replacing factory stereo, and not just the deck

i might jump around a little so bear with me . allright, im on the verge of redoing my 97 c2500. I replaced my factory speakers, while leaving the factory deck until i made up my mind. I had some pioneer 4 x 6 and some sony 61/2 in the front. Then i got a bulk pack of dynamat xtreme to do the whole interior. I went to take the panneling off and i realized i was in a rut. I know that the seatbelt retractors for the front are held in by a hex nut, but when i try to torque them off, no luck. there on tight, and for good reason. so i just went around it. But when i got done i was listening to it proababaly a little to loud and pushed my little 4 x 6 to the limit and blew the woofers. So now instead of just replacing the factory size, ive ordered some infinity refrence 6 X 9s and im just gonna use a dremmel and stretch out my factory cutout. My first question is should i try and remove the seatbelts so i can take the pannel off or just try and work around having it hang from the retractor. (thats what i did when i took the factory speakers out, but trying to use the dremmel i dont really want to.) My next question is now ive got my head unit picked out, but ive never taken the dash off before. im not worried about the wiring, i just dont want to get the dash off, or half off and get stuck. Should i do it myself or drive down to circuit city and let them deal with it they do have free installiation, but i could proababaly get a better deal if i bought it and did it myself

I work at Circuit City (and install car Stereo’s) As far as the rear speakers go, honestly…I usually just let them hang, but I can see what your problem with dermal… And I am trying to figure out why you need the dremel? (And Infinity is the only way to go, I use infinity 4x6s in my truck…. Nice speakers)

As far as a deck goes, its very simple to do. The only way you will save money (about 10 bucks) is if you know how to solder, because I will not, and can not recommend using clips, or butt connectors to connect stereo wires.

Your Dash is really simple to do, it just pops off with a little effort…you will notice the gap between the black, and the regular dash…just lightly pull their… Here is the installers tip. Put your truck in first gear, and drop ur steering wheel to as low as it will go, and pull the control cluster…WATCHING OUT OF THE HAZARD SWITCH ON THE TOP OF THE STEERING COLOMB! (a 400 dollar fix, and they are very easy to break) disconnect the wires from any button u may have, push on the side clips holding the factory stereo in, slide them out…slide the new dash kit in, install the cage, clip up the harnesses, and your done.

You will need:

1. Dash kit
2. Factory Wiring Harness
3. Antenna Adaptor.

If Circuit City installs it, they will charge you a 3.99 shop fee, and 6 more dollars for a "smart" harness. (it allows the stereo harness to clip right up to the factor harness, no soldering, no butt connections) If you question your skills at all, let them do it. If not, go for it.

the reason for the dremmel is because im not replacing the 4 x 6, im expanding the cut out and replacing them with some 6 x 9s.

"im not worried about the wiring"
be very worried!!!
especially when it comes to the a/c controller right bellow the stereo. If I were you I would pull it while you have the radio out and cut a piece of plastic to cover the exposed circuit board!!!!! or worst case put some tape over it and make sure no metal or bare wires touch it!!!! or it is good night... especially the antenna adapter that comes with the installation kit.... you have no Idea how many do-it-yourselfers have been burned buy that. Even professional installers!!!!!

Good Call Richie!

Yeah, Antena adaptors have a habit of slipping underneath the deck! At least wrap the circuit bored in Electrical tape, and Definitally wrap the bare metal on the antena adaptor also...

I am also planning on attempting some stereo work in my 97 Silverado X-Cab Z-71. I have two questions:

How should I hook up my amplified Bazooka 8" tube to the factory stereo? Crutchfield says they have no adaptor for this.

How do you remove the rear speaker/seatbelt trim to replace the rear speakers? I don't want to break the plastic.

Thanks!

Barry

you have to take out the rear seat, and to make it really easy, just take out all the seats, you need all the room you can get, then theres 2 screws at the bottom of the rear pannel, and then take out the cigarett tray in the back and youll see 2 screws in there, then take that off and there will again be 2 more screws. Then take out the tray in the side pannel and lift out to remove the bottom. The top one wont come all the way out because of the seat belt retractors. It really isnt that hard you just have to look at what peice overlaps what peice. nothing to bad, but be careful because the shit will break really easily and those pannels arent to cheap. Just have a free day ready to be sucked up if your working by yourself and dont know to much about what your doing.

I Re-Vamped my stereo, and changed 4 speakers and deck.

Front speakers, I opted for lightly larger and got creative with the "sheet metal" behind the door panel.

The Back Speakers, I went online, got some ideas on "building a box", and made two speaker boxes for six by 9's, used extra wire, and now can move them from behind the seat to outside on my box, talk about awesome "usefullness".

All the other tips I seen, wireing harnesses and all, I used. Made Life easy.
Hope that helps.