Factory radio questions

[Big Tone]

Recently my radio has been going in and out. I'll hear this popping noise when I first turn on the radio and then all the speakers will go out. The radio will stay on, but there won't be any sound for about 10 seconds. Then it will come back on by itself and work with no problem.

My thinking is the radio is about to go out. With that in mind, I want to replace it with another factory Bose head unit. If I am going to do this, however, I want to get a unit that works with factory CD changers. From what I've read, I need to get a unit that has the "CD Change" button on the HU. When I look them up on eBay, the description states it is only compatible with 94 or 95 and newer J30s. Is this accurate? If I get one of these units is there anything else I'll need to connect it in my car? Also, I've read that Clarion makes the stock CD changer. Is this true? Is my 93 already wired for a changer?

I know I have a lot of questions, but I want to make sure I have everything I need when I get the HU and changer. If you have a 93 J, or know what I need to get this done, please let me know. Thanks!

[robmcole]

I was faced with similiar situation about 2 years ago. I decided to gut the whole system and start from scratch. But do a goodle search and you will find a lot of companies that rebuilt Bose units.

More than likely your problem is not the head unit (if its the sound), but it is the amps. Each speaker has its own amplifier built into it, and after 10+ years, they decide to go to Bose heaven and give up. Mine would burst into loud horible sounds and burst your eardrum about. around $70 to rebuilt your amp. just mail it in, and they resoldier all the links and make it good as new.

If the head unit screen is blinking/going blank, Ebay has a lot of used head units. But remember they could be about to go out also since they are 10 years old also. There are converters that sell on Ebay for connect 93/94-95/96-97 Bose head units to any other year.

Although I enjoy factory.. the bose quality is very low and limited. for a little more money you could go to a aftermarket system and increase sound volume and quality beyond description

Hope this helps,-Rob Birmingham, AL

[Big Tone]

Excellent advice Rob. Now, if I want a whole new system I have to replace the speakers too, right? Any recommendations for a good head unit and speakers?

[robmcole]

Just from experience, get a CD Player that is flat/flush on the front, Otherwise, it sticks out and looks stupid (a lot of older pioneer units stick out and have an obvious aftermarket cheap look - Alpine head units have a nice design this season). A nice thing about the J30, is it has A LOT of room behind the head unit, so plenty of wiring and converters (if needed). As of speakers, just go for 6.5 in front, 6x9 in back. I got a 5 channel Kicker amp (4 to interior speakers, and 1 channel to 2x12 subs).

Here comes the fun part... The front speakers are made for the Bose speakers only, and you have to fabricate something to hold a speakers in the door. It takes about an hour to do, but I got a piece of 3/4 inch MDF board, and a jig saw and cut a 6.5 inch hole and made a speaker frame. I can see if I have pictures.. not pretty, but the door goes over it. I have had tremendous happiness from my system, and the whole thing (on Ebay) cost me $600. Best investment I made.

To give you an idea of what all you will need, I will tell you what I bought:

1) JVC CD Player (from my previous car)2) Kicker 5 channel amp (you only need this if you want additional power over the head units power)3) x2 6.5 Cerwin Vega Speakers (Door)4) x2 6x9 Infinity Reference Speakers (Deck)5) x2 Audiobaugn 12" Subs (no i dont wear FUBU)6) Misc. RCA Wiring to amp

The subs/amp are optional. Minimum is going to be CD Player, pair of 6.5 and 6x9 speakers, Wiring harness for Bose to XXXX, and speaker wire. That will make for a good system.

-Rob

[Big Tone]

Please post pics of the front speakers! I need to see what I'm in for with this. I don't have any tools for cutting, so I'll probably have someone make a board for the speakers to sit in. I'll have to come up with some ideas to make it pretty!

[Big Tone]

I've seen you and someone else recommend Alpine receivers. I looked them up on Crutchfield and they appear to be pretty nice. The problem is you can only connect one kind of CD changer to it and it's $300! I don't want to spend that much on a changer. Who knows, though. If I get the receiver now, the speakers later, and finish with the changer I might be willing to do it, just not all at once. I started another thread requesting reviews on a Kenwood unit. Here's a link to it. What do you think?

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-t...P5028

They have a CD changer for it for $179http://www.crutchfield.com/S-Q...8#Tab

I want to see this unit in person before I buy it. I want to make sure it doesn't stick out. I agree that is a cheap and ugly look.
Modified by Big Tone at 2:49 PM 11/9/2005

[robmcole]

That is a nice head unit. I cannot see a side view (to see if it looks like an older pioneer).

I dont know if you are a sattelite radio listener, but Kenwood is Sirius, where as Alpine is XM & Sirius. I am a little biast, so I wont get on my soapbox, but I am an XM fan. This is all beside the point so anyway, that unit is very nice.

On second thought I do see that in the description it says Sirius & XM, but there is no XM logo on the head unit, so you might want to look into that to make sure you have options whichever company you end up going with.

If you enjoy "shock jock" radio, CLICK HERE --> http://www.alphadesigners.com/OandA.zip to get a sample of the Opie and Anthony Show on XM Radio channel 202. Remember that XM Radio is uncensored

p.s. I will try to get those pictures this weekend when I can take my door off.

[NismoChi]

Please post some pics of your front speaker setup.I am just getting ready to go the whole nine yards.

[Big Tone]

That is a nice head unit. I cannot see a side view (to see if it looks like an older pioneer).

I dont know if you are a sattelite radio listener, but Kenwood is Sirius, where as Alpine is XM & Sirius. I am a little biast, so I wont get on my soapbox, but I am an XM fan. This is all beside the point so anyway, that unit is very nice.

On second thought I do see that in the description it says Sirius & XM, but there is no XM logo on the head unit, so you might want to look into that to make sure you have options whichever company you end up going with.

If you enjoy "shock jock" radio, CLICK HERE --> http://www.alphadesigners.com/OandA.zip to get a sample of the Opie and Anthony Show on XM Radio channel 202. Remember that XM Radio is uncensored

p.s. I will try to get those pictures this weekend when I can take my door off.

I'm still debating. I read all the reviews for the unit and they were all good, but one person who has a Nissan said it stuck out! I had a Kenwood in an older car and do remember it stuck out about 1/4", which was the detachable portion of it. It wasn't a big deal in that car, but the way the dash is in the J it'll look crazy. I saw a really nice looking Pioneer unit, but several reviews said the FM and SAT reception was bad, so I skipped it.

I'm back looking at Alpine units again. I like all of them, but I want a remote. There is only one unit that has a remote that is close to my price range, but it's a few dollars more than I wanted to spend. I could get it from eBay, but I'll still need to get the adapter and installation kit (which would be free from Crutchfield). I may just try to hold out another week or so to gather a few more bucks and get this:http://www.crutchfield.com/S-z...A9851It's on sale for $249. I didn't want to spend more than $199 (preferably $179), but I can't find anything I KNOW I'll like in that range, only things I might like, like that Kenwood. If I get that Kenwood and it sticks out I'll be pissed.

If I decide to get over the want for a remote, I could get this one:http://www.crutchfield.com/S-z...A9847

I was also hung up on the $300 changer, but I think I'll get the adapter instead and hook my Treo up to it.

[Big Tone]

Oh, about SAT radio, I don't have anything set up right now, but am considering it. I remember Opie and Anthony. They used to be on in Chicago until they pulled that stunt that got them kicked off. I need to do some research to see who has more of what I want. I am really into talk radio, but enjoy hip-hop, too. I don't know which has a better mix. I also need to look up prices.

[Big Tone]

Ok, I decided on this unit:http://www.crutchfield.com/S-z...GT200I bought this one because it offers all the features I want at the lowest price. It has a remote and has AUX input on the front so I can connect my Treo to listen to Pocket Tunes. It doesn't have SAT radio, but I don't use it now so I'm not losing anything. I decided to get this one because I don't know how long I'm going to keep the J. I don't want to spend too much on the receiver because chances are I won't install it in the next car.

Hopefully I'll get it before the weekend so I can install it Saturday. I'm pretty excited about this. I haven't installed a receiver in a car since I was in high school! This should be fun. I have the adapter I need coming with the receiver along with the free installation kit with instructions and have collected instructions from other sources as well. I need to get an impact driver so I don't stip the screws on the mounting bracket.

I read the reviews and if what is said is true then I got a great deal. The total cost with free shipping and all the other freebees is $169.98.

[robmcole]

Thats going to be a good head unit. I like Sony. I am off work tomorrow for Veterans day (a little early I know, but thats when my company lets me off), so I am going to take the door off and take some pictures of the MDF board.

I will go ahead and premise, it is not pretty, but it does a fantastic job. I highly recommend the MDF board since it is dense and holds the speaker tight. Also handles water really well for humidity.

Later,-Rob

[NismoChi]

Where do you buy those MDF board??

[driverdriver]

A place like Home Depot would sell MDF(Melamine Dense Faced board). Go into the lumber section and ask for MDF board. Its cheaper than regular softwood. Only drop back is that it makes more of a mess when cut.

[Big Tone]

Ok, so the receiver should arrive today and I'll either install it tonight or tomorrow. I have a question about the Scoshe adapter. There are settings on it that I don't know what to do with. Will there be instructions as to how it should be set, or is it a trial an error type thing? Can others who have used it let me know what settings they have? Thanks in advance!

[Big Tone]

I installed the receiver last night. As others have already stated it was very easy. The system sounds great! I came across one issue, though. The plastic frame that goes around the receiver once it's installed doesn't appear to fit under the wood trim, so I left it off. I'll take another look at it this weekend to see if I can get it on, but if not it's not a big deal. I'll also take some pics and post them.

Thanks to everyone for the help and advice! Getting an impact driver saved a lot of time and anguish and as someone else stated before, the wire caps that come with the installation kit are cheap, so use your own. The ones that come with the package WILL fall off! The system sounds sooo much better now that I can hardly believe it.