Its just a personal preference
I know exactly what you mean about the tech, and affordability, but I was just hoping to find someone who has the JBL system, and has since upgraded to an aftermarket H/U, and wouldn't mind parting with their old stock one for a reasonable price. I did read and totally understand what you did, how it was done, and what you are saying, honestly that may end up being a second or third option if I don't get to restore the system as I'm trying to.
At this point I should probably just post a listing in the WTB section, for the H/U and #4 harness, or just hit a Salvage yard for the harness I need, but still ask for the radio. I only started this thread to have the connectors that I found identified, and thanks to your picture it has been done, except for the #4 cable, I'm not sure about it, because when I followed the wire It led up towards the remote, so until I can at least test a stock premium radio's connections, I can't be absolutely positive, because no one else has seen this wire (Until I post the pic).
You are right, I could simply just connect any H/U and get it to work with the system, but thats not what I'm going for. If I buy an aftermarket H/U, I would buy one that was worth it to me, I've been thinking of getting the Sony MEX-HD1, so to pay for a stock H/U to use until I'm able to get what I want, seems worthwhile to me. If I rewire a harness, and put in an aftermarket H/U I'd like it to be one that I REALLY WANT, so just buying a cheaper one ($85 - $300) to hold me over really just seems like a waste.
Thing is, I bought this car without any working audio, I've managed to get working sound, just not quite what I want, because I really need music while driving, (Especially now since tonight I'm about to start my drive for 17+hours straight through to FL.), so now I'll just be searching for a JBL H/U, and that #4 harness with a few inches of wire still connected.
Like I said before, I'm very well versed in the GM F-body cars, only because I've bought them in poor to fair shape, and then using salvage yards, and parts cars I returned them to their former, but better than stock condition, and then slowly, I would add the more costly aftermarket modifications and upgrades. I plan to do the same with my SHO.
Since this is my first SHO, I just feel more comfortable going about its restoration in a way that I'm most familiar with. I really don't even know for sure what parts on this car have been replaced with aftermarket parts, or even stock parts, that's why I tend to lean towards replacing missing/broken things with replacement stock items before going for aftermarket ones, unless the stock part I need is over priced, and difficult to install, then I'll look into going straight for the upgraded/aftermarket part. Yes, going with a majority of stock replacement parts will end up costing me more in the long-run, but when I'm done restoring it, or at least satisfied with the point I'm at, and I feel its ready to begin accepting the upgrades, I will know all of the work, and exactly when the upgrades were done, that they were done correctly, and by me. The over all confidence in the car and the work, not to mention the satisfaction I'll get out of it, will be well worth the little bit of extra money I end up spending. Even the time it takes to replace a part, and then to later do it again as an upgrade won't bother me, because of the learning experience (I expect to know this car inside and out before too long), of course there are exceptions, like major Engine/Trans work.
I'm the type of person who would rather be driving a car that looks beat up and bone stock, but runs great, rather than one that looks pristine, and runs like $#!+. Overall appearances, interior, and exterior are near the bottom of my list of things to do. I'm going to catch up on the mechanical maintainence, first, then suspension, and I'll move on to electrical system and stereo Its just my personal preference, I mean if I can't find a cheap enough stock radio, I will just trace all of the wires, use the ones I believe are good enough, run new higher gauge cables, put out the money to get the radio I want, and just fabricate an entire custom system using current positions, and brackets.
Like I said, I can see with your points, but I bought this car knowing it needed work, most of it is cosmetic, but I do need to make some minor adjustments, and do a little maintainence.
I'm just trying to explain my view, not that I'm disagreeing with you, I feel that this is the best way for ME to teach myself the ins and outs of this car. Everyone has their own way of doing things, and I like to learn from repetition. I don't want to spend money on an aftermarket radio I won't really like, so I just want to use the stock H/U with the right connections, (I had found a few H/U's locally for $20 - $50, but I was a few days too late) and save for the Sony MEX-HD1 MP3/CD/Memorystick H/U.
I'd still like to see some pics of the connections on the stock radio and slave themselves, so If anyone still has a stock JBL system, and wouldn't mind taking some pics of the back of the radios, please post here, or e-mail them to me at:
[email protected]
Sorry to ramble on, yet again, I'm just excited, and anticipating my drive, and I won't be back on here for a few days, so I don't want to exclude anything,
Thanks again, Later, Rob
