Experience Installing Radio In Mid-90s Gmc?

LilD · March 12, 2008

Ive got a 94 Sierra that has the big square radio and a seperate tape player/eq to the right on the dash. I want to install an updated cd/mp3 player. It looks like I may be able to install it where the tape player/eq is but Im not sure. Can somebody give me some direction here?

callisto · March 13, 2008

I have done the stereo in a 92 and an 89. It's kinda involved, so be prepared.

First thing is go to walmart and buy both the large plastic dash adapter as well as the plug adapter. Both are required to do it right.

Next thing is to pop the entire plastic piece that surrounds the tape deck. This is also the air vents. It pops out from the bottom, and the top slides down and out. This part is replace entirely by the dash adapter, but don't throw it away. That piece of plastic is pretty expensive.

Unscrew the tape deck, pull out slightly, and unplug the cables from the back.

Next is removing the actual radio box. This is not the head unit on the dash. The box is under the dash, to the right and above the gas pedal. Unscrew any screws holding it in place and remove.

There should be some cables plugged into two sockets that look like they are built into a support or something; unplug these. The plug adapter you bought plugs into this. The adapter should come with a wire color code, so match the colors of the wires to the wiring harness of your new stereo. These sockets are near where the radio box was.

To mount the stereo in the new plastic piece you first have to install the sleeve. The new stereo should come with a metal "sleeve" which you put in first, bending out the tabs to anchor it to the plastic piece.

Install the plastic piece on the dash. Reverse from the removal.

Pull plug out and plug into stereo, then slide the stereo into the sleeve. I like to check that the stereo works before sliding it in.

The head unit on the dash is now useless. It does not have any power. There are things out there that can turn it into a little storage compartment, or you can figure out how to get power to it and use it as a clock. Or you can just leave it dead. Up to you. If you want the storage you have to remove the head unit, which is a process in itself.

If you are installing a new stereo I would reccomend installing new speakers too. The stock speakers may not be able to handle the new, higher power and won't last long. Plus the stock speakers sound really bad, so new speakers would be a very good idea anyway.

Thats it. Hope that helps. Anyone that has any other info please add/correct.

thecraft · March 13, 2008

You will also need an antenna adapter.

Rather than buying all the gear needed from Walmart, try Crutchfield. If you buy a $129+ head unit from them, they will give you the installation instructions, dash kit, storage pocket (goes where the stock radio is now), wiring harness, and antenna adapter for free.

LilD · March 13, 2008

Thank you for the detailed info.

LilD · March 13, 2008

I got a crutchfield catalog a few months ago. Ill have to see if I can dig it up. I was thinking that spot on the dash where the head unit is now would make a good place for a small tach. It wouldnt be too tough to fab a panel to put there for a gauge or whatever.

Those stock speakers do suck pretty bad. I have a set of Fosgate components made for a 4x6 space and a pair of 5 1/4 seperates that I think I can make fit on the doors. Maybe close off the top of the pockets in the bottom of the doors and use them as an inclosure. Ill have to do some serious looking and measuring this weekend.

94sierra · March 30, 2008

I just installed cd/mp3 player into my 94, and i removed the factory radio and installed the dash pocket, but what do you do with the wires from original factory radio? I'm also having a problem with my dash lights and dimmer. Do the old wires have something to do with the dimmer on the dash?

thecraft · March 30, 2008

I got a crutchfield catalog a few months ago. Ill have to see if I can dig it up. I was thinking that spot on the dash where the head unit is now would make a good place for a small tach. It wouldnt be too tough to fab a panel to put there for a gauge or whatever.
Those stock speakers do suck pretty bad. I have a set of Fosgate components made for a 4x6 space and a pair of 5 1/4 seperates that I think I can make fit on the doors. Maybe close off the top of the pockets in the bottom of the doors and use them as an inclosure. Ill have to do some serious looking and measuring this weekend.

I've seen people put tachs where the stock unit was and even put 6"x9" in the doors, so it's all possible.

I just installed cd/mp3 player into my 94, and i removed the factory radio and installed the dash pocket, but what do you do with the wires from original factory radio? I'm also having a problem with my dash lights and dimmer. Do the old wires have something to do with the dimmer on the dash?

The wires going to the old controller that was above the A/C controls? Those should come out with the controller, they're useless to your aftermarket head unit.

Did you use a wiring harness to install your head unit? Check and make sure that the orange/white wire hasn't shorted out.