Used radios cost as much as new. Why?

[Holophote]

I've got to replace the radio in a 1991
Taurus wagon. Stores like AutoZone have
"do-it yourself" kits that allow you to
buy an aftermarket radio and match up the
radio chassis and modular plugs. I found
a set of modular plug adapters that appear
to match the two connectors in the Taurus
exactly. The adapters have cut and stripped
wires which are connected up to your new
aftermarket radio. My only concern is how
good are the instructions that come with
aftermarket radios or the adapter kits?
Will I have any trouble matching up the
adapter wires to my new radio?

The alternative to an aftermarket radio
is to buy a working used unit. I checked
out a few web sites that claim to have tens
of millions of parts in their databases.
The average price was around $150.00. This
price is insane unless these radios are
rebuilt or remanufactured like many other
auto parts are.

If these "do-it yourself" kits are easy
to use and have a clear set of instructions
I'll definitely buy an aftermarket radio.

I've done all sorts of electrical and
electronic related stuff over the years,
but I've never installed a car radio.

Should I go with the aftermarket radio or
try to hunt down a reasonably priced exact
replacement?

[joe.ker]

"Holophote" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> I've got to replace the radio in a 1991
> Taurus wagon. Stores like AutoZone have
> "do-it yourself" kits that allow you to
> buy an aftermarket radio and match up the
> radio chassis and modular plugs. I found
> a set of modular plug adapters that appear
> to match the two connectors in the Taurus
> exactly. The adapters have cut and stripped
> wires which are connected up to your new
> aftermarket radio. My only concern is how
> good are the instructions that come with
> aftermarket radios or the adapter kits?
> Will I have any trouble matching up the
> adapter wires to my new radio?
>
> The alternative to an aftermarket radio
> is to buy a working used unit. I checked
> out a few web sites that claim to have tens
> of millions of parts in their databases.
> The average price was around $150.00. This
> price is insane unless these radios are
> rebuilt or remanufactured like many other
> auto parts are.
>
> If these "do-it yourself" kits are easy
> to use and have a clear set of instructions
> I'll definitely buy an aftermarket radio.
>
> I've done all sorts of electrical and
> electronic related stuff over the years,
> but I've never installed a car radio.
>
> Should I go with the aftermarket radio or
> try to hunt down a reasonably priced exact
> replacement?
>

Most all head units these days use a standard color code, so the colors on
an aftermarket radio should match the wire color of the harness adapter.
the most difficult part of your install may removing the factory unit

[Holophote]

I really feel like a dummy, joe.ker.

It should have been obvious to me that the harness
adapter wire colors would be carefully chosen to
match up with almost all the aftermarket radios
available today. I don't know why I even had to
ask the question!

As far as removing the factory radio is concerned,
there really is no problem. The entire Taurus/Sable
line made in the early '90's used a set of four short
rods to remove the radio. The ones I purchased
were called "Factory Radio Removal Tool Set." Each
rod had a small notch at the end. The rods are
inserted into four holes on the radio faceplate.
When you pressed the rods in an outward direction
the metal clips holding the radio in the dashboard
mounting slot are released. You simply pull the
rods forward and the radio comes with it.

Thanks joe.ker.

[Matt Ion]

Actually, that price for a used factory deck is WAY cheaper than a "new"
factory-installed deck. Dealers/factories typically tack a ridiculous
amount on the price to include the "stock" system - my dad bought a new
Dodge pickup once and getting it without the factory *AM RADIO* and
single dash speaker saved him $300. When I used to work installing
professionally ('90-ish) a good portion of our installs were people who
opted out of the factory system because they could get an aftermarket
system - deck *and* speakers, sometimes even a small amp - that was five
times better than the factory system, for the same price.

Holophote wrote:

> I've got to replace the radio in a 1991
> Taurus wagon. Stores like AutoZone have
> "do-it yourself" kits that allow you to
> buy an aftermarket radio and match up the
> radio chassis and modular plugs. I found
> a set of modular plug adapters that appear
> to match the two connectors in the Taurus
> exactly. The adapters have cut and stripped
> wires which are connected up to your new
> aftermarket radio. My only concern is how
> good are the instructions that come with
> aftermarket radios or the adapter kits?
> Will I have any trouble matching up the
> adapter wires to my new radio?
>
> The alternative to an aftermarket radio
> is to buy a working used unit. I checked
> out a few web sites that claim to have tens
> of millions of parts in their databases.
> The average price was around $150.00. This
> price is insane unless these radios are
> rebuilt or remanufactured like many other
> auto parts are.
>
> If these "do-it yourself" kits are easy
> to use and have a clear set of instructions
> I'll definitely buy an aftermarket radio.
>
> I've done all sorts of electrical and
> electronic related stuff over the years,
> but I've never installed a car radio.
>
> Should I go with the aftermarket radio or
> try to hunt down a reasonably priced exact
> replacement?
>


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[joe.ker]

"Holophote" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>I really feel like a dummy, joe.ker.
>
> It should have been obvious to me that the harness
> adapter wire colors would be carefully chosen to
> match up with almost all the aftermarket radios
> available today. I don't know why I even had to
> ask the question!
>
> As far as removing the factory radio is concerned,
> there really is no problem. The entire Taurus/Sable
> line made in the early '90's used a set of four short
> rods to remove the radio. The ones I purchased
> were called "Factory Radio Removal Tool Set." Each
> rod had a small notch at the end. The rods are
> inserted into four holes on the radio faceplate.
> When you pressed the rods in an outward direction
> the metal clips holding the radio in the dashboard
> mounting slot are released. You simply pull the
> rods forward and the radio comes with it.
>
> Thanks joe.ker.
>

Yes, I know about those keys. But I have seen many people try sticking a
coat hanger, or nail in those holes and bending the release tabs, making it
near impossible to remove the radio.
If you have the radio out, then the install is one of the easiest vehicles
do do.

good luck

[mm]

On Fri, 14 Oct 2005 06:51:09 GMT, Matt Ion >
wrote:

>Actually, that price for a used factory deck is WAY cheaper than a "new"
>factory-installed deck. Dealers/factories typically tack a ridiculous
>amount on the price to include the "stock" system - my dad bought a new
>Dodge pickup once and getting it without the factory *AM RADIO* and
>single dash speaker saved him $300.

I've always wondered about that. Fancy radios (my data is old: with
a cassette player, and equalizer, but before there were outboard amps
and woofers) can be 600 dollars. I know there are a few extra
considerations for a moving bouncing radio, but nowhere near that much
afaik.

So 150 dollars for the original radio is a good price.

> When I used to work installing
>professionally ('90-ish) a good portion of our installs were people who
>opted out of the factory system because they could get an aftermarket
>system - deck *and* speakers, sometimes even a small amp - that was five
>times better than the factory system, for the same price.

Aren't car alarms like that too? The factory alarms I have seen don't
have very many features, and usually just blow the horn. They don't
bother to put in a siren. And I don't think they lock the hood more
than any other car. Once the perp is in the car, he can open the hood
and take the wires off the horns.....Wait a second. Aren't the horns
often available from behind the front bumper?


Remove NOPSAM to email me. Please let
me know if you have posted also.

[Matt Ion]

mm wrote:

> Aren't car alarms like that too? The factory alarms I have seen don't
> have very many features, and usually just blow the horn. They don't
> bother to put in a siren. And I don't think they lock the hood more
> than any other car. Once the perp is in the car, he can open the hood
> and take the wires off the horns.....Wait a second. Aren't the horns
> often available from behind the front bumper?

Depends on the vehicle. On our minivan, they're between the grille and
the radiator. On my Honda, the stock horns are inside the fenders
behind the bumper and pretty much inaccessible without removing body
parts.


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