Radio question - stock antenna wire and aftermarket stereo

[AJMBLAZER]

For the life of me I don't know this...Big Ugly didn't have a stereo or antenna when I got it.

I've finally had it with the stock radio in The Blazer and am putting a nice Dual CD player/Bluetooth/HD/MP3/USB/etc etc etc head unit in it. I found a local guy who sells car stereo parts out of his garage and he's got all the stuff to do it minus the stereo but he says I need an adapter between the stock antenna wire and the aftermarket radio. Is this correct? Just wondering if I really need to spend the $10 or so for it.

 

[rob h]

When i changed the stereo in my 83 i didnt need an adapter for the size change just to make it longer, the newer vehicles have a smaller antenna that need a adapter to the larger one. Unless they changed to a smaller antenna you should be ok, i had to plug the antenna in after i put it in the dash, so to make it easier i just bought the adapter to make it longer...i hope that helps... and if the stereo has the larger plug like the truck should have youll be good..

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Yeah, thanks. I'll probably just buy it anyways. Only trouble I have is 89-91 with these they went to a DIN and a half radio like the S10's and cars of the era got so MOST people think it has the old "two shafts and a small rectangular display" style radio the 73-88 trucks had.

 

[rob h]

pull the stocker out and look and the plugs size, it should be like the stereo..i dont think they changed that....

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Well, that's the thing...I honestly dunno what the difference is.

 

[dremu]

For the life of me I don't know this...Big Ugly didn't have a stereo or antenna when I got it.

I've finally had it with the stock radio in The Blazer and am putting a nice Dual CD player/Bluetooth/HD/MP3/USB/etc etc etc head unit in it. I found a local guy who sells car stereo parts out of his garage and he's got all the stuff to do it minus the stereo but he says I need an adapter between the stock antenna wire and the aftermarket radio. Is this correct? Just wondering if I really need to spend the $10 or so for it.

Newer GM's have a smaller plug, so I'm guessing that's what your guy is thinking of.

Yours should have the old-style "Motorola" antenna plug. Looks like, I donno... this:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102835

Exposed part is maybe ~1.5" long, counting the pin on the end?

Last I checked every aftermarket stereo in the universe has a female pigtail or socket for these... so I vote you don't need the adapter.

-- A

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Ooookay, gotcha. I know what we're talking about now...Big Ugly's aftermarket antenna and stereo have that. So did everything else I've messed with the stereo on since my '92 Blazer.

So, mine should have that style...yet the 92+ fullsizes didn't?

 

[dremu]

Ooookay, gotcha. I know what we're talking about now...Big Ugly's aftermarket antenna and stereo have that. So did everything else I've messed with the stereo on since my '92 Blazer.

So, mine should have that style...yet the 92+ fullsizes didn't?

Well, my various ex-wives have had a 92 Saturn and an 02 Cavalier, and IIRC both had a funny miniature version of that plug, which I got an adapter for that said "GM mini plug" on it. YMMV.

-- A

 

[Metrodps]

When I did the 1991 din and a half in to my 1987 http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=252771 I had to use the antenna adapter truck windshield antenna big fat type, the radio little narrow type.

Not sure if that helps you or not.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

It might. Dremu says the later GM's went to a different sized radio attachment but your '87 had the bigger cable...hoping mine does too.