Early 90's radio / amp not compatible - HELP!

[93celicaconv]

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

I have an early 90's amp with the Toyota male 15-pin connector that plugs into the back of a compatible radio.

I can get what appears to be a new early 90's Toyota radio that exactly matches my current unit, except this unit only accepts the Toyota 14-pin connector from a compatible amplifier.

Is there a conversion harness out there that can go in between my 15-pin amp and a 14-pin radio?

[christine_lives!]

I believe Metra makes one. However, you are better off installing a new amplifier. I replaced my old System 10 amplifier under the passenger seat and never looked back. Getting the sound to balance was a nightmare.

Besides, two 8" 500w shallow subwoofers in the doors sound way better then OEM midbass any day of the week.

[93celicaconv]

I looked at the Metra catalog and couldn't find anything. I then called Metra, and they said they didn't have anything for this application either. I probably just won't pursue it.

Regarding non-OEM improvements, many do it, and they have valid reasons. I am 80% complete with a ground up restoration of my 93 Celica convertible, and except for a unique leather seating surface, carpeting & paint, I am one who prefers to stay factory equipped. I even bought a new set of factory 8" woofers for the doors, and had my original factory 8" woofers resuspended (the original materials was degraded and coming apart). I think the sound from the all new, factory speakers is awesome. Maybe you were judging 15-20 year old speakers on your System 10, and the sound wasn't all that great. But the new factory speakers are top notch, in my opinion.

[christine_lives!]

Originally Posted by 93celicaconv

I looked at the Metra catalog and couldn't find anything. I then called Metra, and they said they didn't have anything for this application either. I probably just won't pursue it....

....Maybe you were judging 15-20 year old speakers on your System 10, and the sound wasn't all that great. But the new factory speakers are top notch, in my opinion.

You could always get the wiring diagrams and make yourself an awesome harness. Auto wiring is a BLAST!

As for stock, I love keeping my Celica as clean and stock looking as possible. But there are just so many little things that would cost an arm and a leg to upgrade to OEM that just don't deserve it. For less cost, I can get ahold of 4 polyurethane bushings for the sway bars. For less cost, I can get a set of Brembo brake rotors. For me, it is not so much OEM, but keeping the appearance that it is completely stock.

My wheels are off a newer Celica, my strut tower bar is an unbranded aluminum bar for a Dodge Neon ($7.99), and my sound system is neatly tucked away and made to look stock. I haven't added a sub box in the trunk, I just upgraded the doors to be my new sub boxes. New OEM speakers sound like new OEM speakers. Once you have heard a clean setup you will forever know the difference.

[theadidasmunky]

Originally Posted by christine_lives!

I believe Metra makes one. However, you are better off installing a new amplifier. I replaced my old System 10 amplifier under the passenger seat and never looked back. Getting the sound to balance was a nightmare.

Besides, two 8" 500w shallow subwoofers in the doors sound way better then OEM midbass any day of the week.

id love to know more about your stereo upgrades. is it in a post anywhere?

[christine_lives!]

Originally Posted by theadidasmunky

id love to know more about your stereo upgrades. is it in a post anywhere?

I have a post running over at CelicaTech.

System 10 Door Woofer Options

I am running two amplifiers. My Alpine is running 6 Alpine speakers: Component 6.5" in the rear deck with 1" tweeters and 4" dash. Then my Kenwood is running my pair of Pioneer Premier door subs. I have a pair of Onkyo door tweeters, but I seem to have cut the cable going to the doors, so they are uninstalled. I am overpowering my dash speakers and my subs, but as an audio guy, I just know not to overdrive them and have them limited.

This setup required a Big 3 Upgrade and a 160 amp alternator upgrade. It is not a ghetto booming ricer setup, it is just to give me loud, full clarity sound. I am extremely impressed with the results so far! the doors, with some heavy vibration deadening, make excellent sealed boxes.

[theadidasmunky]

Originally Posted by christine_lives!

I have a post running over at CelicaTech.

System 10 Door Woofer Options

I am running two amplifiers. My Alpine is running 6 Alpine speakers: Component 6.5" in the rear deck with 1" tweeters and 4" dash. Then my Kenwood is running my pair of Pioneer Premier door subs. I have a pair of Onkyo door tweeters, but I seem to have cut the cable going to the doors, so they are uninstalled. I am overpowering my dash speakers and my subs, but as an audio guy, I just know not to overdrive them and have them limited.

This setup required a Big 3 Upgrade and a 160 amp alternator upgrade. It is not a ghetto booming ricer setup, it is just to give me loud, full clarity sound. I am extremely impressed with the results so far! the doors, with some heavy vibration deadening, make excellent sealed boxes.

for whatever reason, i'm still on probation on CelicaTech. i cannot post there. so i'm gonna do it here.

I just ordered two amps, a 2- channel JVC (for the door woofers) and a 4- channel kicker for everything else. i intend on putting one under each front seat. i've done car audio installs before, but usually starting with an aftermarket HU and amp and so on. i've never tried putting an amp in between stock HU and stock speakers. i guess i'm wondering if you have any pointers before i undergo this install. They are two very small amps, and they do not RMS that high. but thats what i want. i just want a little more ummfff going to the stock speakers. i plan on upgrading as many stock grounds as i can find. any other recommendations?

JVC KS-AX3002 and
Kicker 08ZX200.4 got them both shipped off crutchfield for $154 total.


thanks.