retrofit information needed, 1993 caprice

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=96058
Printed Date: April 25, 2024 at 1:34 AM

Topic: retrofit information needed, 1993 caprice

Posted By: ecurb
Subject: retrofit information needed, 1993 caprice
Date Posted: July 30, 2007 at 9:48 PM

I have a 1993 chevrolet caprice that has a bad AM/FM DElco Cassette radio and would like to replace it with a same size equivalent or a CD type of same physical size that will fit the dash without any mods and need to know what size radio this is referred to and would like to know what other Vec makes and year models would fit into the same opening, such as Buick, etc?

Replies:

Posted By: i am an idiot
Date Posted: July 31, 2007 at 7:41 AM

According to metraonline.com this vehicle uses a standard gm kit. this should be available from any local shop for about 20 dollars. this kit is the exact size of the factory radio, and has a standard din size opening in it. this allows you to choose any (single din) radio you desire. Metra Electronics Corp. 99-3200 CHEVY CORS/BARET/CAV/CAP 91-96.

Posted By: ecurb
Date Posted: July 31, 2007 at 8:27 AM

i am an idiot wrote:

According to metraonline.com this vehicle uses a standard gm kit. this should be available from any local shop for about 20 dollars. this kit is the exact size of the factory radio, and has a standard din size opening in it. this allows you to choose any (single din) radio you desire. Metra Electronics Corp. 99-3200 CHEVY CORS/BARET/CAV/CAP 91-96.

I want to stay with a Delco Gm radio for the orginal look Radio FM cassette or FM CD! I do not want a single din type retrofit!

So I was asking about what other Vec types and years models radio sizes, etc, that could be installed into the existing dash without retrofit kits, Is their a cross reference list for such or will I just have to look for the same type and year model vec as mine which is very limited in availability???

Posted By: ecurb
Date Posted: July 31, 2007 at 6:33 PM

I found the following 1994 Caprice Sedan radio and would like to know if the following size codes will interchange into the 1993 Caprice Sedan!

1994 Delco Cd radio is size code E, S, U. Depth = 5 3/8 inchs!

1993 Delco Cassette is size code CG, E, GC, IR, UR. Depth 5 3/8 inchs.

Will the 94 CD radio fit into the 93 Caprice sedan cassette radio mounting using my existing mounting hardware without mods to the dash, etc or what would be needed????

Posted By: sparkie
Date Posted: July 31, 2007 at 6:57 PM

I don't know where you got those chassis size codes, but yours is 1 & 1/2 DIN or GM 2000 series. Most GM radios for those years are the same chassis. The brackets are designed to inter change. The problem is that while the radios may appear the same, they sometimes have different circuits in them for different cars. These circuits usually have to do with lighting circuits. You also need to be aware if you have a BOSE radio (labeled on the front). If you do you need another BOSE radio. You should also understand that any original radio for those years is very old and probably won't last long. I understand your preference to keep things stock, but it terms of money spent, it is the wrong decicsion. You can find a couple of companies,(Audiovox and Pioneer) that may still have new radios that are designed with a 1 & 1/2 DIN chassis like yours is. With the addition of a extra plug to wire it in, it will plug directly into your factory harness. Another option, even though you don't like it, is to buy a DIN chassis radio and plate. Your car is 14 years old and it may not last long. A DIN radio is fairly universal and will be able to work in another car when you find the time comes to get rid of the Caprice. You will get better sound and features with an aftermarket radio too. It is still your choice though.

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sparky

Posted By: ecurb
Date Posted: July 31, 2007 at 7:19 PM

sparkie or anyone:

I got those size codes from crutchfields in their will it fit section links! (Are you indicating they are not correct) It goes on to show which radios are retrofit with adapters etc, for the vechicle and seemed to be very good?) Reason I was asking is the 1994 is a CD type radio and only cost about $40 with shipping! I can get a EXACT cassette for about $25 with shipping and if I had a power plug with approx 6 inch wires I could bench test them before installing so that is why I was asking if the code sizes with the letter E common to both indicates a same physical size radio? (My system is not Bose) The Delco GM has a 30 day replacement warrenty so that is why I was leaning that direction!

You are correct about them being old but I'm not a crank up to Max volume and only use the radio for trips, etc and did not want to spend $200 for a retrofit, with cable adapters, antenna adapter, fill plates etc, and I have to take the WHOLE dash out of this vec to get the radio out and I'm doing the work mysel, etc, so I just wanted a straight forward interchange!

Your NEW Opinion to above appreciated??

Thanks!!!!

Posted By: ranger svo
Date Posted: July 31, 2007 at 9:57 PM

Sparkie is right, all GM radios of that era are the same, with the Bose being the only exception.

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The moving power of mathematical invention is not reasoning but imagination.
Augustus de Morgan

Posted By: ecurb
Date Posted: August 01, 2007 at 6:35 AM

It kinda appears from what you guys are saying is the size codes that I found at Crutchfields as CG, E, GC, UR, for a 1993 Caprice and E, S, U, FOR A 1994 is referring to the VECHICLE mounting sizes that will fit and IS NOT the radio! I was thinking these were a code or something on the radio reference lable?

You guys keep referring to DINS, 1. 1 1/2, 2 etc., which is the radio sizes and mine may be a 1 1/2 din SIZE which is a CG maybe? Is there a reference cross reference somewhere from din size to code size?

I was thinking there might be a reliable cross reference list of orginal radio to Year model vec's, etc,!!!

Therefore trying to find a cross reference from vec to vec. by size codes, dins, etc, is not a reliable method???

So a cross-reference from vec makes and types is not a reliable method, for example from a 89-94 Buick Lesabre is not a RELIABLE indicator?

Bottom line is order the CD model and if it don't fit, use it for a trot line weight and order then orginal cassette type and hope it's a good one! If its not any good, sing to yourself while you drive!

Posted By: audiomaninc
Date Posted: August 01, 2007 at 2:07 PM

The Delco CD will work fine as long as it's not a BOSE CD player, as mentioned above. Take all of your cross referencing and model numbers and size codes and throw them in the garbage. ANY GM radio from 1990 to 1994 with the exception of some cadillacs will work. You will just have to remove the mounting brackets from your current broken radio and install them on the new radio. Good luck!

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2003 Dodge Neon R/T
Alpine CDA9813, RF T2000.1bd, RF T162S, RFT142C, RF T600.4, RF T215D4
140.7 @ 28Hz

Posted By: ecurb
Date Posted: August 01, 2007 at 3:35 PM

Audiomanic:

Good info! That is what I had to do!!! Wished you had answer first!

Later

Bruce Sawyer