a similar question. I spent a couple minutes on Crutchfield searching. They don't have a filter by DIN size, but I sorted by Clarion and came up with this:

http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Produ...DUZ385&tp=5684

Clarion has and probably still does manufacture head units for factory audio, including many BOSE applications. So leave it to them to come up with a no-nonsense (or less-nonsense) design. I can't stand the tiny buttons that single DIN aftermarket head units typically have. Of course you also have to buy a $50 harness converter and run that from the head unit down to where the CDM plugs in next to the antenna.

[My_favorite_Brougham]

Get the radio from a '96 Fleetwood. It's upgraded from the previous years which was designed in 1989. It also has better sound quality, etc and just plain looks better in that car. Not to mention, it's plain like you like.

Greg

[kevm14]

Is the harness identical to a 95? If it will bolt right in then I will look for a 96 CD/Tape. I haven't heard anything about sound quality. They use the same CDM/amplifier/tuner so I guess the difference is in the head unit, but how?

[My_favorite_Brougham]

No.. the head unit has the amp and head unit all in one box. So you just need the harness from the '96 too. It's basically the same radio as from a '96+ Buick radio, which I put in my Brougham, and it sounded a ton better than stock radio. But the old was a 1990 radio, so... I dunno if it's a great comparison.

[kevm14]

Originally Posted by My_favorite_Brougham

No.. the head unit has the amp and head unit all in one box. So you just need the harness from the '96 too. It's basically the same radio as from a '96+ Buick radio, which I put in my Brougham, and it sounded a ton better than stock radio. But the old was a 1990 radio, so... I dunno if it's a great comparison.

Ok hold on a sec. Let's get one thing straight. The 96 Fleetwood runs the SAME CDM/amp/tuner box externally as the previous cars. The difference is it's in the dash. I am running one from a 96 in my 95, and it plugged right in. I can't directly prove it, but my CDM came from a 96, and had a plastic nub like you see on the back of head units for dash installation. I unscrewed that nub leaving a stud, and it installed perfectly in my trunk in place of the dead one. Looks identical, too. That's good enough for me to confirm the stock 96 configuration.

The 96+ Buick radio may very well have an integrated amp like the other Delcos of the generation, but the 96 FW uses the external CDM still.

If you have any proof that the above is wrong, please let me know. I am currently going on the assumption that I can get a 96 FW head unit, and plug and play with my existing harness, and it will use the CDM in my trunk.

~89-95 on the left
96 on the right

[kevm14]

Ok, I have to update this.

I have obtained the wiring diagram (hopefully complete) for a 96. I also talked to an automotive repair shop that does factory audio repair jobs. Both the diagram and the "book" this shop uses indicate that the 96 does, in fact, use an amplifier integrated to the head unit, like My_favorite_Brougham originally said. So I want to correct myself on that. That must mean that I am not running a 96 CDM/amp like I thought I was. It also means I am not going to be able to upgrade to a 96 head unit. But wait - My_favorite_Brougham, how were you able to upgrade your 90 to the 96 amp-integrated unit? Maybe it is still possible? Do I have to use that Metra kit to get the antenna and speaker wires up to the dash and adapt it to the 96 head unit using one of those aftermarket wiring kits? Or did you do something else? I assume it didn't just connect right up. Don't see how that would be possible. The stock head unit doesn't have an antenna connection and just sends preamp/line-level signals back to the CDM. Help!

[Brocephus]

Good Morning, I noticed that you said the cdm on a 1996 Fleetwood is in the dash. Could you tell me where exactly in the dash that is? I am trying to install a Kenwood ddx512 double din multimedia player in my Fleetwood "Brocephus". I cannot locate the cdm. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Todd

[dirt_cheap_fleetwood]

It should be jammed inside the dash below and further towards the front of the car from the head unit. The one in my car is visible by taking out the radio but it would be a PITA to actually remove.