89 radio differences

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TechNova

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I have an 89 Sierra with the equalizer and cassette. The current radio works occasionally, wont work occasionally and often creates the sound I would liken to the phony sound of a gun silencer on TV.

I want to eliminate the EQ and cassette, I am hoping to find the cubby to replace them.

I have access to junkyard trucks, do I need to find a radio and booster from a non EQ/cassette truck?
I am hoping to find a booster (by the gas pedal) in the junkyard, keep my head and just remove the EQ/cassette from mine and use the replacement booster to get my radio working.
An online refurb place lists the head and booster as different depending on whether or not there is an EQ.
 

88monteSS

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There was also a version with just the tape deck & a small cubby next to it. I'd guess the best way would be to get the radio/booster from the same truck so you know they're compatible.
 

Eveready

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If the current radio works at all it is very (like 99 percent) likely to be bad filter capacitors which is a very easy fix. You would have to open the part bolted to the firewall above the accelerator pedal. .
That part is standard on all the radios and the equalizer and tape deck plug into it. You could also swap in the part from another truck but likely would be just as likely to blow without replacing those capacitors.

I like the modern radio in the center approach as I like having the bluetooth speakerphone, but if you want the old radio you will need to fix that firewall unit. What you are hearing may be a blown speaker as those speakers are horrible and tend to blow. First part of any fix would be to replace all four.
 
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PlayingWithTBI

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I like the modern radio in the center approach as I like having the bluetooth speakerphone, but if you want the old radio you will need to fix that firewall unit. What you are hearing may be a blown speaker as those speakers are horrible and tend to blow. First part of any fix would be to replace all four.

X2 - And add a powered subwoofer
 

Eveready

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X2 - And add a powered subwoofer

I am perfectly happy with just the modern radio and the four normal speakers. If you are into hip hop or metal then you might indeed want the subwoofer. All I wanted was a good solid radio that also would handle bluetooth cell phone connections. The microphone is clipped to the sun visor and it works really well.

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PlayingWithTBI

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I'm into classic rock (can't stand hip hop or heavy metal), and I did upgrade my B-pillar speakers with the best Circuit City had (when they were still alive LOL). the subwoofer adds at lot more dimension to the sound, I keep it at ~30% as I don't care for bone crushing levels either. Here's a couple links for the dash kit and the cheapest website I've found for A/V equipment...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00029X1LE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.parts-express.com/?utm_...Ihrmzjs274AIVrx6tBh1rOQ_nEAAYASAAEgIMkvD_BwE#!
 

Eveready

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I'm into classic rock (can't stand hip hop or heavy metal), and I did upgrade my B-pillar speakers with the best Circuit City had (when they were still alive LOL). the subwoofer adds at lot more dimension to the sound, I keep it at ~30% as I don't care for bone crushing levels either. Here's a couple links for the dash kit and the cheapest website I've found for A/V equipment...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00029X1LE/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.parts-express.com/?utm_...Ihrmzjs274AIVrx6tBh1rOQ_nEAAYASAAEgIMkvD_BwE#!

Parts express is great. We probably ought to let this gent have his thread back since he wants to have the original radio refurbed. By the way all the firewall parts are the same. The equalizer and tape deck plug into different parts of the same connector. i agree that a subwoofer really does add something if you want to use space for it. I sure enjoy the one with my TV surround sound in the house. My prime interest was "just a radio" and the phone connection. That really modernizes the truck.
 

TechNova

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I understand threads can veer off sometimes.
Is there info on this forum for replacing the capacitors? I can fix anything on the truck but electrical is my weak area.
I have no interest in a radio half way across the dash I want it in the stock location.
Knowing the booster is the same for all helps a lot if I decide to just pull another from a yard.
I have new B pilar speakers but just have the wires run up front. I am not worried about them or replacing the fronts until I get the radio working.
I also need to fix the antenna end per the GM TSB.
Radio Shack has an adaptor the plugs into the antenna socket on the back of the radio to allow me to connect an Ipod. I have one on my daughter's Chevelle, that's about as advanced as I need for audio.
 

Eveready

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I understand threads can veer off sometimes.
Is there info on this forum for replacing the capacitors? I can fix anything on the truck but electrical is my weak area.

Good basic information here:

https://antiqueradio.org/recap.htm

I have no interest in a radio half way across the dash I want it in the stock location.

In that case you will need to either recap as mentioned or buy one of the OEM style new radios that fit the dash. The advantage of those is that they are smaller and don't have the box on the firewall. That box by the way is the radio and the amp. The part in the dash is just a control head .

Knowing the booster is the same for all helps a lot if I decide to just pull another from a yard.

Those radios are notorious for crapping out . You might install the same problem you just removed.

I have new B pilar speakers but just have the wires run up front. I am not worried about them or replacing the fronts until I get the radio working.

If you are using the stock harness you have wires for all speakers so it is an easy fix.


I also need to fix the antenna end per the GM TSB.
Radio Shack has an adaptor the plugs into the antenna socket on the back of the radio to allow me to connect an Ipod. I have one on my daughter's Chevelle, that's about as advanced as I need for audio.

If you don't need phone connection that will be fine. I really wanted the bluetooth.
 
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