Wiring stero into a 72...?

[Raze]

Need help wiring up a stereo into a 72. I have a thread in the electrical section where I'm documenting repairing burned up wires, cut out/missing systems, etc, and all the fun associated with it. I got all the lights, fans, signals, wipers, brake lights working but there is an aftermarket stereo in there which must have worked once upon a time ago but no longer. I need some help knowing how to get it wired up to work as I'd like to have it. Any info, links, etc appreciated.

-Jeff

[maytag]

Jeff:
you've had a number of views to this topic, but no replies yet. I'll admit that I didn't reply at first because the question seems a little road in scope. Broad might be a ood word.

Are you trying to get power to it? Or speaker wiring?
Are you interested in the factory wiring? Or doing your own because the factory wiring is gone?

[Raze]

Well it's vague because I don't know the history of stereos in these cars, it looks like it didn't have one originally but was added after the fact, I'm not so concerned with wiring to the speakers as there are only 2 in a shelf build by the PO where the rear seat was. I'm more interested in the wiring to the headunit. I did some more inspection and there's a thin 18 gauge wire running to a 4 prong plug from the ignition switch which supplies power to the unit. I guess my biggest question/concern is how spider owners who didn't have a sound system to start with wired in their system, if they put in inline fuses, bypasses the fuse block altogether and ran a separate power line off the ignition switch (as is the case in my car presently), or what. Really I just need to see how someone wired up a spider for sound.

[mdrburchette]

These cars did not come with radios so you have to work without a plug-n-play harness. My 72 Spider radio is an old Pioneer cassette player and is wired to the ignition switch. There should be an extra spade connector on the back of the switch. I have to turn the radio off manually or it stays on whether the car is on or not. My 71 is wired to the console courtesy lamp. It's an old 8 track tape player so it doesn't need constant energy for something as modern as a clock or preprogrammed stations. Does you radio have installation instructions? You can usually call the manufacturer or go online for help. I called Pioneer and they were happy to send me a schematic and help me over the phone.

[Raze]

It's an old Dual, I'll have to call em, but honestly I don't know if it even works so I may just CL a cheapo used one.

[mdrburchette]

Good luck with it. I was looking through some of my extra parts and found a harness from a 72...just in case you need anything.

[Daniel]

Hey Raze

If you want to play it safe run a wire for power to your battery and place a inline fuse on it this is
the practice used by good Stereo shops for classic cars ! that way nothing is touched under the dash
run a ground somewhere and use a self tapping screw for that . If you need a Aux or Ignition Power
wire as well use a test light or Ohms meter to find a switched power off the main ignition harness
choose only the larger wires to source your power from, I would use an inline fuse on that wire as well .


Hope that helps


Daniel

[Daniel]

Btw If yoo are going to get your Aux / Ign Power from the Harness find the wire then disconnect the Battery
before stripping back the insulation if you want to play it safe .

[Ken]

If you have the annoying seat belt alarm just unplug it from the ignition switch and use that, then you just stick in the key and the radio plays

[Raze]

Hey Raze

If you want to play it safe run a wire for power to your battery and place a inline fuse on it this is
the practice used by good Stereo shops for classic cars ! that way nothing is touched under the dash
run a ground somewhere and use a self tapping screw for that . If you need a Aux or Ignition Power
wire as well use a test light or Ohms meter to find a switched power off the main ignition harness
choose only the larger wires to source your power from, I would use an inline fuse on that wire as well .


Hope that helps


Daniel

Thanks Daniel, that sounds like the best advice right there, and after seeing the problems I'm having with how it's wired in right now I'm convinced this is the best route to take.