944 Stereo Replacement

[mattj503]

I have a 1985 Porsche 944 with an earlier style dash, it came with the original two nob radio but now I feel its time to replace the system, but when I went to my local Best Buy to buy my stereo I asked them about the job of replacing the unit and they said it would be very difficult since this stereo was built into the dash...is this true? They said I would have to cut out the old stereo to make the hole to the new one, which i am not very keen on, but they also said depending on the wiring i would have to hard wire the system..... I havnt put a lot of research into the matter but I was wondering if this is the case, I am a student and am buisy and dont have much time to experiment with the stereo would I in fact have to cut it out of the dash? and I have commonly heard that when replacing the rear speakers u cant do it without removing the rear quarter windows?...this sounded somewhat ridiculous but once again I neither have the time to see for myself, just thought I would post this and see what kind of responses I would get with any help or comments, thank you

[sl66ICEcuba]

I replaced the stereo in one of my 924's and my later style 944, in both cars I just pulled the previous radio and the gap was large enough for whatever system you wanted in it. The space was actually large enough for me to fit a flip up navigation unit into both. For speaker wiring, I did not change the speakers but kept the original ones, as for the wring like any aftermarket radio, you have to snip out the old harness connector and connect the new one in. Hope this helps, if you have any other questions, shoot me a PM. Pics upon request if need be.

[porsche4life]

Dont go to best buy. Order the stuff from crutchfield. It will come with the proper wires and tools and you will be able to do it yourself in about 2 hrs with any luck. Simple and you dont get screwed buy BB.

[rporzio]

I had Tweeter replace my whole system including a new head unit, speakers, amplifier and an 8" sub in the spare tire well. They did a fabulous job, had the car all day and I'm very happy with their work.
Of course they are no longer in business now, is that true?

[exitwound]

All of the in-dash electronics can be bypassed. You just need to locate the switched power source, the ground, and power wires and you're good to go. Any reputable stereo place should be able to do it. Stay away from the best buy type box stores.

[flash968]

check your wiring diagram - typically shops like best buy will wire the speakers out of phase on porsches - this is because, unlike japanese and many other cars, STRIPE IS NEGATIVE and SOLID IS POSITIVE

i wasn't aware of this until recently, and i used to be a partner in a car stereo shop (admittedly i had installers doing much of the work, so some things like this escaped me)

[ballysdad]

Totally false... This is an easy replacement on the early style dash.. take it to another place and they will probably kiss you it's so easy as long as the back speakers don't need to be replaced then they will talk you out of the whole job..

[exitwound]

Why oh why do you have to take out the rear windows to change the speakers?!

[SuperXRAY]

I didn't remove the rear windows to change the rear speakers. Simply matter of being careful.

[flash968]

i heard this "rear window" thing before too - a buddy of mine swears they had to do it on one of his cars - not sure what that's about - perhaps it was just to gain access to the panel fabric that was probably glued down?

[ballysdad]

You do not have to take out the rear windows you just have to be careful like said before.. If a shop looked up the procedure it would say remove rear windows so they stay away if they can...

[mattj503]

thanks for all the posts this is helpful, I looked at the rear speakers and it looks pretty easy to replace the rear speakers without removing the windows, as for the head unit I am planning on doing the job this weekend i was going to buy a pop up screen but the gear lever seems to be to close to the head unit to have a pop up screen but I found a pair of custom subs in boxs designed to fit behind the seats but they were made for a 996....didnt know if they would fit into the 944 but thought it was a good idea, once again thanks for the help, will post with either my success or failure

[exitwound]

How do you get the new speakers in and the old speakers out? There's just not enough room to see what you're doing back there, or to put the new speakers in.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Easy to do. I put a Blaupunkt head in as well as new speakers. Not "blingy" looking at all - very nice look with the early interior and sounds good. The fader knob ever works.

[carlege]

ive done 3 stereos and all my speakers amps and such. You can do this its very simple. The hardest part is getting all the wire run if your doing a full system. if not reserve some time during your break and take your time. Disconnect the battery from the car. Make sure the radio antena is attached to the radio this serves as a ground also. No ground no sound. Have fun

As for saving money buy the cheapest thing from crutchfield like speakers they should give you the install guide with it... then buy all your other stuff from cheaper dealers you will save a buch if you do that. Its the same stuff just cheaper make sure the check model numbers

[mattj503]

had success in the whole replacement, old head unit slid right out and the new one went right back in, used crutchfield upon recomendation in earlier post (sight and company is amazing!!!! thank you) very excited and happy with the new system, looking forward to tackling the speaker job this coming weekend, thanks to everyone once again with the help and suggestions

[kdjones2000]

Great to hear you are happy

On a (slightly) related note: Who has put one of those pop-up DVD/GPS type of head units into a late model?

I am wondering if the motorized screens only go up 90 degrees, which would not work with the weird angle of the late model systems. Also, would the screen interfere with the shifter?

Thanks, Keith

[vbaron]

I have the early '85 and replaced the radio recently. The PO had a old Clarion unit and it seemed to be a standard DIN sized unit that I replaced with a Blaupunkt unit. I didn't have to cut it out nor did the dash look to be modified.

Vin