Need new radio headunit, advice please . . .

[Aron9000]

Looking to replace the factory headunit in my 1991 Brougham with the d'elegance package. It has the CD and tape player, but the CD player is busted. Speakers sound great, so I'm looking at just replacing the headunit, and it must have an aux input for my mp3 player.

I'm looking for something that won't look out of place in this car. Seems like a lot of the new radios you buy now days have fifty different colors, huge displays, and were made by a star trek set designer on a wicked acid trip.

[My_favorite_Brougham]

Try what I did. It looks pretty nice and sounds better than the original headunit. It's a Buick radio and there's plenty on eBay, many with aux. input modifications. It requires bypassing the tuner box, but that just means plugging in a different plug. Search my posts for the details.



Greg

[kevm14]

Wouldn't you also need the Buick-specific car side plugs? Or did you just connect the wires on the head unit directly to the Metra harness wires?

[My_favorite_Brougham]

Well all GM cars from 1988 (I think) and up have this standard harness that includes all speaker, 12v, lights, etc. That's what's pictured below.


The Broughams have this on the other side of the amp box in the dash. So... Just take the Buick radio wires and bypass the amp (since it's amp is contained in the head unit). I did it by buying two extra blank harnesses: a female version of the one above, and the male version that plugs into the Buick radio. They will splice right up color-to-color. This way you don't cut into your wires. Then plug one end into the car and the other end into the radio and you're in business!

Greg

[kevm14]

That answers one of my questions: you didn't have to buy the Metra harness because your amp is in your dash. 93-95s are in the trunk so there are no speaker connections in the dash.

Where did you get the part that plugs into the Buick radio? I had to find someone with a 96 FW harness and they are going to cut that part out of the harness and send me the pigtail. I am still working on this. My plan was to run a 96 Fleetwood head unit but I suspect a 96 Roadmaster head unit is very similar internally.

[Aron9000]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Delco...QQcmdZViewItem

Do you think this would work??? Also, the amp is external from the headunit in my 91, right?

[kevm14]

Won't work, unless someone knows otherwise.

[Aron9000]

I'm going to go aftermarket I think. I found an eclipse player that looks really nice, lights up green and everything. Going to replace all the speakers and reuse a JL amp that I had with my old car.

[My_favorite_Brougham]

Yeah that Bose radio is from an Eldo or Seville. It has completely different wires, amp, and even different speakers. It would be near impossible to hook up. But here's a good bit of advice. Try a radio from a '94/'95 Deville Concours. Benzilla put one in his '90 Brougham and it works! The wires hook up just like the original head unit and uses the existing amp in the dash of the Brougham. Those brackets will come off and you can put the Brougham brackets on.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1994-...spagenameZWD1V

Greg

[kevm14]

This is still my pick for a reasonably priced aftermarket head unit:



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