Installing a radio/cd stereo system
 

I have a 1970 Chevy C10 P/U which I have been slowly restoring. I am now in the process of getting a stereo system. The truck had been wired with a previous system but I am not sure if it the right one. What sort of adapter will work on the dash? WHat sort of wiring system do I need to buy etc. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Re: Installing a radio/cd stereo system
 

I am going to be doing on in my 68 soon. If you are asking about adapting to the stock wiring harness - mine only has a power wire (goes to the fuse panel) and a green and black wire pair that go to the stock center dash speaker.

If yours is set up like this, the easiest way is to just start fresh. You can use the factory hot wire, and then run your speaker wires and ground wire fresh (you would need new multiple wires for any speakers anyway).

Stereos are fairly easy to wire in, and I usually find it easier to start from scratch than trying to figure out someone else's wiring system.

Re: Installing a radio/cd stereo system
 

Look at the installation instructions. It will tell you what you need to know and what you need to connect. Basically, these late systems need 12V, switched. It needs a good ground. Then, you'll need 12V that is constant, meaning it isn't switched. That unswitched voltage is used to retain the memory of the unit. Without it, you'll have to reprogram it every time you turn it on. Beyond that, there's a wire that powers a power antenna...you may not need that one. Then, there are wires for each channel, positive and negative for each of two or four channels.

Bottom line: You shouldn't give any thought about how the previous radio was connected. You need to know what each wire you're gonna connect, is connected to. As for a harness to adapt a late radio to the original wiring, just know that the original radio had 12V, a ground and a short harness that connected the speaker to the radio.

The antenna? It's a no-brainer.