Possible to put a cd player in a 91 chevy 1500?

**maxpower_454** · 10-13-2009, 04:24 PM

My 91 chevy k1500 has a strange radio/cassette player arrangement. I want to put a cd player in but I don't think it would be a straight forward swap like all the others I did. It has an equalizer, etc that is separate from the radio. Can I put a cd player in or will I have to bypass all this stuff?

**okysmokey911** · 10-13-2009, 04:47 PM

How is the set up weird? I put a cd player in my 93 k1500 and it is pretty damn easy. Autozone and other car part stores have aftermarket center dash bezel kits for the installation of cd players. They usually come in black. As for the wiring, you can have a professional do it which would be somewhere around 50-60 dollars for the install, or you can do it yourself. All you have to do is look up the wiring color codes. You should post up some pictures of your setup. I can show you my set up if you want to see what it should look like.

**unplugged** · 10-14-2009, 06:35 AM

Consider upgrading to a unit that has ipod/mp3 player options. I installed a Kenwood Head unit that even lets me plug in a usb stick with my tunes. I do a bit of 4wheeling and have never found a cd player that didn't skip. CD players also can't take the dust/dirt from normal exposure. Now I just plug in the ipod, jack in my Blackberry, or plug in a custom mix from my usb stick. Plenty of tunes, no skipping!

Crutchfield has a well done site with instructions and videos.

**okysmokey911** · 10-14-2009, 10:15 AM

Personally I prefer Pioneers, but you need to go with the more expensive ones like the 6000 - 9000 models. I do a lot of off roading as well and I have never had my cd player skip. The pioneer I have has bluetooth audio so you dont even need the I pod cord, but if you have an older I pod then it has the usb connection too. It also has the blue tooth telephone option which is nice. Anyways back on topic, they are very easy to install and I found that website for the wiring color codes http://www.the12volt.com/installbay/...etail/473.html

**maxpower_454** · 10-19-2009, 12:23 PM

Well, what I mean is that the radio is in one place and the cassette player is in the dash. here's a picture. Would I replace the radio and leave the cassette?

**okysmokey911** · 10-19-2009, 01:36 PM

From what I remember, you cant have both, you need to take out the cassette player and put in the cd player. If you have a cd player installed, I think that they will take out the stock radio. I am not sure exactly though. I uploaded a picture of my setup so just check out my album.

**maxpower_454** · 10-20-2009, 02:52 PM

Hmm..... I don't want a big hole in my dash. i think I'll just leave it alone. Nice truck by the way.

**JimmyDiablo** · 06-05-2010, 12:30 AM

Originally Posted by maxpower_454

Hmm..... I don't want a big hole in my dash. i think I'll just leave it alone. Nice truck by the way.

I was at this very point for so long with my truck!! My radio didn't even work and I still left it alone, not knowing what to do with that stupid hole!!! After quite a search, I've seen people take some aluminum plate/diamond plate/engraved in all manor of desings/etc. and had it cut to the same dimensions as the radio hole, and affix it to the bezel with your method of choice. I've seen it screwed on and also glued to the back side of the bezel so it's recessed into the bezel. But then I stumbled upon a sweet little gadget on one of my late night ebay scours...it's a radio delete kit. It's a black molded textured plastic piece that basically turns it into a dashboard nook! It looks great other than it's black and my dash is dark grey. I am going to paint the gauge bezel to make it look more stock. It was totally a right place right time, OMG I need that! moment LOL! It was only like $5 too!

I remember shipping took a week and a few days, but it was way worth it! I don't have any pictures right now, but I will take them tomorrow and post them then. Then you get the center dash bezel kit that replaces the tape deck/equalizer with a CD player of your choice. You should take care in removing all that! it's all hard wired to each other, but it is a rare option, so if it all works, you should Ebay that ****e!! I will also try to look back through my ebay sales and see if I can find it again!

**JimmyDiablo** · 06-05-2010, 12:51 AM

Here's just the delete piece

http://cgi.ebay.com/88-94-Oem-Radio-...item5ad9df32b4

Here's a kit with just the delete and center dash bezel, check his other auctions for other colors

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GM-CH...fAudioQ5fVideo

Here's a complete kit with wiring harness adapter and antenna adaptor as well as the delete and center dash bezel good price for all in one kit! check the seller's other auction for other colors! You will need all of this if you want it as painless as possible! I had to buy mine all seperately! They only had the delete box and called it a "kit" lol

http://cgi.ebay.com/Chevy-Pickup-Tru...item5192d215d1

I will post pics of my truck's dash tomorrow so you can see the finished product! My only complaint is that the CD player will stick out of the dash about 3/4"....that I hate and am looking for a stereo that has less depth and use the stock center dash bezel...these trucks are so popular someone must've made one! No luck finding one yet!

**adampaul1964** · 06-05-2010, 05:13 AM

I never got around to doing it, but when I had my '94( same dash and stereo arrangement) my local audio shop said they would put the new head unit where the cassette was and remove the in dash radio and replace it with a storage compartment/shelf (they had them just for this application). Not an ideal solution but I've seen a couple done this way and it doesn't look bad.