installing radios in a chevy cavalier

[blueangel-eric]

I'm going to be getting a 4 door cavalier next week and don't see a way to mount radios. does anyone know how? is it hard to switch out the stock stereo for a new one?
I have a 785d scanner i use on important outings and have a Icom V8000 i always keep out in the truck. i sold the truck and unfortunately my homemade wooden radio console box won't work for this car.
thanks for any insight.
Eric Burris KC0LDT

 

[NeFire242]

I have a friend who drives a two door cavy. My first thought is good luck to you.

He uses remote mounted radios and his other radio is small enough to mount on the passenger side vertically near the stick shift. Works out well.

Manual transmissions aren't the best option for radio users.

 

[wv8mat]

depending on what year the cav is, you might have to mount the factory radio in the trunk and get a special cable, like 50 bucks to install an aftermarket radio in it, i had a 03 two door, and i had a major problem getting one mobile radio and siren in it, i had alot of problems in that car, i worked at a 911 center that was all vhf, lived and ran fire in a county all uhf and a full size siren in it, major cutting on the center console, i wish i would have taken pics of it, but somehow i didit, lots of man hours, i would recomend remote everything you can!!!

 

[blueangel-eric]

depending on what year the cav is, you might have to mount the factory radio in the trunk and get a special cable, like 50 bucks to install an aftermarket radio in it, i had a 03 two door, and i had a major problem getting one mobile radio and siren in it, i had alot of problems in that car, i worked at a 911 center that was all vhf, lived and ran fire in a county all uhf and a full size siren in it, major cutting on the center console, i wish i would have taken pics of it, but somehow i didit, lots of man hours, i would recomend remote everything you can!!!

The IC V8000 doesn't have a remote head and those aftermarket remote heads for uniden scanners cost several hundreds of dollars. i can't afford to buy different radios.

rereading what you said, why would I put a car stereo in the trunk? how in the world would i operate it that way. i'm confused now.

 

[wv8mat]

to replace the fac radio is like 3-4 hours, if you get that 50 dollar cable, but on the part about the ic v8000 about the best thing is to take the center console and cut the back part of it out that is under the radio and ac controls and stack the stuff there, thats what i did in mine

 

[ctrl]

If this is for a 2000-2004 cavalier... You dont need the 50$ cable to install an aftermarket deck. You dont need to install the factory radio in the trunk with that 50$ cable either.

You do however need a normal 20$ harness. Metra part number 20-2003, its for a geo-tracker, but will work perfect in a 2000-2004 cavalier. You will lose your door chimes. (so dont leave your lights on).

You will need to run a FUSED power wire from the fuse block--or use an 'add-a-circuit' and tap into your wiper's fuse. Either way, you do NOT have 12V+ at the radio to use for other stuff.

Radio Install directions: (http://members.shaw.ca/johnz24/howto/7/7.html) be sure to read all the myth's/other good info on that site that I left out of this post.

Dash removal directions to install radio: (http://www.teamforwardmotion.com/tfmtech/j-body/audio/index.php)

It's a piece of cake. Dash comes off with 10 screws (mostly torx), 3 more for the gauge trim piece-it snaps out after that.

If its for another year, sorry I can't help.

 

[wv8mat]

i dont know about that, my 03 i had prof done and thats what they told me, they tried to wire one in so they didnt have to mount the fac radio in the trunk and it didnt work, i dont know

 

[blueangel-eric]

My new car is going to be a 97 Model. so your saying I would need a $50 cable just to hook a different car stereo? that's expensive.

If this is for a 2000-2004 cavalier... You dont need the 50$ cable to install an aftermarket deck. You dont need to install the factory radio in the trunk with that 50$ cable either.

You do however need a normal 20$ harness. Metra part number 20-2003, its for a geo-tracker, but will work perfect in a 2000-2004 cavalier. You will lose your door chimes. (so dont leave your lights on).

You will need to run a FUSED power wire from the fuse block--or use an 'add-a-circuit' and tap into your wiper's fuse. Either way, you do NOT have 12V+ at the radio to use for other stuff.

Radio Install directions: (http://members.shaw.ca/johnz24/howto/7/7.html) be sure to read all the myth's/other good info on that site that I left out of this post.

Dash removal directions to install radio: (http://www.teamforwardmotion.com/tfmtech/j-body/audio/index.php)

It's a piece of cake. Dash comes off with 10 screws (mostly torx), 3 more for the gauge trim piece-it snaps out after that.

If its for another year, sorry I can't help.

 

[ctrl]

For the 97 model, it should be a matter of buying a 20$ wiring harness, and dash mount kit for a radio.

Try www.j-body.org to get more info about the 97-radio... Full forums for all years of cavaliers.


The method I posted works fine for 2000-2004 only. I drive a 2002 with the setup I posted in the link above. Full aftermarket radio--no 50$ harness, and no factory radio in the trunk.

 

[garys]

All of the stuff about putting the head unit in the trunk for the stereos applies only to 2000 and up J body cars. The 1997 model is very straightforward. The information that ctrl posted is interesting but doesn't apply to your car.

If you have basic mechanical skills you should be able to install it yourself. I buy all of my car stereo gear from www.crutchfield.com. They are in fact a bit more expensive than some other places, but they include any adapters, face plates, mounts, and harnesses that you need and give you detailed instructions on replacing the car stereo.

As to mounting the scanner, you sometimes have to be creative. I've used cellular style pedestal mounts for some cars with factory consoles. Just be sure that any mount you use clears the air bag deployment zones and doesn't interfere with your driving.

Good luck.

Gary

 

[blueangel-eric]

thanks for the help. i'll post back my progress later. i'll be getting the car in about 2 weeks not this week like i though. I'm still waiting on my loan.

 

[cavyboy80]

you can also try clubcavalier.net they have alot howtos for stuff like that

 

[SCPD]

Cavalier install

I'm going to be getting a 4 door cavalier next week and don't see a way to mount radios. does anyone know how? is it hard to switch out the stock stereo for a new one?
I have a 785d scanner i use on important outings and have a Icom V8000 i always keep out in the truck. i sold the truck and unfortunately my homemade wooden radio console box won't work for this car.
thanks for any insight.
Eric Burris KC0LDT

I had a 98 Cavalier with a center console shift. I took out the ashtray. My Alinco DR-150 fit in the hole just fine. Of course both the Cavalier and the Alinco are long gone. But if you're not a smoker, pulling out the ashtray and sticking a radio in the hole there is always an option.

 

[RFJammed]

I have an '03 Cavalier, with a ICOM F521, emergency lights, and a GPS installed. It's kind of a tight fit, but I'll throw some pics in. I've done some slight modification, and have cleaned up the wiring. I'll try to get some newer pics up with the modications. There is a gromet directly above the gas pedal. You can drive a small car through it, so pushing my 6 gauge through wasn't a problem. I'd recommend a bigger battery though; the stock battery I had was junk. Next step is to upgrade some of the wiring, figure out an ignition switch for the radio, and add wig-wags (volunteer firefighter). Trying to get a lower profile look as I get older.

 

[fireboy3100]

Cavalier Install

I had a 03 Chevy Cavalier with the same radio. I mounted my radio in the center counsel. Run the wires under the seat under the center council and drill a very small hole in the bottom of the center. (I leased my car too!) Whats nice with the radio is the fan is pretty heavy duty and kept the radio very cool. The other positive to doing this is that it is out of sight of peeping eyes. You can put the mic. inside too. I just opened the cover to the couonsel and there it sat in its little home! Worked great for me!