The 1987 Chevrolet trucks were equipped with AM-FM radios and optional cassette players. Chevy owners who have to replace a malfunctioning unit or want to upgrade to a more capable stereo system can choose among several aftermarket options. Once you have chosen the stereo deck to match your needs, purchase the requisite adapters and install the unit yourself to save money.
Raise the hood of the truck and detach the negative cable from the battery. Move to the Chevy's passenger cabin.
Open the glove compartment door. Remove the two screws from the left edge of the compartment's opening with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Pull the ashtray from the dashboard and remove the screw at the bottom-left corner of the stereo deck.
Grab the dashboard panel that conceals the stereo bracket and pull it away from the dashboard. Allow the panel to hang by the wiring. Remove the two screw bolts from the sides of the stereo (one on each side) with the 7-mm socket and drive. Slide the stereo from the stereo dock far enough to reach the wiring connections at the back of the unit.
Disconnect the stereo wiring and unplug the antenna cable from the rear panel of the factory stereo. Set aside the factory head unit. Connect the Chevy's stereo wiring to the wiring harness adapter leads. Plug the antenna cable lead into the GM antenna adapter.
Slide the aftermarket faceplate adapter into the vacant stereo mounting dock until it locks into place. Pull the stereo wiring, which is connected to the wiring harness adapter, and the antenna cable, which is connected to the GM antenna adapter, from the back of the Chevy's stereo dock to the front of the dashboard.
Plug the wiring harness adapter lead connectors into the corresponding outlets on the rear panel of the new radio. Insert the lead from the GM antenna adapter into the input labeled "FM ANT" on the back of the new head unit. Slide the aftermarket radio into the faceplate adapter until it locks into place within the dock.
Replace the dashboard panel over the stereo assembly and screw in the two screws to the left of the glove compartment. Screw in the screw at the lower-left corner of the stereo dock. Close the glove compartment.
Reattach the negative battery cable.
