Can i install any car stereo in my car?

Question

Hey all,

As much as I hate to do this because I like having all the original parts on my car, I decided to buy an aftermarket stereo receiver for my car. My question is can I put any car stereo I want or do I have to get specific ones. I have my eyes on the touchscreen receivers because my original radio is large and a ~6inch stereo receiver would fit perfectly in the slot and look nice unlike the normal ones that you have a big black thing most of you know will know what I am talking about. I have a 1989 Pontiac Bonneville SSE with a cassette player, have been using the cassette adaptors.

Thanks for any suggestions and I hope that I can put anything in the market :)

Answer 1

you do have a double din stereo. but if my memory serves me correctly you have also got stereo controls on the steering wheel. there are companies that make after market kits to keep using your steering wheel controls for certain stereo companies. you will have to do some research on which stereo company has a kit to keep the steering wheel controls and which stereo companies do not. My advice to you would be for you to go to www.crutchfeild.com and see the radios that would work best for you. if you have never replaced a stereo before they are a very good choice to buy off of because they also give you 24 hours a day free technical support. but they are also more expensive. if you get it at a car stereo shop or best buy you will pay for the install fees. but if you can do the install your self you can shop around and get the best price on your products and the labor is free.

Answer 2

The size radio you're speaking of is what we call a double din. An aftermarket stereo will do wonders for a sound system, you will be amazed at how good it sounds and you will wish you would have done it a long time ago. you can put in any stereo you want with the right dash install kit, which you might not need if you go with a double din touch screen.

Answer 3

when it comes to the factory slots on cars there are 2 types of slots. single din (which is the smaller ones and is usually the standard size for an aftermarket stereo. there is also a double din which fits cars with a larger slot. cars that have double din slots can fit any car stereo, single or double. a car that fits a single din you will only be able to fit a single din radio in there. it sounds like you have a double din slot. in dash navigation units are usually double din so you should have no fitting it in there if it is a double din factory slot. I hope this helps. as far as which unit you should get for your car I will leave that up to you to decided but either way you will need to buy a mounting bracket and a wiring harness to fit it into the car and hook it up to the factory wiring.