Aftermarket radio in 77 GMC

[Dragster66ss]

G'mornin,

Inside Scoop has it that Santa may be bringing me a stereo for the 77 pickemup. I checked while I was in the Pep-Boys to pick up a wiring harness. However, the closest one I saw was for 78-87 GM. Until then I was thinking that all the stereos I've seen pre-87 were the same, but now I'm not so sure. I'm hoping to have all the parts when I get ready for the install.

Is there really a different harness required for 77s vs 78-87?

Thanks in advance,

[old Rusty C10]

check with best buy on line they have a catalogue there that can give you almost any vehicle i believe you are right it will work from 73-87 but im not 100% on that best buy would have the info

[Dragster66ss]

Thanks for the tip... This is where I'm looking but do not see one for 82 - UP

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....&type=category

I'm probably looking in the wrong place tho?

Thanks again!

[Pyrotechnic]

I've owned both and the stereo harness IS different between 77 and 78. It's just three wires, but the plug is different. I do not know of any conversion harnesses for these old trucks. Even with a conversion harness, you still need to run a 12V+ constant wire from the fusebox.

They used to make them way back when. Infact, there was one in my 78 that a previous owner had installed.

[TLoz]

About 6 years ago I installed one of the aftermarket radios (with a GMC face plate) in my 77 burb. Had to cut the harness and hardwire. I've been very disappointed with that radio. Sound quality poor and adjustments change everytime you turn it on. Last month I found an AM/FM/Cass in a junker that works great. 5 times the radio. I was able to re-wire and use the old harness. Not all aftermarket products are worth cutting wires for. If I had to do it over, I'd jumper wire it to the floor and try it out for a week or two. My $.02

[Dragster66ss]

Good advice guys. Exacly what i was lookin for. I was gonna get one from a donor truck, but thought (thats what I get for thinking lol) that the aftermart would sound a little better. I'll prob straightwire it in the floor as mentioned for kicks. I may have my electronics guru have a looksee at the original amfm 8track and see if its worth fixing.

Thanks again, I knew someone here would be on top of it.

[Pyrotechnic]

Are you going for a DIN style CD player or a shaft mount cassette player ?

[LBJ]

I just replaced the Radio Shack cassette player/radio I have had in there for over 25 years in my 77. I bought the USA radio from LMC. It's a good radio and the few wires for connection were no big deal. Unless you have some exotic speaker system in there, it should be easy to hook something up with some wire and connectors. I also oredered the replacement stereo speaker set for the original single mono speaker on top of the dash. It sounds good, but needs the kick panel set to go along with it. I'll add that when I get some bigger items out of the way like upholstery and carpet.

[cjracing15]

I would try crutchfield. I love that place. GREAT place to but a car stero. Here is a link I think will help.


http://www.crutchfield.com/S-EVwxqGT...onToolbox.aspx

[Zoomad75]

Here's an option that my Dad came up with so as not to hack the stock radio connector. Go find a stock radio (junk prefered here) and tear it down to remove the plastic connector from it. Add new wires to the new connector to adapt to the new radio's harness.

You still need to run a 12v constant for memory that the factory harness won't have but it's easier to add the one wire than 4 or more. If you are running the stock speakers, you can hook them up through the factory connector too. If your truck originally only had the single dash speaker, you still need to add wires to go to other speakers though.

The nice thing about this trick is you can make up the harness on the bench instead of trying to do wiring under the dash which I hate doing.

Keep in mind, this isn't for any pro level sound system. It's just for retro-fitting a new aftermarket to a truck with a stock radio that you don't want to hack stock wiring.

[Dragster66ss]

I ended up picking up a shaft replacement stereo. Not looking for fancy sound in this one... just better than the portable boombox I have sitting in the seat now LOL.

Thanks again,, all good advice

Please see my other thread for hardware DEstall/install question. I'll edit this with the link. I hope this isn't considered a dreaded "double post".

Cheers.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post2637683