80 aftermarket stereo swap

[bluefever]

I've tried looking through the posts on here as well as putting it into crutchfield. On an 80 eagle wagon, how difficult is it to wire up? Does anyone have a diagram of wire colors? I've of course wired stereo's before, but one of the posts on here says it might have one wire speakers?

[txjeeptx]

Nobody's gonna know nada about Eagles out there. You're pretty much on your own wiring up a stereo in one. That said, and it being an 80 model, are you wanting to put in a newer style stereo with whats referred to as a DIN mount(modern CD/MP3/input units)? That'll require you to cut up the dash center unless you locate one from an '86 or newer Eagle(or was it as early as '84, I don't remember), which came with a DIN mount stereo. If the car has its stock AM/FM radio, just trace the wires for power and ground. If its just the AM/FM, then it probably has just one speaker located above the glove box, which is useless and can be abandoned(wiring and all), so you'll have to pull your own speaker wires to the doors and back areas, and probably have to fabricate your own speaker mounts for those locations. These cars have a bunch of tricky/hidden dash screws, and its not much fun doing the install. If you don't have a DIN style mount to use, the one from an XJ Cherokee can be made to work, but lacks a tab on top that the Eagle din mount has. One can be riveted onto the XJ mount. I might be able to find some pictures to help.

[bluefever]

yes I'd be looking at going modern.

[maddog]

Eagle Eyes has the original stereo in her and there are two wires going to each speaker but the stereo is the one with the built in cb.

[BenM]

You'll have to tear into it to see what is necessary. AMC used three different setups over the years of the Eagle.

1) Phantom ground - with the most basic radios. There was only one wire running from the stereo to the speakers, and they were grounded through the body. This may fry modern radios.

2) Two wire with bullet connectors - This would be the upscale wiring without a DIN radio. There are a couple of ganged bullet connector blocks behind the dash, and usually a bit of a harness/adapter between the radio and the connectors; sometimes it pairs up ground wires. http://bitspieces.net/group26/

3) DIN wiring: http://www.n0kfb.org/homepage/amc/tech/86_radio.htm

There are places out there that sell the harness for the DIN plugs.

Unless you have DIN wiring, you will be looking at running ground wires out, but that's all you need.

[cadman929]

i did mine on a 1982 wagon and found this diagram extemely helpful! its a fairly simple wireing job, but i will not lie i was kind of scared to cut into my dash but it turned out pretty good also i think best buy will do a headunit instal for around $60
http://www.amceaglesden.com/~iowaeagl/guide/index.php?title=Radio_Pin_Outs_-_AM/FM

[vangremlin]

There are also the "stealth" radios that mount somewhere else and can be operated by remote control.  They can include ipod and cd options.  Also, I think Eddie Stakes, a member here, sometimes offers a modern post radio that will fit the Eagles.  PM me if you want links to the stealth radios.  I'm looking forward to hearing what you decide to do.

[bertosalceda]

You'll have to tear into it to see what is necessary. AMC used three different setups over the years of the Eagle.

1) Phantom ground - with the most basic radios. There was only one wire running from the stereo to the speakers, and they were grounded through the body. This may fry modern radios.

2) Two wire with bullet connectors - This would be the upscale wiring without a DIN radio. There are a couple of ganged bullet connector blocks behind the dash, and usually a bit of a harness/adapter between the radio and the connectors; sometimes it pairs up ground wires. http://bitspieces.net/group26/


3) DIN wiring: http://www.n0kfb.org/homepage/amc/tech/86_radio.htm

There are places out there that sell the harness for the DIN plugs.

Unless you have DIN wiring, you will be looking at running ground wires out, but that's all you need.

http://bitspieces.net/group26/

Group 26 - Electrical, Radio


Stereo Radio
Flat 3 Pin - "Front"
Green
Right Front   White
Left Front   Black
Left Ground
 

Square 3 Pin - "Rear"
White w/ TR
Left Rear   
Brown
Right Rear   Black
Right Ground
 

Triangle 2 or 3 Pin - "Power"
Black
Ground   
Orange
Illumination   Red
ACC Power
 

There may be a white single-pin connector to attach an accessory, like an amplifier or antenna.

Body wiring colors are:

Brown: Switched ACC
Black: Ground
Orange: Illumination
Tan (Brown): + Left Front
Black (w/ TR): - Left Front
Green (White): + Right Front
Black: - Right Front
Brown: + Left Rear
Black: - Left Rear
Dark Blue: + Right Rear
Black w/ TR: - Right Rear
The dash speaker is 4"x10", a common OEM size for vehicles up through the mid-80s. It is a Mono speaker used with AM and Mono FM radio options. Aftermarket dual voice coil speakers are available to replace the mono unit for ease of upgrades.

Door speakers on all AMC cars are 5¼. AMC used Motorola radios with 3.2 Ohm (4 Ohm nominal) speakers. This makes aftermarket replacement straightforward.

Radios have internal, replaceable lights.