First off, let me say that I think I am a pretty handy guy. I have replaced radios in cars, well since I got my first "hand me down" (that's the first thing you replace when you are 18 and get a car, right?)

Based on that, I thought that replacing the stock radio in my 84 GSL-SE would be fairly straightforward. I bought what was told to me to be the correct wiring harness. Followed the colors correctly and hooked the thing up. Nothing. Then smoke out of the new radio. Well I reconnected everything back to the stock radio, put it all back together and have been driving around listening to bad radio since then.

Now, I cannot believe that my car is sabotaging my efforts because it likes the stock radio (who would), so I have to believe I did not do something right.

Based on that assumption, I am asking for any advice on how others may have handled the head replacement on their GSL-SE...

Appreciate the help...

Steve

 

The stock radio outputs to 2 amplifiers. To install an aftermarket stereo you must bypass these amps and go straight to the speakers as new stereos are pre-amped.

In addition, DON'T forget that the power antenna is positive ground.

Here's a wiring diagram I adapted from one provided by another helpful member on this forum (all I did was clean up the text and layout)



You may need to make a custom bracket to retain the stereo. If so, I've made a stereo bracket/cupholder tutorial you can adapt as required if you think it's worthwhile.

stereo bracket / cupholder tutorial

 

assuming anything is the first mistake? LOL

The front speakers can be had behind the radio kinda under the blower assy (well it was a white plug on my 85). The rear will have to be run... If you dont have a DVM and some basic electronic knowledge, take it somewhere OTHER than a BEST BUY or etc

 

What will you do with your OEM stereo when you're done? I'd be interested in the deck!

 

Alright, im going to assume that your radio setup isn't that much differen't than my 85 gsl. Looking at manntis's diagram i would say its probably the same. I was trying to wire in a mp3 player and found after some trial and error, that the easiest way to do it is just to rip out the two amps, and the wires going to them. (looks like a computers ps1 connector, aka keyboard.). I just used the wires running to the speakers, though you kinda have to hunt them down. Just take out your storage bins and pull the mat out underneith them. It should give you a pretty good access to wires. The only problem i had was the antenna, and that was just a pain in the ***.

 

so what I am hearing is that noone really reuses the amps or the fader joystick...only the power, the antenna trigger wire and wires to the speakers (which probably should be rerun anyway)...

Anyone have a suggested reuse for the amps - other than resell them on Ebay?

 

I kinda like the factory stereo - it has an equalizer, pulls in stations fairly well, and I prefer cassettes to CDs (I had a CD player in one of my cars and it ruined my CD collection - too abusive an environment) so it's ideal.

Would be nice to upgrade the amps, though, as well as the speakers. Even if I were to replace the factory headunit, I'd use external amps no matter what - I did that in all of my previous installs. (Well, once I powered a pair of 4 1/2" speakers off of the internal amp...) The fact that the car is pre-wired for external amps is a plus. The fact that you get to keep the joystick is a bonus (That is the neatest little gadget....)

 

Placing the front speakers down by your ankles is not my idea of optimum speaker location. If you remove the door pannel you'll see a spot were you can install speakers at about the same level as the window crank. Then get satellite tweeters, angle branks and point them directly.

 

Thats my next project after i get my racing beat exhaust... new speaker system... *grin*

 

I've the complete stock stereo sitting in a box.

 

Hey Manntis, what'd you charge to put that radio-drink holder contraption together for me? I don't have a rivet gun, etc, and your idea looks just like the ticket!

 

It was about $25 US for the materials, but I can build one for ya for $50 complete if you're that interested

 

That include shipping (cheapest)?

 

I've no idea what shipping would be here to there, or if your US Customs will slap the usual tarriff (being that these are non-American automotive parts) or if I should just ship it as a "gift", no commercial value, person to person, etc....

I was figuring $25 for parts $25 for labour (takes a few hours to fold the metal, machine the stainless, cut the soft foam, drill/rivet the metal, etc)

I have a feeling if I made 10 or so it would be more efficient and I could bring the cost down to $40 US but I don't wanna be stuck with 9 of the things.

 

I can certainly understand that. I'm still debating what to do..you say you still have the stock stereo, I really like the looks of that, know what you might want for that?

 

One Miiilllion Dollars.

 

They make nice door stops, also work well for paperweights. How bout throwing them at mean neighbors?

A simple high power deck now-a-days has more power than them. Plus the signal-to-noise ratio is way better from the new radio...Plus the simplicity is a lot more appealing... Trust me...

 

I gave Mar3 one for free...

I got a shitload of factory radios here, none for a Mazda... But anyone want some factory GM cd players? I got several Honda tape decks, a Jeep tape deck... A top of the line Chrysler radio...?? Anyone need any?

Note: They wont be free tho

 

But then my left knee will hurt from rubbing on the speaker all the time... and it would mean hacking up pristine door panels.

I consider the front speakers to be "throwaway" speakers anyway. They don't do very much.

The rear speaker staging, though, SUCKS. For some reason, even worse in the '85 than in the '80 even though it's the same layout. In the '85, when in the driver's seat all I hear is right speaker. In the passenger seat, all I hear is left speaker.

 

Mean neighbors...interesting...I like the way you think!

I apply the KISS principle as often as possible...this thread definitely confirmed the application of it here for me...

THANKS!

Steve

 

Ive done a lot of cars in my 12+ years of car stereo professional installation. Just take my word for it rewire them

 

I don't know if you'd want the stock radio. The silver on the face is intermittent and the fader joystick seems to like to move on it's own, most often to the left-front position offering the worst of monotone sound.