Okay, so I've got the stereo radio which connects to the factory amp (which was found under the console when I decided to re-do the interior) via a 9-pin. The speaker are all shot, and someone connected the radio to a single dash speaker from a terminal on the 3-pronged thing in the back of the radio. The other speakers had been disconnected. The radio works fine, but I want to upgrade, adding a Boss amp and new stereo speakers where the others have been removed. How do I interface with the factory radio/amp? Can I isolate the features on the 9-pin so that the new amp is doing what it's supposed to and still be able to control volume, etc. on the radio knobs? Anybody out there have a diagram of the 9-pin (which pin does what?)? Oh yea, and I want to add a CD changer. THANKS.

Others may know for sure, but I don't believe that there was ever an actual amp per say? They had a stereo with what would be kind of a reverb set up etc... (not as familiar with the 69's)

For what you are looking to get out of your system I would suggest getting all the additional components you want to use (amp, speakers etc.) and then either have the stock stereo converted or add a Custom Autosound's Secret Audio
http://www.custom-autosound.com/secretaudio.php
and then you keep the stock unit in the dash (and could leave it set up just as is with the dash speaker if you wanted) and then be able to run the secret sudio with all the other speakers, CD changer, amp etc...

Either way, yes, it will cost a little bit, but it will be out of sight, and you will have the quality and modern components you would like.

Personally, I kept the stock radio in the dash, and installed an Alpine I had in the glove box (bought a new liner to cut as needed) and two amps, X-over, a CD changer and a sub in the trunk, two 6x9's, two 4x6's, adding two tweeters in the pillars, two bass shakers under the front seats.

All for under $400 But it took me about two years to compile everything and to get the parts of the system that cheap. Still working on it...

Start small, dream big!

Brett - 67 Drop Top 455!

My '69 does have the AM/FM stereo receiver with the separate amp over the glovebox. It's not the reverb unit that was also available. I don't know the pinouts, but they could be had from a radio rebuilder. Check the section on this forum.

I opted to retain the original AM/FM stereo receiver in-dash, and instead of reinstalling 6 x 9s in the cardboard boxes in the trunk of my 'vert I installed an Infinity BassLink subwoofer, which takes very little space and allows the top to fold away nicely. I then cut the rear power top cylinder covers and installed Blaupunkt OverDrive 5 x 7 shallow speakers, which clear the mechanism with room to spare. I then replaced the factory 4 x 6 kickpanel speakers with new Infinity reference 4 x 6 speakers, and a new head unit installed in the space between the console and the bottom of the dash, in a custom vinyl-wrapped box.

For show purposes, I have the old 4 x 6s magnetically mounted under the dash on the old harnesses. I just need to demostrate that it works, not that it sounds good. The new head unit uses quick-disconnects so I can pull the whole thing and tuck the new wiring up under the dash for shows. If I need to display the trunk, the BassLink removes with two screws, then the power, feed and remote leads.

I plan to have a spare set of panels to install in place of the panels with the 5 x 7s, but haven't gotten that far yet.

There is no compromise in sound quality, it's all reversible, and retains the original hardware. I've seen very nice completely trunk-mounted installations that use a remote for switching sources and channels, and a fiber optic cable to point the remote at. I considered it, but I wasn't that concerned about invisibility.

I'll have to check into this more... I didn't know and or have never run across any info that listed anything on an amp (not that I've ever looked specifically for this yet... Lol..) But now this has me intrigued...

Have you found any specs on the AM/FM Stereo set up? I'd like to know... just to know... what the system specs were and what the amp specs were etc.

I too am an information junkie!

Thanks - Brett - 67 Drop Top 455!

Figure 15-72 in the '69 Pontiac service manual shows the setup for the FM Stereo Radio-Firebird. This includes the amp connection. Sorry I can't scan and post it right now, I sold my computer and the temp doesn't have all the toys.

Figure 15-68 shows the stereo wiring in detail. However, they don't have a breakout of the amp pinouts. The amplifier and receiver are to be serviced as a "matched set".

You can easily integrate your Bose amp using the speaker level outputs. The factory amp output can't be more than 15 watts tops. However, if you want better sound quality, you will need the diagrams to isolate the radio preamp outputs and disconnect the factory amp.

BTW, the factory amp should be mounted on a bracket over the glovebox, not under the console. The harnesses will all be there if the car was originally equipped with the '69 AM/FM stereo (easily identifiable by chrome pushbuttons).

The line-level output is fed from the receiver through the 9 pin connector as stereo outputs. The receiver feeds back amplified output, which is then fed to the speaker harness on the receiver after interfacing with the balance, fader and volume controls.

The factory rear speakers were chassis grounded, which is generally prohibited with modern amp designs. If you choose to use a factory amp, you will want to isolate the grounds and use new speakers to provide + and - leads for each amp channel. The kick panel mount front speakers had + and - leads, but I believe the black - leads feed back to a common ground.

Sam's photofacts has the service information: http://www.samswebsite.com/photofact/pf_search.asp (search for 92ffm, if that matches the tag on your receiver.) I believe the appropriate photofacts would be ar-59 and ar-66, but please check before ordering.
http://firstgenfirebird.org/firebird/FAQ/interior/radio.html has some of the part numbers.

My stereo is installed, or I'd look at my stereo and amp and get the #s for you.

Ok, this is making more sense now... I've known OF the Multiplex systems, but not exatcly what the system was comprised of. And never heard it refered to as an amp only as a multiplex...

In effect, I believe we are basically talking about the same concept... as the reverb was used in earlier models to in a way Fake, stereo sound
and it appears that they changed to the Multiplex for true stereo definition for the 69 model.

It almost sounds like kind of a crossover/power booster type of thing?

Steves on line service manual only went to about 15/62 or so... almost covered that section! Doh!
http://1968firebird.org/

Thanks for looking up the additionl info... like I said, I love to learn all I can about out first gens!

Brett - 67 Drop Top 455!

There is a Delco radio service manual available. I haven't seen one, but repair shops should know where to get them. I've used the Sam's documents many times for other projects, and they are the best.

If you want to use a CD changer, you will either have to convert your original, or use Secret Audio or something. I chose to install a Pioneer MP3 player instead, in the underdash position. It was a lot cheaper, and would interface with a changer if I wanted to install one.

I can help you with the speaker level outputs. Dark blue goes to right rear. Brown goes to left rear. Black with purple goes to right front. Tan goes to left front. Other wires on the radio connector are yellow (power), gray (light from dimmer).

The other lead on the amplifier connects to the underdash rear speaker harness adapter. I'm not sure what its function is.

Just as a reference I have the multiplex too. The amp may supply as much as 15 watts per channel. These amps are matched to the receiver. I have had mine serviced an it still doesn't sound great no matter what speakers I use. It's just another pretty face. :rolleyes:
Jim

Thanks a lot to all you pros for your in depth answers. They have been very helpful. Just to let you know, however, There is a bracket to hold the amp (or MPX) in place under the console cover in front of the shifter, I believe because mine has factory air (not enough room over the glovebox?). I'm 90% sure that it was mounted there originally. I'm not so sure about the original location of the speakers though. I see no evidence of kick panel speakers (but again this may be related to the A/C, I'm not sure). And why the radio has a single wire running up to the dash speaker is beyond me. I did see that the rear speakers were grounded to the chassis as was probably done originally. I will not repeat that installation. Any other advice is welcome. I want to preserve the original radio, but don't know if wiring my new amp and speakers to that radio system is advisable or even feasible.

The manuals do not show a console mount. I have factory air conditioning and my amp is located above the glove box. Someone probably got smart and remounted your amp under the console. The way that it is wired leads me to believe that the stereo may have been added. It would be very difficult to install the amp in the stock location if added to an A/C car. I would not spend too much time and money on this stereo. There are some really nice hidden audio systems that give you better quality reception and sound while maintaining the stock appearance of your dash.
Jim

My 'bird is very highly optioned, has the console, A/C, FM stereo from the factory. Mine has the perforation for the center dash speaker, but no speaker under the opening. It does have two factory kick panel speakers plus two rears. Your 'bird probably did not ship with the FM stereo, but may have been either dealer installed (improperly) or added by the owner at a later time. If you have your PHS packet it will show the AM/FM stereo option if the car was built with it.

I'd leave the dash speaker connected, replace the rears, and go with Secret Audio.