X-2^^^^^
I learned the hard way.....you need a big enough wire to power a new radio/system. Tiny stock size wire just won't do it!

You are talking about the Keep Alive power, not the power to run the stereo, sub-wooofer, three 500w amps, and the hydraulicx....right.

KA power can come from one of the Amp gauge wires...if you have the Delux interior...or you can pick always hot off of the "B" lug of the Ignition switch.  For a normal, not amped, modern stereo, you should be okay pulling power from the "A" (Accessory) lead leaving the Ign. switch.  When I first did our car I used a Crapstom Auto Sound radio with four spkrs and just connected it to the stock radio pwr lead...no problem.  I'm using a Retro Sound Model 2 on  16ga feed off of a 20 amp fuse in the latest iteration without trouble.  So Id say if you aren't running a bunch of amps you probably won't need a heavy power source.  Or, you can always wire in a relay with power directly from the batt. and switch it from the ACC lug of the Ign switch.  That way you know you'll be ok.  But for a normal radio I think that may be overkill.

BB



 

Last edited by Bullet Bob (11/29/2015 8:35 PM)

Steve69 wrote:

You could try off your lighter wire. 

Good call, Steve.  I forgot all about that.

BB

There should be a couple of unused female bullet receptacles hanging behind the instrument cluster. Use a test light and find the one that is hot all the time. Put a male bullet terminal on the wire and plug it in. That is what I did on my RetroSound radio. 

Last edited by zakdaddy99 (11/30/2015 8:00 AM)

Thanks for advice. I will probably start with cig lighter connection for constant 12v source.  I will use a test meter though so not to short anything out. It will be a simple stereo connect, no amplifiers, 6.5 ' kick panel speakers, and 2 small 3.5 in front dash. Has to be better than original AM with what looks to be original speaker??  I have changed mounting location from glove box and ordered TMI center console and will plug stereo in console.  I may change wiring that came with stereo as it looks to be very small I guess 18 ga.