Replacing Bose stereo in C4

[Josh Harris]

I recently bought a 1985 with the Bose stereo. Per normal (as I am learning) the external amps appear to be on their way out. The cassette player does not work (autoreverses constantly), and the reception is lousy. I'd like to replace the factory unit with a new CD player.

Should I just wire past the amps directly to the speakers? I assume the output of the new unit would be too much power for the amps to handle.

Or do I really need one of those amplifier integrators that Crutchfield would like to sell me?

I have seen other posts related to this, but they are more related to repairing the factory unit. I'm going to keep the factory unit for the sake of authenticity one day, but I never listen to cassettes, so repairing this one at this point is not in my best interests.

I also saw a post with a link to a website (zr1.net/Bose2.pdf or something like that) that details checking and repairing the amps, but the website appears to be dead. Anyone know anything about any other websites?

[Edward McComas]

Re: Replacing Bose stereo in C4

I went through this crap with my 90 a few years ago. As I recall, if you use an aftermarket stereo, you either need to replace the speakers, or get that "thing" from Crutchfield that allows you to use Bose speakers (separate amp driven) with a non Bose stereo.

I looked all over the place for a CD player that would look right, and fit into the existing hole. Could not find one. I tried a Kenwood DIN unit, and replaced the factory speakers with aftermarket speakers (ran new speaker wire). I was really disappointed in the overall look and performance.

I finally said to hell with it. I put the factory cassette player back in, replaced all 4 amplifiers for the factory speakers, and put it back together stock. It looks and sounds just fine now.

C4s are a pain in the $%# to put aftermarker stereo systems in.

FYI: I sent my bad amps back to Bose, and they replaced them with new ones for $56 each, plus shipping. Don't mess with trying to repair the damn things, I tried that first, didn't work out.

[Marty Monier #]

Re: Replacing Bose stereo in C4

Did all this several times.......
Without a FULL dedicated effort to rewire EVERYTHING, not much is to be
gained overall I'm afraid.

If you MUST have a totally Hi End Stereophile unit then proceed.

Myself can't deal with trying to match the $15,000 plus dollar unit
in my house, or for that matter........;^0 - the 5,000+ dollar stereo in my
shop......with some overdriven noise unit in my CAR.

Much less a car with a uh.......PERFORMANCE Exhaust system !?!

Yes ,perhaps a generation divide here.

But I -DO- listen to all my stereos LOUD! Must be from, Jam Level Noise
playing in bands years ago. ;^)

But as reluctant as I am with "Stereophile" Roots.....I'd fix the Bose.
They are well supported and seem that it shall remain that way.

My reluctance comes from the old Audiophiles lament......
---- " NO HIGHS ? NO LOWS ? .....must be a BOSE!"

But indeed, i did JUST send off my Cassette Unit from my '87 to be redone
by Factory Car Stereo last week.

Yeah, okay.....the dread '87 of mine may end up "TOP FLIGHT"!
We shall see. Good hunting!

Regards.......Marty




Bose Repairs