This has probably been gone over a million times, but I can't seem to find the answer. I'm trying to wire up a AM/FM stereo radio (o/e) with aftermarket 6x9 4ohm speakers. Is this possible? The radio has the original fader control (jumper ?), original wiring (front= grn,grn/blk rear= blue). Can anyone give me some direction on how to wire this? Thanks.
Had the answer explained to me a couple times last year before I understood it! Radios are set-up for 8 ohm impedance speakers.I'm not sure if impedance figures the same as resistance. Two 4 ohm resistors in series will give you 8 ohms. My avenue for my '71 was to install a NOS dash speaker to the green/bk., as factory. In '71 only one rear speaker was available. Bought a new GM rear speaker @ 8 ohms from the dealer.It gets connected to the blue & then to chassis ground. Part number is that for an 81/82 Electra. Been using this set-up all year now, working fine. Stereo, or as close as I'm going to get with it, is achieved when the 8-track player is in use.
Pat, Steve is correct. Car speakers are commonly 4 ohm impedence. This refers to the load that the radio amplifier sees. If an amplifier is presented with an impedence it can't handle, it is possible to overheat or damage the amplifier. With the factory radios, the speakers were 10 ohms. If you wire 2- 4 ohm speakers together in series, you will get 8 ohms load.(close enough) I assume you want to wire 2 back speakers. Wire the blue wire to a + on speaker1, wire speaker1 - to speaker2 +, and speaker2- to ground. You may find that the speakers don't play very loud. If you want, you can get an amplifier with speaker level inputs to boost power, just a thought. What I did, is leave the O.E radio in the dash for originality, and hide a modern radio/CD head unit under the seat. Good luck.
AM/FM Radio Installation Larry, it is very important to match OHMs or the early radios. If the reciever doesn't have the correct resistance the reciever will fail! Larry if you want some go info and super help e-mail my radio guy stlradio@swbell.net AL.
I agree AL, but 8 ohms will be close enough, it won't hurt the radio. BTW, GM used 10 ohm speakers (4X10) for many years. You can still get them.
AC Delco P/N 16177769 10 ohm speaker fits perfectly under the rear shelf. Cost about $ 30.00 Cdn., locally, about a year ago. Picked up a newer stlye connector for the speaker. Late model GM.
AM/FM Radio Installation Larry, you are correct, my radio guy said this is OK and if a mono radio was use not to use any more then one speaker on that line, AL. :Smarty:
