quicksilver_rx7

To install a newer model Bose Modular unit into your '93-'95 touring model with the Bose Acoustic Wave System, here is the install procedure.


There are two different head units that you can utilize when doing this. One is the 4H60 unit found in the 2002-2004 Miata. The other one is found in the 2002 Millenia. The difference is that the Miata does not have the rear fader enabled, so you have to splice the rear speakers in the RX-7 into the front channel. This is only for the Bose radio, which has Line-Level outputs vs. the other radios' (protege, tribute,etc...) which use speaker level outputs. (i.e. amplification in the radio unit itself). I take no responsiblity if you fry your radio, wiring, or burn your car down. Enjoy!

Also, this diagram is designed around the use of the Miata radio. If you use a Millienia radio, then just connect the apropriate wires following the pinout listed in the legend


You need the Metra MA03R adapter, as well as the two harness adapters (8-pin & 12-pin connectors) for the RX-7 harness. An extra set of the 8 & 12 pin adapters is needed. All of these items can be found at most car stereo installation facilities (Freemans, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc...). The reason for the extra set of the 8 & 12 pin connectors is because you need to add a couple of pins to one to make the illumination and amp control work properly.


The center plastic bar in the DIN space needs to be removed, and the rear radio support bar needs to be modified to allow room for the connector on the Modular unit. The factory antenna wire on the 75 ohm pole mast has a female end, and the radio end is integrated into the unit, so you will need an antenna adapter that is male on both ends because the antenna receiver on the back of the newer modular unit has a female connector. The smaller glass antenna is not used, unless a male-to-male connector can be found. See picture below for the wiring diagram

FDNena

iTrader: (2)

This is a great write-up. Nice diagram!

I say Sticky!!!!

quicksilver_rx7

F.Y.I.

The install procedure for the non-bose Modular unit into a non-Bose equipped RX-7 is the same. All you need to do is connect pins 2A, 2B, 2F, 2H on the 8-pin connector to pins S, U, V, X on the din connector to have fader control over the rear speakers. Follow the pin-out in the legend for correct phasing.

Additional information can be found here as well.

quicksilver_rx7

The non-Bose head units that will work for the non-Bose cars are the Protege, Protege5, and the (I think) Millenia. The deal with the Millenia radio is to make sure it has amber back-lighting.

Also, the Bose-equipped RX-7 does not have fader control either, so I assume that the best setup would be with a Miata radio (no fader control) since the Millenia will have fader control, and could screw with the sound quality.

quicksilver_rx7

It looks as though your connectors are reversed from the U.S. spec connectors. It would make sense, given that your car should be RHD. (It is RHD, correct?)

Joe

saxyman990

So who has installed an alternative bose headunit from a different car? What were your opinions on it? How does it compare to the FD Bose head unit?

-Rob

quicksilver_rx7

That's what I was referencing. The connector in my diagram is from the socket side (a.ka. pin side, not the harness side)

I have done this myself. That was the point of the write-up. I personally like it better than the stock one. Some of it is just asthetics. But, I'm sure that the CD player is of better quality given the newer technology. The specific unit that I used was from a 2002 Bose Miata. The reason for this is because the Miata system is set up very similar to the RX-7. The other cars have more speakers and such.

saxyman990

Great info, thanks! I've been looking for something to replace my bose headunit with, and this seems to be almost exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for the help.

Are any of these headunits available with red/amber backlighting? Or are they all green?

-Rob

quicksilver_rx7

The only Bose radios that I am aware of with amber lighting is the Miata and (I think, but not sure) the 2002-2003 Millenia. The protege radio has amber lighting as well, but Bose was not offered in that car. Also, it is possible to take a Bose radio from, say, a 626, and replace the diode (I believe that is the correct term) to an amber one.

The only thing that I see wrong with the Miata radio is the fact that it has a top-up/top-down setting under the audio adjustment setting. While this does not affect performance, it just seems a little funny having a radio with that kind of adjustment on a car with a fixed roof.

Joe

saxyman990

Yes, please post pics whenever you get the chance. I'm very interested in this.

Thanks guys!
-Rob

FDNena

iTrader: (2)

Just a bit of an FYI...I bought a Bose Millenia headunit which came with green backlighting and just converted it over. I used red condoms although the orange would have given me an amber color I prefer the color on the needles to my gauges so I went with that instead. It looks really good IMO. I have an extra set of orange condoms/lamp covers for the radio if anyone is interested in converting their unit.

quicksilver_rx7

That's hilarious. But, if it works that's great. Like I stated earlier, the diode can be replaced to an amber one, if you're that confident in your electronics and soldering skills.

Joe

hub_01_69

Hate to bring this back from the grave but I've been searching for a couple of hours with no luck. Which radio, bose or non-bose, would be best to use for a non bose rx7 with an aftermarket amplifier pushing the rear speakers? Basically which factory unit would work the best for getting an audio signal to an aftermarket amplifer?

Thanks

DarkLikePoe

Yikes, three months and no reply? I hope he figured it out... probably a Millenia unit. I have one in silver if anyone wants it.

sevensheaven

iTrader: (1)

Getting ready to take the dive, can't wait to hear a nice stereo again!

Terry7

sevensheaven

iTrader: (1)

Here's some updated info so far, adapter harness car side, need two. Typed in "Bose wiring" on Ebay, It came up with a short list of adapters, our adapter costs 1 cent and you pay actual shipping to your zip. I'm waiting on a shipping qoute for two harnesses.

Terry7

roland88

I've seen the same looking head unit around without the Bose label, does that mean this is not a Bose unit and it won't work?

pinkrx7

iTrader: (2)

so all in all you will need a metra MA03R connector, a male to male antenna adapter, annddd... im lost after that 2 12 and 8 pin stcok rx7 connectors?!

sevensheaven

iTrader: (1)

the other harnesses (2) are what plug into the stock bose stereo harness, you need two, because one is for donnor purposes. A couple of extra wires need to be taken from one and added to the other harness. So you will really only be using one of them.

I have everything won on ebay auction, so I'm just waiting to get it all.

Terry7

sevensheaven

iTrader: (1)

The radio arrived today and music should fill my ears by the weekend!

ppritchard

Be sure and crank it up "before" you press it all the way in. If you have any wires wrong or bad connections that's the time to know. If you have it all the way in and there's a problem, getting it out might not be as easy as getting it in.

Good Luck!

sevensheaven

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for your input, but I have already planed to test it and may even give it some time after its finished before I give it that last push all the way in.

I spent twenty years as a Marine working on aircraft avionics so extra attention to wiring will be the norm for anything I do electrically on my car!

I'll post some pix of the back of the stereo and the plugs I'm using. I have already pulled one extra wire and repined it in a different plug tonight.