hpshooter

Just got my first van. Needs some work. First I need a radio. How do I install one when it came from the factory without one.
I don't know where to start or how to do it.
Help!

edac

open up the dash and take a look, the harness might be there. If it is buy a kit with your radio, or cut one out at the bone yard.

canucklehead

Beware the theftlock crap with installing a factory one from a wrecker...
I would get a double din kit and put a nice 6 disc aftermarket one in there.
The wiring should be there, but you man not see how it connects without a diagram. Might be easier to just wire from scratch.
Mine has door speakers and the sound bar above the rear doors.

hpshooter

I don't see the normal harness for a stereo. Any way to find the correct wires to hook this beast up? Hell, I even have to put an anntena on somewhere.

canucklehead

Stereos are fairly simple. All you need is a 12 constant, a 12 v swithced, a ground, and a light from the dash light circuit. You can pick up an aftermarket antennae, but check to see if you can plumb the wire through the fender before cutting any holes. If its too much of a bear, then get a hidden under dash one.....they are not as good but should work. Running wires for the speakers is easy. The only issue is the flex point at the doors. There is a factory boot for wires for the power windows and door locks.....fish them through there and all is good. You should have a spot under the door panel for a 5 inch round speaker......a new 5 1/4 should fit fine. I put my amps under the passenger seat on a piece of plywood bolted up on the seat bolts.....
Have fun.

hpshooter

Thank you so much this helps a ton. Now I need to find all these wires and tap into them.

200OZ

Being an '89 G van with a radio delete option from GM, there are no wires for a radio as you have found out. The factory put the front speakers(4"x6") up under the dash pad, there is not much room in the doors for speakers. For power, I'd run your power wires right off the fuse block. Maybe you could check out another '88-'95 G van in the Junk yard for some reference/idea's/parts.

canucklehead

right.....i missed his year. I had a 95 and i did 6.5 coax speakers with the tweeter mounted up high on the door panel but the woofers were down in the flat part of the door in the foot well. Worked good.

hpshooter

For power, I'd run your power wires right off the fuse block.

Not sure how to do this?

canucklehead

There are a few empty slots high up on the fuse black. Take a test light and find a switched one. That will be fine for just a head unit. If running amps, I would run a lead from the battery with an in line fuse.