How do you put in a sterio in a 1997 Chevy Tahoe?

Answer 1

Before starting: I like to use an aftermarket, third party wiring harness, you can get them at most electronics stores that sell vehicle stereos. they will have a legend in the packaging to tell you what each wire is inteded for, connect it to the wireing harness that came with your new stereo, using the legend that came with the stereo's manuals, crimp/connect them together well... you don't want to have to come back to this again (be sure to hook up the blue amplifier wires, you DO have an amplifier- it is the small box under the driver's seat)... While you are at the store picking up the wiring harness, pick up a dash kit like the one found here: http://scosche.com/products/productID/68 to fill in the extra space (I am assuming you are going to a smaller "din" sized stereo) go ahead and assemble the kit per enclosed instructions, and put the outer metal ring thing that comes with your stereo in to it. (follow all instructions in dash kit) All of this can be done on a work bench, or surface of your choosing, to provide you a greater ease in installation. Before continuing, disconnect battery. I don't know if you have push button 4WD or a rear hatch release, or rear wiper, but if you have any of these, around the small plate where the button is located for whichever of these you may have, gently use a screwdriver, or knife blade, something you can pry with to remove them. then unplug them, and tuck the wires back behind the dash, clear of the front dash panel. The entire front of the dash is one piece from the vent on the driver's side to the cup holder in the center of the vehicle. all you need to do is gently get a finger behind it and slowly pull it towards you. I tend to start at the top, and work my way around the sided to the bottom. As you get each of the clips off, let the dash piece return to rest against where it came from, it will not clip back into place, but you do not want to break the dash since it is entirely plastic. When you get to the bottom, I find it necessary to move the steering column to the lowest position, and move the shifter all the way down to 1. You may still however get a little caught up on the hazard light button, you will just hav to wiggle it around there, as well as the rear of the vent on the driver's side. I cannot describe how to move it to get it free, but just move it around gently, and be careful not to break the places where you removed the switches/blanks. UPDATE I FORGOT TO MENTION!~ dash removal info! After you get it loose, but before you pull it out completely, look at the headlight switch box, and remove it, or remove the wires going to it. (I find it easier to remove the entire box, and let it hang) Then look at your existing stereo, on each side of the head unit there are small tabs that you need to pull downward/squeeze and gently pull the stereo out. Disconnect the wiring harness and the antenna from it. Now connect your new wiring harness you purchased and connected earler, as well as the antenna adaptor that should have been included with it. At this point you should see where each thing should pretty much plug in. I found it easier to go ahead, and put the new stereo into the dash kit, then make the final connections to the stereo, and slide the whole assembled unit in. -- At this point I would reconnect the battery temporarily, to make sure everything works approporately. If so, then disconnect it again, and reassemble the dash, then reconnect the battery when all is complete.