Anyone use Crutchfield supplied parts to replace 94-96 stereo headunit?

[Magnum PI]

My radio, cassette and changer unit in my 94Q is surely dying. I have replaced the changer about 4 times, the cassette no longer works, and now the radio is intermittant. Crutchfield lists a whole bunch of possible replacements and usually includes easy wiring harness adapters.

I am not sure if I want to do this myself because the Q dash looks so tight, but have replaced many stereos before.

Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

[Rex]

Find a newer Nissan/Infiniti Bose In Dash single CD on ebay, get the adapter from Joe and you can have both single and changer.

Far cheaper than anything you'll get from Crutchfield.

[Jesda]

Are your amps okay or is it just the head unit and changer that are bad?

[Magnum PI]

Good question, I have no idea. I assumed it was the head unit.

[Jesda]

Do you ever hear a buzzing or squealing, or does a certain speaker sometimes sound weaker than the rest?

[rubdog]

I'm currently using the wire harness and the amp module, which allows you to keep your bose system with an aftermarket stereo. I do recommend buying both but only if your speakers and amps are in good condition.

[Magnum PI]

speakers sound good when they are on so I assumed it is the head unit.

[DrewQ45]

Crutchfield is a great reference but overpriced. I gutted the bose system entirely. Every piece of it...even the wiring!!! It's one of those items you DO want aftermarket.

...Drew...

[goody90q45]

My radio, cassette and changer unit in my 94Q is surely dying......Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

Have you thought about switching over to an Ipod/MP3 player and not having to mess with the CD or cassette any more. I'm sure you know this already that one of our members, QSIguy, makes an adapter cable that plugs in to the back of the Bose with enough length to run to the center console. It's an easy install and for $25 a cheap buy. I've got a 94 Bose and speakers if you need them. I'll send you an email.

[Magnum PI]

Thanks Mike, I am happy with the bose speakers, but am contemplating a new head unit that has aux inputs for ipod. I put a new headunit in my 84 VW Rabbit convertible and it doesnt even use a CD player, it uses an SD card. My times have changed. A fellow Q45er NICO member Myron lives out here and he showed me his Sony replacement in his 92 Q. Nice.

Thanks for the advice all. I just gotta get brave and do the switch.

[brymax]

My radio, cassette and changer unit in my 94Q is surely dying. I have replaced the changer about 4 times, the cassette no longer works, and now the radio is intermittant. Crutchfield lists a whole bunch of possible replacements and usually includes easy wiring harness adapters.

I am not sure if I want to do this myself because the Q dash looks so tight, but have replaced many stereos before.

Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

I gotta tell ya, I've always been a huge Crutchfield guy. Love there stuff and variety. But just yesterday I decide to buy the Pioneer Inno XM portable receiver to put in my 02 Q. Just about to pull the trigger and thought maybe I'll just shop to see prices elsewhere. MyRadioStore.com had the same unit with more accessories for $100 less than Crutchfield.They definitely don't have as much to choose from and not near the tech support that Crutchfield has got, but it just got me thinking that there are other sources for less in some situations.

On a more technical side, try the Kenwood factory stereo expansion component. That takes the bulk of the work off the head unit and dispurses it more logically through aftermarket Kenwood components.Could be some work though.

[Magnum PI]

yes, don't get me wrong, there are other shops out there. I feel comfortable with Crutchfield because I know that if I can't complete the job, they will either walk me through it or take it back. That support is probably why I think of them first.