Replacing the radio in a 1985 Chevrolet Caprice Classic (Part 1)

Replacing the radio in a 1985 Chevrolet Caprice Classic (Part 1 - covering the mechanical disassembly of parts of the dashboard to facilitate installation of the radio in the Chevy Caprice).
In a separate video (Part 2), I cover the color coding of the wiring for the radio in the Chevy Caprice.... • Replacing the radio in...
This video is not sponsored by Crutchfield or by Kenwood.

[@TheOfficialGameBoy4]

Great detail video on this installation!!

[@LongologoProductions]

@TheOfficialMrGameBoy4: Thank you!

[@jackwadeiv956]

I'm going to install a retrosound stereo to keep the classic look while getting all the advantages of a digital reciever with Bluetooth and auxiliary inputs. What are your thoughts on the Retrosound shaft-style radio? I have an 83. Im going to get it on Crutchfield, whenever the chip shortage is over ( if it's ever over).

[@LongologoProductions]

@Jack Wade IV: I like the way the Retrosound models look and almost went with one before deciding on this Kenwood. The Kenwood sounds great with the new speakers, but all of the tiny buttons drive me nuts. You really can’t do anything with the Kenwood radio while you’re driving- it’s just not safe. I don’t even like trying to reach over to change the radio station if I’m driving at only 45 mph. So I’ve been thinking about the Retrosound for a while now and maybe will get one to replace the Kenwood. If I do, I’ll make another video. (Honestly, this was one of my early videos and I’ve never been happy with it.) It looks like Crutchfield has the Hermosa and the Long Beach in stock for my 85 with the chrome plate and chrome knobs, which will fit with the original dash. Hmmmm….

[@jackwadeiv956]

@@LongologoProductions thats the one I'm looking at. The Hermosa, and I'm going with Polk speakers, 4x6 in front and 5x7 in the D pillars. I have an 83 Caprice Classic Estate (station wagon).

[@LongologoProductions]

@@jackwadeiv956 : black plate and knobs on the ‘83? That dash has the simulated wood grain + black, right?

[@jackwadeiv956]

@@LongologoProductions it has the simulated wood yes. Im going with the chrome trim and chrome knobs. The factory radio has chrome buttons and knobs. I have the original AC Delco radio, AM/FM only.

[@LongologoProductions]

@@jackwadeiv956 : Hey - did you end up installing the Retrosound Hermosa? I looked into it some more, and I’m not sure that I would be happy with having to use larger adapter plates to accommodate the tiny radio face in such a large space in the dash. That even had me considering -gasp!- a touchscreen radio in that large opening. Not sure. Again, the Kenwood sounds great but the super tiny buttons make it unsafe to even change a radio station or input while driving.

[@absurdsnail3724]

I have an '87 Chevy caprice classic and I replaced the radio and all, but I lost the piece that the heating control stick clips with, the little metal rod that clips them together at 2:08, I was wondering where I could aquire a new one... Also that same rod got bent during my installation, am I fine to just bend it back into position?

[@LongologoProductions]

@Absurdsnail: You might be better off getting one at a junkyard or on rockauto.com. You could try to carefully bend it back into position, but it might not work right.

[@absurdsnail3724]

@@LongologoProductions thanksso much for the help. I'll start looking for one.

[@moneyprintsmoneyprints1365]

💯

[@regrich8795]

Which radio bezel did you use? I purchased the Metro and followed the instructions but when i insert the radio with those black pieces on it i don't hear the click and it stays loose...Is the Scorche better?

[@LongologoProductions]

@Reg Rich: I don’t know if one is better than the other. But I do remember that the Metro was a bit tricky to align correctly

[@regrich8795]

@@LongologoProductions ok thanks i actually modified the tabs by putting something behind the them. Installing it tmmrw thanks to your videos 🙂

[@regrich8795]

I hooked up the new Kenwood radio correctly according to the wiring hardness but notice some hissing when the car is running i don't recall hearing that with the original radio. Could it be the power antenna wire that's connected since mine does't work at all? What do you think?

[@regrich8795]

But when i cut on the heating system it stops hmmmm!!!

[@LongologoProductions]

@Reg Rich: Not sure. Definitely interference somewhere but I don’t know where. Is the hiss coming through all speakers equally? When playing radio and when playing via Bluetooth?

[@regrich8795]

@@LongologoProductions i'll give you a more direct answer tmmrw when i start it again...

[@AKB47ANCE]

I have a question , 86 caprice has the analog clock dial . When the car is off it’s louder than I would supposed it should be . Like ever second the hand moves I can hear it working and moving while the car is off . Would that kill my battery , and should I disconnect it ?

[@LongologoProductions]

I hear mine all the time too. Won’t kill the battery with regular driving but if you are concerned I would just hook up a battery minder to the car. If you don’t drive it regularly either hook up the battery minder or disconnect the battery.

[@AKB47ANCE]

@@LongologoProductions heard , much obliged

[@chevyryder5617]

We’re do you have your main power connected to for the radio ?

[@LongologoProductions]

@Chevy Ryder: I think the info is in my “part 2” video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nl7ScqeemNKdprc

[@tripl3d2050]

how do you separate the heat/ac part from the actual factory stereo?

[@LongologoProductions]

@Darien Powell: on the back should be some screws along the top of the factory radio and under the bottom of the heat/AC. You can see the original factory radio in my part 2 video on replacing the radio. There you will see a portion of the frame around the edges of the front face of the radio. The screws would go in from the back face of that frame. Anyway you slice it, it’s a huge pain to work behind and underneath the heat/AC because there is not much room for your hands, and also the old plastic is brittle.

[@tripl3d2050]

Longologo Productions I was able to separate the two earlier in the day, but ran into another problem. The factory stereo would display lighting but no sound, got the new one in but it’s not cutting on, all the wiring seems correct so i’m wondering if I have a blown fuse/bad wire somewhere

[@LongologoProductions]

@Darien Powell: It’s tough to chase down all those gremlins. Maybe you already checked this, but are you sure that all four of your speakers are good, and that the connections at the speakers are good too? You can check the fuse panel underneath the dash, but I think the radio and clock share the same fuse. So if you have light but no sound, something else is going on. One other check would be to just connect a single separate speaker to the new stereo (separate from the four speakers in the car) to see if you can get sound out of that.

[@tripl3d2050]

Longologo Productions good advice, I will try tomorrow when there’s light out and let you know how it goes. Thanks for the responses

[@joeriddick3230]

I don't have much play to get to those 5 screws in the middle.. I see that you said saw it apart. From what you said in the video you put those 5 screws back.How cause it seems like it would be an issue of not being able to get them back due to the above mentioned.. taking mine out now, I stop at those 5 middle can't get to them and don't want to pull out to much. So I'll go get a saw but putting it back is the question I have now?

[@hahnwilson4451]

Hi,this is Jem from binize car stereo,we are interested in your video of car stereo, plz tell us how to contact you~

[@regrich8795]

Did all those steps to remove the old radio and it's still tight in there did you have this problem? If so what could i do? Any info would be helpful

[@LongologoProductions]

@Reg Rich: Take a REALLY close look from 3:31 in the video until 5:14 in the video, to see how I attached the black plastic side plates that came with the mounting bracket. That sets the depth of the radio head unit into the mounting bracket itself. I believe those side plates have a 'left' side and a 'right' side. If those side plates are attached properly (left/right, and proper depth - note the screws used and the location of those screws), the unit will 'click' into place when inserted into the mounting bracket. Also, make sure you remove the metal bracket that came with the radio itself (assuming you are installing the same or similar radio) BEFORE you attach the plastic side plates. If the head unit is tight when installed into the car, make sure that the wires behind the head unit are tucked back and below the head unit so that there is room depth-wise for the unit to be pushed into the dash/console. I hope that helps!

[@regrich8795]

@@LongologoProductions no removing the original radio is very difficult you remove all the screws and it’s still stuck in there. Someone else mentioned messing up the climate control buttons. I can see how seems like more screws are holding it back. Did you remove the original radio?

[@LongologoProductions]

@@regrich8795 : Sorry I misunderstood. From the Crutchfield mastersheet, to remove the radio (assuming you already disconnected the heater cable behind the glove box): "Remove ashtray and remove two (2) 9/32” hex screws inside cavity which secure bottom of radio/heater control assembly. Remove two (2) hex screws from top of radio/heater control assembly. Pull radio /heater control assembly out of dash. Remove two (2) screws which secure heater control panel at the top rear side of assembly. Remove five (5) screws from the bottom rear and remove heater control panel from frame support. Disconnect connectors. Unplug connectors from factory radio. Remove one (1) screw from bottom of radio trimpanel. Remove radio and trimpanel from frame support." If the radio is still stuck in the console, double-check that you removed the two screws that are underneath the radio, facing upwards from the ashtray assembly. There might be a third screw. From the diagram, there appears to be 12 screws total from around the ashtray, radio, and heater assembly. You have to separate the heater and radio from the main metal frame. Let me know if that doesn't work. Maybe I can post an unlisted video that shows a screenshot of the mastersheet.

[@regrich8795]

@@LongologoProductions thanks there has to be a third screw underneath because i have the cruthfield master sheet and followed those and your directions. This is very strange i looked someone else's video up and he said he put a screw driver on each side to force it out so did i but uts barely moving. So i'm thinking there is another screw holding it back. Going to try again shortly i'm not trying to damage anything because these parts and the outside molding are in great condition. I'll keep you posted as i look for that other screw!!

[@regrich8795]

Finally got it out omg yes it was two other screws i had thought i removed 🫣

[@giovannogalindo8785]

I might have to buy a whole climate control assembly just for the blower motor knob unless I can find a parts car at the junkyard to snatch one off of

[@giovannogalindo8785]

@@LongologoProductions Thats true I've already checked ebay and I cant find just the knob so I guess my best option is to go try and find it at a local salvage yard

[@adrienmorris4237]

The chrome trim kit where did you get it?

[@LongologoProductions]

@Adrien Morris: It’s original to the car. I think that only the 1985 model year had the chrome metallic and black finish. Other model years had the plastic wood grain finish.

[@alvinlewis9445]

Where did you get the installation kit ?

[@LongologoProductions]

@Alvin Lewis: The black mounting plate kit came from Crutchfield.

[@philthy2700]

It's two yellow wires in my 83 one is power and the other I put as a remote wire is that correct

[@LongologoProductions]

@Jeremy Darrough: check out my “part 2” video on replacing the radio. I have close-ups of the wiring diagrams and color coding in that video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nl7ScqeemNKdprc Good luck!

[@philthy2700]

Another question why when I turn my radio on/off I hear a popping noise?

[@LongologoProductions]

@Jeremy Darrough: that sounds like a bad wiring to one or more speakers. But I’m not sure.