The head unit in my 1996 I30 has died. I have a bose system. I would like to replace it with a used stock unit, and I was wondering if one from a newer year model (1997-99) would be a direct fit without any additional harness or modification. Has anybody done that?

I read the whole thread about radios, but there is no section covering stock radios as replacement units.

 

Yes, a 97-99 model would be a direct replacement.

 

There are some folks on eBay selling adapters that are supposedly required (according to them) to connect a unit from a newer year model into a 1996 year model. I am not sure if the sellers are not very knowledgeable of the product they are selling or if they are trying to take advantage of misinformed customers.

 

Thats probably just some generic part of their ad. Any newer model, such as from a 2000 and up wouldnt even fit in the dash.

 

I will stick with a unit from a 1997-99 year model then. That way I won't need any harness adapter, and it will physically be a direct fit.

By the way, I love the car in the picture in your signature. Is that your own car? You did a very good job with those tire/wheel sets. It looks so good that I may do the same on mine.

 

If you can find one from a 99 it might be better, simply because its slightly newer. The face plate is a little sleeker looking too.

Thanks. Yes that my car. It doesnt look like that anymore. I just sold those wheels this past weekend. It has the 98-99 tails now, and its lower on coilovers.

 

Had I known, I wouldve grabbed this radio earlier

 

Please post some pics your current setup.
I'd love to see!

 

Newest pic I have of it.

 

Ugh I really need to find a set of those rime

 

Give me your old tails lol. But I do have the newer 98-99 I30 bose headunit. Way better than the older ones. Some even have the bose pathfinder headunit too.