Bose w/Factory Sub HU Swapout: Gurus Inside!

I think my HU is about to go. The display flicker... goes blank... comes back again... etc. :eek:
I've been looking around at Pioneer HU's, some Alpines, Kenwoods, etc. I've been looking around for diagrams for a '95 factory system and have come up empty.

What EXACTLY will I need to do the swap using the factory speakers AND the factory sub???
Do the Bose setups use seperate amps on each speaker like I've heard?

Do I need one of these PAC things I've just heard of tonight? Which model?

Anything else I will need besides a single DIN-mounting kit? And will the swap sound decent using the factory amps and speakers?

Things have changed a helluvalot since I last did a "car stereo" installation. These are called "head units" now? LOL I'm showing my old age! :eek:

Please answer any and all questions as best you can and add anything else that is helpful! Thanks very much in advance! :bow:

go to wal-mart and get a "reducer" i believe that is what it is called. Made by Scocshe (sp) FAI-3. Cost is about $17 - $20. This piece is wired in and drops your output going to your speakers to keep from blowing them.

btw, unless you plan on changing out your bose speakers later, there will be no need to spend extra money on a HU that has a higher watt output, dropping the output defeats it anyways.

Yes, each speaker has its own amp which is why you have to drop the output of the aftermarket HU to keep from blowing the speakers.

It will still sound good, however, I added a separate amp and two 8" speakers to accent things a little bit.

Hope this helps.

If you want to use the PAC OEM-1 ( a nice LOC [Line Output Converter] that plugs into the factory wiring) you'll need to use the GM21 harness (NOT the GM21C).

Along with the install kit you'll need an antenna adapter. GM uses a mini antenna plug that requires an adapter to fit in the standard size antenna plug that your new HU uses.

A word of advice....Stay away from Pioneer equipment. I've been installing for 26 years and in that time I have had more problems with Pioneer gear than all the others combined.

"...will the swap sound decent with the factory amps and speakers"? It will sound OK but not it's best. In order to get the best sound possible from a new HU you need to get the OEM1 and the rest of the factory equipment out of the equation.

Thanks for the replies!

Are there any HU's that will allow me to use the factory sub as well?

What are some decent units out there now days? I've always had good luck with Pioneer units but that was over 10 years ago! :eek:

The OEM-1 will let any HU that you connect to it keep all of the BOSE speakers. Including the sub.

Get yourself an Alpine or a Kenwood. You can't go wrong with either of them.

But... do I need a HU with 3 sets of pre-outs? Or a HU with a sub-channel out? I'm guessing the OEM-1 doesn't use the RCA's?

Or is the Bose sub tied into the rear channels somehow?

Sorry for the ignorance... and thanks again!

OK so which level converter is better... less noise... better sound... etc. ... the FAI-3 or the PAC OEM-1? Thanks again!