How to wire aftermarket radio in 66 Barracuda?

[westernpools]

Hey all. New to the club as of last week. First thing I need to do is get some tunes in my ride. A previous owner removed the radio at some point and did a custom panel for gauges which looks nice, and I'm not interested in preserving/restoring the stock look. I'm going to do a single or double din underdash mount for a new headunit with CarPlay. I've swapped out many stereos in modern cars with wiring harness kits, but never in a classic. I assume there's a good grounding point behind the dash. Where are the best ways to run the 12v constant and switched? For now I will just be running 2 front speakers in kickpanels off the headunit. I searched and found an older thread where someone had used a Littelfuse relay kit, but I haven't been able to find it online. Thanks! - Jessica

 

[RedFish]

If the factory radio wiring is still there you'll find a connector with a red wire and a orange wire. red is switched power from the radio fuse. Orange was for a dial lamp that was poked into the radio. you likely wont use that for a aftermarket unit. As for constant/memory power... cig' lighter is one always hot source. Do fuse the memory wire though. There's 20 amps available most anywhere you do tap a hot wire. Thats a heck of a lot more juice than req'd for a memory circuit.

 

[westernpools]

If the factory radio wiring is still there you'll find a connector with a red wire and a orange wire. red is switched power from the radio fuse. Orange was for a dial lamp that was poked into the radio. you likely wont use that for a aftermarket unit. As for constant/memory power... cig' lighter is one always hot source. Do fuse the memory wire though. There's 20 amps available most anywhere you do tap a hot wire. Thats a heck of a lot more juice than req'd for a memory circuit.

Thanks! I'm not at home right now to check again, but if the factory wiring isn't still there for the switched power... is there a good alternative nearby?

 

[RedFish]

Thanks! I'm not at home right now to check again, but if the factory wiring isn't still there for the switched power... is there a good alternative nearby?

Look for a unused spade terminal on the back of the wiper switch. Installers would power CB radios, etc.., from there back in the day.

 

[Cuda Al]

There is a connector on the back of the fuse panel you can use.


Alan