Infinity j30 Stereo replacement

[20vcq]

Has anyone found a good replacement for the Bose radio/stereo unit in their j30 1993/1997 ? I have looked for a used replacement but no joy. Installers - some get it and some do not as to what can and cannot be hooked to a Bose amp. I am aware of the special harness if a change is made but I am getting conflicting answers about the adaptability and quality of sound adding an after market unit. Any insight or experience would be appreciated.

[rrocket]

Some headunits come with amps that as good as stand-alone factory amps.  I'm in the same boat as you with my Supra.  I'm considering a replacement for my 1994 technology head unit...Double DIN.  You CAN have a headunit wired to use the factory amp.  I don't see why you couldn't on yours if the headunit has provisions for a standalone amp source....


I will likely be going with the Pioneer F700BT.  It's crazy money in Canada....but only $375 US or so...

[initial_D]

Unless you can find the exact oem head unit for replacement, it is very difficult to find a wiring harness for the Bose amp.

Personally, I don't find the Bose equipment sound that great, maybe a good time to replace everything. Head units are fairly cheap nowadays, and amps can be purchased used at very decent prices. Some factory speakers do sound OK with a proper matching power/frequency input setup.

[gta_driver]

I have a J30, the stereo units are one of the weakpoints in the car. The speakers and head unit where actually manufactured by Clarion, though they're branded Bose

Your options are refurbished head unit (approximatly $250 at a Infiniti dealer or aftermarket). If you go aftermarket, contact Crutchfield(www.crutchfield.com), they have an aftermarket kit for the J30 with instructions.

You need a adaptor for the Bose Amp to make it work with aftermarket head units.

[20vcq]

gta_driver - thanks
The dealer replacement is no linger supported by Clarion. They sent my unit back saying to old to repair. And yes this is the weak point of the car as this would have been the second rebuild had it been possible within 4 years!!
I have found Crutchfield web site and have a query in to them. The dash plate may be the only item not available.. I even tried buying a used unit on Ebay but that turned out to be broke also .. 

[gta_driver]

I would call Crutchfield. They don't list the kit online.

If you have a local electronicss repair place, sometimes they can fix the headunits. Apparently the guts of the head unit have a lot of common Clarion parts.

[20vcq]

The one technician in town that would look at it spent some of his own time and then asked me to source a board schematics for him as no one can supply him with one.  Clarion, even though they wouldn't fix it said no to my request. It appears Bose is very secretive ..
Crutchfield has a Pioneer unit Pioneer DEH-P4000UB, that is recommended - but funny thing their price is $219 US and the same unit at Canadian Tire is $189 CAN. Now all I need to do I guess is find the harness and a fill plate for the dash.

[gta_driver]

If you can't find it anywhere locally, try Crutchfield for the plate and all the wiring you require.