The 2002 radio in my TT died. Since new RV radios cost $$$, I looked on eBay without much luck. I am thinking about replacing the radio with a used car radio from a junk yard. That is a better radio for less money. I can rework the cut-out in the TT to fit the radio.A friend said that: (1) Many (most ?) car radios need am amplifier and will not power RV speakers directly. Is this true?(2) Many new car radios have a locking code that is key to the car's VIN number that only the car dealership can change. This is to stop the steeling of radios.How do I select a car radio that will work in my TT. . . .:h . . . Or is this a bad idea?

1) No, most auto head units have their own amplifier.2)Maybe, but not typical.Look around at Crutchfield to see what's available and for installation instructions. You can use different bezels to accommodate different sizes of radios.

Go to walmart and buy a $50 car radio. Or splurge and get a nicer one. Even check out Crutchfield (do a search, they have a ton of stuff).Almost all have 40-50w of power power channel and will not require an external amplifier.

Buy a $100 new radio from Crutchfield. It will probably have a USB slot for mp3's. I use a $10 NanoUsb for music. If stolen I'm out $10. Plus the new radio will work. Crutchfield will usually throw in the wiring harness and dash plate.

X2 on walmart.They have a 'huge' selection of radios and really cheap even for some pretty nice pricey brand names.Sound system store wanted $800 bucks to replace the radio in my MH. I picked up a $120.00 radio for $79 bucks on sale that sounds way better than the factory one did and has 4 times the options on it. Not to mention some totally unecessary but cool blue lights.:B Instructions included were easy enough for me to install too!

Depending on how old the tech of the failed radio is, you may find you have to do a little extra wiring to keep the Time and Station Memory "warm" when you turn the TT's house battery off for storage.Any way I look at it, I see this swap as "easy."

Replacing TT radio with used car radio ??? | Good Sam Community

wa8yxm
Explorer III
Oct 26, 2015
Many places including crutchfield (add www and com) sell the proper plug with pigtail or even adapt-a-plugs.
jstar
Explorer
Oct 27, 2015
When it comes to an RV there usually are only two speakers possibly 4 so really all there is are the power, ground and speaker wires. The problem I have with mine is modern stereos have a second power wire that shuts the stereo off when you open the car door so if not hooked up to a switch of some sort the stereo stays powered up at all times until you kill the battery power in some way.
ol_Bombero-JC
Explorer
Oct 27, 2015
MEXICOWANDERER wrote:

Mis-matched components will make your setup sound like a Mexican Hi-Fi

Hijole !!

~
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Oct 27, 2015
I didn't believe a stereo could make 170% distortion until I came down here.
jstar
Explorer
Oct 27, 2015
most car stereos are 4 ohm I do believe.
TenOC
Nomad
Oct 27, 2015
Thanks all . . . :B

My TT has 2 front and 2 rear speakers and I have the wire color code from the old radio. Now I need to find a good deal on the radio I want or I need Santa to bring me one.
jstar
Explorer
Oct 27, 2015
TenOC wrote:
Thanks all . . . :B

My TT has 2 front and 2 rear speakers and I have the wire color code from the old radio. Now I need to find a good deal on the radio I want or I need Santa to bring me one.

I pulled a Panasonic stereo out of my 2003 TT that I have absolutely zero use for. PM me your mailing address and I will mail it to you. Its a typical car stereo from the era, nothing fancy.

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Replacing TT radio with used car radio ???

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