1997 cav factory radio......

I just bought a 1997 cav and i want to put an aftermarket radio. I searched the forums and i heard it inflates the airbag or certain things dont work anymore. IS this true about the 1997?. And the i need a harness and wires?

Rumors apply to the 2000 and newer, I believe. You should be fine. The only thing that really happens on the newer cars is you lose your key-in or headlight-on chime.

wire harness and radio antenna adaptor, soderer, sodering wire, black electric tape, the knowledge on how to take your dash apart, its in the haynes repair manual, or if you buy a deck from crutchfeild.com they send directions, some good amount of time and a cold beer or ice tea..w/e you get the idea...its really easy.

the hardest part of replacing the stock radio is taking that DAMN dash apart.. i hate that! i cut the plastic peice that holds in the radio, bodo then painted it.. probually 10 times the amoundt of effort.. but shit

to replace your stereo you will either need to get the plugs from circuit city that match or just splice the wires this I found out the hard way. you wont hurt your airbag system or lose any chimes if you properly wire everything. this is wiring colors for the splicing.
Car Radio Constant 12v+ Wire: Orange
Car Radio Switched 12v+ Wire: Yellow
Car Radio Ground Wire: Black
Car Radio Illumination Wire: Gray
Car Stereo Dimmer Wire: Brown
Car Stereo Amp Trigger Wire: N/A
Car Stereo Amplifier Location: N/A
Front Speakers Size: N/A
Front Speakers Location: N/A
Left Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Tan
Left Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Gray
Right Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Light Green
Right Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Dark Green
Rear Speakers Size: N/A
Rear Speakers Location: N/A
Left Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Brown
Left Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Yellow
Right Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Dark Blue
Right Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Light Blue

after you connect all of your speaker and power wires you will wonder what to do with your 2 dimmer wires. and the green wire with the white stripe (not the one that goes to the speaker) the brown and grey dinner wires will be connected together and to your new stereo dimmer wire (usually white) and the green wire with white stripe do not connect to anything and do not ground. just tape off by itself. if you arent confident take it to best but and installation is $50 they do everything for you.

to replace your stereo you will either need to get the plugs from circuit city that match or just splice the wires this I found out the hard way. you wont hurt your airbag system or lose any chimes if you properly wire everything. this is wiring colors for the splicing.
Car Radio Constant 12v+ Wire: Orange
Car Radio Switched 12v+ Wire: Yellow
Car Radio Ground Wire: Black
Car Radio Illumination Wire: Gray
Car Stereo Dimmer Wire: Brown
Car Stereo Amp Trigger Wire: N/A
Car Stereo Amplifier Location: N/A
Front Speakers Size: N/A
Front Speakers Location: N/A
Left Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Tan
Left Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Gray
Right Front Speaker Positive Wire (+): Light Green
Right Front Speaker Negative Wire (-): Dark Green
Rear Speakers Size: N/A
Rear Speakers Location: N/A
Left Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Brown
Left Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Yellow
Right Rear Speaker Positive Wire (+): Dark Blue
Right Rear Speaker Negative Wire (-): Light Blue

after you connect all of your speaker and power wires you will wonder what to do with your 2 dimmer wires. and the green wire with the white stripe (not the one that goes to the speaker) the brown and grey dinner wires will be connected together and to your new stereo dimmer wire (usually white) and the green wire with white stripe do not connect to anything and do not ground. just tape off by itself. if you arent confident take it to best but and installation is $50 they do everything for you.

omg thanks! But....this post is late by almost 5 years.