I have a '95 touring. Just the basic Bose head unit, which is blown. They're telling me that the car will need a total re-wire to install an alipine head unit. Is this true? Or should it be plug-and-play?

Are the speakers self amplified or amplified by the bose head unit? They said I'd be looking at an amp and all new speakers too!! I'm about to head to the shop so please advise!!

 

the bose system amplifies each speaker. It is difficult to tap into it, I think it can be done with a special adapter for the harness, I am not sure. They probably don't want to mess with the bose at all and are quoting you on full speaker and system replacement. This is also good for them. Unless you want a whole new system, you might not need it. I know guys have replaced their headunit and kept the bose. Do a search on bose adapters or something. If you decide on a new system then yes its going to need rewiring. SO they probably don't know a way to interface with it and are trying to get you to buy a whole new setup. Which is a little shady or a lack of knowledge. Go get a second quote, somewhere else. Compare. Take your time make a wise decision.

 

Well, If you mean blown as in the speakers sound like total crap then all you have to do is buy new speakers and install them with the pre-existing wires. But if you mean blown as in you fried something in the head unit itself then you will just need to try and find the same model head unit and get them to install it for you. To me it does sound like they are trying to rip you off. Take it to a town sound or something of that nature because most "mom and pop" shops have no clue what they are doing

 

Thanks for the replys, guys.

Anyone know for sure - I have the base Bose - no wave system. No Cd player. Can you wire an Alpine head unit up to the stock speakers with just an adapter.

Thanks,

Sam

 

if it's the wiring to the head unit that is shot, they just have to tap two wires off of the ignition. They should be able to bypass any and all amps and processors there may be, and just use the bose speakers as components. I don't know if there is an adaptor, but this is an easy job to completely re-wire. I'm with rotadrift, that is shady business. I could do the whole thing in less than an hour, with less than $5 in parts. I wouldn't pay more than the cost of the head unit + $50 IMO

 

Thanks for the info.

The head unit itself is shot. No mention of any wiring issues.

I can't belive that no-one here has tried putting an aftermarket head unit this car. Once again - if there is someone out there that has replaced the base Bose head unit with an aftermarket one, did you do it with a simple adapter, or was a re-wire necessary.

 

well, mine had the bose system, but the last owner tore them up so bad they rattled and crakeled, so I tore the whole system out, built new mounting locations and ran all new wires.