Club 80-90 Forums

I'm looking to buy a stereo for my van, only thing is i am usless (at most things) but extremely bad with wires etc..

the previous owner didnt have a stereo, but did have a radio. so there is a radio plug thing...

will i need some sort of wiring kit to get a stereo to work? or is it just a case of wiring some speakers up and poking the wires in the back of the head unit?


thanks in advance.

Matt.

Have you got the stereo you want to fit already? If not, get one from Halfords with free fitting!

a modern stereo will usully have
1.earth
2.constant live
3. ignition live
4. speaker wire, 2 wires per speaker (-) (+)
5.(depending, out puts for an amp eg remote turn on, phono outs etc..)
You need to wire up a contant live (usually straight from batt) or trace a suitable one in the dash if you do wire a whole new cable remember to put a fuse in it.
Earth, speaks for itself as do the speaker wires.
Then trace the ignition live cable (this is only live when the ignition is switched on). you can connect the constant live with the ign so that the stereo can be turned on when the ign is off (double check this before connecting).
all this can be connected to an iso block (think that the correct tech name) then if you by a new stereo you wont have to mess on with all this again just plug the new one in.
bit of a long waffel on, hope it helps give us a shout if you get stuck

owlets wrote:Have you got the stereo you want to fit already? If not, get one from Halfords with free fitting!

i would do, but halfords is £80 more expensive for the same stereo.

leroy99 wrote:a modern stereo will usully have
1.earth
2.constant live
3. ignition live
4. speaker wire, 2 wires per speaker (-) (+)
5.(depending, out puts for an amp eg remote turn on, phono outs etc..)
You need to wire up a contant live (usually straight from batt) or trace a suitable one in the dash if you do wire a whole new cable remember to put a fuse in it.
Earth, speaks for itself as do the speaker wires.
Then trace the ignition live cable (this is only live when the ignition is switched on). you can connect the constant live with the ign so that the stereo can be turned on when the ign is off (double check this before connecting).
all this can be connected to an iso block (think that the correct tech name) then if you by a new stereo you wont have to mess on with all this again just plug the new one in.
bit of a long waffel on, hope it helps give us a shout if you get stuck

thanks for going thru it, i will give it a go, and take some photos after its finished... if i succeed

Dude - Buy the stereo of your choice and then contact me! £35/hour if you come to me (Gillingham) or £45/hour if you want me to come to you.

I've just done this myself with a unit chosen from the halfords display as wel as the speakers.
then went to Amazon and got £80 off inc delivery for the head and saved £40 on the speakers...on some stuff amazon offer free delivery.

fitting...be mindful that you are limited to space at the rear of the unit because of the heater blower
A pioneer DEH-30MP fitted nicely

Phone around local car stereo places, bear in mind if it is £40 cheaper from the net by the time you've paid to have it posted, fitted and if the unit goes faulty more post and no person there in the shop to shout at you may be better off jus poopin to a shop - if we dont use shops they will go...
Not that that stops me using the net all the time like...