just bought 2002 monte carlo system in need help with a few things...

what do i use to hook up my amp to stock head unti bein there are no rca inputs...
2nd question (only keeping stock head for few months)was told when replacing with aftermarket head unit i have to purchase special chip because of alarm???is that true how much do they run if anybody knows here??

thanks

 

if your car has an RDS radio in it, be prepared to spend in excess of 100 bucks just for the wiring harness to install an aftermarket deck. as far as i'm aware that's really the only thing you need to look out for.

all you need to hook up the rca's is a line out converter. any self-respecting car audio shop will have one.

 

Buy an amp with a built in high level converter, you will get a really dirty signal if you keep running the speakers on the tapped signal - as in stop using the channels that are going to the amp to run speakers. I would buy a 4channel amp and send an amped signal back to the speakers.

 

the part you need for your car is made by metra electronics and the model number is the GMOS-01. We have it at circuit city for $119.99....But thats only if your going to switch out your factory head unit. The way you can tell if you need this part is you sit in your car with the drivers door open...put the key to the ACC position...if you hear the door chime coming out of the drivers door through the speaker...you need this part....All this part does is integrate your factory door chimes and some vehicle diagnostics...necessary for the install....also you dont have any ACC+ wire behind your radio....hope this helps you out!!!

 

Yea they are all right about the parts you need. Your best bet is to just save the money you will spend on line out converters which are about 20 bucks a pop and just put that money toward that connection you will need. You will be much more satisfied with that instead of dropping like 40 bucks in line outs just to use for 1-2 months.

 

There is also a 'T' harness available, that keeps you factory head unit hooked up in the trunk. Sounds silly, but they work. Basically, you get one end that plugs into the factory plug, pigtails for your new stereo, and this 20 or so foot long hunk of wires that goes to the trunk, and plugs into your factory stereo. Its somewhat stupid, but its half the price of the fancy electronic adapter, sometime even less. The factory radio will be completely out of the audio loop, it just needs to 'check in' with the car each time you turn it on.

Not sure on the Monte, but on the some chev's, like the 00-05 impala, pulling the factory radio out, without the metra or peripheral adapter will screw up the airbag system. Just turning the key on with the radio unplugged is enough. Why the radio has anything to do with the airbags is beyond me. Point is, don't try and install an aftermarket radio without one of these fixes.

Toby

 

Yeah you can do it this way also.....im not sure what the part number is off the top of my head something like Metra 71-2003-1.....this allows for you to keep the factory radio in the car...i.e. in the trunk or under a seat...and still be able to use an aftermarket head unit....each way will work the same just depend on if u wanan keep the radio somewhere or if u just wanna have it out completely

 

Get the Metra GMRC01 when swapping out the radio. Its $70. If you have Bose or Onstar theres more adaptors you have to get. If youre keeping the stock radio and just want to add an amp get yourself a $15 LOC and have at it.

 

yep, gotta love chevy for that one. i can't even count the number of sales that have walked because of that damn radio.

 

I hear ya on that one lol...but have them look at the bright side...they will only have to buy it once .

And also, WHERE can you find that part for like 70 bucks? I would like to know.