New stereo needed for Caravan

Hi,

Another issue I have been researching high and low is what to do to replace my stock stereo. It's the non-brand CD/cassette/AM/FM. It works well enough. The CD player died. My unwelcome tinkering with the stereo loosened the FM antenna wire, causing it to drop all FM reception most of the time. The FM floats back in once in awhile.

The local dealer wants to charge me $600 to replace the stereo with the exact same thing. Repairing this unit will cost $450. I'm thinking the dealer's expensive across the board, but I'm trying to support local dealers, yada yada yada.

I found a place on the internet that sells the unit for $150, but it's in Texas and I think the units are either clone/knockoffs or stolen.

Stereo stores have told me that they can't fit a brand name commercial stereo into the stock compartment so I'll have to have it installed in the glove compartment or under one of the front seats. I hate these two options.

Is there a stereo unit that I can buy from a stereo store that will fit? Is there a cheaper way to get a stock stereo? And while I'm waiting to fix this problem, how can I fix the FM reception?

Thank you,

Susan
Oakland, CA

That's hogwash. You can buy an adapter kit for about 10 bucks that will allow you to install any aftermarket stereo you want. There are also wiring pigtails available for about 7 bucks that will nicely plug right into your van's wiring. I've done it in mine to put in a JVC MP3 player and works great. Now I can burn mp3 songs to a CDRW and play them in the car. I still have the old cd/cassette/radio unit and it works well however i have no idea what it's worth....
Geoff

The iPOD works great, but what's I miss is being able to play new CDs I just bought in the car on the way home. In fact I was browsing through the 2005 Caravan specs sheet to see if the latest stock stereo comes with an mp3 built-in plug-in. Not yet. That's when I know I'll want to trade the 96 Grand Caravan in.

Take care,
Susan

carravaner5000, maybe Geoff will give you a good deal on the unit that he is not using. As for the iPod I've been using it in my 96 T $ C with the CD/cassette player it plays thru the cassette player with an adapter. I have put my complete cd collection on this iPod it would take over 12 days to hear it all. I just set it on random and it mixes all songs and will not repeat. I've been doing this for over two months and still have not heard the same song twice. I still play cds sometimes but for the long trip what pleasure to hear all the music that I have been collecting for years and rarely get the time to hear. If I want to hear a certain cd or artist I set it to play for that. I got my player on eBay for $100.00 less than in the stores (I got the 20 gig player $289.00)and a car charger for $15.00 a must. This is constantly putting smiles on my face when it plays songs that I haven't heard for a long time. I was going to do just what Geoff did with the MP3 player for the car but the cost was almost the same and now I have an almost unlimited source of music that I can take with me anywhere. I also use it in my Saab 900S convertilbe and on airplane trips as well. Ride On, digimon

Hi how about recycled junkyard parts carparts.com I made an inquirey and these are a couple results.1996
Radio
Chrysler Town and Country Infinity Sound Sys, w/CD player- B0036 $125 Baseline Auto Recycling USA-AZ(Gilbert) E-mail 1-480-892-0495
1995
Radio
Dodge Caravan Infinity Sound Sys, w/CD player- STK GOOD D191 $125 All Auto Acres, Inc.-RP+Member USA-WI(Rio)

Just go to www.carparts.com and enter your information then click on the page # just before the gray one the gray is the cheapest price for the part the selection is better on the page before
Eric

Hi again
I is simple to replace this radio or to remove it and reinsert the antena lead first just above the cup holder is a small dash panel about 1 inch by 7 inches pull on it ,it pops right off remove the screws under it there are also two screws on the top of the trim that the radio/heater controls are in take them out then remove the whole panel with heater controls underneath you will find two more screws in the radio faceplate remove them and slide the radio right out if the cables/plugs are lose reinsert them and reinstall Eric

Those stereo stores are full of it. Go to Circuit City and get a sweet CD player plus installation.

Visit crutchfield.com... I just replaced mine & they give you the install kit, wire harness, & install sheet for your car. It took me 15 minutes to attach the wire harness & install kit to the new stereo (at my kitchen table) and another 15 to put it in the van. Snagged an Alpine & the whole shabang including shipping cost just over 100 bucks. No problems....

If you still have an Issue with the radio and want to replace it let me know. I can get you a radio and wire it to the OEM harnest so all you have to do is remove the one you have now and plug in the new one. 100% Plug and Play. Am, Fm, Xm, CD.... Same size as the OEM one.

[email protected]

I have 2 radios. One a standard AM/FM and the other an cassette AM/FM Will sell either one cheap. Let me know. They work perfect, been on the shelf for about a year now. Like new condition.