Audio Systems: 1991 corvette replace fact. stereo, corvette coupe, technical competency

Question
I have a 1991 corvette coupe. I want to replace the fact. stereo (bose system) with a newer stereo. I found a Dual that I liked in crutchfield, but everyone says is a nightmare to change out fact. stereo. They say there is signifigant modification to be done and is a NIGHTMARE. problem is, no one can tell me WHAT is problem, or why it is such a problem.
Have you any experience with '91 vette? Everyone says trouble, but haven't heard from anyone experienced. Thank you for any advice.

Answer
I do not have specific experience with the Bose system in the Corvette.  I can say, however, the reason the job is difficult is because Bose is a non-conventional product and that company does not follow the same design guidelines that other manufacturers do. Their products to not interface with other manufacturers products.

Therefore, in replacing the bose system you will have to completely gut out the system and completely rewire all the power lines and speaker runs in order to get things right.  Or at least that is the best way.  If you were an advanced installer and knew how to trace down every wire and reconnect them to the new unit you may be able to do it.  But, some Bose systems have the amps out at the speaker and other parts spread hither and yon, so you really have to know what you are doing.

Crutchfield knows about as much as anyone so far as the wiring harnesses and brackets that you must have for the system.  Have you spoken with their technical service people?  That may be a good start as the engineers at Crutchfield make it a proud practice to know every detail of every car - and they are pretty good.  Tell them the story that independents have been telling and let them give you their version.  I think you will be impressed with their technical competency.

I am not discouraging you from making the install, but just warning you that you must be armed with the correct details in order to get it right.

As an alternative, if you wanted to stay with the factory unit in the car, you can send it off to people like this:

http://www.carstereohelp.com/strcorvette.htm

who can fix it for you.

Here is their Bose Repair page with some good suggestions:

http://www.carstereohelp.com/bose.htm

Here are some cost estimates of various Bose problems for the Corvette:

http://www.carstereohelp.com/corvette.htm

So, maybe these links will help, too.

Best wishes.  Let me know how it goes!

Cleggsan